Te Wheke

Te Wheke swims across the motu again after a successful premiere tour in 2021

“Reimagining Atamira over the deep plunge into the pandemic, Te Wheke then arrived on a surging wave to commemorate our 21st year milestone of creating and presenting inspirational Māori contemporary dance”
Artistic Director, Jack Gray

Drawing on the whakapapa of Atamira Dance Company’s illustrious continuum and inspired by the symbology of the Octopus as kaitiaki, this large full-length work was collectively created by the leading navigators of Māori contemporary dance.

Eight dancers and eight choreographic practitioners - tuakana and teina, journey into the esoteric dimensions of human experience, revealing the eight tentacles of Te Wheke – Mauri, Whānau, Wairua, Whatumanawa, Hinengaro, Mana Ake, Tupuna, Tinana.

Solo and ensemble movement expressions occur within a sleek shape shifting world of floating black silk. Layers of Te Ao Māori emanate through accomplished patterns of video design, mesmeric soundscapes and subtle shimmering garments with reflective lighting enhancing the darkness and light.

“Atamira Dance Company continues to offer us complex, significantly crafted contemporary Māori dance."
Megan Seawright, Theatreview 21 April 2021

20 minute post show talk