Browse by Genre Title

Browse by title

SWAN LAKE / LOCH NA hEALA

SWAN LAKE / LOCH NA hEALA

Artist Talk, Dance, Theatre 14 – 17 Mar

An extraordinary adaptation of the beloved classic. Soaring dance, boundary-busting theatre and song combine with live Irish folk music with a Nordic noir twist. 
Selling FastNZPremiere
OrphEus – a dance opera

OrphEus – a dance opera

Artist Talks, Dance, Music 16 – 17 Mar

Revel in the world premiere of this epic dance work from one of New Zealand’s most acclaimed choreographers, Michael Parmenter, with The New Zealand Dance Company, inspired by the myth and music of Orpheus.
Anne Sofie von Otter

Anne Sofie von Otter

Music 15 Mar

Celebrated for her mesmerising voice and interpretative depth, Grammy Award–winning Swedish mezzo-soprano Anne Sofie von Otter is one of the titans of grand opera and French chanson.
Sold Out!
CÉCILE McLORIN SALVANT & THE AARON DIEHL TRIO

CÉCILE McLORIN SALVANT & THE AARON DIEHL TRIO

Music 13 Mar

Grammy Award–winner Cécile McLorin Salvant is the hottest voice in American jazz right now, and she’ll have you eating out of the palm of her hand.
Casus Circus: Knee Deep

Casus Circus: Knee Deep

Circus, Festival Club 15 – 16 Mar

“Every minute counts” (The Guardian) in Knee Deep, from Edinburgh Festival Fringe favourites Casus Circus. Come experience the thrilling push and pull of this cutting-edge circus for yourself.
Us/Them

Us/Them

Theatre 16 – 18 Mar

Based on the experiences of children who lived through the 2004 Beslan school hostage crisis, this thrilling, moving and surprisingly humorous drama portrays extreme events but through a child’s eyes. 
Selling Fast
Perfume Genius

Perfume Genius

Festival Club, Music 13 – 14 Mar

Seattle-based pop star Perfume Genius and his band bring to the New Zealand Festival his ferocious and sophisticated blend of American rock. 
NZ
Mechanical Ballet

Mechanical Ballet

Artist Talks, Music 16 – 17 Mar

Drums that strike themselves. Loudspeakers that pivot and pirouette. Pianos whose keys tap dance ghostly toccatas. Welcome to Mechanical Ballet, a brave new world where self-playing instruments rule.
Selling FastNZ
Peter and the Wolf

Peter and the Wolf

Access, Family, Music, Theatre 14 – 18 Mar

Peter is not supposed to leave his grandfather’s house. There are wolves lurking in the forest and it’s not safe. Follow Peter as he travels deep into the woods, vanquish your fear, but don’t look behind you ...
Anderson & Roe

Anderson & Roe

Music 17 Mar

Pianists Anderson & Roe are as much at home with Daft Punk as they are with Mozart. For their New Zealand premiere, this dynamic duo pairs Bernstein with The Beatles, Gluck with John Adams. It’s musical dynamite.
NZ
Drax Project

Drax Project

Festival Club, Music 17 – 18 Mar

Born out of jazz school, the gifted Drax Project have grown from a music students’ busking project into one of the hottest tickets in town.
FreeNZ
ARTIST TALK: Mechanical Ballet

ARTIST TALK: Mechanical Ballet

Artist Talks, Music 16 Mar

Delve into the fascinating world of self-playing, mechatronic music with the creative minds behind Mechanical Ballet in this free, public post-show Artist Talk.
FreeNZ
ARTIST TALK: OrphEus – a dance opera

ARTIST TALK: OrphEus – a dance opera

Artist Talks, Dance, Music 17 Mar

Hear how the myth and music of Orpheus inspired Michael Parmenter's new epic OrphEus – a dance opera in this free, public pre-show Artist Talk. 
Free
A Vinyl Affair

A Vinyl Affair

Festival Club 18 Mar

Snap up some vinyl for your collection at A Vinyl Affair – Wellington's Record Fair at the Festival Club. Thousands of records on sale, live DJs, and more.  
Free
ARTIST TALK: SWAN LAKE / LOCH NA hEALA

ARTIST TALK: SWAN LAKE / LOCH NA hEALA

Artist Talks, Dance, Theatre 15 Mar

Get up close and personal with the boundary-busting cast of The Wellington Airport Season of Swan Lake / Loch Na hEala in this free, public post-show Artist Talk.
FreeNZ
Adam Portraiture Award 2018

Adam Portraiture Award 2018

Free, Visual Arts 01 Mar – 27 May

The 15th annual Adam Portraiture Award – New Zealand's premier portrait competition – exhibits the best in contemporary painted portraiture.
FreeNZ
Gavin Hipkins: The Domain

Gavin Hipkins: The Domain

Free, Visual Arts 25 Nov – 11 Mar

A thought-provoking and illuminating survey revealing one of New Zealand’s most innovative and subversive investigators of the possibilities of photography.
FreeNZ
Luke Willis Thompson

Luke Willis Thompson

Visual Arts 21 Feb – 15 Apr

Using the entire gallery as his stage, this new solo exhibition continues the artist's investigation into cinema and performance as mechanisms of violence and counterviolence. 
FreeNZ
Ruth Watson: Other Worlds

Ruth Watson: Other Worlds

Free, Visual Arts 21 Feb – 01 Jan

A major new public sculpture will be launched for the opening of the Festival, created by internationally recognised, Auckland-based artist Ruth Watson, and commissioned by the Wellington Sculpture Trust.
FreeNZ
Kaleidoscope: Abstract Aotearoa

Kaleidoscope: Abstract Aotearoa

Free, Visual Arts 17 Mar – 31 Dec

An exploration of how abstract shape, colour and pattern have captured our imaginations in the Pacific, featuring a new immersive commission by Tiffany Singh.
FreeNZ
This is New Zealand

This is New Zealand

Free, Visual Arts 03 Mar – 15 Jul

Venice Biennale works by Michael Stevenson, Michael Parekowhai, Simon Denny and more.
FreeNZ
Lisa Walker: I want to go to my bedroom but I can’t be bothered

