Sāmoan tenor Ipu Laga’aia makes his professional lead role debut with New Zealand Opera’s The Monster in the Maze. Photo: Emma Brittenden / LDR
When Sāmoan tenor Ipu Laga'aia first sang in church growing up, opera was not on his horizon.
He also fronted a reggae band in high school before turning to classical training.
Tonight [Friday], he takes the spotlight in Auckland for one of the final shows of his first lead role with New Zealand Opera, following performances in Wellington and Christchurch.
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The Monster in the Maze brings professional singers together with school students and community performers in a bid to widen participation in the art form often seen as exclusive.
For Laga'aia, taking on the role of Theseus is both a personal and professional breakthrough.
"It's scary to step into the spotlight and have that moment," he said. "But it's something I've been working towards for the past five, 10 years. It's nerve-wracking and exciting at the same time."
Breaking down barriers
Unlike traditional operas that take months of rehearsals, The Monster in the Maze welcomed people with little or no stage experience.
There were no auditions, with organisers encouraging anyone who wanted to take part to turn up and stay with the process.
Brad Cohen, NZ Opera's general director, said the approach was deliberate.
Brad Cohen, general director of New Zealand Opera, says The Monster in the Maze was created to widen access and bring schools and communities onto the opera stage. Photo: SUPPLIED / LDR
"We were clear in our messaging that there was no audition involved - so anyone who wanted to have a go could simply turn up to the rehearsals and stay with the process, knowing that they would get to perform an opera on stage."
Laga'aia said watching community members rise to the challenge had been inspiring.
"With most operas you have months of prep, but this one is based on a community, those who haven't got much experience performing on stage. To see the community give it a go and be resilient really touches me."
The programme is backed by Creative New Zealand and Auckland Council's Regional Amenities Funding Board.
Creative NZ's Toi Uru Kahikatea programme is supported as part of New Zealand Opera's annual allocation of more than $1.26 million from the Funding Board, rising to $1.305m in 2025/26.
Equity and accountability
Creative New Zealand principal adviser Hayley Dingwall said the project reflected national goals around diversity and access.
"We always look to ensure that our funding decisions support artists and benefit communities across the motu, including our Tagata Moana practitioners and Pacific communities."
Ipu Laga’aia as Theseus in The Monster in the Maze, a New Zealand Opera production staged with community performers. Photo: Emma Brittenden / LDR
Auckland Council's head of arts, culture and heritage, Emily Trent, said participatory projects like this were vital for the city.
"Community-led and participatory projects such as The Monster in the Maze are excellent ways for any Aucklander to take part in the arts. These projects provide a range of benefits on both an individual and community level and are an important part of the arts sector."
She said the council's wider investment strategy was focused on equity.
"Through our regional grants and cultural initiatives, the council prioritises opportunities that reflect Auckland's diverse population, including Pacific cultures."
A Pacific voice in opera
Laga'aia said his Sāmoan background had shaped his path into opera.
"My background is Sāmoan and singing in church, it's kind of the same. Especially with the language in opera, it's not that far off from Sāmoan. That's been an advantage for me."
Sāmoan tenor Ipu Laga’aia performs in The Monster in the Maze with community chorus members. Photo: Emma Brittenden / LDR
He credited Sole Mio with showing him that Pacific singers had a place in the art form.
"When I first heard Sole Mio, I was like, wow, to see another person like myself singing this kind of music, I could really try this out."
Beyond the music, he said the themes remain relevant today.
"I hope people walk away feeling more hopeful and powerful, knowing that you're not alone to work on your own journey or to find the light."
Cohen said NZ Opera would continue to balance tradition with inclusion.
"We will keep doing the big established operas to the highest standard of excellence, while at the same time developing and programming innovative and inclusive projects which serve our communities.
"For a national opera company to adopt this dual approach is we think unique - in fact we suspect that Aotearoa may be the only place this could happen."
The Monster in the Maze plays its final shows Friday and Saturday at Auckland's Kiri Te Kanawa Theatre, Aotea Centre. Tickets can be purchased here.
LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
