Latest Culture Headlines
Laiana McClinton: First Polynesian Heritage Athlete To Win 100m And 200m State Titles At High School Meet
Saturday, 17 May 2025, 3:35 pm | RNZ
Laiana McClinton, who has links to Tonga and Samoa, won both the events at the Florida State High School Athletics competition. More >>
Congratulations To The Talented Student Writers Awarded NZSA Youth Mentorships In 2025!
Friday, 16 May 2025, 6:09 pm | NZ Society of Authors
The young writers will hone their writing skills and develop their craft through the year, working on their chosen writing project. We congratulate them on their success. More >>
Taupō Goes Boom Boom - An Explosion Of Sculpture
Friday, 16 May 2025, 4:06 pm | Love Taupo
Destination Great Lake Taupō (DGLT) GM Patrick Dault is thrilled to see Taupō celebrated as a fun holiday destination: “I love Boom Boom’s mix of ancient history, serious art and holiday fun. It’s absolutely appropriate for Taupō and fits perfectly ... More >>
Ngā Tohu Toi 2025 Recipients Announced – Join Us To Celebrate Māori Excellence In The Arts
Friday, 16 May 2025, 3:17 pm | Te Tuhi Mareikura Trust
This year’s recipients will join a distinguished cohort of past award winners, including Ria Hall, Stan Walker, Mabel Wharekawa-Burt, Darcy Nicholas, Joanna Paul, Whirimako Black, Joe Harawira and others. More >>
Talented Kiwi Teenager Heads Barfoot & Thompson Auckland Squash Open Field
Friday, 16 May 2025, 3:02 pm | Barfoot and Thompson
Top seed at the PSA Challenger tournament which runs Thursday 22 - Sunday 25 May is 18-year-old Ollie Dunbar from Wellington who has had an amazing 2025. More >>
Final Showdown: Auckland United And Hekari Womens FC Renew Rivalry In Title Rematch
Friday, 16 May 2025, 2:29 pm | OFC
Bate's counterpart at Hekari Womens FC Ericsson Komeng, says his players learned plenty from last year's final and are determined to go one better. More >>
The Empty Threats Share Noisy Post-Punk Track, 'The One' Ahead Of Sold-Out Dark Mofo Slot
Friday, 16 May 2025, 10:42 am | Dinosaur City Records
'the one' offers a glimpse into the tangled dynamics of close-knit communities, examining the often-blurry lines between platonic and romantic relationships, and is taken from their forthcoming album, happy birthday, set for release later this year. More >>
THE ORIGINAL WAILERS Feat. Al Anderson Announce November 2025 Auckland Show - Performing LEGEND In Full
Friday, 16 May 2025, 10:28 am | Metropolis Touring
The Legend album features Bob Marley’s most classic and influential tracks. From the hopeful ‘Is This Love’ and the uplifting ‘Three Little Birds’ to the powerful social message of ‘Buffalo Soldier’, the compilation exemplifies the ... More >>
Finding Her Passion Through Volunteering
Friday, 16 May 2025, 9:57 am | SociaLink
Sukhmani Dhillon helps out at Recreate’s regular activities for young people - beach days, movie events, relaxing days in Rotorua at the trampoline park. More >>
Christchurch Hosting A Weekend For Wikipedians
Friday, 16 May 2025, 9:53 am | Wikimedia Aotearoa New Zealand
WikiCon will provide opportunities for editors and contributors to connect face-to-face, helping to create collaborative relationships. The conference will also provide opportunities for editors and contributors to share and develop their skills and knowledge in editing. More >>
Halton Hart 'Grandad Mait'
Friday, 16 May 2025, 9:26 am | Key 2 Artist Promotions
“Grandad Mait” tells a snippet of his life and he loved to share his stories with his family. This song has the good old country feel that we hope brings you a smile. More >>
Full Line Up For Auckland Winter Series
Friday, 16 May 2025, 9:18 am | Live Nation Entertainment
One of Aotearoa’s most treasured musical voices, Sir Dave Dobbyn, will be live in concert at Auckland Town Hall for the very first time on Wednesday June 4, which is selling fast. More >>
Maren Morris Announces New Zealand Tour Dates For 2026: The Dreamsicle Tour
Friday, 16 May 2025, 9:15 am | TEG Live
The New Zealand tour will kick off at Auckland’s Kiri Te Kanawa Theatre on February 11 before heading to the Christchurch Town Hall on February 13, 2026. More >>
Jazmine Mary Shares Single 'My Brilliance' — New Album Out June 13th
Friday, 16 May 2025, 7:56 am | Flying Nun Records
Possessing one of the country's most esteemed and idiosyncratic folk voices, Jazmine Mary's new single 'My Brilliance' showcases their crystal clear vocal abilities that sit atop their signature rhythmic changes; a wonderfully bright, folk gem. More >>
The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo Set To Bring Historic 75th Anniversary Milestone Show To Auckland In 2026
Friday, 16 May 2025, 7:50 am | 818.
