PAYPA Creative Residency 2025
Lynne Cardy reflects on PAYPA’s Creative Residency 2025:
22 – 24 August 2025 | Bella Rakha Retreat Centre, West Auckland
In late August, fourteen theatre makers from across Aotearoa gathered at the Bella Rakha Retreat Centre in Oratia, West Auckland, for the PAYPA Creative Residency. Tucked away down a long driveway and surrounded by lush parkland, Bella Rakha offered the perfect setting with comfortable accommodation, generous workspaces, and a central wharekai for yummy food, cups of tea, and hearty kōrero.
Over two and a half days, the retreat buzzed with activity, connection, and invention. Through workshops, shared talks, and intensive making sessions, the group sparked eleven new works into life. For many, the residency was not just a chance to develop ideas but also a rare opportunity to experiment, collaborate, and play alongside peers and mentors in an inspiring, supportive environment.
The participants came from across the motu from Wellington, Ōtautahi, Whāngarei, and Tāmaki Makaurau, bringing with them a wealth of diverse perspectives and practices. They were guided and encouraged by mentors Kate Parker, Kerryn Palmer, Lynne Cardy, and Laurel Devenie. Guests Rosa Strati (Auckland Live), Shoaib Iqbal (ASSITEJ International), Jason Te Mete (Tuatara Collective), and Cubbin Theatre’s Mel Luckman and Hannah Wheeler offered provocations that sparked fresh approaches and insights into making and presenting theatre for young audiences.
Across the weekend, we explored a rich variety of forms and ideas. Puppetry emerged as a favourite, weaving its way into at least three new works. Others leaned into physicality, character comedy and clowning, haka-inspired theatre, contemporary dance, and even a sound-based ASMR experience that fascinated everyone with its innovative use of form and technology. Some participants developed participatory events designed for rangatahi aged 12+, reflecting PAYPA’s commitment to young audiences.
The themes explored were as diverse as the artists themselves: celebrating wāhine Māori, confronting the climate crisis, honouring native manu, embracing diverse family units, unpacking loneliness and friendship, exploring queer identity, and delving into memory and belonging.
The impact of the weekend was immediate and profound. The vibes were warm, and the flow was great. We embraced new ideas and acknowledged those who laid the foundations, especially the vital mahi of our dear Tim Bray, so sadly lost this year.
Writing this, we are still gathering feedback, but so far, every participant has been enthusiastic, saying they would recommend the residency to others. What resonated most was not my (famous first-time) vegan scones, although they were surprisingly popular, but the collaboration, the chance to create together, witness each other’s mahi, and learn from one another’s processes.
“I loved devising as a group and working with others on their ideas; that collaborative element was so special. It struck me how quickly things can come.”
Another participant described leaving with “real golden nuggets,” excited to see how the ideas planted would continue to grow over the summer.
There were requests for a little more breathing space — the schedule was full, and some wished for extra time to pause, reflect, and absorb. Yet the energy, generosity, and openness of the weekend left a lasting impression:
“Thank you so much for lighting a fire in my puku.”
The PAYPA Creative Residency 2025 set out to spark imagination, and it did. Over one action-packed weekend at Bella Rakha, threads of ideas, stories, and voices were woven together, and new friendships formed. As one participant reflected, artists absolutely need residencies.
“…They offer us time, space, mentorship, and peers, which are necessary for the creative moment. I am really grateful for this opportunity because it pushes me to believe in myself and in my work.”
It was exciting to be in the company of those who are shaping the next wave of bold, innovative theatre that speaks directly to the tamariki and rangatahi of Aotearoa.
Bring on 2026!
