2024 Whangārei Fringe award winners and finalists
Whats a fantastic awards night, amongst wonderful Fringe artists, technicians, volunteers and supporters! Check out the 2024 award winners and nominees…
BEST IN FRINGE AWARD – For the most outstanding event at Whangārei Fringe Festival.
WINNER: Ūkaipō
FINALISTS: Walking Songs, Company of Giants: A Vaudeville of Flowers
A powerful dance piece that beautifully portrayed the stories of wahine toa and the journey of motherhood. Performed by local women sharing their own personal narratives, the work had a profound impact, inspiring both creativity and connection within the community. The choreography, crafted with precision and grace, was complemented by stunning lighting design that enhanced the emotional depth of the performance. Thoughtfully chosen waiata added another layer of richness, making the piece feel deeply rooted in both te ao Māori and the collective experience. The show resonated so strongly with the audience that many were left speechless, moved by the strength, vulnerability, and beauty of the performers. This work set a new standard for local storytelling, showcasing the incredible skill and power of a group of local practitioners.
KOTAHITANGA AWARD – For an outstanding event that builds community spirit and showcases talent.
WINNER: Songversations – Whangārei Gospel Choir
FINALISTS: What the Folk, Whangārei!, Mermaid Bait & the Brass Monkeys with the Sideshow Hustlers
Songversations brought the language of gospel music and some of Whangārei’s most talented vocalists and musicians together, to create an uplifting celebration of life, and community. The soaring vocals of the choir and deft vocal arrangements of musical director Lee Morunga spilled out from the Old Library into the streets of the town, bringing a smile to the faces of all who were in the room and to those passing by too. It was an invitation to unity and to the joy that making music together can bring.
ALL THE WORLD’S A STAGE – For a distinctive work that makes creative use of an unexpected venue.
WINNER: Lower Bar Collective Plays the Quarry Gardens
FINALISTS: A Floating Duet Guerilla Botanica, Tiny Street Art Exhibition
Audiences enjoyed the juxtaposition of the Lower Bar Collective’s improvised soundscapes, emanating from the industrial remains of the quarry – the concrete tunnels and cast iron vents – with the tranquillity of the gardens. This performance could be engaged with from a distance, strolling around the gardens, or up close, lying on the grass above or sitting at the entrances to the tunnels. Wonderfully innovative, this unexpected site-specific work was an inspired way to present this collaboration between Chris Foot of Badgers Den Records, and the Quarry Gardens.
HEARTS & MINDS AWARD – For a thought-provoking work that delivered a message the world needs to hear.
WINNER: The Pre Conditioned Hori
FINALISTS: The Human Library, We, The Outsiders
Hip hop lyricist Charles N Charge brought his finely honed craft of poetry and MCing to the stage to tell a story of colonisation, poverty and internalised oppression. A true storyteller, Charles wove words expertly in a way that was raw, uncomfortable and yet uplifting in its unwavering commitment to expression of truth. Charles’ voice represents so many marginalised voices in Aotearoa, but he elevates his message with a maturity and wisdom that could only have come from a lived experience of transforming hopelessness into art, and community.
‘FRINGE FEELS’ AWARD – For a performance of raw honesty and beauty that resonated deeply.
WINNER: Walking Songs
FINALISTS: Tangihanga, The Pre Conditioned Hori
“Walking Songs” is a deeply moving and beautifully crafted performance, seamlessly blending song and poetry to recount a journey across New Zealand and a parallel emotional voyage from the disruption of a key relationship to the acceptance of a new self. Millie’s vulnerability and authenticity shine through in a masterful presentation, where each moment is curated with care, drawing the audience into her world. Her mesmerising voice and original music captivated the room, creating a cathartic experience that made us laugh, cry, and resonate deeply with her personal transformation. This was more than a tale of physical endurance; it was a heartfelt exploration of emotional resilience and self-discovery.
BEST NEW WORK – For a stand-out new work
WINNER: Peripheral Visions
FINALISTS: Doing Great, Nocturnal Oddities
The crew delivered a moving and intimate experience, starting in the foyer with interrupted storytelling from the performers. This playful introduction led us into a blacked-out theatre, where darkness and torchlight created an uncommon, immersive atmosphere. The shift from the fragmented narratives to the simplicity of the darkened space was captivating, drawing the audience into the heart of the creative process. It felt like a creative lab, where raw ideas were explored, leaving a lasting impact with its emotional depth and potential for growth.
BIG-TOP AWARD – For an outstanding performance in the big-top circus tent.
