January 15, 2026
Playmarket is deeply saddened by the passing of playwright Aroha Awarau.
A champion for Māori story sovereignty, Aroha built a career over more than two decades which spanned theatre, film and journalism, carving out authentic, community-anchored stories. Underpinned by deep compassion and pride, Aroha was a staunch advocate for uplifting and centring Indigenous voices in mainstream media.
He began his career in journalism, working for TVNZ, Māori Television and print publications such as NZ Herald, NZ Woman’s Weekly and Woman’s Day.
Aroha’s impact as a storyteller was recognised early, winning the Ronald Hugh Morrieson Literary Award three times while still at high school.
He established his voice as a playwright with Luncheon, which was staged at Basement Theatre in 2014, and won Best Play at the New Zealand Scriptwriting Awards. He would go on to write Officer 27, Provocation, The Lord is With Thee, Wahine Purotu, Exclusive and A Gaggle of Ducks. Both Officer 27 and Provocation were shortlisted for the Adam NZ Play Award, and A Gaggle of Ducks won the Plays for the Young competition in 2019. Aroha expanded his artistic practice to include dramaturgy, working most notably with Kōanga Festival and Te Pou Theatre.
Aroha loved filmmaking. Embracing the form as a writer, his first short film, Home, had its international premiere at the ImagineNATIVE festival in Toronto, following this up with Disrupt and Faded. His most recent work, Puti, premiered at the 2025 Whānau Mārama New Zealand International Film Festival before going on to screen at Māoriland and the Beverly Hills Film Festival.
A wicked wit with a courageous soul and a sharp, creative mind, Aroha was always focussed and determined. He had many stories still to tell.
Moe mai rā e hoa.
Theatreview would also like to acknowledge Aroha’s generous contributions to our Review archive.
Here is the link to the five reviews he wrote in 2025.
See also Gay Express tribute.
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