As part of our He Ngaru Nui programme, Kia Mau 2025 closes with I Feel Love – a bold, visually electric celebration of Aotearoa funk and disco. Inspired by the era of defiant disco and the legacy of artists like Donna Summer and Nile Rodgers, this powerful one-night-only event is a call to the dance floor. 

I Feel Love brings together a newly formed super band led by Maarire Brunning-Kouka (Tūhoe, Ngāti Porou, Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāti Raukawa) and Louisa Williamson, showcasing a stellar line-up of musicians and vocalists who will reimagine classic disco anthems and original tracks with unmistakable Aotearoa flair. 

Featuring music by Donna Summer, Dalvanius, Mark Williams, Golden Harvest, Chic, Jon Stevens and The Emotions. 

A powerful, uplifting finale to the festival – this is an invitation to move, to connect, and to celebrate the closing night in full glitter and groove. 

Dress up, show up, and get ready to feel the love.

He Ngaru Nui is more than just a collection of performances—it is a bold statement about the value and significance of Indigenous narratives. These shows take stories that sometimes feel small, intimate, or unheard, and amplify them on the grand stages they deserve. This programming strand honours the storytelling traditions of Māori, Pasifika and global indigenous cultures, while pushing the boundaries of contemporary performance. It’s about taking stories from our communities and sharing them with the world in a way that is both respectful and revolutionary.

 

Kia Mau Festival is at the forefront of contemporary Tāngata Whenua, Tāngata Moana, and Indigenous arts in Aotearoa and beyond. We are innovators—pushing boundaries, redefining forms, and forging new paths with creative risk-taking at every step.Right here, right now, we bring together local, national, and international artists in Te Whanganui-a-Tara. We find the intersection where our stories intertwine, creating an experience that is uniquely 'local' yet unparalleled in Pōneke throughout the year.

Kia Mau Festival offers a truly unique experience, led by Tāngata Whenua, Tāngata Moana, and Indigenous voices at every level—from our leadership to our artists and audiences. Unlike any other festival, we are not just a platform for presentations; we are a hub for kōrero and whanaungatanga.