Ngāpuhi Playwright Brings Hokianga Dog Tax Rebellion to Life in New Production

A significant chapter of Te Tai Tokerau history is returning to the stage as Ngāpuhi playwright Geoffrey Clendon brings the story of the 1898 Dog Tax Rebellion to contemporary audiences. The new production, titled Tāke Kurī: The Dog Tax Rebellion, explores a pivotal moment in the Hokianga when Māori opposition to colonial registration fees nearly led to an armed confrontation with government forces. Reported by Waatea News on 23 October 2026, the play focuses on the resistance of Te Māhurehure hapū and the leadership of Hōne Tōia. While the historical event was sparked by a tax on dogs, Clendon’s work examines deeper themes of mana, tino rangatiratanga, and the Crown’s obligations under Te Tiriti o Waitangi. Clendon, who also serves as director, has a personal connection to the story, with tūpuna who were present on both sides of the conflict. The production uses a cast of four actors—Jade Daniels, Francis Mountjoy, Noa Campbell, and Johnson Manukau—to portray more than 20 different characters. In a creative twist, the play includes "canine commentators" to provide a unique perspective on the 19th-century standoff. According to the production notes, the performance balances serious historical inquiry with humour to make the complex political history accessible to all. Tāke Kurī: The Dog Tax Rebellion is scheduled to run at Te Pou Theatre in Henderson, Auckland, from 29 October to 1 November. Following its Auckland season, the production will travel home to the Hokianga for a special performance at Rawene Town Hall on 13 November. Additional shows are planned for Waiheke Island on 20 and 21 November. The 90-minute show, adapted from earlier work by Amber Curreen, represents a vital effort by Māori to reclaim and tell their own stories of resistance and resilience.