Action Ed programmes serve as an incubator for young artists
If you have an upcoming event and would like to book a performing artist, select from one of our available alumni and fill out the booking form.
Action Ed programmes serve as an incubator for young artists. Many of our participants grow into formidable performers. Our alumni have performed throughout Aotearoa New Zealand on television, at conferences, in corporate environments, schools and at various community events and rallies.
Many have also performed and competed internationally.
Nga Hine Pukorero
Ngā Hine Pūkōrero is a collective of four wāhine Māori who use spoken word as a platform to bring attention to important topics and issues in Aotearoa New Zealand, especially those that affect Māori.
For Manaia Tuwhare, Arihia Hall, Terina Wichman-Evans and Matariki Bennet, their poetry is driven by a love for their whakapapa and culture, weaving waiata and te reo Māori masterfully.
Ngā Hine Pukorero have significant performance experience in New Zealand and internationally, at large live events and on camera.
Their accomplishments include:
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WORD - The Frontline Grand Slam Champions (NZ, 2018)
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Performers at the World Indigenous Business Forum (NZ, 2018)
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Trans-Tasman Poetry Slam Champions (Australia, 2018) Semifinalists at Brave New Voices, the largest international youth poetry slam in the world (USA, 2019)
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Models for Disney's 'Dream Big Princess' campaign (International, 2019)
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Guest performers at the Black Lives Matter rally (NZ, 2020)
Jai Selkirk
Jai Selkirk (Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Whātua) is a writer and performer from Mangere, South Auckland by way of Dargaville.
He is a WORD - The Front Line Grand Slam Champion, Trans-Tasman Poetry Slam Champion and a NZ Poetry Slam National Finalist. His poem, 'True Story', went viral on social media, receiving over a million views collectively.
Known for his unique style of poetry and performance that crosses complex lyricism and visceral storytelling Jai’s work covers a wide range of topics. From colonization, modern land activism, and cultural reclamation to his love for anime and just hanging out with his brothers, his writing is and will continue to be an embodiment of the life that he’s living and the people who have lived with him.
Matilda Clack
Matilda Clack is a second year university student and a member of the 4PM poetry collective.
Matilda is a WORD - The Front Line alumni and Trans-Tasman Poetry Slam Champion. She has experience performing in a corporate environment and working on video projects.
Her poetry typically centres personal experience to highlight wider societal issues and the human experience, with themes of feminism, climate change and LGBTQ rights coming through strongly.
Rehekorero
Rehekōrero are the 2023 Word – The Front Line Champions. Winning the title after competing against hundreds of poets from across Tāmaki Makaurau in the largest poetry event in Aotearoa and just recently won the trans-Tasman poetry slam title in Melbourne!
Comprised of talented young individuals Koromiko Jacobs-Williams (Ngati Ranginui, 18) Piremina Ngapera (Te Rararawa, Ngapuhi 18) Billy McCarthy (Nga Puhi, 18)Milan Moala (Waikato Tainui, 14), Rehekōrero is dedicated to preserving and celebrating the rich cultural heritage of their tupuna through the power of spoken word. With a deep connection to their roots, whanau and iwi, Rehekōrero members draw inspiration from the stories, traditions, and struggles of their people.
For bookings please contact them directly
Email: rehekorero@gmail.com
Lex Shoemark
Lex (Ngāpuhi, Ngati Hine) is a South Auckland- based creative with roots in spoken word and acting whose talent has seen him perform across the country.
He is a Word The Frontline alumni, coach and multi-slam champion, his style focusses on the use of layered rhyme/ flow patterns to portray complex personal stories of grief, hardship, culture and more.
Sheldon Rua
Sheldon Rua (he/him) is a Māori and Samoan, multidisciplinary creative born in Papakura, South Tāmaki Makaurau. His street dance and spoken word poetry has been shared around the world online and at various events throughout Aotearoa. Through his creative work, Sheldon aims to recreate positive energy with humility and be a catalyst for change in every space he steps into. He is a WTFL Championship Coach, Auckland Poetry Slam Finalist, and his poems have gathered millions of views online.
Koko
Koko is a proud queer Pasifika poet hailing from the lands of Upolu, Samoa and Niue. They are born and raised in South Auckland and strive to use their poetry as a tool to uplift their communities. They are a WTFL grand finalist alumni from the 2023 Auckland Girls Grammar team and has since has performed on stages such as Slice of Southside, Verses & Vibes showcase, Stars of Pasifika Poetry and many more.
