Te Pou Theatre Rangatahi Collective is excited to launch the…
This kaupapa aims to bridge gaps in access, knowledge, and networks by connecting emerging creatives (teina) with experienced artists, practitioners, and leaders (tuakana) who can offer guidance, support, and encouragement.
Meet the Mentors
We’re excited and honoured to introduce Miriama McDowell and Nī Dekkers-Reihana as the tuakana mentors for this kaupapa.
Both are highly experienced and respected Māori practitioners who have made significant contributions to Aotearoa’s arts and creative industries. Their artistic journeys span performance, theatre, storytelling, leadership, and advocacy, and they each bring a unique perspective and depth of knowledge to the table.
Two tuakana-teina (mentor-mentee) pairs will be selected to take part in the programme, running from 5 October – 11 December 2026. Participants will receive a fee in recognition of their time and commitment, plus a stipend to support any mentorship related costs (e.g. studio or workspace hire, materials, resources, or other expenses that contribute to the kaupapa).
Whether you’re seeking creative guidance, career advice, leadership development, or support navigating your next steps, this kaupapa is an opportunity to invest in your growth while building relationships within our artistic communities.
We encourage applications from Indigenous rangatahi and emerging artists (18-30 years old) who have a clear intention for mentorship and are committed to engaging fully in the programme.
To get the most out of this kaupapa, we ask that applicants:
To apply, please complete the application form at the link below.
Applications close 20 September.
Selected teina will be notified by Monday 30 September.
If you have any pātai, please contact Abbie Rogers at abbie@tepoutheatre.nz.
Applications open on 3 September.
Applications close on 20 September.
Applicants notified on 30 September.
Kaupapa runs 5 October – 11 December (10 weeks).
Mō Wai | Indigenous rangatahi and emerging artists (18-30 years old) who have a clear intention for mentorship and are committed to engaging fully in the programme.
Miriama McDowell, Ngāti Hine, has worked in the theatre and screen industry for over twenty years. In 2024 she was made an Arts Laureate for theatre. She is an award winning actor, director, writer, and dramaturg. Miriama is a graduate of Toi Whakaari, NZ Drama School. She is a founding member of Intimacy Coordinators Aotearoa and a board member of Equity NZ.
Her film credits include Whina, Coming Home In The Dark, No.2, Waru, and The Great Maiden’s Blush, for which she won a Best Actress Award at the NZ Film Awards in 2017. She has worked in countless shows on the small screen, and in 2020 she won the NZ TV Awards Best Actress Award for her role in Head High. Her new TV series This Is Home has just been released on Whakaata Māori. Miriama is a regular director for Ahikaaroa, Kura Production’s bilingual drama television series, and loves directing theatre.
Miriama’s happy place is being in a room with actors and she loves mentoring emerging artists. Miriama is passionate about diversity, telling Māori stories, and creating work where women take the lead.
Nī Dekkers-Reihana (Ngāpuhi, Te Rarawa, Ngāti Porou) is a takatāpui theatre and screen artist. Their recent acting work includes the widely acclaimed Tiri: Te Araroa Woman Far Walking with Auckland Theatre Company and the lead role in TV series Head Girl, while their directing mahi includes the sold-out May Mga Uod Ang Utak Mo by Sean Rivera and Silo Theatre’s adaptation of Nick Payne’s Constellations.
Te Pou Theatre Rangatahi Collective empowers Indigenous emerging artists by fostering connection, and kaupapa-driven collaboration to create meaningful impact within our communities and the arts.
Need a great headshot but haven’t got one? Come along for 15 mins with photographer Ralph Brown. Ralph will take a few professional pics of you and send the touched up photos to you after the session for your use on your professional profiles.
Intimacy Coordination is about cultivating a safe and professional environment for the crafting of intimate content on screen and stage. This workshop will provide participants with valuable tools and language that will add to your kete & professional practice.
Bringing back our popular Te Pou Awe acting workshops for 2024, we are inviting whānau Māori of the industry to come along and have a play with some acting. Facilitated by Tainui Tukiwaho, covering the many facets of acting and what makes Māori Theatre.
Kāore i ārikarika ki ngā kaitautoko
