Be immersed in the heart of the Pacific Ocean with UPU, an award-winning and electrifying theatre experience celebrating powerful Pacific voices on stage.

With powerful poetry, compelling storytelling and unforgettable performances, it brings the ocean’s rich voices to life – exploring cultural struggle, joy and identity across the islands. Following its sold-out Australian premiere at the Sydney Opera House, UPU returns with an Australian tour starting in Parramatta, after captivating audiences around the world, including a landmark eight-city tour across Canada.

Poems as broad and deep as the Pacific Ocean itself.

UPU – meaning “word” in many languages of the Pacific – is a collection of voices from peoples who live on a sea of islands connected by the largest body of water on earth, Te Moana-nui-a-Kiwa, the Pacific Ocean.

Through the words of 23 poets, from emerging voices to acclaimed literary figures, UPU weaves a rich tapestry of stories, experiences and perspectives from across the region. These poems reflect on cultural identity, history and the challenges faced by Pacific communities – from Hawaiians debating Captain Cook’s legacy, to the joys of SPAM in Guam and other Americanised islands, to the Marshall Islands’ struggle against rising seas.

Poetry is powerful on the page but on stage, it’s pure magic. The show’s energy comes alive through an extraordinary cast of Pacific performers, each with a rich background in theatre, film and television, whose passionate delivery of these words will transport you across the ocean.

Enhanced by evocative lighting, projections and a multi-layered soundscape, UPU is an intimate and unforgettable experience – a celebration of the Pacific, its people and their stories.

All poems are performed in English.

Buy 4 or more & SAVE

Save $4 per ticket when you buy 4 or more A-Reserve tickets*

*Offer valid for A-Reserve seating only when purchasing 4 or more tickets in one transaction. Must select “Group of 4+” after selecting your seats via the drop-down menus under the seating map. Subject to availability. Advertised savings based on the full-price A-Reserve ticket. Not valid for previously purchased tickets. Transaction fee applies.

MEET THE UPU COLLECTIVE

Grace Iwashita-Taylor

Co-creator & Curator

Grace Iwashita-Taylor is an award-winning poet and theatremaker devoted to uplifting the storytellers of Te-Moana-nui-a-Kiwa. She is the author of Afakasi Speaks, Full Broken Bloom, and SALT tasi. Her theatre credits include My Own Darling, and she is the curator of the acclaimed Pacific poetic theatre work UPU, which has toured Aotearoa, Mexico, the Sydney Opera House, and heads to Canada in 2026. A respected artist of UPU, Grace has been influential in shaping spoken word and Pacific poetry in Aotearoa. She is currently developing a new body of work, VAI MANATUA | WATER MEMORIES.

Fasitua Amosa

Co-Creator / Artistic Director / Cast

Fasitua Amosa is an actor, director, and the co creator of UPU with over 20 years of artistic practice. A proud father of two, he is of Samoa and Tuvalu descent. Tuvalu is a tiny Pacific Island nation that is sinking as the ocean rises. Beyond the stage and screen, Fasitua serves his community as an elected member of local council currently serving his third triennium. Though storytelling, family and public service keeps him busy he has decided that jiu jitsu, walking and golf will be his preferred way to stay active.

Maiava Nathaniel Lees

Cast

Maiava Nathaniel Lees is a highly respected Samoan actor and director from Aotearoa New Zealand with a distinguished career across theatre, film, and television. He is internationally recognised for his roles in The Matrix Reloaded, The Matrix Revolutions, and The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, as well as for portraying Chiron in Young Hercules. His screen work also includes 30 Days of Night alongside Josh Hartnett and Power Rangers Jungle Fury.

In Aotearoa, he has had a long and respected career in theatre and is widely regarded as one of the pioneering figures who helped shape the early development of Pacific theatre in New Zealand. His work spans decades and has influenced generations of performers and audiences across Aotearoa.

He has received numerous honours for his contribution to the arts, including the Senior Pacific Artist Award at the Creative New Zealand Arts Pasifika Awards in 2004.

Ana Corbett

Producer & Cast

Ana Corbett is a New Zealand–born actor, producer and voice artist of Tongan, Sāmoan, Fijian and Irish heritage, and a graduate of Toi Whakaari: New Zealand Drama School. Her screen credits include Shortland Street, the Australian series Totally, Completely Fine (Sundance Now), and the Australian feature film Who Needs Love Songs. On stage, she has performed with Auckland Theatre Company, Melbourne Theatre Company and UPU Collective, touring internationally to Mexico City, Montréal and the Sydney Opera House. Ana is also one of New Zealand’s most sought-after voice artists, working across local and international campaigns. In 2025, she was named an inaugural ISPA Pacific Arts Fellow (2025–2027), recognising her leadership in advancing international pathways for Pacific-led work.

Mia Blake

Cast

Mia Blake is a highly accomplished Tongan–New Zealand actress and director renowned for her extensive body of work across film, screen, and theatre. Notably, she garnered multiple awards for her outstanding performance in the lead role of Director Toa Fraser’s acclaimed feature No.2 and the short film This is Her. Her diverse film credits include The Tattooist, 6 Days and Stray.

In her latest television venture, she graced the screen in TVNZ’s series After the Party alongside Robyn Malcolm and Peter Mullan, following previous appearances in One Lane Bridge and Shortland Street. Mia’s theatrical contributions are equally remarkable, featuring lead roles in productions for The Silo Theatre, including A Streetcar Named Desire, Angels in America, White Rabbit, Red Rabbit and the internationally touring UPU.

