New musical sheds light on Pacific struggles amid climate change

A new theatre production aims to raise awareness about the dire impact of climate change on Pacific Island nations.

Toitoi Collective Theatre presents ‘THREE FORTY ONE - The Climate Musical’, a story dedicated to the “people of the world’s many coastal regions, who are increasingly affected by extreme weather and sea level rise,” according to its writer and director, Steve Worsley.

Set on an island that resembles Tuvalu, the musical follows a wedding party from New Zealand who arrive intending to have the time of their lives, unaware of the impending catastrophe.

Worsley says the goal is to raise awareness of climate change in the Pacific through storytelling and music.

I saw a documentary about sea level rise and the extreme weather caused by climate changein Kiribati. And from that, I thought, everyone needs to know what's going on in the Pacific,” Worsley says in an interview on Pacific Days.

The effects of climate change are so pronounced, and we Kiwis are generally pretty unaware of them.

“So we thought, what if we could create a show that brings people together to think about that.”

The musical is showing at the Eastgate Christian Centre in Pakuranga, Auckland, this weekend, where attendees will feel transported to an island paradise brimming with colour.

Watch the full interview with ‘THREE FORTY ONE - The Climate Musical’ writer and director Steve Worsley, along with actor Neti Taniera below.

As the show unfolds, the characters experience life on an island facing a climate crisis—a realisation Worsley hopes will resonate with audiences.

Neti Taniera plays Salaga, the resort manager, and explains her role to 531pi host Nemai Tagicakibau.

Taniera sees her character as a traditional pillar of the storyline, ensuring that customs handed down by island elders are honoured.

“I would say that I'm kind of representing the older generation in terms of the climate change matter. and how we carry ourselves at the resort when guests or people come from all over the place.”

The first full rehearsal was held in November 2024 where Steve Worsley posted to social media that this was an emotional moment for him. Photo/Facebook

Helping the smallest nations address huge issue

In addition to rising sea levels, low-lying islands such as Tuvalu and Kiribati are increasingly facing more frequent and severe weather events. Residents struggle with challenges in relocating to neighbouring countries like New Zealand because there is no formal migration policy for three climate-related reasons.

In October of 2024, New Zealand announced a $20 million contribution to the Pacific Resilience Facility. Two months later, Tuvalu and Vanuatu turned to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to demand accountability from larger countries for their role in combating climate change.

Under the controversial Australia-Tuvalu Falepili Union treaty, 280 Tuvaluans will be granted the opportunity to live and work in Australia each year.

The Guardian reported that after US President Donald Trump announced cuts of around US$54 billion (NZ$94b) in global development assistance programmes, the Australian government responded by redirecting over A$100 million (NZ$109.8m) in foreign aid to the Indo-Pacific region.

Casting with cultural insight

The musical features a cast of 20, half of whom represent the Pālagi and international wedding guests, while the other half reflect the island’s residents.

During auditions, the production team intentionally cast five Tuvaluans and one i-Kiribati to ensure proper cultural representation and authenticity.

Worsley says the diverse casting allows characters to be “relatable” to various audiences while encouraging critical thinking about climate issues.

“They all have different points of view. Some play devil's advocate when they're talking about climate stuff. So regardless of what your position might be on climate change, it's really worth coming on to the show.

“You'll find someone on stage that represents you, and together we'll think about this issue. How it affects people in the likes of Tuvalu and Kiribati.”

The full cast of 'THREE FORTY ONE - The Climate Musical'. Photo/Facebook

Meaning behind the name

For those curious about the title ‘THREE FORTY ONE’, Worsley hints that audience members should look for the significance of this number throughout the show.

It will appear in various contexts, such as when the bridal party notices a resort worker’s shirt with the number printed on it.

What does it mean? Worsley says, “Come along and find out”.

‘THREE FORTY ONE - The Climate Musical’ will play at Eastgate Christian Centre, Pakuranga, from 28 March to 5 April. Book your tickets here.