Uploaded July 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
To The Stars | Ki Ngā Whetū is an original multimedia theatre production commissioned specifically for the opening of the Waikato Regional Theatre/BNZ Theatre in January 2026. The show was staged over three nights for the civic opening from 19 - 21 January. This performance was on the 20th. It is a celebration built through the hands, voices, and imaginations of the Waikato community, bringing together whānau, neighbours, schools, kapa haka groups, choirs, musicians, dancers, and makers of every kind in a shared act of creation.
This orchestration by Jeremy Mayall of Wī Te Tau Huata’s iconic waiata Tūtira Mai Ngā Iwi closes To The Stars | Ki Ngā Whetū. Following a scene where the Mother teaches the Child to play the song on ukulele, a kapa haka group is joined by a mass ensemble of the groups that performed over the course of the show, filling the stage and hall with the sounds of a community performing together and celebrating the new space.
Music by Jeremy Mayall. The full performance of To the Stars | Ki Ngā Whetū can be found here: youtu.be/q5fxNNDULyI
Audio mixed and mastered by Jeremy Mayall. Filmed and edited by Chris Watson for SOUNZ. Film funded by NZ On Air.
--
Learn more about the composers and performers of music from Aotearoa New Zealand on our website (sounz.org.nz), or by following us on Facebook (@SOUNZnz), Instagram (@sounz_nz), or TikTok (@sounz_nz).
#nzmusic
To The Stars | Ki Ngā Whetū is an original multimedia theatre production commissioned specifically for the opening of the Waikato Regional Theatre/BNZ Theatre in January 2026. The show was staged over three nights for the civic opening from 19 - 21 January. This performance was on the 20th. It is a celebration built through the hands, voices, and imaginations of the Waikato community, bringing together whānau, neighbours, schools, kapa haka groups, choirs, musicians, dancers, and makers of every kind in a shared act of creation.
This orchestration by Jeremy Mayall of Wī Te Tau Huata’s iconic waiata Tūtira Mai Ngā Iwi closes To The Stars | Ki Ngā Whetū. Following a scene where the Mother teaches the Child to play the song on ukulele, a kapa haka group is joined by a mass ensemble of the groups that performed over the course of the show, filling the stage and hall with the sounds of a community performing together and celebrating the new space.
Music by Jeremy Mayall. The full performance of To the Stars | Ki Ngā Whetū can be found here: youtu.be/q5fxNNDULyI
Audio mixed and mastered by Jeremy Mayall. Filmed and edited by Chris Watson for SOUNZ. Film funded by NZ On Air.
--
Learn more about the composers and performers of music from Aotearoa New Zealand on our website (sounz.org.nz), or by following us on Facebook (@SOUNZnz), Instagram (@sounz_nz), or TikTok (@sounz_nz).
#nzmusic