Lisa Walker: I want to go to my bedroom but I can’t be bothered

Free, Visual Arts 17 Mar – 22 Jul

“Just because it’s jewellery doesn’t mean we have to clam up and be well-behaved.”
FreeNZ
The Language of Things: Meaning and Value in Contemporary Jewellery

The Language of Things: Meaning and Value in Contemporary Jewellery

Free, Visual Arts 24 Feb – 24 Jun

How meaning and value are challenged through the often-surprising materials used in contemporary jewellery from Europe, America, Asia, Australia and New Zealand.
FreeNZ
Tūrangawaewae: Art and New Zealand

Tūrangawaewae: Art and New Zealand

Free, Visual Arts 17 Mar – 31 Dec

Drawn from Te Papa’s extensive collection of New Zealand painting, sculpture and photography, Tūrangawaewae: Art and New Zealand explores questions of art, identity and cross-cultural exchange.
NZ
Fields of Poppies

Fields of Poppies

Music 13 Mar

Concert organist Paul Rosoman performs in venues all over the world. Here, the acoustics of St Mary of the Angels make this the perfect venue for his musical reflection on war and peace with the Monarch Brass Collective.
Writers & readers
Fun and Games with Harry Giles

Fun and Games with Harry Giles

Festival Club, Writers & Readers 10 Mar

Performance poet and “doer of many things” Harry Josephine Giles has been described as“the sharpest new tongue in Scotland” and is big on playfulness and participation. Come and join the fun!
NZWriters & readers
Poetry International

Poetry International

Writers & Readers 11 Mar

To celebrate the New Zealand focus of the latest issue of iconic US journal Poetry, we gather local featured poets together with international poetry guests to explore the relationship between global and local voices.
Writers & readers
Ian Tregillis: Robots, Faith and Free Will

Ian Tregillis: Robots, Faith and Free Will

Writers & Readers 11 Mar

American writer Ian Tregillis holds a PhD in physics for his research into supercomputer simulations of radio galaxies, but he also likes making things up in his speculative histories with dark and deep themes.
Sold Out!NZWriters & readers
Tom Scott Sunday “Roast”

Tom Scott Sunday “Roast”

Festival Club, Writers & Readers 11 Mar

Join an eclectic group of writers and Wellington personalities to fondly and raucously “roast” Tom Scott.
Writers & readers
Sarah Sentilles: Draw Your Weapons

Sarah Sentilles: Draw Your Weapons

Writers & Readers 11 Mar

Every day we are being unconsciously conditioned to accept violence. So says American journalist Sarah Sentilles in her lucid and eloquent investigation of the histories of art, violence, war and human survival. 
NZWriters & readers
Lloyd Jones: The Cage

Lloyd Jones: The Cage

Writers & Readers 09 Mar

Celebrated New Zealand novelist Lloyd Jones reveals his first new novel in seven years, the profound and unsettling tale The Cage.
Writers & readers
Harry Giles: Poetry

Harry Giles: Poetry

Writers & Readers 11 Mar

Be enthralled by readings and conversation about identity, politics and humanity from one of Scotland’s outstanding breakthrough performers, with local poet Chris Tse.
Writers & readers
Charlotte Wood: The Power of Fiction

Charlotte Wood: The Power of Fiction

Writers & Readers 10 Mar

Charlotte Wood was described by The Australian as one of that country’s “most original and provocative writers”. She joins Emily Perkins to discuss how Australasian fiction can prevail in these troubling times.
FreeWriters & readers
280 Characters in Search of Real Life

280 Characters in Search of Real Life

Festival Club, Writers & Readers 09 Mar

It’s a Friday night social tweet-up in real life – an offline speed-meeting session for aspiring or existing players from any part of the writing and publishing game.
Writers & readers
Sonny Liew: Epic Comics

Sonny Liew: Epic Comics

Writers & Readers 10 Mar

With The Art of Charlie Chan Hock Chye, Sonny Liew not only created “probably the greatest work of art ever produced in Singapore”, but also a multi-faceted history of the comics medium itself.
Writers & readers
Nick Earls: High Five

Nick Earls: High Five

Writers & Readers 09 Mar

Hear how prolific and award-winning Brisbane writer Nick Earls set out to disrupt the 21st-century reading experience with his Wisdom Tree project of five novellas.
Writers & readers
Good Eating

Good Eating

Writers & Readers 09 Mar

Free-range? Organic? Locally sourced? Vegan? Three cooking stars – Samin Nosrat, Annabel Langbein and Martin Bosley – talk about the politics, ethics and economics of what we put on our plates.
Writers & readers
Ready to Die?

Ready to Die?

Writers & Readers 10 Mar

Leading Australian intensive care specialist Dr Charlie Corke talks about how people can mess up dying and how an end-of-life plan can give us dignity and autonomy in the face of the inevitable.
Writers & readers
Jeet Thayil: Post-Narcopolis

Jeet Thayil: Post-Narcopolis

Writers & Readers 10 Mar

Widely travelled journalist and acclaimed poet Jeet Thayil burst onto the literary A-list in 2012 with his Booker-nominated novel Narcopolis. He has just published the followup, The Book of Chocolate Saints.
Writers & readers
Teju Cole: Favourite Photographers

Teju Cole: Favourite Photographers

Writers & Readers 09 Mar

In this illustrated and illuminating talk, New York Times Magazine photography critic Teju Cole shares and explores selected work of photographers he admires.
Writers & readers
AC Grayling: Modern Minds and Politics

AC Grayling: Modern Minds and Politics

Writers & Readers 10 Mar

Can democracy be saved? Explore its birth, unfolding and the challenges it faces today with British humanist and philosopher AC Grayling.
Writers & readers
Samin Nosrat: Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat

Samin Nosrat: Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat

Writers & Readers 10 Mar

Master the four elements that Californian chef Samin Nosrat writes about in her New York Times bestseller Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat and anything you cook will be delicious. 
Writers & readers
Maja Lunde: A Different Kind of Buzz

Maja Lunde: A Different Kind of Buzz

Writers & Readers 09 Mar

Maja Lunde has now enthralled readers in 30 countries with her bestselling debut novel for adults, The History of Bees, which weaves a complex story of conflict between humans and nature, and a quest for harmony.
Writers & readers
Blazing Stars

