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.

2025 was a busy year for PAYPA! Read our 2025 Annual Report.

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

 
Learn more about PAYPA and what we offer
Find out what’s happening in performing arts for/by/with children and young people

March 20 is the ASSITEJ World Day of Theatre for Children and Young People.

In this video, we hear the voices of children and young people across the world, sharing how the performing arts support them in their daily lives — how they inspire, educate, motivate, and shape their experiences.

Latest Productions

Latest Productions
Pirate Pickle’s Pop-Up Puppet Party
Pirate Pickle’s Pop-Up Puppet Party

Help Pirate Pickle find his happy place in a jolly adventure full of music, dancing and puppet pals at TAPAC, 13-17 April.

The Worm
The Worm

Nightsong is set to wriggle back onto the stage with their hit family show, The Worm, coming to three Auckland venues for the April school holidays.

Up and Away
Up and Away

Cubbin Theatre Company presents a playful and gentle theatre experience created especially for babies that are not yet walking and their grown-ups - 25 - 29 March, Christchurch.

For Schools and ECE

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

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

Opportunities & Employment
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.

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.

Festivals, Conferences & Networking

Festivals, Conferences and Networking
Lift Off Festival
Lift Off Festival

Toitoi’s biennial children’s Festival for 3 to 13-year-olds returns to Hawke’s Bay, April 13-14.

Rangara - Whakaari Aotearoa Drama New Zealand's Annual Conference
Rangara - Whakaari Aotearoa Drama New Zealand's Annual Conference

Registrations are open for Whakaari Aotearoa Drama New Zealand's Annual Conference in Christchurch 8-10 April.

PANNZ Arts Market 2026
PANNZ Arts Market 2026

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

Other News

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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