Book here

Storyteller Tanya Batt and musician Peter Forster invite you into the twilight realm of the bat. Show casing Aotearoa’s only indigenous land mammal and one of the most prolific mammals on our planet – this family friendly programme is a weave of traditional bat stories from around the world, bat science and stranger than fiction folkloric traditions. Spread your wings and don your mask and come a discover just how incredible bats are.

The show will be held outside the Waipahihi Botanical Reserve Clubrooms.  After entering the reserve, take the first right (before heading around the loop road). 

Bring a picnic to enjoy after the show and in the event of wet weather the venue will be the REAP Offices 73 Titiraupenga Street, Taupō 3330

Suitable for ages 7 - 99 years. This event has beenmade possible thanks to the generous support of 'Kids Greening Taupō'.

‘Toby or Not to be – stories of death and dying – Western Australia’

“In each life there are two lives, and the second one begins when we realize we only have one.” Confucius

A donkey’s fart, a spider’s web…a tortoise’s grand idea – who can guess the guise of death.

Toby or not to be – Stories of Death and Dying is a collaboration between storyteller Tanya Batt and musician Peter Forster. A weave of song, music, contemplation and conversations with traditional stories that consider our relationship with death and life.

Winner of the ‘Beyond Words’ Dunedin City of Literature 2022 Fringe award.

Audience feed back

“ Rarely have I seen a performance more seamlessly and intimately presented.” Anne Somerville

Storyteller & children author Tanya Batt and musician Peter Forster hail from planet Waiheke – a small but lovely rock off the eastern coast of Aotearoa, New Zealand.

They love singing, riding their bicycles, planting trees and creating wonderful musical ‘story sandwiches’ – preferably all at the same time!

Their sessions are highly interactive, filled with movement, music and magic.

“She is a spellbinder. In all my years of telling and listening to stories I have never

heard anyone who can match Tanya Batt. Only a few story tellers can send shivers of joy up a child’s spine.  Tanya Batt is the best of those who can.”

Paul Jennings, Multi Award winning Australian Author

‘Toby or Not to be – stories of death and dying – Western Australia’

“In each life there are two lives, and the second one begins when we realize we only have one.” Confucius

A donkey’s fart, a spider’s web…a tortoise’s grand idea – who can guess the guise of death.

Toby or not to be – Stories of Death and Dying is a collaboration between storyteller Tanya Batt and musician Peter Forster. A weave of song, music, contemplation and conversations with traditional stories that consider our relationship with death and life.

Winner of the ‘Beyond Words’ Dunedin City of Literature 2022 Fringe award.

Audience feed back

“ Rarely have I seen a performance more seamlessly and intimately presented.” Anne Somerville

‘Toby or Not to be – stories of death and dying – Western Australia’

“In each life there are two lives, and the second one begins when we realize we only have one.” Confucius

A donkey’s fart, a spider’s web…a tortoise’s grand idea – who can guess the guise of death.

Toby or not to be – Stories of Death and Dying is a collaboration between storyteller Tanya Batt and musician Peter Forster. A weave of song, music, contemplation and conversations with traditional stories that consider our relationship with death and life.

Winner of the ‘Beyond Words’ Dunedin City of Literature 2022 Fringe award.

Audience feed back

“ Rarely have I seen a performance more seamlessly and intimately presented.” Anne Somerville

NOTE: The 4 - 5pm show has booked out but a 2nd show at 2 - 3pm can be booked. See link below.

A prophecy, a hive of story and plenty of cross pollination.

Meet Mary Bumby, Aotearoa’s honey bee pioneer, returned to earth to re awaken the bee- ing in humans. A high interactive and humorous excursion into a world where Apis Mellifera, New Zealand’s past & future, meet to make something sticky and sweet.

Tickets on a ‘pay what you can’ basis - sliding scale $5 - $25

Book here

“In each life there are two lives, and the second one begins when we realize we only have one.” Confucius

A donkey’s fart, a spider’s web…a tortoise’s grand idea – who can guess the guise of death.