Blazing Stars

Festival Club, Writers & Readers 10 Mar

Hear two young trailblazers - Patricia Lockwood (United States) and Hera Lindsay Bird (New Zealand) - read and converse about their vivid, extraordinary and successful poetry.
Selling FastWriters & readers
Mike Ladd & Bill Manhire: Capital Poets

Mike Ladd & Bill Manhire: Capital Poets

Writers & Readers 10 Mar

If one poet can be said to represent an entire city, then Mike Ladd is Adelaide and Bill Manhire Wellington. They read and converse about place, time and verse.
Writers & readers
Cory Doctorow: Surveilling Utopia

Cory Doctorow: Surveilling Utopia

Writers & Readers 11 Mar

In his bestselling novels and non-fiction books and on his popular group blog Boing Boing, Cory Doctorow is never short of pithy insights into the cutting-edge and the state of the world. 
Sold Out!Writers & readers
AC Grayling: Democracy in Crisis

AC Grayling: Democracy in Crisis

Writers & Readers 11 Mar

AC Grayling delivers a lecture based on his latest book,  Democracy and Its Crisis, addressing the problems facing 21st-century democracy.
Writers & readers
Charlie Jane Anders: Beautiful Fantasy

Charlie Jane Anders: Beautiful Fantasy

Writers & Readers 10 Mar

Magic and technology collide in the worlds of acclaimed American fantasy fiction writer Charlie Jane Anders. She talks about fantastical fiction with local practitioner AJ Fitzwater.
Writers & readers
RA Spratt: Funny Ha Ha

RA Spratt: Funny Ha Ha

Writers & Readers 10 Mar

Authors who spark laughter on the page are rare treasures. RA Spratt, author of the popular Nanny Piggins and Friday Barnes series, talks about the serious job of funny writing.
Writers & readers
The Horror! The Horror!

The Horror! The Horror!

Writers & Readers 10 Mar

Popular culture is now permeated by disturbing nightmare visions. Join three writers whose work delves into the dark – Ian Tregillis, Elizabeth Knox and Intan Paramaditha.
Writers & readers
Ursula Dubosarsky: Through a Child’s Eyes

Ursula Dubosarsky: Through a Child’s Eyes

Writers & Readers 11 Mar

Ursula Dubosarsky is “the most graceful, most original writer for young people in Australia – probably the world”. She talks about her writing with literary critic and historian Lydia Wevers.
NZWriters & readers
Three Sarahs

Three Sarahs

Writers & Readers 11 Mar

Three Sarahs – Laing, Maxey and Wilkins – explain how as illustrators and designers they tap into their visual imagination, make a great illustration and live with one of the most popular first names of the 1980s and ’90s.
Writers & readers
Patricia Lockwood: Midwest Memoir

Patricia Lockwood: Midwest Memoir

Writers & Readers 11 Mar

American writer Patricia Lockwood has been called “the poet laureate of Twitter”. Her memoir Priestdaddy, centred on her father, has drawn universal rave reviews and made numerous best-of-2017 lists.
NZWriters & readers
Call Me Royal

Call Me Royal

Writers & Readers 09 Mar

New Zealand Poet Laureate Selina Tusitala Marsh and fellow poets present a scintillating evening of poetry at the National Library of New Zealand.
Writers & readers
Outer Space Saloon Salon

Outer Space Saloon Salon

Festival Club, Writers & Readers 10 Mar

Dock in for free-form, fun-filled spoken word, fast-fire conversations, quizzes and giveaways, with other-worldly guests on a future-embracing Saturday night at the New Zealand Festival .
Writers & readers
Sarah Glidden & Mimi Pond: Graphically Personal

Sarah Glidden & Mimi Pond: Graphically Personal

Writers & Readers 09 Mar

Join gifted American comics creators Sarah Glidden and Mimi Pond as they show and tell their personal stories – from Middle East journalistic exploration to the ’70s Californian sex’n’drugs’n’diner scene.
Writers & readers
Political Pricking

Political Pricking

Writers & Readers 09 Mar

Three top cartoonists – Eisner Award–winner Sonny Liew from Singapore, and locals Sharon Murdoch and Toby Morris – discuss the challenges of drawing the right lines around political events.
Writers & readers
Words’ Worth

Words’ Worth

Writers & Readers 10 Mar

Discover how Australian authors Ursula Dubosarsky and Nick Earls foster fascination for word fun in young audiences through their award-winning books, with children's writer Kate De Goldi.
NZWriters & readers
Prison Voices

Prison Voices

Writers & Readers 08 Mar

A unique opportunity to participate with rarely heard voices in this interactive workshop inside Rimutaka Prison.
Writers & readers
Jock Serong: All at Sea

Jock Serong: All at Sea

Writers & Readers 09 Mar

Australian crime writer Jock Serong set his explosive new thriller On the Java Ridge on the seas between Australia and Indonesia, engaging with issues of liberty, power and realpolitik.
Writers & readers
Teju Cole: Blind Spot

Teju Cole: Blind Spot

Writers & Readers 10 Mar

In his new book Blind Spot, international photography critic Teju Cole features his own photography for the very first time. He discusses this and his previous wide-ranging books with Paula Morris.
Writers & readers
Francis Spufford & Elizabeth Knox Talk About God

Francis Spufford & Elizabeth Knox Talk About God

Writers & Readers 10 Mar

British non-fiction writer and novelist Francis Spufford and Wellington fantasy writer Elizabeth Knox share their ongoing discussions about faith, belief, the concept of god and more...
Writers & readers
Francis Spufford: Electric Eclecticism

Francis Spufford: Electric Eclecticism

Writers 09 Mar

British author Francis Spufford can deal with just about any subject, as shown in his new book True Stories and Other Essays. Not only that: his 2016 debut novel Golden Hill was a critical and commercial success.
Writers & readers
Science & Magic

Science & Magic

Festival Club, Writers & Readers 09 Mar

Where does science leave off and magic begin? Explore with three leading lights of speculative fiction: Charlie Jane Anders, Cory Doctorow and Intan Paramaditha.
Writers & readers
Sarah Glidden: Comics Correspondent

