Creative New Zealand and BATS Theatre announce Cook Islander Teherenui Koteka as recipient of new Pacific Producer Residency
By Jane Mcindoe
The Pacific Producer Residency 2023 has been awarded to eminent Producer, Director, Writer and Actor Teherenui Koteka, who will spend three months working at the BATS Theatre in Wellington.
The young Cook Islander is a member of the Pasifika and Māori arts collective Maranga Mai, she has also worked with Tawata Productions, Auckland Theatre Company and has written and produced her own shows in New Zealand and Rarotonga in the Cook Islands.
“I’m super stoked! Producing is an area I specifically wanted to upskill in and there’s no better place to do that than at BATS” she says
However, she is disappointed in the lack of producers coming from the Cook Islands and hopes for a day where there will be more interested in getting involved with the creative arts industry from the islands.
“There is a shortage of Pasifika producers in New Zealand - I self produce a lot of work and have also noticed a real lack of Cook Islands producers” she added.
The Residency will see Teherenui based in the BATS Theatre Office in Pōneke networking with artists and polishing off her craft.
Breaking the taboo around talking about sex in our Pacific Island communities, Teherenui is focused on educating our people and touching on topics that aren't discussed in Pacific households.
“As of late, my work has been focused on issues around sexuality, gender and exploration of sex as a young person, I’m also trying to build better conversations for our young people, especially in some Pasifika communities where these topics are still seen as taboo”
Koteka is thrilled about the opportunity to be part of BATS Theatre, where Creative New Zealand’s Principal Adviser Ali Foa’i has expressed his excitement about having her join them in Wellington.
“BATS Theatre holds mana for our Pacific Arts Community and we’re proud to partner with the BATS whānau to offer this opportunity, which seeks to fill a clear gap in the creative industry - as Teherenui says, we need more Pacific Producers”
The Chief Executive of BATS Theatre, Jonathon Hendry says having Teherenui on board is an exciting initiative that he can’t wait to see unfold and is looking forward to the outcome from this collaboration.
“Teherenui's work to date has been highly impressive and speaks to the incredible strength of artistry emerging from Moana Oceania. We look forward to doing all we can to amplify the positive impact she will undoubtedly make”
As a creative atist herself, Teherenui has had to wear multiple hats throughout her career which has then helped push her towards taking on producing as another avenue to showcase her talents. She'll now use it to give back to the Pacific creative community that has helped with her art.
Armed with the support of her community she's ready for this new challenge.
“I’m honoured to be the inaugural recipient of this Residency. I’m really looking forward to it and hopefully I can feed it forward as I gain this knowledge”
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