SEPTEMBER

Pork and Poll Taxes
Theatre
TICKETS HERE

Half a decade since its sold-out premiere, Pork and Poll Taxes 人頭猪税 written by Talia Pua returns redeveloped under Chye-Ling Huang’s direction this September 2026.
This is a heart-wrenching family tragedy inspired by the histories of Chinese market gardeners during Aotearoa’s poll tax era. Deeply grounded in research and cultural specificity, the play centres Chinese voices and experiences that have long been marginalised in mainstream narratives. The play delves into migration, racism and shifting family dynamics with heart, drama, and urgency.

1891, New Gold Mountain. Jiu Choy impulsively decides to immigrate to Aotearoa to escape the pressures back home and start a new life with his wife, Shui Ching. What begins as an idealistic dream quickly spirals out of control when Shui Ching sends their only son, Kam Loi, in her place. This triggers a chain of events that pits family member against family member as they fight for what they each believe is the ‘better life’. Jiu Choy’s obsession, Shui Ching’s stubbornness, and Kam Loi’s desperation to please threaten to shatter the family apart. However, greater societal and political powers are at play, which will ultimately determine the fate of this family.

KITA / LOVE LIVES HERE: 愛住在這裡
Concert
TICKETS HERE

Melding inspirations of folk, soul, pop and psychedelia with the guitar and spirited storytelling of musician-actor Nikita 雅涵 Tu-Bryant (Avatar 2, Far North); the thick  lushness of Moog synth and Fender Rhodes from Ed Zuccollo (aka Zuke); and the filthy  drive and barking drums of Rick Cranson (Little Bushman), KITA have long-since  solidified themselves as a must-see live band with a massive sound.

Front-woman Nikita 雅涵 Tu-Bryant is amidst her Artist in Residence at The Hannah Theatre in Wellington, translating her debut art-house film "LOVE LIVES HERE 愛住在這裡" for stage. The narrative originally inspired by the band's EP LOVE LIVES HERE which they toured nationwide in 2023. Tu-Bryant is debuting the film into a full immersive cinema-live-theatrical experience with a chorus of dancers and live band for her residency at the end of this year. In the meantime, she revives the live-in-concert version of this vulnerable ambitious work-in-progress. Excerpts from the film will be remixed live by Elfling. This show was showcased at Twisted Frequency, and now powerhouse trio KITA bring it back to the capital playing one of their favourite venues in Pōneke, SANFRAN. 

Support act to be revealed beginning of Sept.