Sarah Glidden: Comics Correspondent

Writers & Readers 10 Mar

Journalism: what is it, and how to do it in comics? Seattle-based writer and illustrator Sarah Glidden, who works primarily in reportage comics, talks with RNZ Morning Report co-host Susie Ferguson.
Writers & readers
Mimi Pond: A Graphic Life

Mimi Pond: A Graphic Life

Writers & Readers 11 Mar

In two graphic semi-memoirs, Over Easy and The Customer Is Always Wrong, Mimi Pond looks back at her student days working Oakland diners in the drugs ’n’ sex-fuelled ’70s.
NZWriters & readers
Mansfield And Us

Mansfield And Us

Writers & Readers 10 Mar

Three Katherine Mansfield scholars and fans celebrate the 120th anniversary of the famous New Zealander’s birth: Redmer Yska, Sarah Laing and Vincent O’Sullivan, with poet Kate Camp.
NZWriters & readers
Running the Numbers

Running the Numbers

Writers & Readers 09 Mar

Discover how playing with numbers led to media scoops on tax and Kiwisaver with self-confessed nerdy data journalist Keith Ng and investigative business reporter Matt Nippert. 
NZWriters & readers
Sounding Out Stories

Sounding Out Stories

Writers & Readers 11 Mar

Three accomplished podcasters – RNZ broadcaster Melody Thomas, Istanbul-based journalist Mohamed Hassan and writer and performer Michèle A’Court – talk about sharing stories out loud.
NZWriters & readers
The Missing

The Missing

Writers & Readers 10 Mar

Journalist Kelly Dennett explores the as-yet unsolved case of Jane Furlong, who disappeared in 1993 and whose body was discovered five years ago. She talks with true crime aficionado Steve Braunias.
NZWriters & readers
A Different Lens: Looking Afresh at WWI

A Different Lens: Looking Afresh at WWI

Writers & Readers 11 Mar

Chris Bourke and Christopher Pugsley are the authors of two lavish new books that eye cultural change during World War I. Join them as they trade stories, songs and pictures in this illustrated talk.
NZWriters & readers
Cousins Talk It Out

Cousins Talk It Out

Writers & Readers 09 Mar

Poet, performer and writer Tusiata Avia joins her cousin Victor Rodger, playwright and producer, to talk about family, creative pursuits and more in their first ever onstage conversation.
Sold Out!NZWriters & readers
Bloody Difficult Women

Bloody Difficult Women

Writers & Readers 09 Mar

Tough female characters take centre stage in two novels longlisted for the 2018 Ockham Awards. Kirsten McDougall and Annaleese Jochems get together to discuss writing difficult and dangerous women.
NZWriters & readers
Rise to War: Making the Planet of the Apes

Rise to War: Making the Planet of the Apes

Writers & Readers 11 Mar

In this behind-the-scenes session, Weta Digital visual effects expert Dan Lemmon shows and tells how rapid advancements in visual effects allow filmmakers to tell stories limited only by their imagination.
Writers & readers
Commonwealth Now

Commonwealth Now

Writers & Readers 09 Mar

Indigenous Australian writer Melissa Lucashenko, Malaysian writer Bernice Chauly and New Zealand poet Selina Tusitala Marsh reflect on our common past and future with Griffith Review editor Julianne Schultz.
NZWriters & readers
The Lauris Edmond Memorial Award

The Lauris Edmond Memorial Award

Writers & Readers 09 Mar

The 2018 recipient of the Lauris Edmond Memorial Award for Poetry has just been announced: Anne French. We celebrate her award in a special spotlight event, with Mike Ladd, Jenny Bornholdt and Diana Bridge.
NZWriters & readers
Art + Crime = Story

Art + Crime = Story

Writers & Readers 11 Mar

How does a compelling back story - especially a criminal one - affect the appreciation of an artwork? Three art crime experts explain and discuss.
NZWriters & readers
My Dwarven Cleric Slays Your Elf

My Dwarven Cleric Slays Your Elf

Writers & Readers 11 Mar

Join games maker Morgan Davie and comics creator and Dungeons & Dragons enthusiast Dylan Horrocks as they discuss player-generated games and their potential for great storytelling with novelist Danyl Mclauchlan.
NZWriters & readers
Peter Black & Steve Braunias Talk Shop

Peter Black & Steve Braunias Talk Shop

Writers & Readers 09 Mar

Wellington photographer Peter Black's latest book, The Shops, celebrates the overlooked poetry of the commonplace. He engages in shop talk with his publisher – author and columnist Steve Braunias.
Sold Out!NZWriters & readers
Cut It Out: On Editing

Cut It Out: On Editing

Writers & Readers 11 Mar

A session for anyone who agrees with Truman Capote: “I believe more in the scissors than I do in the pencil.” Highly regarded editor Jane Parkin joins Ashleigh Young to talk editing, with Fergus Barrowman.
NZWriters & readers
With Salient Urgency

With Salient Urgency

Festival Club, Writers & Readers 09 Mar

Explore the chequered past and fraught future of local radical journalism in this loose and lively session celebrating (to the day!) the 80th anniversary of the founding of Victoria University of Wellington’s student newspaper, Salient. 
NZWriters & readers
Holocaust Family Secrets

Holocaust Family Secrets

Writers & Readers 09 Mar

The legacy of the Holocaust is dramatically realised by two acclaimed New Zealand writers: in fiction by Vincent O'Sullivan, and in memoir by Diana Wichtel.
Sold Out!NZWriters & readers
Untold War Stories

Untold War Stories

Writers & Readers 10 Mar

Jane Tolerton tells the stories of doctors, dentists, ambulance drivers, mathematicians and other forgotten heroes in Make Her Praises Heard Afar: The Hidden History of New Zealand Women in World War One.
Sold Out!NZWriters & readers
Elspeth Sandys & Renée: Looking Back

Elspeth Sandys & Renée: Looking Back

Writers & Readers 09 Mar

Two forward-thinking New Zealand women writers – Renée and Elspeth Sandys – look back on their lives in new memoirs, with author and publisher Mary McCallum.
Selling FastNZWriters & readers
New Asia, New Zealand

