PAYPA NZ

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.

Learn more about PAYPA and what we offer

Find out what’s happening in performing arts for/by/with children and young people

Connect with New Zealand performing arts companies and artists working for/by/with 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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Participants announced

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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

Aug 14, 2025

There once was a boy…

Aug 14, 2025

Tahi Festival presents Robert Lloyd’s one-person show for ages 10+, about a boy stranded at sea - 10-13 Sept in Wellington.

Aug 14, 2025

Aug 12, 2025

Box of Birds

Aug 12, 2025

KidzStuff Theatre presents Birdlife Productions’ delightful puppet show about a boy and his nana’s love for our native birds - 22-26 September, Wellington.

Aug 12, 2025

The Very Odd and Unusual Egg

Aug 12, 2025

TAPAC has a mystery to solve: Henny Penny has found an unusual egg, and nobody knows what might hatch out of it! - 22-26 September, Auckland.

Aug 12, 2025

For Schools and ECE

For Schools & ECE

May 23, 2025

Java Dance 2025 - NZ Schools Tour

May 23, 2025

Java Dance Theatre is bringing The Tantrum, An Honest Conversation and dance workshops to South Island schools in Term 3.

May 23, 2025

May 10, 2025

Free workshop for schools with Atamira Dance Company

May 10, 2025

Free in-school workshop for Wellington schools booked for Atamira Dance Company’s Ka Mua Ka Muri during the Kia Mau Festival.

May 10, 2025

Mar 28, 2025

Resources for School Productions

Mar 28, 2025

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 2025-26.

Mar 28, 2025

Workshops & Training

Aug 12, 2025

Hagley Theatre School Taster Day

Aug 12, 2025

Aspiring theatre makers are invited to explore Hagley Theatre School's teaching style, study options and core elements of acting training - 3-5pm Friday 22 August at Hagley College, Christchurch.

Aug 12, 2025