Atamira Dance Company lit up the international stage in 2008 performing in both Hawaii and New Caledonia.  The accolades generated from these seasons have made Atamira more than just ‘world famous in New Zealand’.

Atamira Dance Company lit up the international stage in 2008 performing in both Hawaii and New Caledonia.  The accolades generated from these seasons have made Atamira more than just ‘world famous in New Zealand’.

Their latest work TAONGA choreographed by Louise Potiki Bryant was unveiled last year at The Auckland Festival. This October TAONGA will go ‘on the road’ and tour to four of New Zealand’s major arts festivals.

The dance is inspired by childhood memories of Louise Potiki Bryant’s Aunty Rona, who has lived on the South Island’s Catlins coast for 82 years. Her experiences are woven with the Maori myth Rona and the Moon’.  TAONGA; Dust, Water, Wind is a graceful combination of Maori contemporary dance theatre and traditional Maori instruments (taonga puoro), revealing what is precious in our contemporary lives, how we cope with change and the role of intuition.

TAONGA: Dust, Water, Wind is the fifth dance work that Louise Potiki Bryant has choreographed with Atamira Dance Company since 2000. Having been supported by Toi Maori Aotearoa as a Toi Maori choreographer, her works have been held in very high regards; NZ Listener named her “Best New Choreographer” in 2003 and in 2004 named Ngai Tahu 32 as “Best Contemporary Dance Production.” Her film, Whakaruruhau he mihi ki Araiteueru has been exhibited in the United Kingdom as part of the Pasifika Styles Festival and her film Tuia won best Best Music Video at the ImagiNATIVE awards in Toronto.

Accompanying the performance is Richard Nunns, a living authority on traditional Maori musical instruments. Having dedicated his life to the understanding, making, playing and recording of these instruments, Nunns’ sensitive and thorough research has provided a great deal of information about the sound, history and stories of the instruments to ensure their preservation for future generations. Nunns also picked up a Tui award for his work for “Best Maori Album” in 2007.

Atamira is New Zealand’s leading Maori contemporary dance company and comprises New Zealand’s top Maori dancers and choreographers. Atamira create dance works inspired by Aotearoa’s history, legends and contemporary issues as well as their own stories and whakapapa. The company is critically acclaimed and renowned for their inventive and stunning contemporary works –TAONGA: Dust, Water, Wind looks to be a further extension of their iconic works.

TAONGA: Dust, Water, Wind plays in four of New Zealand most exciting arts festivals. Tickets $20- $48.