New Asia, New Zealand

Writers & Readers 09 Mar

Essayist Emma Ng and novelists Brannavan Gnanalingam and Rajorshi Chakraborti talk about biculturalism, their identity as New Zealanders, and their Chinese, Sri Lankan and Indian roots.
Writers & readers
Questions of Faith

Questions of Faith

Writers & Readers 10 Mar

Two deep thinkers – New Zealand author and theologian Lloyd Geering and American journalist Sarah Sentilles – discuss faith, fundamentalism, hope and humanity with Kate De Goldi.
NZWriters & readers
Tikanga Now

Tikanga Now

Writers & Readers 10 Mar

Emma Espiner proposes a brilliantly sensible way of doing things in New Zealand. She discusses why Pākehā need to understand and embrace tikanga Māori with lecturer Māmari Stephens and unionist Morgan Godfery.
FreeNZWriters & readers
A Flock of Starlings

A Flock of Starlings

Writers & Readers 11 Mar

Starling, the quarterly online magazine of short writing by young New Zealand writers, will introduce eight fresh voices from the magazine’s past five issues.
NZWriters & readers
Cities for the Living

Cities for the Living

Writers & Readers 11 Mar

How can cities best work for their residents? Ben Schrader, Philippa Howden Chapman and Simon Wilson dissect city problems and proffer solutions.
NZWriters & readers
Bloody Difficult Men

Bloody Difficult Men

Writers & Readers 09 Mar

Take a visit to two dispossessed underworlds that reveal New Zealand masculinity through a darkened lens with multi-talented artist Apirana Taylor and Dominic Hoey, aka musician and slam poet Tourettes.
NZWriters & readers
Cave Men

Cave Men

Writers & Readers 10 Mar

Witness extraordinary photographs and hear thrilling stories of exploring New Zealand’s longest and deepest caves with Marcus Thomas and Neil Silverwood.
NZWriters & readers
CK Stead: In Full Stride

CK Stead: In Full Stride

Writers & Readers 10 Mar

Former Poet Laureate, novelist, essayist and literary critic CK Stead is still astonishingly productive. He talks to Steve Braunias about his latest work and what's up next.
NZWriters & readers
Defining a Nation

Defining a Nation

Writers & Readers 10 Mar

Historian Vincent O’Malley explores Māori and Pākehā relationships from first contact to settlement and government apology with “artivist” Moana Maniapoto, musician and writer for e-Tangata.
On The RoadWriters & readers
Mimi Pond & Brent Williams: Shading Light and Dark

Mimi Pond & Brent Williams: Shading Light and Dark

Writers & Readers 09 Mar

Mimi Pond (Over Easy and The Customeris Always Wrong) and Brent Williams (Out of the Woods) speak about tales drawn from personal drama and transformed into graphic novels.
On The RoadWriters & readers
Jock Serong & Brannavan Gnanalingam: Law, Power & LBW

Jock Serong & Brannavan Gnanalingam: Law, Power & LBW

Writers & Readers 10 Mar

Australia's Jock Serong and Wellington's Brannavan Gnanalingam both have new novels and a shared love of cricket. They visit the Wairarapa to discuss migration, crime, injustice and politics.
On The RoadWriters & readers
Ian Tregillis: Dystopia & Diversity

Ian Tregillis: Dystopia & Diversity

Writers & Readers 11 Mar

Ian Tregillis subverts genre expectations and explores issues of faith, free will and human equity with powerhouse female characters – this session will go deep into fantasy, science, religion and history.
On The RoadWriters & readers
Sarah Sentilles: Drawn Weapons

Sarah Sentilles: Drawn Weapons

Writers & Readers 10 Mar

Join American journalist Sarah Sentillesand Dowse Art Museum Director Courtney Johnston as they discuss how images of violence impact on our thinking about how war is waged, witnessed and resisted.
Writers & readers
Aratoi Book Launch: Elizabeth Thomson – Cellular Memory

Aratoi Book Launch: Elizabeth Thomson – Cellular Memory

Writers & Readers 06 Mar

Join the artist and writers at Aratoi – Wairarapa Museum of Art and History to launch the new book, Elizabeth Thomson – Cellular Memory, in conjunction with the current exhibition at the gallery.
FreeNZWriters & readers
Photobook New Zealand 2018

Photobook New Zealand 2018

Writers & Readers 07 – 11 Mar

During this year’s Writers & Readers, you can enjoy a full range of Photobook NZ activities nearby at Te Papa, including the launch and awards, photobook fair, lectures, talks and panel discussions. 
FreeWriters & readers
Lots in Translation

Lots in Translation

Writers & Readers 10 Mar

Enjoy a family Saturday morning at the National Library with picture book readings in many languages by guest authors and members of Wellington’s diverse multicultural community. 
FreeNZWriters & readers
VUW Launch: Literary Atlas

VUW Launch: Literary Atlas

Writers & Readers 08 Mar

Be among the first to use the Victoria University of Wellington’s Literary Atlas app to take yourself on a stroll around Wellington’s waterfront in the virtual company of some of Wellington’s favourite writers. 
FreeNZWriters & readers
VUP Launch Party

VUP Launch Party

Writers & Readers 08 Mar

Victoria University Press is launching a new novel by Vincent O’Sullivan, a memoir by Gigi Fenster and a new collection of poetry by Therese Lloyd. Come along and celebrate new work.
FreeNZWriters & readers
Seraph Press Book Launch: Tātai Whetū

Seraph Press Book Launch: Tātai Whetū

Writers & Readers 11 Mar

Join Seraph Press to launch the fourth volume in their Translation Series: Tātai Whetū: Seven MāoriWomen Poets in Translation with readings from some of the featured poets.
FreeNZWriters & readers
AUP Book Launch: Masculinity and Pasture

AUP Book Launch: Masculinity and Pasture

Writers & Readers 11 Mar

Join Auckland University Press to launch two new collections by Wellington poets Chris Tse and Anna Jackson.
FreeWriters & readers
Writers & Readers Closing Party

Writers & Readers Closing Party

Festival Club, Writers & Readers 11 Mar

Join the Writers & Readers team, New Zealand Festival crew, guest authors, readers and revellers in the intimate  surrounds of the Festival Club to celebrate the end of four days of great W&R conversations.
FreeWriters & readers
Opening Night After-Party

