Mamai’ata (The New Dawn) presents a series of human qualities that seek to uncover pou on a journey to balance life’s challenges. This work calls upon its audience to reflect on their own personal experiences, focusing on human traits and characteristics that we all possess. Mamai’ata sets out to reveal our own frailties and strengths, exposing a new way to a good life with the break of a new dawn.

First produced in 2018 as an experimental performance installation for Kia Mau Festival at Pātaka Museum, Porirua and The Dowse Art Gallery, Lower Hutt.

Te Hau Winitana (Te Atiawa, Ngati Ruapani, Nukuroa, Atiu) is a performing artist, choreographer and dance teacher. She is the Artistic Director of Inano Dance Company and School, a Wellington based training platform for Cook Islands ‘ura.

Her work includes tutoring under the guidance of Cook Islands master artist Tuaine Robati. During 2013, Te Hau danced for Le Moana and performed in Fatu Na Toto by Tupe Lualua.

In 2015, Te Hau was the Cook Islands dance tutor for the KIWA DANCE programme offering Cook Islands dance and Siva Samoa workshops in secondary schools and tertiary institutions. Her work included relieving Cook Islands dance tutor at Whitireia Performing Arts Programme as well as assistant tour director and performing for Whitireia Performing Arts Group.

Te Hau is a dancer for Tawata Productions’ The Beautiful Ones performed at Circa Theatre, Wellington, and Auckland Live, Auckland.

In 2018, Te Hau premiered her new work Mamai’ata as part of Kia Mau Festival. Mamai’ata was performed at Pataka Art + Museum, Porirua and The Dowse Gallery, Lower Hutt. 

BACK TO KIA MAU FESTIVAL EVENTS