WINNER: Laser Kiwi – Rise of the Olive
FINALISTS: MermaidBait, the Brass Monkeys & Sideshow Hustlers, Dream Garden
Sidesplitting, ridiculous, unexpected and outrageous. The tiniest singer in the world, EPIC proportions, animated engagement, classy comedy, popcorn. No holds barred, amazing lyra performances, amazing circus, we don’t know how many times we have seen that martini glass act re-enacted – this show reverberated over and over throughout Whangarei, long after it helped usher in the Fringe Festival on Day One.
BEST COMEDY AWARD – For the funniest show at Whangārei Fringe.
WINNER: A Hot Girl and Her Suzuki Swift – Ocean Denham
FINALISTS: Here if you Need – Kura Forrester, Gormless – Joel Vinsen, Myth Adventures of Vincent Andrew Scammell
Perfectly constructed, fearlessly held, Ocean Denham presented a showcase of what stand-up can do, punching up, and punching hard. Special shoutout to her effortless crowdwork, which made for some the most entertaining and live moments in the Fringe, and for her iconic captaincy of the Open Mic Night. In terms of sheer laughs-per-minute, as well as her support for the other artists, and her vulnerabile-but-firm approach to stand-up in general, Ocean’s comedy resounded through the Fringe. Sharp wit, fantastic timing, and charming confidence. Congratulations, and all the best with the baby!
HE KĀKANO AWARD – For a powerful work created by emerging rangatahi artists.
WINNER: Echoes of Our Place
FINALISTS: Nocturnal Oddities, Titus Andronicus: A Story of Revenge
Raw, powerful, young talent; these were some of New Zealand’s best plays, performed by some of Whangārei’s most talented new voices; a completely delightful and utterly resonant Aotearoa moment. Great to see young directors tackling these complex texts, exploring, and finding some astounding moments of performance. From the individual scenes that investigated connection, confusion, uncertainty and the magic of being in that transitional and definitive space, to the waiata that closed it all off, this was about a bunch of homegrown youngins’ bringing their absolute mauri; pure, simple, extraordinary, and outstanding.
BEST PERFORMER AWARDS (2) – For stand-out individual performers across all genres. WINNERS: Kristyl Neho & Eliza Sanders
NOMINATIONS: Kristyl Neho in Tangihanga, Eliza Sanders in Manage Your Expectations, Kura Forrester in Here If You Need
Kristyl Neho – An exceptional piece that masterfully combined profound emotional depth with moments of belly laughing humour. Neho’s portrayal of a wide range of characters, from kaumātua to younger whānau members, was both moving and deeply authentic, with her transitions between roles showcasing remarkable skill. The performance created an atmosphere of reverence, with subtle lighting and a soothing soundscape that enveloped the audience, while also allowing for moments of levity that brought laughter and lightness. This performance wasn’t just a powerful reflection on tangihanga, but a vibrant, multifaceted exploration of whānau life that resonated deeply with the audience, leaving them both moved and uplifted.
Eliza Sanders – A masterclass in encountering an audience, Eliza displayed exceptional skill not only as an actor or dancer, but in her ability to hold us as she told an exposing story of vulnerability, confusion, and hurt. An incredibly clever writer and a charming performer, she was magnetic in physical performance, and the choices made in terms of live and recorded media support have left lasting impressions on those lucky enough to have watched. Truly a pleasure to have experienced this strange, deep, and playful piece of work, all of which hung off Eliza’s gentle, yet powerful presence.
SPIRIT OF FRINGE – For an event that embodies the joyful, outrageous spirit of Fringe.
WINNER: Company of Giants: A Vaudeville of Flowers
FINALISTS: MERMAID BAIT, CRUNCH
A vibrant, fearless show with something for everyone. The ensemble cast, spanning all ages, created a joyful sense of community, with seasoned performers nurturing younger talent. Tomasin Fisher Johnson’s comedic brilliance stood out, especially in the playful “flower orgasm” scene, which captured the true Fringe spirit. Shifting between moods with clever lighting, the show’s energy never faltered, making it a joyful, all-ages experience full of love, fun, and creativity. Give us more!!!
TUI AWARD – Honouring an artist whose passionate vocal performance captivated, inspired and connected audiences.
WINNER: Ngāhina Dunn
Ever present, always charming, this award acknowledges a young artist whose generosity and talent has resounded throughout the Fringe in many spaces and groups. A unique & powerful voice that inspire and connect.
SPECIAL CONTRIBUTION TO FRINGE – For an artist who contributed to multiple events, showed leadership and encouraged others, and embodied the Whangarei Fringe vibe.
WINNER: Lexi Laybourn
Lexi has been part of a myriad events over the fringe festival, performed in three venues multiple times as well as outside and in the streets. She has shown immense leadership and generosity and her energy as allowed many others to be involved in fringe. She works with Kumarani, Northland Youth Theatre and ONEONESIX and contributes huge energy and vitality to those organisations as well as the Fringe Festival. We are grateful to her huge contribution and courage.