Opening Night After-Party

Festival Club, Writers & Readers 08 Mar

Join us after our opening gala, Women Changing the World, to continue the International Women's Day celebrations into the night with the funky She-Jays crew spinning the discs. All welcome.
FreeWriters & readers
Brow Books Book Launch: Apple and Knife

Brow Books Book Launch: Apple and Knife

Writers & Readers 10 Mar

Join Australian publishers Brow Books and writer Intan Paramaditha for the worldwide launch of her first English language collection, Apple and Knife.
NZ
Valerie

Valerie

Festival Club, Music, Theatre 07 – 08 Mar

Named the stand-out cabaret of the year by the New ZealandHerald, Valerie is gig-theatre at its finest.
NZ
Wild Dogs Under My Skirt

Wild Dogs Under My Skirt

Access, Artist Talk, Theatre 07 – 11 Mar

Samoan New Zealander Tusiata Avia’s poetry becomes a fearless and enchanting piece of theatre under the direction of Anapela Polata'ivao and a cast of six powerful Pasefika actresses. 
FreeNZ
Pacific Sisters: Fashion Activists

Pacific Sisters: Fashion Activists

Free, Visual Arts 17 Mar – 08 Jul

A celebration of the role the Pacific Sisters collective has played in giving voice and visibility to Māori and Pacific peoples in Aotearoa.
Free
Women at the Frontline of Climate Change in Vanuatu

Women at the Frontline of Climate Change in Vanuatu

Free, Visual Arts 23 Feb – 08 Apr

This exhibition brings to light the risks that climate change presents to Pacific Island women and the issues we share as Pacific neighbours.
Free
The Secrets of Mona Lisa

The Secrets of Mona Lisa

Visual Arts 10 Feb – 15 Apr

Discover the amazing secrets behind the world’s most famous painting. 
FreeNZ
ARTIST TALK: Wild Dogs Under My Skirt

ARTIST TALK: Wild Dogs Under My Skirt

Artist Talks, Theatre 10 Mar

Led by writer Tusiata Avia and director Anapela Polata’ivao, hear from the strong female voices behind Wild Dogs Under My Skirt in this free, public post-show Artist Talk. 
Home

Home

Theatre 07 – 11 Mar

Watch a home, brimming with the stuff of life, evolve before your very eyes on stage in this interactive art installation with a twist – created by multi-award-winning actor, illusionist and inventor Geoff Sobelle. 
Future Playground

Future Playground

Access, Family 01 – 11 Mar

If this is the future of digital technology, then we like it. More than just screens, this is pure artful inspiration where you make the magic. Come and play.
Sold Out!NZ
Star Wars: A New Hope In Concert

Star Wars: A New Hope In Concert

Family, Music 10 – 11 Mar

For the first time ever, watch the original Star Wars: A New Hope with its spectacular Oscar-winning soundtrack performed live by the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra. 
FreeNZ
The 26th Annual Wallace Art Awards

The 26th Annual Wallace Art Awards

Visual Arts 19 Feb – 25 Mar

For the first time in Wellington City, more than 50 works by the current winners and finalists of the Wallace Art Awards are on display. 
NZ
Distances

Distances

Music 09 Mar

Delight in the “flair, rigour and integrity” (New Zealand Listener) of New Zealand’s composition vanguard in collaboration with the Miyata-Yoshimura-Suzuki Trio and Ensemble Musikfabrik.
NZ
Te Ao Hou | This New World

Te Ao Hou | This New World

Access, Music 06 Mar

Conjuring a realm of light and dreams, Rob Thorne, a master of taonga pūoro, performs the world premiere of his Tomokanga with the New Zealand String Quartet.
Selling FastNZWriters & readers
Opening Night: Women Changing the World

Opening Night: Women Changing the World

Writers & Readers 08 Mar

We kick off 2018 Writers & Readers on International Women’s Day with a celebration of women, their words and their power to change.
Selling Fast
À Ố Làng Phố

À Ố Làng Phố

Circus, Dance, Family 08 – 11 Mar

Whisk the whole family away to a village in Vietnam at À Ố Làng Phố – a circus show of extraordinary feats and infectious fun.
Selling FastNZ
The King’s Singers & Voices New Zealand chamber choir

The King’s Singers & Voices New Zealand chamber choir

Music 10 Mar

Join one of Britain’s greatest musical exports and the best choral voices in New Zealand for a musical trip from the Renaissance to now.
NZ
Hāngi

Hāngi

A Waka Odyssey, Family, Kupe Dreaming 23 Feb

A great gathering requires a great feast. Join friends and whānau for a traditional Māori hāngi meal and get ready to take in the Festival’s opening night extravaganza, Kupe.
Solomon Georgio

Solomon Georgio

Comedy, Festival Club 17 Mar

With his first recorded comedy album under his belt and a winning stage presence, Georgio will have you in stitches.
FreeNZ
The Romance of Paeora and Hinemāia

The Romance of Paeora and Hinemāia

A Waka Odyssey, Family, Kupe Dreaming 24 – 25 Feb

Gather round for this free, family-friendly evening of Māori storytelling, music and performance and delight in the adventures of young hero Paeora, future navigator.

Sold Out!
Jordi Savall with Hespèrion XXI & Tembembe Ensamble Continuo

Jordi Savall with Hespèrion XXI & Tembembe Ensamble Continuo

Music 24 Feb

Prepare for a rapturous night of spine-tingling music from the best early music performers in the world.
Future Playground Hangout

Future Playground Hangout

Culture Club event 02 Mar

Meet the artists behind Future Playground – some of the world's leading digital creators – and Wellington’s own creative tech legends at this behind-the-scenes industry event.

