Talanoa Mau is the historic coming together of artists, leaders, doers and thinkers from around the world and Aotearoa/New Zealand to give voice to new or unheard ideas, and stimulate critical discussion on what it means to be human in today’s world.
We hear from artists Peter Sellars (US), Faustin Linyekula (DRC), Neo Muyanga (SA), Chiké Frankie Edozien (NIG), Te Ahukaramū Charles Royal (NZ), Jahra ‘Rager’ Wasasala (NZ), Coco Solid aka Jessica Hansell (NZ), Alistair Fraser (NZ), Kara Jackson (US); Tina Makereti (NZ), Chigozie Obioma (NIG) and Kahumako Rāmeka (NZ); leaders and public thinkers His Highness Tui Atua Tupua Tamasese Ta’isi Efi (SAM), Pania Newton (NZ), Golriz Ghahraman MP (NZ), Tāmati Kruger (NZ), Patrick Snedden (NZ), Te Kaurinui Parata (NZ), Hon. Luamanuvao Dame Winnie Laban (NZ), Dame Anne Salmond (NZ), Leali’ifano Dr Albert L Refiti (NZ), Jade Kake (NZ), Lana Lopesi (NZ), Emalani Case (NZ), and Ruby Judson (NZ) and Dr Liana MacDonald.
We invite you and your organisation to listen and consider the perspectives of artists, academics, historians, indigenous voices and leaders from Aotearoa and around the world. You will leave inspired, changed and ready to see the future in a new light.
The ticket is a two-day pass. You will hear from all of the speakers listed above, and more. You will have opportunities to network with fellow delegates and talk with our speakers. Tickets include lunch each day and refreshments.
Make the pilgrimage to Pōneke, Te Whanganui-a-Tara, and be part of an historic meeting that places art at the centre of urgent public decision making, carving a path to our future.
"The future of our humanity and our existence lies in our binding together to create the conditions for beauty and truth to be born. Talanoa mau literally means speaking truth." Lemi Ponifasio.
Download the full programme here.
The application period for Artist Scholarships has now closed.

REGISTRATION
Earlybird Registration (until 14 February): $489
Regular Admission: $549
Buy 2+ and save: For groups of 2-10, the first ticket is $549 with subsequent tickets at $499
Tickets for Talanoa Mau are available through iTICKET. Booking fees apply. To book, click Register.
Presenters at Talanoa Mau
Salā Lemi Ponifasio, Curator of Talanoa Mau
Director, Choreographer, and Artist

Peter Sellars
Visionary Opera and Theatre Director

His Highness Tui Atua Tupua Tamasese Ta’isi Efi
Samoa's former Head of State

Dame Anne Salmond
Preeminent New Zealand Historian, Professor, and Writer

Te Ahukaramū Charles Royal
Composer, Author, and Consultant on Mātauranga Maori

Golriz Ghahraman MP
Politician and Member of Parliament

Kara Jackson
Writer and US Youth Poet Laureate

Coco Solid aka Jessica Hansell
Musician, Writer, Visual Artist and 2019 National Arts Foundation Arts Laureate

Alistair Fraser
Kaiwhakatangitangi a Ngā Taonga Pūoro / Taonga Pūoro practitioner

Tāmati Kruger
Māori advocate, Social and Political Analyst

Chigozie Obioma
Writer shortlisted for multiple Booker Prizes

Hon. Luamanuvao Dame Winnie Laban
Assistant Vice-Chancellor (Pasifika) at Victoria University of Wellington

Leali’ifano Dr Albert L Refiti
Research leader, Pacific spatial and architectural environment

Faustin Linyekula
Dancer, Choreographer and Theatre Maker

Pania Newton
Lawyer and Activist for Māori land rights

Pat Snedden
Te Tiriti negotiator, Corporate Director, Not-for-profit leader in health and education

Chiké Frankie Edozien
Writer, Journalist, and Professor at New York University

Te Kaurinui Parata
Carver and Environmentalist

Neo Muyanga
Composer and Musician

Jade Kake
Writer, Architect and Housing Advocate

Jahra ‘Rager’ Wasasala
Artist

Lana Lopesi
Writer and Art Critic

Emalani Case
Pacific Studies Lecturer and Writer

Ruby Judson
Artist

Tina Makereti
Writer

Dr Liana MacDonald
Research Fellow, Victoria University of Wellington

Kahumako Rāmeka
MAU Wahine artist

Susan Freeman-Greene, CEO Engineering New Zealand, Talanoa Mau attendee“This is possibly one of the most unexpected and extraordinary line-ups I have seen for a conference in New Zealand. And as a leader of a profession that engineers better lives for New Zealanders, there’s no more important time to be musing and taking action on the future we want to create, with humanity at its core.”
Conference Schedule
Talanoa Mau, curated by Lemi Ponifasio
Monday 24 and Tuesday 25 February 2020
Soundings Theatre, Te Papa
Talanoa Mau will be hosted by Te Ahukaramū Charles Royal, an independent researcher, consultant and composer from Aotearoa New Zealand.
Monday 24 February 2020
08:00am - 08:30am: Registrations, Level 2
08:30am: Pōwhiri
Peter Sellars
09:45am - 10:30am: Refreshments
10:30am - 13:00pm: Courtney Johnston / Dame Anne Salmond / Jessicoco Hansell aka Coco Solid / Kara Jackson / Te Kaurinui Parata / Alistair Fraser
13:00pm - 14:00pm: Lunch
14:00pm - 15:45pm: Ruby Judson / Watene Moana Campbell / Tāmati Kruger / Kahumako Rāmeka / Pat Snedden / Dr Liana MacDonald
15:45pm - 16:15pm: Refreshments
16:15pm - 17:30pm: Chigozie Obioma / Tina Makereti / Questions and Discussions / Close of day one
17:30pm - 18:30pm: Own time
18:30pm- 20:30: Reception and exhibition preview of MAU: House of Night and Day by Lemi Ponifasio at Toi Art, Te Papa. Refreshments provided.
Tuesday 25 February 2020
08:45am: Theatre opens (please be seated by 09:00am)
09:00am - 11:00am: Le Afioga a le Tama-a-Aiga, His Highness, Tui Atua Tupua Tamasese Ta`isi Tupuola Tufuga Efi / Vā Moana panel discussion: Leali’ifano Dr Albert L Refiti with Lana Lopesi and Emalani Case
11:00am - 11:30am: Refreshments
11:30am - 13:00pm: Art Creation in Conflict Zones panel discussion Golriz Ghahraman with Faustin Linyekula, Chiké Frankie Edozien and Neo Muyanga
13:00pm -14:00pm: Lunch
14:00pm - 15:20pm: Jade Kake / Leali’ifano Dr Albert L Refiti / Hon. Luamanuvao Dame Winnie Laban / Jahra ‘Rager’ Wasasala
15:20 - 15:50: Refreshments
15:50pm - 17:30pm: Questions and Discussions / Lemi Ponifasio / MAU - Upu Taumavae / Closing Karakia
For further enquiries please contact ticketing.