THE MĀORI SIDESTEPS BRING MĀORI MADE MISCHIEF AND MUSIC TO WELLINGTON THIS SPRING

The Māori Sidesteps
Location: Circa Theatre, 1 Taranaki St, Wellington
Dates: 28 October - 1 November 2025

The Māori Sidesteps return to the capital  with their full live show for a strictly limited season at Circa Theatre from 28 October – 1 November. Serving up their trademark blend of wicked harmonies, biting satire and cheeky skits, this will be a great night out of music and laughter - even if the subversive jokes are occasionally on them (and their audience!).

The Māori Sidesteps have evolved a fresh and enlightening perspective of the great Māori showbands of the 80s and 90s. Known for entertaining with clever skits, irreverent charm and music, they have wowed crowds throughout the country, and the world, thanks to a successful TV show and web series.

Together Cohen Holloway (Boy, Good For Nothing, Hunt for the Wilderpeople, Thor: Ragnarok  Dark City: The Cleaner); Jamie McCaskill (Takes A Village, Shortland Street, Modern Māori Quartet); Jerome Leota (Naked Samoan’s Go Home and Smokey Feel); and Golden Guitar winner Cameron Clayton, these guys dial the entertainment up to 11.

Known for celebrating connection and the richness of our differences, The Māori Sidesteps bring pride in identity, the strength of mana motuhake, and the reminder that joy is the best antidote to division. From government blunders to policies ripe for the picking, these top-notch entertainers take aim at the kaupapa of the moment. Audiences can expect fearless satire, wickedly subversive humour, and a refreshing dose of truth-telling disguised as hilarity.

By giving some of your favourite songs mischievous and hilarious twists, humour and music are used as ways to broach issues such as colonisation in non-confrontational ways that may raise questions but point no fingers.

Founding member Jamie McCaskill says that he hopes “the audience takes away a sense of a Māori lens on the world, if they don't have that sense already. A sense that te ao Māori and the Māori lens is a valid view on the world and that normalising this view isn't radical or attacking the ‘standard’ New Zealand society. If Aotearoa can get bi-culturalism right, multiculturalism should be easy.” 

The group formed in 2016 and have continued to grow their success ever since. Although live shows are a key feature of their repertoire, The Māori Sidesteps creativity spans far and wide to include online content, with an award-winning web series (self-titled The Māori Sidesteps), and a hit television series on Māori TV (Hari with The Māori Sidesteps). When asked what makes this collective so successful, the group admit it’s their combined strengths in storytelling, music and film, as well as their personal respect for each other that sees them sell out shows across Aotearoa.

McCaskill says that “The Māori Sidesteps are constantly evolving as we try to keep up with our ever-evolving society. We create, negotiate, perform, tour, chat, laugh, jam, sing and share life together like a whānau and have done this for the last nine odd years. And of course with the domestic and international political scene there is no shortage of content to fuel our lyrics and keep our shows current and relevant.”

With their winning mix of satire, song and irresistible charm, The Māori Sidesteps will serve up a night of crooning, comedic goodness. Treated to an entertaining night out, audiences will not only leave laughing, but maybe looking at life a little differently.

Don’t sidestep this season, The Māori Sidesteps are onstage at Circa Theatre from 28 October 2025.
 

“With mischief written all over their faces... they sing with both gusto and finesse, harmonising perfectly and bringing a wealth of musicality to their standout performances." - Theatreview

Cast 
Jamie McCaskill
Cohen Holloway
Jerome Leota               
Cameron Clayton                                                         
 
Bookings: phone 04 801 7992 or visit https://www.circa.co.nz/package/maori-sidesteps/