Oli Mathiesen is a choreographer and dancer based in Aotearoa New Zealand (Ngāti Hine, Ngāti Manu, Ngāpuhi). He is an accomplished performer and choreographer whose artistry traverses the dynamic intersections of dance, physical theatre, and film, all through the captivating lens of contemporary dance. His work is characterized by an unwavering commitment to discipline and a relentless pursuit of excellence, drawing inspiration from his diverse communities. This unique perspective, shaped by his indigenous, political, queer, and gendered identity, forms the essence of his artistry.

Oli’s radical, award-winning show ‘The Butterfly Who Flew Into The Rave’ (2024) has been presented globally, including at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2025, Melbourne’s RISING Festival 2025, Sydney’s Liveworks Festival 2024, Nelson Arts Festival 2024, Christchurch’s Tiny Fest 2024, Auckland Pride Festival 2024, and Wellington’s New Zealand Fringe Festival 2024. The show performed a smash hit season at the esteemed Summerhall in Edinburgh, selling out their final week, being listed as Theatre Weekly’s ‘Best Dance Performance’, and were the inaugural award winners of the ‘Bragi Award for Excellence in Creativity & Performance’.  Furthermore, he has choreographed works for Atamira Dance Company, Black Grace, Tempo Dance Festival, The Auckland Live Cabaret Festival, and The Performance Arcade.