Presented by Tawata Productions

An international indigenous playwrights’ festival boasting an enviable whakapapa of the very best of contemporary Maori & Pasifika theatre.  MDF 2015 features new writing by Natano Keni, James Nokise and Pikihuia Haenga.

The Matariki Development Festival 2014 – lovingly known as MDF 2014 – returns home to Circa Theatre to celebrate the fifth year of this annual festival. MDF 2014 brings you the Development Season of 2080 the much anticipated new play by playwright AROHA WHITE.  The festival line up also shares with you new writing by HONE KOUKA and MOANA ETE.

Since 2010, the MDF 2014 has featured the very best of Maori, Pasifika and First Nation Canadian writers nurturing a fine collection of plays including the acclaimed MANAWA by Jamie McCaskill, the award winning HUI by Mitch Tawhi Thomas and the award winning drama HIKOI by Nancy Brunning.

An international indigenous development festival, MDF 2014 boasts an enviable whakapapa including RIWIA BROWN, KIRK TORRANCE, MARAEA RAKURAKU, HINEKAA MAKO as well as international guests YVETTE NOLAN, TARA BEAGAN & RACHAEL MAZA.

Burning brightly in 2014, the Matariki Development Festival opens the rehearsal room door for you to join Maori and Pasifika playwrights, script editors and actors whilst they toil away on brand new theatre for Aotearoa and the world beyond!