Pōneke Gangster

Pōneke Gangster is a wild one-man show, following a Māori trucker in 1940's Wellington as he navigates the world of organised crime, with performance dates from the 24th to the 28th of Feb at BATS theatre. 

As the protagonist ventures through a Wellington that was(n't), he encounters characters and ideas that represent themes of capitalist influence, individual expression and loyalty to community, ultimately trying to decide who he wants to be and what life he wants to lead. 

With a high energy performance style and a madcap adventure storyline, this show aims to have something for everyone and provide nothing short of delight.

Our team is made up of a mix of Fringe newcomers and veterans, but all are established and experienced in their roles.

Tiaki Sharp - Actor, director and author, recently completed a BA in Theatre and Te Reo Māori. This is his second Fringe Festival, with 2025 credits in 'Return of the Dragon Smashers' and 'Whanake'

Taine De Jong - Lighting design and operator, a recent graduate of Toi Whakaari with a Bachelors in Performing Arts Management.

Isaac Rajan - Sound design and operator, a Victoria university student. He and Tiaki worked on the project 'Homebodies'  together in late 2025.

Sienna Rogers - Marketing manager and a Victoria university second year. This is her second Fringe festival, working before on 'Return of the Dragon Smashers'.

This project is designed to be cost manageable and effective and thus has a relatively small budget, primarily to cover:

• Props and set 
• Advertising and marketing materials 
• Possible equipment hire
• Minimal set and cheaply sourced but appropriate costumes
• Majority of our budget will go towards props and support for marketing
• Lighting and sound, to best create the world of these characters as well as ensuring as many people as possible will have the chance to see them.

If we are able to reach our target and add a stretch goal, the additional funds will go towards polishing up our material expenditure, possibly with some more specialty items for set or tech, before possibly giving a bonus to our hard working crew members.

'Pōneke Gangster' is a passion project by Tiaki Sharp, based on a concept that has been awaiting realization for almost five years. After three years of living in Wellington, the story has evolved to better reflect the urban environment, as well as representing a deeper set of ideas surrounding identity and the path of life, as more political themes such as capitalism and free expression. Mostly though, it centers on Māori identities and the many different ways we see our people. The protagonist for instance represents the younger entrepreneurial spirit, leaving behind their more cultural background for the sake of fortune in the urban scene. At the time of the play, he faces what many of us have experienced, trying not to lose your way as you leave your old life behind.

A cast of other dynamic and colorful characters make up the meat and potatoes of the adventure, each of them representing a similar archetype of modern Māori personality, while standing as characters in their own right, separate from their anachronistic nature. 

For half of our crew, this performance marks a breakout from tertiary study to the professional scene. For the other half, it will act as a boost to their growing list of experiences that, come their graduation, will give them an advantage in their favoured fields. Regardless, this production means a lot to us as a crew and the opportunities a positive season could open up may set us on the long road to success with the arts with the best possible start.

For the community, we believe that this piece represents something truly special in the way it presents people, ideals and this city we call home. For the analytical viewer, this performance has no shortage of themes, concepts and ideas for discussion and reflection. For the more casual theatregoer, this zany race-against-time adventure promises to entertain and delight all kinds of audience, with memorable and dynamic characters and rollercoaster of a story ensuring an incredible night of theatre.