Programmes & EVENTS
KAUPAPA
2025 PROGRAMME OF EVENTS
We are thrilled to announce that our full 2025 Programme of Events is available now! This year promises to be an exciting one, filled with a diverse range of workshops, art exhibitions, and performing arts festivals that celebrate the richness of Māori and Pasifika cultures.
At the heart of everything we do is our commitment to uplifting rangatahi and providing a platform for the creative voices of our communities. In 2025, we will continue to nurture the next generation of artists, performers, and creatives through events. Whether you’re a creator, a performer, or an art lover, there will be something for everyone to enjoy and participate in.
Please click here to download a PDF of this programme.
WTR 2025 APPLICATIONS CLOSED
Whakamanahia Te Rangatahi (WTR) is an annual youth mentoring programme designed to empower rangatahi by fostering a strong sense of identity, language, and culture. Through a carefully curated series of wānanga, workshops, and hands-on experiences, participants develop essential leadership, communication, and creative skills that contribute to their personal growth and future success.
Since its inception, WTR has had a profound impact on its participants, many of whom have gone on to take on leadership roles within their communities, pursue tertiary education, and secure meaningful employment in the arts and cultural sectors.
We want to thank all rangatahi who have applied for WTR 2025. This year we received 63 applications, our biggest cohort yet. If you have any questions about the programme, or want to apply for 2026, please email anjelina@miharo.org
Murihiku Polyfest
The biggest annual event at Mīharo, Murihiku Polyfest, is a week long festival for cultural performing arts. With over 5000 performers and tens of thousands of spectators, both online and in person, this is one of the regions biggest spectacles.
Murihiku Polyfest is open to groups from early childhood through to secondary schools. Groups work on their brackets year long, before taking to the stage in August each year. Due to the success of our combined online event in 2021, Polyfest is now delivered both in person and live streamed on our website.
The full programme for Murihiku Polyfest will be available in July on our website and Facebook page.
CENTRAL LAKES
POLYFEST
Central Lakes Polyfest is a two-day, non-competitive cultural performing arts event held at the Queenstown Events Centre. Over 1,000 participants from around Central Otago, from early childhood through to secondary students, take the stage to perform.
Groups work on their brackets throughout the year and the event is held in October. For any questions, please email 'aroha@miharo.org'
RANGATAHI TOA
One of the biggest cultural nights in Murihiku, Rangatahi Toa is held during Murihiku Polyfest week on the Thursday evening.
This is a special showcase event for our high school groups to perform and showcase the amazing talents and pieces they've been working on throughout the year.
Rangatahi Toa is held at the ILT Stadium Southland, and entry to this event is Gold Coin for spectators.
WHAKAMANAHIA TE RANGATAHI
Whakamanahia Te Rangatahi is a year long Youth Mentoring programme designed to support, mentor and guide local youth to strengthen their understanding of culture, leadership and identity. Spaces for this programme are limited. If you or someone you know is interested, please contact anjelina@miharo.org to register, or visit the tab above for more information.
ART EXHIBITION & AWARDS
We invite all tamariki and rangatahi from Murihiku and Central Lakes to design artworks based on a theme. These art pieces are then judged and displayed in an exhibition.
There is a prizegiving and official exhibition opening night, with each exhibition running for around 4-6 weeks each year.
The theme for 2025 is Legends Of Our Lands- Our people, Our places, Our stories. We have resources and an example unit available here.
T-Shirt Design Competition
We invite students of all ages to submit a design for our Polyfest T-shirts based on the annual art exhibition theme- this year, that theme is "Legends of Our Lands- Our People, Our Places, Our Stories."
There will be separate T Shirts for Murihiku and Central Lakes. The winning entries will be proudly worn by volunteers and supporters during Polyfest.
We have created a T-Shirt Design Template available for download.
For Murihiku, click here.
For Central Lakes, click here.
If you have any questions about the T-Shirt design competition, please email 'elisapeta@miharo.org' for Murihiku or 'aroha@miharo.org' for Central Lakes