Moss’s work is a vibrant tapestry that weaves together the rich cultural heritage of Aotearoa New Zealand with the historical echoes of Cook’s Endeavour voyages. Drawing inspiration from the early European perceptions of this land, Moss integrates the haunting  melodies of taonga pūoro—traditional Māori instruments—into a dynamic and poetic performance. This immersive experience invites audiences to embark on a reflective journey through time, exploring how our shared history shapes our present and influences our path forward. By blending these ancient sounds with contemporary poetic expression, Moss creates a space for deeper conversations about our collective past and the ways we navigate change. The work encourages New Zealanders to reconnect with their heritage, celebrating both our unique differences and the common threads that unite us.

Music for the occasion will be masterfully crafted by the brilliant composers Shayne Carter and Tane Upjohn-Beatson. Shayne Carter, a celebrated icon in New Zealand music, is a distinguished member of the New Zealand Music Hall of Fame. His impressive accolades include the New Zealand Herald Legacy Award with Straitjacket Fits at the 2008 New Zealand Music Awards, along with Best Group and Best Rock Album awards for Dimmer in 2004.

Tane Upjohn-Beatson, known for his evocative and impactful compositions, has recently created music for the Aotearoa section of the World of Wearable Art and for Gallipoli: The Scale of Our War at Te Papa, a project that has captivated 2.7 million visitors. Together, Carter and Upjohn-Beatson will bring a wealth of experience and creativity to this special project.

Choreographer Shaun James Kelly will create a new work titled Chrysalis, inspired by his metamorphosis from young dancer in Scotland to Soloist  and Choreographer in Residence in New Zealand, mirroring his own evolution on the dancers and guiding them through the challenges of his movements to realise their full potential.

Music by Philip Glass brings Shaun’s journey to life, with his odyssey across worlds and continents shaped by his signature choreographic style – elegant, deceptively effortless and always musical.

Stephen Baynes’s The Way Alone, premiered as part of Tutus on Tour, will travel to larger stages for the first time, and completes the programme. A deeply personal response to music by Tchaikovsky, some well-known and some less-familiar, The Way Alone is a contemplative,  thoughtful, and inherently musical work by a master choreographer.