Kristyl Neho’s ‘Tangihanga’: A Powerful One-Woman Show Returns for 2025 Tour

Kristyl Neho brings her critically acclaimed solo performance, Tangihanga, back to stages across Aotearoa in 2025. This 75-minute drama-comedy delves into the complexities of grief, identity, and family, offering a heartfelt and often humorous portrayal of Māori whānau dynamics during a time of loss.

At the heart of Tangihanga is Jess, a devoted daughter navigating the emotional aftermath of her father Karanipa’s passing. As whānau and friends arrive at the Marae from far and wide to mourn, the gathering becomes a poignant exploration of love, legacy, and the sometimes messy intricacies of whānau life. Over the course of the tangi, buried tensions rise, old wounds are reopened, and long-held secrets emerge — all while the community weaves together the threads of shared memory and identity.

What makes Tangihanga truly remarkable is Neho’s performance. With stunning versatility and emotional depth, she seamlessly embodies over 30 distinct characters, capturing a full spectrum of personalities and perspectives. Her portrayal is both deeply moving and sharply comedic, balancing the solemnity of death with moments of levity and joy that are true to the Māori experience of tangihanga.

This year’s tour includes performances timed with Dying Matters Week, a national event aimed at fostering open conversations around death and bereavement. However, several dates extend beyond the week, ensuring audiences across the country have a chance to experience this powerful work.

2025 ‘Tangihanga’ Tour Dates

August / September

• 31st Aug & 1st Sept – Hastings (Part of Dying Matters Week Programme)

• 3rd & 4th Sept – One One Six – Whangārei (Part of Dying Matters Week programme including a matinee performance for schools)

• 5th–9th Sept – Auckland City (Part of Dying Matters Week Programme)
• 10th & 11th Sept – Waiheke Island
• 12th & 13th Sept – The Factory Theatre – South Auckland
• 17th Sept – Pātaka Art + Museum – Porirua
• 18th–20th Sept – TAHI Festival / Te Auaha – Wellington City
• 23rd & 24th Sept – Rotorua

October

• 9th & 10th Oct – Hastings
• 11th Oct – Taranaki
• 16th Oct – Turner Centre – Kerikeri
• 17th & 18th Oct – Te Mānea – Ōpononi
• 21st & 22nd Oct – Te Ahu – Kaitaia
• 24th Oct – Tauranga

Whether you’re familiar with the traditions of tangihanga or new to Māori cultural practices, Tangihanga promises to be a rich, emotional, and thought-provoking theatrical experience. It’s a tribute to the strength of community, the messiness of family, and the enduring power of storytelling.

Don’t miss the opportunity to witness Kristyl Neho’s unforgettable performance.Ticketing information is available for selected venues; others will be announced soon.