Shadon Meredith

Cast

Shadon Meredith is a New Zealand–born Sāmoan actor, director and multidisciplinary artist with nearly two decades of experience across theatre, film and television. A graduate of Toi Whakaari: New Zealand Drama School, he is recognised for his powerful presence and commitment to Tagata Moana and diasporic storytelling. His theatre credits include Auckland Theatre Company, Red Leap Theatre and UPU Collective, with performances at major festivals and venues including Auckland Arts Festival, Mexico City, Montréal and the Sydney Opera House. His multi award-winning solo work Waiting was created through SOS + SHA Creative. Screen credits include the Emmy Award–winning series Rūrangi, Shortland Street, My Life Is Murder and Double Parked, as well as feature films Shut Eye, Darkest Light and The Paragon, recognised internationally including by The New York Times.

Nicola Kāwana

Cast

Nicola Kāwana (Ngāruahine, Ngāti Ruanui, Ngāti Pākehā, Ngāti Kahungunu o Wairarapa) is one of Aotearoa’s most respected and accomplished actors. Trained with Taranaki Youth Theatre and a graduate of Toi Whakaari: New Zealand Drama School, her 35-year career spans theatre, film and television. Widely recognised for roles in Shortland Street and Jackson’s Wharf, her screen credits also include The Man Who Lost His Head, Fresh Meat, Netflix’s The New Legends of Monkey and One Lane Bridge, alongside recent dramas Dead Ahead, Tangata Pai and Bust Up. A highly sought-after stage performer, her theatre work includes Auckland Theatre Company, Silo Theatre, Taki Rua and Circa Theatre. She is also the voice of Mad Maggie in Apex Legends.

Emily Hakaraia

Production Manager & Sound Operator

Emily is a freelance Production Manager and Sound Engineer based in Ōtaki NZ.
As a Sound Engineer Emily has toured extensively with many NZ Bands in Aotearoa, Canada, Australia and America. Her career as a FOH engineer for theatre includes 7 seasons in Edinburgh for Assembly Rooms, Australian tours of Daffodils and Live Live Cinema.
She then spent 5 years based in Hamburg working for Vienna based company Konzerte Schlote as an assistant engineer and radio mic wrangler for musicals touring Europe. She was the FOH engineer for the 2010 NZ World Expo performance in Shanghai and was the Head of Sound for The New Zealand Festival of Arts & Wanaka Festival of Colour. Her recent work has been production management and sound operation for NZ shows The Savage Coloniser, Wild dogs Under My Skirt and UPU.

Eliza Josephson-Rutter

Stage / On Tour Manager

Eliza Josephson-Rutter (she/her) is a New Zealand-born freelance Stage and Tour Manager of Welsh heritage. She has worked across theatre, festivals, and touring productions in Aotearoa and internationally, including the West End. Her credits include King Lear, North by Northwest, Te Pō, and 2:22: A Ghost Story. Eliza stage managed the first iteration of UPU, and this tour represents a special opportunity to return to the work. She was also the Accessibility Manager for Auckland Arts Festival, overseeing access planning across an international programme.

The AU Review

"To be able to hold an audience in the palm of your hand through the spoken word is a gift, and one that was on full display tonight."

City Hub

"UPU leaves you with the kind of satisfaction only good art can."

Theatre Now

"To hear and experience a rich storytelling culture, concerns and performance tradition is a delight and eye-opening experience. Magic!"

CAST & CREATIVES

CREATIVES
UPU COLLECTIVE

Artistic Director & Co-Creator: Fasitua Amosa
Curator & Co-Creator: Grace Iwashita-Taylor
Producer: Ana Corbett
Production Manager & Sound Engineer: Emily Hakaraia
Lighting & Projection Design: Rowan Pierce
Soundscape Design & Original Composition: Faiumu Matthew Salapu
Set Design: Michael McCabe
Costume Design: Kristin Seth
Artist & Cultural Design Elements (Mamanu Design): Tyla Vaeau
Movement & Choreography: Joash Fahitua
Tech Operator: Elekis Poblete
Stage Manager: Eliza Rutter

CAST

Fasitua Amosa
Ana Corbett
Nicola Kāwana
Miriama McDowell
Shadon Meredith
Maiava Nathaniel Lees

UPU features published works of the following poets:

Tusiata Avia, Ben Brown, Brandy Nālani McDougall, Craig Santos Perez, Sia Figiel, Briar Grace-Smith, Daren Kamali, Karlo Mila, Grace Mera Molisa, Noʻu Revilla, Celestine Kulagoe, John Pule, Tafea Polamalu, Leilani Tamu, Apirana Taylor, Teresia Teaiwa, Hone Tuwhare, Selina Tusitala Marsh, Kathy Jetñil-Kijiner, Konai Helu Thaman, Albert Leomala, Maualaivao Albert Wendt and Lyz Soto.

ACCESSIBILITY

In English.

Wheelchair accessible.

Companion Card accepted.

Assistive Hearing system available (FM).

Find out more about accessibility at PHIVE.

Additional Ticketing Information

$7.95 Transaction Fee applies.

The authorised ticket agency for this event is Riverside Theatres.

Only tickets purchased by authorised agencies should be considered reliable. If you purchase tickets from a non-authorised agency, you risk that these tickets are fake, void, or have previously been cancelled. Resale restriction applies.

Prices are correct at the time of publication and subject to change without notice. Exact prices will be displayed with seat selection. Children aged 0-18 months at the time of a performance may be seated on an adult’s lap free of charge. A valid ticket is required for all children over 18 months.

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