Toby or not to be – Stories of Death and Dying is a collaboration between storyteller Tanya Batt and musician Peter Forster. A weave of song, music, contemplation and conversations with traditional stories that consider our relationship with death and life.

Tickets on a ‘pay what you can’ basis - sliding scale $5 - $25

Book here

“In each life there are two lives, and the second one begins when we realize we only have one.” Confucius

A donkey’s fart, a spider’s web…a tortoise’s grand idea – who can guess the guise of death.

Toby or not to be – Stories of Death and Dying is a collaboration between storyteller Tanya Batt and musician Peter Forster. A weave of song, music, contemplation and conversations with traditional stories that consider our relationship with death and life.

Tickets are available on a ‘pay what you can’ basis on a sliding scale of $5 - $25

Book here

“In each life there are two lives, and the second one begins when we realize we only have one.” Confucius

A donkey’s fart, a spider’s web…a tortoise’s grand idea – who can guess the guise of death.

Toby or not to be – Stories of Death and Dying is a collaboration between storyteller Tanya Batt and musician Peter Forster. A weave of song, music, contemplation and conversations with traditional stories that consider our relationship with death and life.

Book here

A prophecy, a hive of story and plenty of cross pollination.

Meet Mary Bumby, Aotearoa’s honey bee pioneer, returned to earth to re awaken the bee- ing in humans. A high interactive and humorous excursion into a world where Apis Mellifera, New Zealand’s past & future, meet to make something sticky and sweet.

There are no bookings for this show.

Please bring a koha on the day.

For more information phone Elizabeth 03 3251 427.

A prophecy, a hive of story and plenty of cross pollination.

Meet Mary Bumby, Aotearoa’s honey bee pioneer, returned to earth to re awaken the bee- ing in humans. A high interactive and humorous excursion into a world where Apis Mellifera, New Zealand’s past & future, meet to make something sticky and sweet.

Book here

“In each life there are two lives, and the second one begins when we realize we only have one.” Confucius

A donkey’s fart, a spider’s web…a tortoise’s grand idea – who can guess the guise of death.

Toby or not to be – Stories of Death and Dying is a collaboration between storyteller Tanya Batt and musician Peter Forster. A weave of song, music, contemplation and conversations with traditional stories that consider our relationship with death and life.

Tickets are available on a ‘pay what you can’ basis on a sliding scale of $5 - $25

Book here

A prophecy, a hive of story and plenty of cross pollination.

Meet Mary Bumby, Aotearoa’s honey bee pioneer, returned to earth to re awaken the bee- ing in humans. A high interactive and humorous excursion into a world where Apis Mellifera, New Zealand’s past & future, meet to make something sticky and sweet.

Show takes places in the Wonderland Garden. Brings chairs and mats to sit on. In the event of wet weather the show will be held in the Grainstore Gallery.

Tickets are offered on a ‘pay what you can basis’ on a $5 - $25 scale. Book here

A prophecy, a hive of story and plenty of cross pollination.

Meet Mary Bumby, Aotearoa’s honey bee pioneer, returned to earth to re awaken the bee- ing in humans. A high interactive and humorous excursion into a world where Apis Mellifera, New Zealand’s past & future, meet to make something sticky and sweet.

Attendance on a ‘pay what you can basis’ sliding scale $5 - $25

Book here

A prophecy, a hive of story and plenty of cross pollination.

Meet Mary Bumby, Aotearoa’s honey bee pioneer, returned to earth to re awaken the bee- ing in humans. A high interactive and humorous excursion into a world where Apis Mellifera, New Zealand’s past & future, meet to make something sticky and sweet.

Part of the Dunedin Fringe

Book here

“In each life there are two lives, and the second one begins when we realize we only have one.” Confucius

A donkey’s fart, a spider’s web…a tortoise’s grand idea – who can guess the guise of death.

Toby or not to be – Stories of Death and Dying is a collaboration between storyteller Tanya Batt and musician Peter Forster. A weave of song, music, contemplation and conversations with traditional stories that consider our relationship with death and life.

