Kia ora and talofa. Welcome to PAYPA. PAYPA is a community of artists and organisations dedicated to performing arts by, with and for children and young people in Aotearoa New Zealand.

PAYPA embodies ASSITEJ New Zealand. ASSITEJ is an international network whose mission is to unite theatres, organisations and individuals throughout the world dedicated to theatre, performing arts, children and young people.

 

Thank you to everyone who signed the Reinstate Creatives In Schools Petition and all those who joined us to deliver it to Parliament on Tuesday 13th May.  Read more

Watch this space for exciting updates from the PAYPA Team about a range of activities in 2025

Mentorships now underway

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Completed

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Now underway

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Save the date for the 2025 Hui

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View our showreel of New Zealand productions available for touring

Latest Productions
Kiwi’s Big Hararei
Kiwi’s Big Hararei

Horse With No Name invites you to take flight with Kiwi these holidays - Circa Theatre, Wellington, 23 Sept - 4 Oct.

Streams of Consciousness: Te Aroha o Te Wai
Streams of Consciousness: Te Aroha o Te Wai

Hawke's Bay Youth Theatre's Senior Company presents a devised piece of spoken word, physical theatre and storytelling at Hawke's Bay Arts Festival - 13-14 October, Hastings.

Waenga
Waenga

Te Rākau Hua o te Wao Tapu in collaboration with Hurō Productions presents a Theatre Marae Rangatahi programme at Aotearoa College, Porirua, 24-25 September.

For Schools & ECE
Massive Theatre Company’s Education Resources
Massive Theatre Company’s Education Resources

Access to a filmed version of productions, scripts and detailed study guides that speak to NCEA assessment needs.

Massive Theatre Company’s School Workshops
Massive Theatre Company’s School Workshops

Unique, tailor-made theatre workshops for schools, available nationwide and internationally.

Resources for School Productions
Resources for School Productions

Calico Theatre provides production resources to support North Island primary and intermediate schools to mount large-cast productions - choose from 7 different shows. Now booking for 2026.

Workshops & Training
Massive Theatre Company’s Teacher Workshops
Massive Theatre Company’s Teacher Workshops

Massive’s professional development workshops, led by Massive’s Artistic Director Sam Scott, are suitable for teachers and theatre practitioners of all levels.

a2 Theatre Intensive
a2 Theatre Intensive

A crash course for 14 to 21 year-olds in how to find your voice as a professional actor and artist, lead by Ben Ashby and the a2 Company - 22-26 September, Wellington.

Basement Co-Labs - Voice
Basement Co-Labs - Voice

Voice workshop, free for Manawatu students aged 14 to 18. 11 October, Palmerston North.

Opportunities & Employment
Plays for the Young competition 2025
Plays for the Young competition 2025

The deadline for script submissions for Playmarket’s annual Plays for the Young competition is 1 August 2025.

PAYPA Creative Residency 2025
PAYPA Creative Residency 2025

Join us for a 3-day professional development residency in Tāmaki Makaurau, 22–24 August. Applications close 2 May.

Taki Rua Audition Call
Taki Rua Audition Call

Taki Rua is looking for actors to tour Rere Atu Taku Poi, and Te Kuia me te Pūngāwerewere in 2025 - apply by 12 April.

Festivals, Conferences and Networking
The Little Giant Children’s Festival
The Little Giant Children’s Festival

ONEONESIX launches a festival dedicated entirely to children and their whānau - Whangārei, 19 September - 12 October.

Tahi Festival
Tahi Festival

This year’s Tahi festival of solo performance includes several shows suitable for young audiences - 10-20 September, Wellington.

We The Young
We The Young

Auckland Live launches a new festival of arts, imagination and adventures for ages 6 months to 16 years - 16-28 September in Tāmaki Makaurau.

Other News
Bittersweet Ending for Acclaimed Children’s Theatre
Bittersweet Ending for Acclaimed Children’s Theatre

The late Peter Wilson is awarded a prestigious international honour as the children's theatre company he founded announces decision to close.

National Youth Theatre teams with BLENNZ
National Youth Theatre teams with BLENNZ

Young people from NYT join 16 blind and partially sighted students in a joyful production of Wendy Jr at TAPAC.

Remembering Tim Bray
Remembering Tim Bray

A tribute to Tim Bray, QSM, artistic director of Tim Bray Theatre Company and founding member of the PAYPA trust board, who passed away July 2025.

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