Raranga - Whakaari Aotearoa Drama Conference 2026
RARANGA: Whakaari Aotearoa Drama New Zealand Conference 2026
Date: 8-10 April 2026
Venue: Rangi Ruru Girls' School
Our 2026 Conference will focus on:
Raranga: the first day of weaving - following the child in drama across sectors
Marutau - creating safe and inclusive spaces in the classroom
Whakaako - pedagogy - Drama in education across the sectors (ECE, primary, secondary).
Pūrākau - weaving Aotearoa storytelling and theatre in the classroom
Auaha - changes in Drama Education and future possibilities
Harikoa - finding joy and hope in the classroom - Drama as experiential, uplifting and therapeutic.
Call for Presenters
Kia Tōnui - Flourish
Join us in Aotearoa New Zealand for the combined New Zealand, Australia Drama conference Kia Tōnui - Flourish!
Ka Mua, Ka Muri
John Paul College, Rotorua
Keynote Speakers:
Jim Moriarty, Helen Pearse-Otene, Lisa Maude - Te Rākau
Hone Kouka
Cian Elyse White
Tīmatanga Hōu
OTAGO BOYS HIGH SCHOOL, ŌTEPOTI
Keynote Speakers:
Albert Belz
Emma Deakin, Red Leap Theatre
At the Heart
SACRED HEART COLLEGE, TĀMAKI MAKAURAU
Keynote Speakers:
Prof. Peter O’Connor
Dr Michelle Johansson
Perry Rush
Ka tipu te whaihanga
RANGI RURU GIRLS’ HIGH SCHOOL, CHRISTCHURCH
Keynote Speaker:
Dr Viv Aitken
A h-uile bord! (All Aboard)
Toitu, Otago Early Settlers Museum, DUNEDIN
Keynote Speakers:
Dr Vanessa Byrnes
Miranda Harcourt
Tutakina mai ahau ki te awa: Meet me at the River
St Patrick's College, Silverstream, WELLINGTON
Keynote Speakers:
Dave Armstrong
The Conch: Nina Nawalowalo and Tom McCrory
Whakaako: Learning with each other
Rangi Ruru High School, CHRISTCHURCH
Keynote Speakers:
Lynne Te Aika
Prof. Janinka Greenwood
Lisa Brickell
Stuart Devenie
Te Kore: A space to be, a space to belong, a space to become
Waikato University, HAMILTON
Keynote Speakers:
Pamela Bowell
Waimihi Hotere
With Beads of Light
Wellington Girl's College, WELLINGTON
Keynote Speaker:
Patrice Baldwin
