Dates and times

Gala Opening
Sat 24th September, 5:00 pm

Schools, ECCs, and Home School Groups (public also welcome)
Mon 26th Sept - Fri 30th Sept, 10:30 am and 1:00 pm

General Public
Sat 1st Oct - Sat 15th Oct, 10:30 am and 1:00 pm; No shows Sunday

Audio Described + Touch Tour
Tue 27 Sep & Sat 15 Oct, 1:00 pm

Sensory Relaxed
Mon 10 Oct, 10:30 am

NZ Sign Language Interpreted
Sat 24 Sep, 5:00 pm
Wed 28 Sep, 10:30 am + Interpreted Touch Tour (explore on stage, starts 1hr prior to each show: 9.30 am & 12 pm)
Sat 15 Oct, 10:30 am

Venue

The PumpHouse Theatre

Prices

A Reserve
Adult $32, Child $32, Senior $28.50, Family of 4 $114.50, Friends of The PumpHouse $27, Group rates available

B Reserve
Adult $28.50, Child $28.50, Senior $25.50, Family of 4 $101.00, Friends of The PumpHouse $25, Group rates available

Educational Groups
From $13 per person

Access ticket
For Deaf, disabled, or neurodivergent patron or companion $21.50

Additional fees

Each booking attracts a Booking Fee of $5.00 per booking and a Card Processing Fee of 2.5 percent

Join Friends of The PumpHouse and pay no booking fees on ticket purchases.

How to get tickets

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About

Tim Bray Theatre Company presents:

The Whale Rider by Witi Ihimaera

Adapted for the stage by Tim Bray

Created for Ages: 5-10
⏱ Show Run Time: 50min

Book a School or Educational Group

We are thrilled to bring Witi Ihimaera’s classic story The Whale Rider back to the stage in a children’s theatre show unmatched. This beautifully rich story of whānau and tikanga is masterfully translated into a live performance that will absorb the viewer, from start to end. A poignant tale of forging paths and self-belief, this is the show all children need to see.

Destined to become the leader of her tribe, no matter how hard she tries to show her worth, Kahu’s koro (grandfather) won’t accept that a kōtiro (girl) can take over his role of chief. But a rescue of the ancient whale beached in the Whāngārā Harbour changes everything.

Hailed the ‘most intelligent Tim Bray production’ in 2014 by KickArts.

“Tim’s proposal is ingenious and accessible to children. I am confident that the outcome will be a production that will captivate its young audiences and, especially, inspire them to always keep looking forward with optimism to their own futures as adults in a challenging world.” – author, Witi Ihimaera

For NZSL Interpreted, Audio Described, and Sensory Relaxed performance dates and accessibility resources, head to timbray.org.nz

Costume Parade

Dress up in character! We love to see imaginations running wild and encourage our young audience to dress up as their favourite Whale Rider characters. We will take a moment to show off the costumes onstage with a parade at the start of the performance (Note: Saturday holiday shows only).

Gift a Seat

When you make your booking you may like to donate to Gift a Seat™. Gift a Seat™ allows Tim Bray Theatre Company to offer free seats to a child from a low decile school, Ko Taku Reo Deaf Education, BLENNZ (Blind and Low Vision Education Network of NZ), or Make-A-Wish (NZ).

Gift a Seat™ – where you can make a difference to children by letting them experience the joys of live theatre.

Tim Bray Theatre Company, administered by The Operating Theatre Trust (a registered charitable trust CC26517)

Auckland’s leading theatre for children

Awarded the 2020 Arts Access Creative New Zealand Arts For All Award


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