Culture 101

Aotearoa New Zealand is a land of birds. Yet contemporary fiction providing a bird’s eye view has been slow to arrive. 

While Catherine Chidgey’s award winning 2022 novel The Axeman’s Carnival looks… Read more Audio

In this week’s Regional Wrap we look at the culture of Far North town Kaitaia. Read more Audio

In an article on Stuff in 2019, comedian Guy Williams posed the question, “Where are all the Māori comedians?” Williams noted that, despite our main comedy award being named after Billy T James, he… Read more Audio

A psychological thriller, part of TVNZ’s Motherhood Anthology Series has been released in time for Mother’s Day.

The film’s title Amah holds three different meanings. The term, used in East Asia… Read more Audio

10 albums in 10 years in 10 different genres - that was Troy Kingi’s goal. But after the release of the seventh album - 2023’s ambient instrumental vibe album Timewasters - he’s admitted in a new TVNZ… Read more Video, Audio

The 2024 NZ Children’s Music Awards have been announced with the NZ On Air Best Children’s Music Video awarded to a two minute ode to flatulence. 

‘Let it Out’ by Don McGlashan and Harry Sinclair… Read more Video, Audio

In early 2021 writer Stuart McKenzie and director Miranda Harcourt’s verbatim play Transmission opened to sell-out houses at Pōneke’s small, dynamic BATS Theatre. Fast forward three years and a sequel… Read more Audio

Festival Opera is celebrating 10 years of introducing, training and supporting young people in the opera through the Project Prima Volta community programme in Hawkes Bay.  Read more Audio

Known for its surf and beaches, Mangawhai may not strike you as a hub for arts and culture. But locals are extremely proud of the modern museum which celebrates the town’s rich history, life around… Read more Audio

Hamiltonians are getting the last laugh as the first-ever comedy club in the city is opening this month. Coinciding with the Comedy Festival, Last Laugh Comedy Club is the only comedy club in the… Read more Audio

Actor, director and writer John Davies is celebrating 50 years in theatre with a national solo tour. Te Tupua - The Goblin is travelling to 16 regional centres, with Davies playing nine characters in… Read more Audio