From risque readings to award-winning theatre: ‘WET’ debuts at Te Pou

“She writes smut. They call her unfit. She calls that Tuesday.”

That’s how Te Pou Theatre introduces us to Aroha, the protagonist of WET, the fiercely funny new show by playwright, Dr Tūī Matelau (Ngāpuhi, Ngāti kahu ki Whangaroa, Fo'ui - Tonga).

Making its Aotearoa premiere at Te Ahurei Toi o Tāmaki | Auckland Arts Festival, WET explores messy, beautiful contradictions of modern motherhood through the lens of a woman who just happens to be a successful “cliterature” author.

Aroha, played by Bronwyn Turei (Go Girls, The Brokenwood Mysteries), is a divorcee, loyal friend, and an undercover erotic writer whose career blows up when she launches a podcast.

While the premise is designed to turn heads, Matelau clarifies the show’s raunchy elements are simply a gateway.

“It wasn’t really written to challenge, but more to celebrate,” Matelau explains to PMN News. “to celebrate a woman, to celebrate freedom of expression, to celebrate self-knowledge and to celebrate creativity.”

Watch Dr Tūī Matelau's full interview below.

For the playwright, the show is less about the mechanics of arousal and more about women's sovereignty.

“I get that there are aspects of the story that are challenging, but it's not the heart of the story. It’s just like a playful, fun part of it. These themes came to symbolise female empowerment, self-acceptance, and self-knowledge.

“If we think about those things, those aren't challenging. Well, not always, and they shouldn’t be. Maybe we focus on those things and I can still get invited to the family reunion,” Matelau jokes.

Dr Tūī Matelau. Photo/Supplied

Her focus on empowerment reflects a broader generational shift in how Pacific communities approach taboo topics.

Matelau admits that growing up, conversations around sex were often chats “trying to figure things out with girlfriends”, but she sees a new landscape of openness for the next generation.

“As a parent, we’re trying to be a bit more open about what we talk to our children about,” she notes. “Always keeping the door open for them to talk to us about whatever’s on their mind.”

An evolution that is echoed in WET, taking the “naughty” and grounding it in a tender examination of modern adult relationships.

Audiences watch as Aroha navigates “difficult relationships”, from being challenged by her ex-husband and sister, the support of her best friend, and mothering a teenage daughter.

WET features Bronwyn Turei, who plays Aroha. Photo/Supplied

WET features incredible indigenous talents both on-stage and behind the curtain, including Kasina Campbell, Paul Fagamalo, Harmony Day, Xavier Horan, directed by Amber Curreen, and produced by Marianne Infante.

Originally commissioned by Te Pou Theatre as part of the 2024 Kōanga Festival Playwrights Programme,the first reading received “riotous laughter, knowing sighs, and the odd groan” from audience members.

Matelau went on to receive the 2024 ADAM NZ Play Award for Best Play by a Pasifika Playwright for this work.

She says this is only the beginning, speaking her next steps into existence.

“Oh yeah we’re manifesting,” Matelau laughs. “Hopefully, it’s going to tour New Zealand, and then it’s going to tour internationally…Rachel House is going to see us and want to direct it.”

WET runs from 5 to 15 March at West Auckland’s Te Pou Theatre, tickets are available here.