Te Kaupapa
Te Whare o Rukutia supports the presentation of established, emerging, and collaborative work, and new experiences for our audiences. It’s a performance space established to help meet the needs of Ōtepoti’s performing arts practitioners, and frequently sees performances for comedy, theatre, music and more as well as acting as a rehearsal space.
Te Whare o Rukutia is managed by the Dunedin Fringe Arts Trust.
The Gift of a Name
Te Whare o Rukutia is a name that pays homage to Rukutia, a traditional exponent of kapa haka who was renowned for performing arts. Te Whare o Rukutia translates to The House of Rukutia and celebrates her skills and influence.
Te Whare o Rukutia drew its name from a feminine entity, Rukutia, who in mythology was linked with Tama and Tu-te-koropaka in stories of Kāi Tahu origin. She was a woman of phenomenal skill.
Associated with moko, pounamu, and raraka, Rukutia was also acknowledged as an expert in dance arts. She is seen throughout Polynesian history in varying forms and appears as a critical thinker with advanced ideas and skills.
Journey to Now (Abridged)
20 Princes Street was not always home to Te Whare o Rukutia. Most recently it was home to the Community Gallery, however in 2021, the closure of the Fortune Theatre a few years earlier called for another venue in the city.
The Community Gallery shifted next door and work began to transform 20 Princes St from an empty canvas into a multi-purpose performance space.
After photo credit: Armstrong Photography
A pilot phase of Te Whare o Rukutia began to test the venue as part of the city’s creative landscape. In 2025, further funding was secured from the DCC to assist in staffing the venue, allowing for the venue to boost its capacity for events.
