Carrying the torch: Court Theatre’s first Pasifika intern is a talented musician from a family of artists

Friday, 12 June 2026

Despite a career that already spans music and acting, Christchurch performer Lijah Mavaega knows one part of the theatre industry where Pasifika people are still rarely seen: backstage.

The 23-year-old will make history next week when he begins his role as The Court Theatre’s first ever Pasifika intern. Mavaega won the paid, six-week role — backed by both the theatre and Creative New Zealand — after writing a heartfelt application that stated an aim “to refine my own craft and eventually be in a position to skillshare with my communities”.

The position offers a mid-career Pasifika practitioner hands-on technical experience alongside professional theatre makers, to boost employability and elevate industry standards.

For Mavaega, the milestone is deeply personal. He is the child of Posenai Mavaega and Tanya Muagututi’a, co-founders of Pacific Underground, New Zealand’s longest-running Pacific contemporary performing arts organisation.

“I feel like I’m just continuing my parents’ work,” Mavaega said.

“They’ve done a lot of work here [at The Court], as [the] first Pasifika creatives in Christchurch, and I think it makes sense that I carry on the torch in that sense.”

During the internship, Mavaega will shadow Court Theatre production manager Andrew Malmo and head technician Giles Tanner.

The internship, Tanner said, would give Mavaega “an insight into some of the technology that’s new technology … and whatever Lijah needs, actually - we want it to be led by what he wants”.

Mavaega will intern at the theatre throughout preparations for the Victor Roger play At The Wake, which opens in The Wakefield Room on July 18.

The darkly funny family drama follows a half-Samoan ex-pat returning to New Zealand with his palagi [white/European] grandmother for a funeral. Coincidentally the production is a family affair, directed by Mavaega’s mother, Muagututi’a, and featuring his sister, actor Talia-Rae Mavaega.

The powerhouse family’s legacy continues to grow, with Posenai Mavaega recently being named the Macmillan Brown Centre for Pacific Studies and Creative NZ 2026 Artist in Residence, at the University of Canterbury.

Lijah Mavaega has already enjoyed a diverse career, that also includes acting. However, the dearth of Pasifika and Māori theatre technicians, is something he is very aware of.

“I know that where I work often in Auckland, there’s usually a shortage of Pacific people backstage,” Mavaega said.

That shortage should not put off young Pasifika people who want to work in the section.

“I tell them, ‘come along, come through’.

“There's still work to be done in regards to bringing our communities in, and I’m more than happy to continue that mahi.”