Part of the Dunedin Fringe Programme.

Book here

“In each life there are two lives, and the second one begins when we realize we only have one.” Confucius

A donkey’s fart, a spider’s web…a tortoise’s grand idea – who can guess the guise of death.

Toby or not to be – Stories of Death and Dying is a collaboration between storyteller Tanya Batt and musician Peter Forster. A weave of song, music, contemplation and conversations with traditional stories that consider our relationship with death and life.

Due to covid restrictions numbers are limited and bookings are essential. Please book here.

Batt on the Mat is a monthly online professional development subscription service for educators working with tamariki/children ages 3 - 8 years of age. $8 NZ per month gives you access to a rich array of teaching resources developed by Tanya Batt, live webinar, printed teaching notes beautifully illustrated by Kristy Barlow and a community chat room. Sign up here

“In each life there are two lives, and the second one begins when we realize we only have one.” Confucius

A donkey’s fart, a spider’s web…a tortoise’s grand idea – who can guess the guise of death.

Toby or not to be – Stories of Death and Dying is a collaboration between storyteller Tanya Batt and musician Peter Forster. A weave of song, music, contemplation and conversations with traditional stories that consider our relationship with death and life.

Due to covid restrictions numbers are limited and bookings are essential. Please book here

Join us in the Batt Cave for stories, music and Batt - lamb. This month we’ll be zooming to you from Wellington as we’ll be on a national storytelling tour. Our special guest and wonderful storytelling friend, Moira Wairama will be joining us to share a local pūrākau. The Batt Cave is a monthly online storytelling club. $5NZ a month gets you ticket into a world of ‘once upon a times’. Join here

“In each life there are two lives, and the second one begins when we realize we only have one.” Confucius

A donkey’s fart, a spider’s web…a tortoise’s grand idea – who can guess the guise of death.

Toby or not to be – Stories of Death and Dying is a collaboration between storyteller Tanya Batt and musician Peter Forster. A weave of song, music, contemplation and conversations with traditional stories that consider our relationship with death and life.

Due to covid restrictions numbers are limited and bookings are essential. Please book here.

A prophecy, a hive of story and plenty of cross pollination.

Meet Mary Bumby, Aotearoa’s honey bee pioneer and the only woman in European history credited with the introduction of Apis Mellifica.

Mary has returned to earth to re awaken the bee- ing in humans. A high interactive and humorous excursion into a world where Apis Mellifera, New Zealand’s past & future, meet to make something sticky and sweet.

Bring something to sit on and a picnic.Due to covid restrictions numbers are limited and bookings are essential

Book here

A prophecy, a hive of story and plenty of cross pollination.

Meet Mary Bumby, Aotearoa’s honey bee pioneer and the only woman in European history credited with the introduction of Apis Mellifica.

Mary has returned to earth to re awaken the bee-ing in humans. A high interactive and humorous excursion into a world where Apis Mellifera, New Zealand’s past & future, meet to make something sticky and sweet.

Due to covid restrictions numbers are limited and bookings are essential. Please book here

A prophecy, a hive of story and plenty of cross pollination.

Meet Mary Bumby, Aotearoa’s honey bee pioneer and the only woman in European history credited with the introduction of Apis Mellifica.

Mary has returned to earth to re awaken the bee- ing in humans. A high interactive and humorous excursion into a world where Apis Mellifera, New Zealand’s past & future, meet to make something sticky and sweet.

Due to covid restrictions numbers are limited and bookings are essential

Book here

“In each life there are two lives, and the second one begins when we realise we only have the one.” Confucius

A donkey’s fart, a spider’s web…a tortoise’s grand idea – who can guess the guise of death.

Toby or not to be – Stories of Death and Dying is a collaboration between storyteller Tanya Batt and musician Peter Forster. A weave of song, music, contemplation and conversations with traditional stories that consider our relationship with death and life.

Due to covid restrictions numbers are limited.

Book here