Led by the magnificent Massed Pipes and Drums featuring UK Military musicians, the Show will feature over 30 bands and acts from around the world including fan-favourite Top Secret Drum Corps and performers from the New Zealand Defence Force amongst many ... More >>
Flying Nun Power-Pop Band Voom Release 'Something Good Is Happening' Today!
Friday, 16 May 2025, 7:17 am | The Label
While this is fresh material, existing fans hearing Something Good is Happening will recognise the Voom-ness of it all - an eclectic rumble of raucous pop ear-worms and heartfelt ballads, with sonic experimentation wedged in to keep things sensible. More >>
Join Juno Is And Her Live Band To Celebrate The Release Of Her ‘Psychedelic Dream Pop’ Debut Album ‘Where To Begin’
Thursday, 15 May 2025, 8:59 pm | Juno Is
For This Celebration, Juno Is Will Be Performing In Two Very Special Locations - Ōtautahi And Tāmaki Makaurau. More >>
Wrexham AFC Announce ‘Wrexham Down Under’ Pre-season Tour Of Australia And New Zealand In July
Thursday, 15 May 2025, 8:52 pm | TEG Sport
Red Dragons will face Melbourne Victory (11 July), Sydney FC (15 July), and Wellington Phoenix (19 July) More >>
Maddy Low Shares Honest And Authentic Folk Love Song “To Be Near”
Thursday, 15 May 2025, 7:57 pm | Timeless Records
This intimate indie-folk offering showcases the 18-year-old New Zealand artist's natural ability to translate genuine emotion into music. It was written as her way of capturing the feeling of falling in love for the first time — overcoming doubt ... More >>
Michael Murphy Joins Make-A-Wish Aotearoa In Waiting Room
Thursday, 15 May 2025, 7:54 pm | Make A Wish NZ
The just released song has already had more than 16,000 plays on Spotify – and MAW has gained nearly 10,000 new followers on the platform too. With all streaming proceeds directly supporting wishes, this gift will continue to generously generate ... More >>
Lit Whanganui Festival Lands Two Major Winners
Thursday, 15 May 2025, 7:46 pm | Lit Whanganui
Lit Whanganui chair Karen White says this is a major coup for the festival. More >>
Pulse Boosted By Return Of Souness
Thursday, 15 May 2025, 7:27 pm | Netball Central Zone
Speed, agility, deft footwork and pin-point feeds are all part of the pivot’s trademark skills and after several months of inactivity, she was quickly back into her work, defying her time away but conscious of needing to raise the bar against a well-credentialled ... More >>
Auckland United FC Set Up Title Decider With Hekari Womens FC At The OPC Women’s Champions League In Tahiti
Thursday, 15 May 2025, 7:22 pm | Oceania Football Confederation
Defending champions Auckland United FC have blitzed Henderson Eels FC 6-1 at Stade Pater in Papeete to reach the final of the OFC Women’s Champions League 2025 for the second straight year. More >>
Hekari Womens FC Advance To The OFC Women's Champions League Final
Thursday, 15 May 2025, 3:32 pm | Oceania Football Confederation
Level at 1-1 going into the break, Hekari came out strong in the second half. Talismanic striker Marie Kaipu was played through on goal and beating the advancing Mereseni Waqali at the near post to restore her side’s lead. More >>
Go Media Stars Injury Update: Greer Sinclair And Kate Burley
Thursday, 15 May 2025, 3:27 pm | Stars Netball
Greer Sinclair has ruptured the Anterior Cruciate Ligament in her left knee and will miss the remainder of the ANZ Premiership season. Sinclair will undergo surgery before working towards a return to the netball court in 2026. More >>
