Our art is important. Our art is rongoā.
Our art, our people. Our people, our future.

Tuatara Collective is a not-for-profit charitable trust that has established itself as an important incubator for rangatahi and emerging artists to express themselves within a safe and supportive environment. By developing and advancing their innovative Rātā Initiative supporting mental health in the Arts industry, they continue to strengthen holistic wellbeing safely with robust cultural competency and mātauranga. Rātā is designed to cultivate whakawhanaungatanga and actively foster diversity and inclusion by encouraging the safe expression of ideas and emotions. This results in the creation of high-quality theatre and performing arts opportunities that are authentic, culturally appropriate, meaningful and relevant for rangatahi to participate in, and communities, hapū and iwi to experience at minimal or no cost.

Noteworthy projects include the Over My Dead Body series, Battle Chorus and Waiata Mai (sing-along experiences ft. the Tuatara Choir), their biennial HAU Festival (celebrating new indigenous, Pasifika and LGBTQiA2+ stories), and their incredibly moving ANZAC tribute show FOR THE FALLEN that they perform at RSA’s around the country. They work closely with Ahipoutu Collective to deliver specialised Theatre and Wellbeing Wānanga free for rangatahi in the Tauranga region, and have built strong relationships with Tauranga Moana iwi, hapū, and schools, especially Te Wharekura o Mauao, Mount Maunganui College and Te Kura o Matapihi.

Please visit www.tuataracollective.com for more information and media.

“We are healing our communities through the creative arts by integrating Te Ao Māori perspectives into our practices. We utilise culturally-specific spiritual and mindfulness practices to help young people release, clear and manage their own psychological and spiritual distress. Historical and intergenerational trauma from colonisation has alienated our communities from our own stories, leading to a lack of self-representation. This disconnection can hinder the ability to envision positive futures. However, when we reimagine the narrative we have limitless potential and diverse possibilities when trauma is not a barrier, but instead is a catalyst for transformation.” Jason Te Mete, Kaiwhakahaere / Artistic Director.