He Kupu Whakataki / Introduction
This global achievement celebrates Mahina’s artistry and reminds the world that taonga pūoro are not relics of the past, but living taonga that continue to breathe life into our stories.
Te Whakataetae / The World Stage Design 2025
Held from 18–25 October 2025 at the Sharjah Performing Arts Academy, World Stage Design (WSD) is a prestigious international event celebrating scenography, performance design, sound, and creative technology. This year’s theme, ‘Tomorrow’s Heritage,’ brought together artists and designers from more than 20 countries, marking the first time the festival has been hosted in the Middle East.v
Among hundreds of exhibited works, PEPE received a Bronze Award for Video & Projection Design, recognising both the collaborative spirit and the innovative integration of indigenous worldviews into performance.
Te Kaupapa o PEPE / The PEPE Project
PEPE is an interdisciplinary performance work by Good Company Arts, led by multimedia artist Daniel Belton, in collaboration with Mahina Ina Kingi-Kaui, Ariana Tikao, and Dr Ruby Solly — a formidable group of Māori wāhine toa.
Drawing inspiration from the case moth (pepe) and the atua Hineraukatauri, guardian of taonga pūoro, the project weaves movement, projection, and live taonga pūoro performance into a deeply spiritual digital landscape. The work embodies a meeting of ancient Māori sound knowledge and cutting-edge digital art, bridging realms of wairua and technology.
Mahina’s live performance of taonga pūoro in Sharjah brought the living breath of our instruments — the pūtōrino, kōauau, and nguru — to audiences from around the world.
“The award is a team effort,” Mahina shared, “and PEPE is totally taonga pūoro driven.”
Te Ara a Mahina / Mahina’s Journey with Haumanu Collective
Mahina Ina Kingi-Kaui is a composer, performer, and practitioner of taonga pūoro based in Aotearoa. As part of the Haumanu Collective, she has contributed to our kaupapa through live performance, mentoring, and recording — including her work on He Kete Pūoro Vol. 1, our inaugural collective album released in 2023.
Her artistry embodies the spirit of rongoā, whakapapa, and reconnection, holding the tikanga of these instruments with grace and mana. From intimate marae gatherings to international stages, Mahina continues to carry the voice of taonga pūoro into new and transformative spaces.
He Kōrero Hāpai / What This Lifts Up
Mahina’s recognition at WSD 2025 is far more than an individual accolade — it is a moment of collective uplift for Māori and indigenous arts.
- It affirms that mātauranga Māori has a vital place in contemporary design and performance.
- It honours the wairua of taonga pūoro, our ancestral instruments, now echoing through international spaces.
- It shows the world that our creative voices can be both rooted in whakapapa and boldly future-focused.
For Haumanu Collective, this is a proud milestone — a living example of how our kaupapa travels beyond Aotearoa, connecting hearts and minds through sound, story, and collaboration.
Ngā Mihi / Acknowledgements
We extend our aroha and admiration to Mahina Ina Kingi-Kaui and the Good Company Arts whānau — Daniel Belton, Ariana Tikao, Ruby Solly, and the creative production team. Thank you for carrying taonga pūoro to the world and reminding us that our heritage continues to evolve and inspire.
Ngā Hononga / Links
Good Company Arts – PEPE Project 2024: https://www.goodcompanyarts.com/pepe-project-2024 World Stage Design 2025 – Sharjah, UAE: https://www.sharjahwsd2025.com
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