As part of Kia Mau Festival’s He Ngaru Nui programme, this collection of work Braiding the Land traces the connections between vast ancestral landscapes with our bodies.

Unearthed through movement are the deep connections to expansive mountain ranges from North and South America in Spine of the Mother, the stillness of a winter boreal forest in Frost Exploding Trees Moon and the journey of a rushing river in Confluence.

This repertoire is a testament to the work that has been created within the arms of Raven Spirit Dance for the past twenty years.

Grounded, expressive, and always in honour of the land that holds us.

Raven Spirit Dance creates and produces contemporary dance that is rooted in Indigenous worldviews and honours the communities and artists we work with. We share stories through Indigenous perspectives and practices and create opportunities for others to do the same.

A Premiere Season in Aotearoa, Braiding The Land journeys to us from Vancouver, Turtle Island, from the unceded ancestral territories of the xwməθkwəy̓ əm (Musqueam), sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɁɬ (Tsleil-waututh) First Nations.

He Ngaru Nui is more than just a collection of performances—it is a bold statement about the value and significance of Indigenous narratives. These shows take stories that sometimes feel small, intimate, or unheard, and amplify them on the grand stages they deserve. This programming strand honours the storytelling traditions of Māori, Pasifika and global indigenous cultures, while pushing the boundaries of contemporary performance. It’s about taking stories from our communities and sharing them with the world in a way that is both respectful and revolutionary.

Kia Mau Festival is at the forefront of contemporary Tāngata Whenua, Tāngata Moana, and Indigenous arts in Aotearoa and beyond. We are innovators—pushing boundaries, redefining forms, and forging new paths with creative risk-taking at every step.Right here, right now, we bring together local, national, and international artists in Te Whanganui-a-Tara. We find the intersection where our stories intertwine, creating an experience that is uniquely 'local' yet unparalleled in Pōneke throughout the year.

Kia Mau Festival offers a truly unique experience, led by Tāngata Whenua, Tāngata Moana, and Indigenous voices at every level—from our leadership to our artists and audiences. Unlike any other festival, we are not just a platform for presentations; we are a hub for kōrero and whanaungatanga.

Braiding the Land

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