Hurō! Nō mātou o Te Ahurei Toi o Tāmaki te whiwhi ki te tautoko i tēnei mahinga hou nā tēnei tama o Te Tai Tokerau, kia kitea e ngā iwi katoa o te ao whānui. Karawhiua, e kō!
We’re thrilled to announce a new commissioning partnership — Following the incredible season of The Butterfly Who Flew Into The Rave at Te Ahurei Toi o Tāmaki Auckland Arts Festival 2026, choreographer Oli Mathiesen (Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Hine, Ngāti Manu) is taking his new work to the world stage.
Oli’s contemporary dance work Just Between Me and Jesus has been commissioned by Biennale Danza 2026 after being selected by Artistic Director Wayne McGregor as the sole international recipient from 695 applicants.
Auckland Arts Festival is proud to be part of the international commissioning partnership supporting the work alongside major arts organisations including La Biennale di Venezia, Auckland Live, Perth Festival, Sydney Opera House, and Teater V (Copenhagen).
Creator Oli Mathiesen says, “It is an absolute career-defining honour to be backed and supported by these incredible arts organisations. To have their belief instilled in the creation of the work forms a pou of trust that allows the collaborative team to remain steadfast in this speedy and mammoth journey. I have been fervently investing in building and establishing my relationships in Australia and abroad over my career, believing in the potential and power of our international dance ecology.
Just Between Me and Jesus is an intensely personal work, and to premiere it at Biennale Danza alongside collaborators and partners I’ve long admired, is incredibly meaningful.”
“Following the powerful response to The Butterfly Who Flew Into The Rave at Auckland Arts Festival in 2026, we are proud to continue supporting Oli Mathiesen through this international commissioning partnership,” says Kaitohu Toi Artistic Director, Bernie Haldane.
“Oli’s work blends beauty, raw energy and bold storytelling in a way that connects with dance audiences and new audiences alike. He represents the creative spirit of Aotearoa and we are proud to support this significant new work alongside an outstanding group of international partners.”
BOLD new work deserves BOLD support:
As Oli takes Aotearoa creativity onto the international stage, we invite you to consider making a direct donation to help realise this extraordinary opportunity: DONATE NOW
Follow Oli on Instagram for updates.
