What is all that HooHa?
HooHa Productions is a meeting of minds and inspiration for two of New Zealand's most experienced festival and event producers and directors, Drew James and Pitsch Leiser. They are joined by Beth Elstone, Event Manager for some of New Zealand’s most iconic concert and festival events. HooHa Production is the Event Delivery Partner for the World Buskers Festival.
Who is HooHa...?
Pitsch Leiser
Director
Hooha Productions
Pitsch has 30+ years experience in leadership roles in arts and events management and delivery. He successfully led the delivery of major annual events such as Pasifika, Diwali, Lantern and the International Cultural Festival, and established the
iconic Music in Parks Series during his 9 year employment with Auckland City Council. He was Director for Capital E, Wellington and in Hawke’s Bay, as the founding director he curated and produced 9 annual Hawke’s Bay Arts Festivals, presenting 100’s of shows by national and international artists creating a much loved Hawke’s Bay event with significant economic and social impact for the region.
Drew James
Director
HooHa Productions
Drew’s career spans over 3 decades in performing arts management, event management, and festival direction. He was the first Producer for WOMAD (World of Music Arts and Dance) in Auckland, was Artistic Director for two Erupt Lake Taupo Festivals, and as the Artistic Director for Taranaki Arts Festival Trust, programmed four WOMAD festivals, and three Taranaki International Arts Festivals. He was the founding Executive Producer for PANNZ Tour-Makers, New Zealand’s Performing Arts Touring Agency and Chief Executive of Creative Capital Arts Trust, the producing organisation for New Zealand Fringe, CubaDupa and Classical on Cuba. He was the Founder and Director of CubaDupa street arts festival in Wellington and Director for Classical on Cuba. In 2024 Drew formed HooHa Productions with Pitsch Leiser to undertake delivery of the World Buskers Festival in Christchurch, and develop other events and touring in New Zealand and internationally.