WHAT DO YOU GUYS ACTUALLY DO? 

In simple terms... we tell stories.

Through theatre, dance, music, film, festivals and community projects.
Strictly Brown creates opportunities for emerging performers and diverse audiences to connect with Pasifika identity, languages and cultures. We're interested in stories that honour the past, make sense of our present and challenge the future. 
Let's take a look at some of the different works so far...

  • Hologa Niue Festival (2026)

  • Lalaga Youth Ambassadors (2026) 

  • I Must Not Speak Niuean (2025)

  • Tau Tahi to Tahiti (2025)

  • Hologa Niue Festival (2025)

  • Company B  - Black Grace (2025)

  • Christchurch Pasifika Youth Workshops (2025)

  • A Niu Dawn Festival - The Guerilla Collection (2024)

  • The Eel and Sina (2024)

  • CHOGM Samoa Collaboration with Le Taupou Manaia (2024)

  • Pring It On - Season Two (2024)

  • Brown & Proud Schools Programme (2024)

  • Fua Creative Collaboration - Marlborough Boys High School (2024)

  • Pring It On -  Season One (2024)

 

Strictly Brown acknowledges the following companies and organisations who have been collaborative partners on our creative journey. Malo 'Aupito - Auckland Theatre Company, Auckland Arts Festival, Ministry For Pacific Peoples, Black Grace, Le Taupou Manaia Academy, Tolu Manu Iti, Lylas Measina, Pacific Dance New Zealand, Fua Creative, Collateral Culture, Sau E Siva Creatives, Island Vibes Funk, Pacific Media Network, The Coconet TV, Tikilounge Productions, Three Star Nation, Tau Tahi, Lalaga Youth Ambassadors, Southsides, Pacific Advance Secondary School.  

Photography by: Haylee Bethell, Ruha Fifita, Timo Morisa, Anric Sitanilei, Ben Mikha

I MUST NOT SPEAK NIUEAN is an original theatre work written and directed by Leki Jackson-Bourke that explores language loss, cultural identity and what it means to be a Tagata Niue in modern day Aotearoa. Originally conceived as a solo work, the project evolved into a large-scale multi-disciplinary work. 

Māngere Arts Centre (December 2025)
Starring - CNZ Emerging Pasifika Artist of The Year - Haanz Fa'avae Jackson, Miss Samoa NZ Paulina Tapua'i Soti, Italia Hunt, Shauntelle Jones & 40 members from Tokiofa Arts Academy. 

Funded by Creative New Zealand with additional support from Pacific Dance New Zealand, Pacific Media Network. 

PRING IT ON is a Polyfest parody written by Leki Jackson-Bourke that follows the journey of a NZ-Born Samoan trying to find her identity through dance. Blending humour, heart and community spirit, PRING IT ON launched a successful premiere season at the Māngere Arts Centre in February 2024.

The production marked the company's debut theatre season and sold-out completely on the day of opening night. Supported by a cast of emerging performers, the five-show season attracted more than 1,139 audience members from across Tāmaki Makaurau and established Strictly Brown as an exciting new voice in Pacific theatre.

Funded by Creative New Zealand with additional support from Pacific Dance New Zealand, Elephant Publicity, Mcauley High School, Pacific Advance Secondary School & Marcellin College. 

Following a sold-out debut season, PRING IT ON returned in August 2024 for a special school's season at the ASB Waterfront Theatre. The remount marked a major step forward for the company, with Anapela Polata'ivao ONZM and Vela Manusaute coming on board as the co directors for season 2. When unforeseen circumstances required a last minute cast change, Anapela also stepped into the role of Mum, bringing a fresh energy and perspective to the production.


The season featured an ensemble of 120 students as "South Auckland Grammar - Polyfest Group". The student ensemble consisted of students from Manurewa High School Samoan Group, Papatoetoe High School Samoan Group, Māngere College Samoan Group in honour of the late Melegalenu'u Ah Sam MNZM (former Samoan stage co-ordinator). 

Funded by Auckland Theatre Company with additional support from Auckland City Council.