Beyond Time

Beyond Time

Dance, Music 27 – 28 Feb

Meditative and explosive. Modern and spiritual. This remarkable fusion of martial arts, tai chi, contemporary dance, bold percussion and stunning visual effects will hook you in with its powerful, hypnotic pull.
FreeNZ
He Tohu

He Tohu

Visual Arts 19 – 31 Dec

A declaration. A treaty. A petition. Discover the signatures the shape New Zealand at the National Library
The Select (The Sun Also Rises)

The Select (The Sun Also Rises)

Access, Artist Talks, Theatre 24 Feb – 01 Mar

The giddy atmosphere of 1920s Paris and Spain explodes from the stage in this unique dramatisation of Ernest Hemingway’s classic first novel, The Sun Also Rises.
NZ
Pacific Party: Laughton Kora & Bailey Wiley

Pacific Party: Laughton Kora & Bailey Wiley

A Waka Odyssey, Festival Club, Kupe Dreaming, Music 28 Feb

At the end of every epic voyage is a great celebration, and the wrap party for A Waka Odyssey will be no exception – featuring golden-voiced Bailey Wiley and master of electronic funk Laughton Kora.
Betroffenheit

Betroffenheit

Dance, Theatre 03 – 04 Mar

This cutting-edge dance–theatre hybrid has taken international stages by storm. See why, in this, its final world tour performance. You won’t regret it – or forget it.
Selling FastNZ
Teeks: A Song For You

Teeks: A Song For You

Festival Club, Music 24 Feb

With his smooth, rich-tone, relaxed delivery and elegantly regretful old-soul voice, Te Karehana Gardiner-Toi, aka Teeks, brings us an intimate New Zealand Festival Club gig.
FreeNZ
Kupe Landing: Petone Family Day

Kupe Landing: Petone Family Day

A Waka Odyssey, Family, Free, Music 24 Feb

Join friends and whānau for a day of music, food and fun on the Petone Foreshore, as a magnificent fleet of waka land on the beach in part two of A Waka Odyssey celebrations.
NZPremiere
Bless the Child

Bless the Child

Theatre 28 Feb – 04 Mar

Who took the life of baby Ara? Challenging and thought-provoking, Bless the Child is a story of life and death, good versus evil, and an unflinching look at our society through a Māori lens. 
NZ
Back-of-house Waka Taonga Tours

Back-of-house Waka Taonga Tours

A Waka Odyssey, Kupe Dreaming 24 Feb – 02 Mar

Venture behind the scenes with expert Te Papa staff and get up close and personal with Māori and Pasifika waka taonga (treasures) on this strictly-limited tour.
FreeNZ
Ka Tito Au: Kupe’s Heroic Journey

Ka Tito Au: Kupe’s Heroic Journey

A Waka Odyssey, Family, Kupe Dreaming, Theatre 24 Feb – 04 Mar

Kupe, the great Pacific explorer and navigator, is the hero of this lively, lyrical solo show by treasured local poet and storyteller Apirana Taylor.
Zoë Coombs Marr: Trigger Warning

Zoë Coombs Marr: Trigger Warning

Comedy, Festival Club 02 – 03 Mar

An award-winning show from Zoë Coombs Marr, one of Australia’s weirdest and wildest comedians.
FreeNZ
Voyaging across the Pacific

Voyaging across the Pacific

Artist Talks, A Waka Odyssey, Kupe Dreaming 27 Feb

A fascinating expert panel discussion about the first Pacific people's journey to Aotearoa. 
Sold Out!NZ
Waka Harbour Sails

Waka Harbour Sails

A Waka Odyssey, Family, Kupe Dreaming 26 – 28 Feb

Be among the few lucky Festival-goers to experience one of these mighty Pacific sailing waka in action on Te Whanganui-a-Tara, Wellington Harbour.
FreeNZ
Pasifika Porirua

Pasifika Porirua

A Waka Odyssey, Family, Kupe Dreaming 03 Mar

Join us for this free, whānau-friendly celebration featuring Pasifika-flavoured fun, music and food galore – the last stop in the Waka Odyssey tour of the Wellington region.
Free
ARTIST TALK: Barber Shop Chronicles

ARTIST TALK: Barber Shop Chronicles

Artist Talks, Theatre 28 Feb

Meet the dynamic cast behind the five-star, UK smash-hit The Weta Digital Season of Barber Shop Chronicles at this free, public post-show Artist Talk.
NZ
Ria Hall: Rules of Engagement

Ria Hall: Rules of Engagement

Festival Club, Music 24 Feb

Delivered in both te reo Māori and English over Pacific-inspired beats, Ria Hall will bring her raw and rootsy songs to life with the help of vocalist Mara TK and powerhouse Wellington trio The Nudge.
NZ
Māori Highlights Tour

Māori Highlights Tour

A Waka Odyssey, Kupe Dreaming 24 Feb – 02 Mar

Take an in-depth journey to discover Te Papa’s Māori taonga or treasures and enrich your understanding of what makes New Zealand’s Māori culture and traditions unique. 
Sold Out!
Barefaced Stories

Barefaced Stories

Festival Club, Theatre 03 Mar

Australia’s most popular live storytelling series, Barefaced Stories, lands in Wellington for one massive New Zealand Festival Club night.
Selling FastNZ
Arabia-Buda-Scott

Arabia-Buda-Scott

Festival Club, Music 27 Feb

Samuel Scott and Lukasz Buda (together one third of The Phoenix Foundation) and James Milne (Lawrence Arabia) bring you a stripped back, band-free live show of some of their faves. 
NZ
A New Zealand Partita

A New Zealand Partita

Music 27 Feb

In fascinating three-way conversations between contemporary New Zealand composers, pianist Stephen De Pledge and JS Bach we hear the 18th-century musical form of the Partita reimagined for the 21st century.
Selling FastNZPremiere
The Piano: the ballet

The Piano: the ballet

Artist Talks, Dance 23 – 25 Feb

Drawing on the rich inspiration of the film The Piano, the Royal New Zealand Ballet is honoured to stage the world premiere of this new full-length dance work by Jiří and Otto Bubeníček. 
Sold Out!NZ
Nathan Haines & Jonathan Crayford: Adagio

Nathan Haines & Jonathan Crayford: Adagio

Festival Club, Music 25 Feb

International jazz legends Nathan Haines and Jonathan Crayford join forces for a collaborative re-working of the Adagio form through the works of Bach, Stravinsky, Morricone and more.
Elevator Repair Service Meet & Greet

Elevator Repair Service Meet & Greet

Culture Club event 01 Mar

Hosted by the New Zealand Festival’s own Artistic Director, enjoy conversations on Hemingway and the New York City theatre scene with the cutting-edge creatives and cast from The Select (The Sun Also Rises).
FreeNZ
Kupe: Festival Opening Night

