UPU

Be immersed in the heart of the Pacific with UPU, an award-winning and electrifying theatre experience that celebrates the power of Pacific voices on stage. With powerful poetry, compelling storytelling and unforgettable performances, it brings the ocean’s many voices to life - exploring identity, joy, resilience and belonging across Te Moana-nui-a-Kiwa.

Fresh from its sold-out season at the Sydney Opera House, UPU returns home as the first-ever Mana Moana work to be presented in the new BNZ Theatre, before embarking on a landmark national Canadian tour across eight cities.

Poems as broad and deep as the Pacific Ocean itself.

UPU - meaning ‘word’ in many languages of the Pacific, is a collection of voices from our people who live on a sea of islands connected by the vast Pacific Ocean, Te Moana-nui-a-Kiwa.

Featuring works by celebrated poets including Maualaivao Albert Wendt, Selina Tusitala Marsh, Hone Tuwhare, Tusiata Avia, and Ben Brown, alongside emerging voices from across the region, UPU weaves a rich tapestry of stories, experiences and perspectives from our peoples of Te Moana-nui-a-Kiwa. These poems reflect on cultural identity, history and the challenges faced by our Pacific communities from Hawaiians debating Captain Cook’s legacy, to the joys of SPAM in Guam and other Americanised islands, to the Marshall Islands’ struggle against rising seas.

Poetry is powerful on the page - but on stage, it’s pure magic. 

Performed by an extraordinary ensemble of Tagata Moana artists including Miriama McDowell, Jarod Rawiri and Nicola Kāwana, and enhanced by evocative lighting, projections and an original multi-layered soundscape design, UPU is an intimate and unforgettable celebration of our ocean, our people and our stories.

All poems are performed in English.

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Run time

The duration of this event is 60 minutes.

Event duration is a guide only and may be subject to change.

Age

Recommended for ages 15+

Performances will contain strobe lighting, strong language and adult themes.

Children aged 15 years and under must be accompanied at all times.

UPU features published works of the following poets:
Tusiata Avia, Ben Brown, Brandy Nālani McDougall, Craig Santos Perez, Sia Figiel, Briar Grace-Smith, Daren Kamali, Karlo Mila, Grace Mera Molisa, Noʻu Revilla, Celestine Kulagoe, John Pule, Tafea Polamalu, Leilani Tamu, Apirana Taylor, Teresia Teaiwa, Hone Tuwhare, Selina Tusitala Marsh, Kathy Jetñil-Kijiner, Konai Helu Thaman, Albert Leomala, Maualaivao Albert Wendt and Lyz