Hōtaka Tūmatanui | Public Programme

Elisabeth Vaneveld

Project Lead

James Littlewood

Project Manager

James is a director, producer and writer with over 25 years' experience in theatre, film, opera and festivals. He is hell-bent on making the world a better place one story at a time, and likes to remind anyone who'll listen that "we're nothing without our stories". At the helm of Going West, the longest running indie lit fest in Aotearoa, he navigated the rolling lockdowns with new digital strategies in podcasting and film production, and – in the words of one stakeholder – created "a refreshing, invigorating development of what a literary festival can be". He thrives in his explorations of the outer limits of literary art, keeps a shambolic garden in Titirangi, and is addicted to learning classical piano pieces several grades beyond his ability.

Claire O'Niel

Guest Curator

Claire O’Neil is a choreographer, performing artist and movement educator with over 25 years’ experience in dance performance within New Zealand and internationally. Her career includes working with New Zealand choreographers such as Michael Parmeter, Douglas Wright, Shona McCullagh, Ross McCormack, Malia Johnston, Australian based Sue Healey and Desoxy Theatre, and Belgian choreographers Michele Noiret, Michele Anne de Mey and Hans van den Broeck, amongst others. After living in Belgium (2000-2011) and completing a Masters in Dance (University of Auckland, 2016), Claire continues to nourish her choreographic practice and performances through her inquiries into the performing body, social behaviours and human development.

Claire established Fidget collective in 2001 and has produced several performance works that have toured in Belgium, Canada, Reunion Island and New Zealand. She has choreographed for Footnote New Zealand Dance, Stalker Theatre Company, Red Leap Theatre, Unitec Performing Arts, Whitirea Performing Arts and the New Zealand School of Dance. Her teaching credits include companies such as Wim VandeKeybus/Ultima Vez, The Paris Opera, Rosas Dance Company, Meg Stuart & Damaged Goods, Norwegian Theatre Academy, Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui, Philippe D.couffl., Ballet Preljocaj, IndepenDance and The New Zealand Dance Company.

Deborah Fletcher

Project Kaitautoko

Deborah is an independent contemporary dancer, choreographer and teacher. Deborah has trained in RAD Ballet, JDNZ Jazz and NZAMD Contemporary syllabuses to the high levels. In 2016 she began studying at the University of Auckland and has graduated with a Bachelor of Dance Studies (honours).

Deborah is passionate about teaching and has taught a range of ages from littlies to adults. As well as teaching dance in schools and dance schools around Auckland, in 2018 Deborah travelled with UoA Dance Studies to Asia and taught and performed in international schools in, Myanmar, Singapore and China.

As well as teaching Deborah is really passionate about performing and choreographing, and has been fortunate to work and train with choreographers and companies well known in New Zealand, including Sarah Knox, Carol Brown, Atamira Dance company, Sarah Foster-Sproull, Footnote, Dance Plant Collective, Manu collective and Bianca Hylsop and Eddie Elliot. Deborah has recently choreographed and performed in Short and Sweet dance festival, Auckland Fringe festival, Tempo Dance Festival, the Basement theatre, and for UoA Dance Studies.