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

2025 was a busy year for PAYPA!

Read our 2025 Annual Report

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Watch this space for exciting updates from the PAYPA Team about a range of activities in 2026

View our showreel of New Zealand productions available for touring

Latest Productions
Bundle Baby
Bundle Baby

Peekaboo! Welcome to Cubbin Theatre Company's gentle and playful theatre experience for babies aged 1 to 2 years, with older children welcome - Christchurch, 18-22 February.

The Ice Cream is Melting!
The Ice Cream is Melting!

The Dust Palace presents a playful circus adventure for ages 4–8, where siblings race melting ice creams home, while exploring environmental themes - Auckland 30 March to 11 April; Wairarapa 15 April.

Jeff Parsnips & Tom Knowles
Jeff Parsnips & Tom Knowles

In 2026, Jeff Parsnips and Tom Knowles are bringing their special brand of kids’ musical comedy to the World Buskers Festival, Hamilton Arts Festival, CubaDupa and the Circa Theatre 50th Anniversary Season.

For Schools & ECE
The Ice Cream is Melting!
The Ice Cream is Melting!

The Dust Palace presents a playful circus adventure for ages 4–8, where siblings race melting ice creams home, while exploring environmental themes - school shows in Auckland, 30 March to 2 April.

Resources for School Productions
Resources for School Productions

Calico Theatre provides costumes, scenery and props to support North Island primary and intermediate schools to mount large-cast productions - choose from 7 different shows. Now booking for Terms 3 & 4 2026.

Auckland Theatre Company - Creative Learning 2026
Auckland Theatre Company - Creative Learning 2026

Auckland Theatre Company’s Creative Learning Programme offers high schools a range of matinée performances and in-school workshops in 2026, plus a digital classroom offer.

Workshops & Training
Free Foundations Theatre Workshop
Free Foundations Theatre Workshop

Massive Theatre Company’s free two day workshop offers theatre training for young people aged 15-25 years - Hamilton 21-22 March.

Free Foundations Theatre Workshop
Free Foundations Theatre Workshop

Massive Theatre Company’s free two day workshop offers theatre training for young people aged 15-25 years - Auckland 21-22 February.

Storybox Drama
Storybox Drama

Enrolments are open for Storybox Drama’s Term 1 Process Drama Classes for ages 4-12, Christchurch.

Opportunities & Employment
Lift Off Festival: Call for Workshop Proposals
Lift Off Festival: Call for Workshop Proposals

Call for workshop proposals for Toitoi’s biennial Lift Off Festival for children, to be held in Hastings in April 2026 - Submission deadline 4 February.

BATS Programme Curation Funding
BATS Programme Curation Funding

Applications are now open for BATS Programme Curation Funding for projects at BATS in Te Whanganui-a-Tara between March and June 2026 - deadline 8 February.

Open Call: Performances for ASSITEJ World Congress 2027
Open Call: Performances for ASSITEJ World Congress 2027

ASSITEJ Korea and ASSITEJ International announce the Call for Performances for the ASSITEJ World Congress and Performing Arts Festival 2027 in Suwon & Seoul, Korea - deadline for submissions 1 May 2026.

Festivals, Conferences and Networking
PANNZ Arts Market 2026
PANNZ Arts Market 2026

Registrations are now open for the PANNZ Arts Market 2026 - Tāmaki Makaurau 3–6 March 2026.

PAYPA Hui 2025
PAYPA Hui 2025

Join us at The Court Theatre in Christchurch for a weekend of celebration, connection, workshops, kōrero and the 2025 PAYPA Awards, 7-9 November.

ASSITEJ World Congress & Festival
ASSITEJ World Congress & Festival

Save the date and join us in Korea in 2027 to celebrate the 22nd ASSITEJ World Congress & Performing Arts Festival, 22 July - 1 August 2027.

Other News
The PAYPA Awards 2025
The PAYPA Awards 2025

The recipients for this year’s PAYPA Awards were announced at the PAYPA Awards Evening, 8 November at The Court Theatre in Ōtautahi.

The PAYPA Awards finalists 2025
The PAYPA Awards finalists 2025

PAYPA is delighted to announce the finalists for this year’s PAYPA Awards! The awards will be presented at the PAYPA Awards Evening, 8 November at The Court Theatre in Ōtautahi.

Plays for the Young competition winners
Plays for the Young competition winners

Congratulations to the winners of Playmarket’s Plays for the Young 2025 competition!

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