Stand Up For Aroha

A Bold Celebration of Pride, Resilience & Collective Power in Tauranga

A powerful new community performance event is set to light up Tauranga this April. STAND UP FOR AROHA is a bold and joyful performance extravaganza celebrating identity, pride, whakapapa and collective power – and organisers are calling for creatives and allies to be part of it.

Across Aotearoa and globally, Māori, Pasifika and other communities of colour, alongside rainbow communities and people of diverse faiths and cultural backgrounds, continue to experience discrimination, intimidation and harm. Tauranga itself has witnessed acts that deeply affected marginalised groups including the 2022 arson attack that destroyed a drop-in centre shared by RainbowYOUTH and Gender Dynamix at the Historic Village, removing a vital safe space for local rangatahi. Pride events and cultural gatherings have also faced disruption and protest, reinforcing the need for visible solidarity and collective care. STAND UP FOR AROHA is both a creative celebration and a unified response – standing against racism, homophobia, transphobia and all forms of hate directed at those who are too often referred to as ‘other’. It affirms Māori and tangata whenua as foundational to this place, uplifts Pasifika whānau, embraces migrant and refugee communities, and creates space for anyone who has felt silenced or marginalised to be seen and heard.

The project welcomes expressions of interest from performers of all disciplines – singers, actors, dancers, cabaret and circus artists, cultural practitioners, storytellers and more. All ages, cultures, genders, sexualities and bodies are encouraged to participate. “We’re creating a platform where people can show up fully as themselves — where aroha, courage and collective pride shape the story,” organisers say. “This event stands in contrast to those who would intimidate or exclude us. Together we create a stage big enough for all of us.”

Expressions of Interest are now open. Simply send Tuatara Collective a message on social media @tuataracollective, or email tuataracollective@gmail.com.