Two of New Zealand's most acclaimed contemporary dancers launch their new company Okareka Dance Company with a premiere performance of Tama Ma at Tempo - New Zealand Festival of Dance.

Tama Ma tells the story of two men who travel from boyhood, to manhood, and the real life tale of love, life, joy and sorrow. The five part act moves from a short dance film projected on stage to a drag queen's journey to femininity and the return back to masculinity. Two of New Zealand's most acclaimed contemporary dancers launch their new company Okareka Dance Company with a premiere performance of Tama Ma at Tempo - New Zealand Festival of Dance.

Tama Ma tells the story of two men who travel from boyhood, to manhood, and the real life tale of love, life, joy and sorrow. The five part act moves from a short dance film projected on stage to a drag queen's journey to femininity and the return back to masculinity.A young boy's connection to his Whanau (family) and Iwi (tribe) and a mature man's ideas of identity are also deeply explored.

Presented as a five act autobiographical dance journey; each segment of Tama Ma is choreographed by a renowned New Zealand choreographer and powerfully performed by Taane Mete and Taiaroa Royal; the distinguished Douglas Wright choreographs Act 2 while the extraordinary talents of Michael Parmenter shape Act 4.

This is the first time that the celebrated choreography skills of Douglas Wright and Michael Parmenter have ever been presented in the same show.

Also collaborating on Tama Ma are Mark Summervile and Heather Lee from 'Zoomslide' who are directing and producing a short film that will be played in Act 1 of the performance while also creating a documentary about the process of making the dance. Eden Mulholland is also on board as musical director, using his vast talents to create a magical soundscape.

Okareka Dance Company is a vibrant contemporary New Zealand dance company formed in 2007 and led by Taane Mete and Taiaroa Royal with the aim to fuse contemporary dance with other creative art mediums. The essence of Okareka Dance Company is guided by Maori beliefs, these beliefs - Mana (Honour and Integrity), Whanau (Family) and Matataki (Challenge) are brought to its work and to its audiences.

Through choreography, set design, and costume, Okareka Dance Company strives to tell bold, spiritual stories that are of and from New Zealand. Through careful collaboration the company seeks to extend its creativity and its influence by engaging experienced choreographers, musicians, film producers and performers to create evocative, beautiful dance works that tell a story.

"Taane Mete and Michael Parmenter, a brilliant partnership, producing stunning dancing. They combined strength and vulnerability, with Mete's subtle and elegant physicality complementing Parmenter's rugged, tormented introspection."
-New Zealand Listener

"Taiaroa Royal is the anchorman of Aotearoa." - 'Black Milk' reviewed by Jennifer Shennan - Dominion Post.

Tempo - New Zealand Festival of Dance is from September 28 to October 31.

29/07/08