Today marks the official launch of the 2021 event programme for ARONUI, an Indigenous arts festival held annually in Te
Rotoruanui-a-Kahumatamomoe. This year’s Festival runs from September 9 to 19 and includes Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori,
celebrating film, visual and traditional art, Te Reo Māori, music and theatre.
Rotorua-born Troy Kingi will be returning to his roots to headline ARONUI. Kingi will be bringing his band The
Upperclass with him, along with a growing list of accolades after winning the prestigious Taite Music Prize in 2020,
Best New Zealand Soul Artist and Best Māori Artist at the 2018 Vodafone Music Awards, and a nomination in 2019 for an
APRA Silver Scroll. The performance will feature a number of songs in Te Reo Māori, to celebrate Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori.
ARONUI will also be host an international act with world-renowned dancer and drag performer Roymata Holmes returning to
Aotearoa with their show ‘I AM KING. I AM QUEEN.’, described as “an evening of soul, sexuality and a person’s journey
into drag”. Broadwayworld.com praised Holmes'performance with an outstanding 4-star review, saying “Whether he's King or
whether she's Queen, we were all there to worship Holmes tonight”.
Last year, the festival was postponed due to restrictions on large gatherings under Covid-19 alert level 2. ARONUI
festival director Cian Elyse White (Te Arawa, Ngāti Pikiao) says she is delighted to bring back the festival stronger
than ever,
“2020 was a challenging year for many, however, I am honored to spearhead this year’s exciting festival once again,
bringing people together to celebrate, empower, inspire and be uplifted through the lens of arts in all its wonderful
forms. ARONUI is a rongoā, a healing activation that looks to create togetherness through sharing stories and vibrant,
diverse perspectives of the world,” says White. The Festival Director is no stranger to the stage herself, as fans will
recognise Cian Elyse White’s leading role in the locally shot hit film ‘Cousins’, which will be screening at the Rotorua Indigenous Film Festival (RIFF) as part of ARONUI on Sept 9.
ARONUI is an Indigenous all-arts festival run over 11 days from September 9 to 19, and is now in its third year. The
festival is organised by the newly established ARONUI Arts Festival Charitable Trust, helmed by descendants of Ngāti
Whakaue and Te Arawa, alongside world-class award-winning artists.
ARONUI is made with the generous support of the Rotorua Lakes Council, Creative NZ, Bay Trust, Rotorua Trust, Te Arawa
FM, Steambox Film Collective, Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE), Te Tatau O Te Arawa, Te Puni
Kōkiri, and the Ministry of Culture and Heritage.
Book tickets and find the official 2021 event programme details at www.aronuiartsfestival.com