Auckland Arts Festival 2027 to Premiere New Pasifika Work by Victor Rodger and Anapela Polata’ivao

Tāmaki Makaurau is preparing for a significant cultural showcase as Te Ahurei Toi o Tāmaki Auckland Arts Festival announces new highlights for its 2027 season. Running from March 4 to 21, the festival will feature the world premiere of "The Boy from Vaiala," a major new production by celebrated playwright and Arts Laureate Victor Rodger. The work marks a significant milestone in Pasifika theatre, reuniting Rodger with acclaimed director and newly named Arts Laureate Anapela Polata’ivao ONZM for their first Auckland Theatre Company collaboration in two decades. Staged at the ASB Waterfront Theatre, the production is a collaborative effort involving Auckland Theatre Company, FCC, and the festival, supported by Creative New Zealand’s Festival Commissioning & Presentation Fund. Festival Artistic Director Bernie Haldane noted that the 2027 programme is designed to place stories from Aotearoa at the heart of the celebration while connecting local audiences with high-calibre international performances. In addition to local Pasifika storytelling, the festival will host the New Zealand debut of China’s TAO Dance Theater. The internationally acclaimed company will perform works from its Numerical Series at the Kiri Te Kanawa Theatre on March 5 and 6. Other highlights include Irish choreographer Luke Murphy’s psychological thriller "Scorched Earth" and a series of musical tributes. The Auckland Town Hall will host "Anthology of Wonder," a big-band celebration of Stevie Wonder’s catalogue led by Dixon Nacey, while the Festival Spiegeltent will feature "TWENTY SIXTEEN," a tribute to the legacies of David Bowie and Prince. Waatea News reports that general ticket sales for the 2027 festival will open on October 22, following early access for patrons and subscribers. The festival remains one of the largest annual cultural celebrations in Aotearoa, aiming to enhance accessibility through early bird offers and varied pricing initiatives across its diverse programme of dance, theatre, and music.