Kupe: Festival Opening Night

A Waka Odyssey, Family, Free 23 Feb

As dusk falls, join a cast of thousands on Wellington’s stunning waterfront for the once-in-a-lifetime 2018 New Zealand Festival opening night event, Kupe.
Grizzly Bear

Grizzly Bear

Music 03 – 04 Mar

The cult band’s cult band – in Wellington exclusively for two shows only. Grab this chance to submerge yourself in the Grizzly Bear sound.
NZ
Ria Hall: Rules of Engagement – On the Road

Ria Hall: Rules of Engagement – On the Road

Music, On The Road 25 Feb

Delivered in both te reo Māori and English over Pacific-inspired beats, Ria Hall will bring her raw and rootsy songs to life in Ōtaki with the help of vocalist Mara TK and powerhouse Wellington trio The Nudge.
Sold Out!
The Staves

The Staves

Festival Club, Music 04 – 06 Mar

Feel the freedom and adventure of The Staves’ “gorgeous 1970s-roadtrip vibes” (The Sunday Times, UK) at an intimate New Zealand Festival Club gig.
FreeNZ
Kupe Landing: Petone Beach Clean-up

Kupe Landing: Petone Beach Clean-up

A Waka Odyssey, Family 25 Feb

Join us to give some love back to this beautiful beach. Together with Sustainable Coastlines' Love Your Coast programme and the Petone Beach Clean-up Crew.
Free
ARTIST TALK: Jordi Savall with Hespèrion XXI

ARTIST TALK: Jordi Savall with Hespèrion XXI

Artist Talks, Music 24 Feb

Travel through time, cultures and continents with early music master Jordi Savall in a discovery of the ancient music of Spain and Mexico in this free, public pre-show Artist Talk.
Free
Late Night at the Festival Club

Late Night at the Festival Club

Festival Club 23 Feb – 18 Mar

You've seen a show, now stay for the party. When the curtain falls each night, Wellington’s newest hot spot throws open its doors with free entry for everyone. Because the show ain’t over until the Festival Club closes. 
Writers & readers
Radicalism and Tolerance

Radicalism and Tolerance

Writers & Readers 09 Mar

In a time of rising extremism around the world, discover first-hand why former Islamist extremist Maajid Nawaz, political commentator Ali A Rizvi and activist Yasmine Mohammed are on a quest for peace and tolerance. 
FreeNZ
ARTIST TALK: The Piano – The Ballet

ARTIST TALK: The Piano – The Ballet

Artist Talks, Dance 23 Feb

Discover what inspired the transformation of the much-loved, award-winning New Zealand film into The Piano: The Ballet in this free, public pre-show Artist Talk.
FreeNZ
2nd Pacific Climate Change Conference

2nd Pacific Climate Change Conference

A Waka Odyssey, Kupe Dreaming 21 – 23 Feb

This conference will bring together a broad range of voices on climate change – from the science to the impacts on policy and public implications.
Romance & Revolution

Romance & Revolution

Music 01 Mar

In this first and exclusive New Zealand performance, the trailblazing Orava Quartet brings its unique brand of passion and vitality to the classics of the string quartet repertoire. 
NZ
Rushes

Rushes

Dance, Family, Music, Theatre 23 Feb – 05 Mar

A multi-award-winning collaboration, Rushes is an inter-arts experience like no other. Immerse yourself in this unique show where live music gig meets art gallery meets theatre, dance and film.
Free
ARTIST TALK: The Select (The Sun Also Rises)

ARTIST TALK: The Select (The Sun Also Rises)

Artist Talks, Theatre 27 Feb

Learn how director John Collins and the Elevator Repair Service ensemble brought the classic Ernest Hemingway novel to life in The Select (The Sun Also Rises) in this free, public post-show Artist Talk.
Free
Artist Talk: A Waka Odyssey

Artist Talk: A Waka Odyssey

Artist Talk, A Waka Odyssey, Kupe Dreaming 26 Feb

Join the creative team behind the Festival's A Waka Odyssey celebration and epic opening night Kupe as they share how they brought together these once-in-a-lifetime events. 
Selling Fast
Barber Shop Chronicles

Barber Shop Chronicles

Access, Theatre 24 Feb – 04 Mar

A sell-out London hit that tackles the big topics against an energetic backdrop of banter, boasting and African beats.
FreeNZ
Celestial Navigation with Piripi Smith

Celestial Navigation with Piripi Smith

A Waka Odyssey, Kupe Dreaming 26 Feb

Discover how traditional Pacific navigators sailed waka hourua (double-hulled sailing canoes) across the Pacific Ocean without using instruments or modern technology.

FreeNZ
Brass in the Bay

Brass in the Bay

A Waka Odyssey, Family, Kupe Dreaming, Music 27 Feb

Pack a twilight picnic for a concert with a difference on Wellington’s popular Oriental Bay beach.
The Performance Arcade 2018

The Performance Arcade 2018

Dance, Music, Theatre, Visual Arts 23 Feb – 04 Mar

The Performance Arcade brings together Live Art, Music and Performance in a specially curated event on Wellington Waterfront. Its unique double story arrangement of shipping containers provides a temporary architecture for live music and new performance installations by NZ and International artists. 
Sold Out!
Thundercat

Thundercat

Festival Club, Music 01 – 02 Mar

Bringing his considerable talents from Compton to Wellington, Thundercat will take you on a “wild odyssey” through an intoxicating cocktail of jazz, punk, hip hop, 80s yacht rock, psychedelia and funk.
FreeNZ
Oceans in Peril

Oceans in Peril

A Waka Odyssey, Kupe Dreaming 28 Feb

Join us for a panel discussion as A Waka Odyssey's Pacific navigators share their stories, and insights into the dangers to oceans and animals. 
FreeNZ
Hīnātore public event: Pacific Explorers and Navigation

Hīnātore public event: Pacific Explorers and Navigation

A Waka Odyssey, Family, Kupe Dreaming 24 Feb

Come and explore the navigation techniques used by the Pacific Peoples on their journey to Aotearoa in this special drop-in session at Te Papa's new learning lab, Hīnātore.