AMA 2025 Breakthrough Artist Finalists Announced
Thursday, 15 May 2025, 9:41 am | Aotearoa Music Awards
In addition to announcing the contenders for Breakthrough Artist 2025, Recorded Music is also proud to reveal Fazerdaze and Aaradhna as the next finalists to perform at AMA 2025, joining CHAII and Anna Coddington. More >>
OFC 31st Ordinary Congress Reflects On Successful 2024 And Looks Ahead To History-Making OFC Professional League
Thursday, 15 May 2025, 7:56 am | Oceania Football Confederation
FIFA President Gianni Infantino addressed the congress via video, to congratulate and celebrate the incredible development football the Oceania region has seen over the last twelve months, including a record number of OFC national teams qualifying ... More >>
More Spacious Site Awaits 2025 Bluff Oyster & Food Festival
Thursday, 15 May 2025, 7:13 am | Bluff Oyster Festival
The hotel, which was deemed a dangerous building, was the reason the 2023 Festival was cancelled, organisers determining that it was inappropriate and impractical to invite 4000 visitors to celebrate in the shadow of the Club Hotel given the Dangerous ... More >>
Te Kowhai Print Trust Celebrates Youth Empowerment And Creative Resistance Through Printmaking
Wednesday, 14 May 2025, 9:04 pm | Te Kowhai Print Trust
Voices of Dissent showcases the enduring role of print as a medium of resistance. From hand-carved lino to screen-printed posters, the exhibition explores printmaking as political agency—giving material form to protest, urgency, and collective memory. More >>
Participatory Exhibition ‘To Have A Place’ Explores Connections Between People And Place
Wednesday, 14 May 2025, 5:15 pm | Te Putahi
Exploring connections to public places in Ōtautahi Christchurch, this exhibition presents ways to better understand and record connections between people and public places in the city. More >>
Netball Sisters Face-Off In Round 2 Of ANZ Premiership
Wednesday, 14 May 2025, 4:52 pm | Tactix Netball
This is the first time the Mather sisters have come up against each other professionally, and Holly expects some healthy sibling competition in the mid-court. More >>
New Exhibitions Celebrate Waikato’s Public Art And Pioneering Maaori Artist
Wednesday, 14 May 2025, 4:05 pm | Hamilton City Council
Inside Out is open to the public at Te Whare Taonga o Waikato Museum & Gallery from 16 May to 5 October 2025 and entry is free. Robyn Kahukiwa: Tohunga Mahi Toi is open from 16 May to 7 September 2025 and entry is free. More >>
NZME And Duco Events Join Forces On Groundbreaking Full Metal Orchestra And SYNTHONY Origins
Wednesday, 14 May 2025, 2:00 pm | New Zealand Media and Entertainment
Building on the phenomenal success of Mānuka Phuel SYNTHONY Festival, the creative minds at Duco are unveiling their latest groundbreaking concepts – a powerful fusion of rock and metal classics reimagined with a full orchestra, then followed by a return ... More >>
Auckland Leans Into Stereotypes To Lure Kiwis This Autumn
Wednesday, 14 May 2025, 1:17 pm | Tataki Auckland Unlimited
Led by Tātaki Auckland Unlimited (TAU), in collaboration with Heart of the City and the Karangahape Road Business Association, the campaign leans into clichés with a playful twist, inviting Kiwis to take a second look at what Auckland has to offer. More >>
Exhibition Announcement: Because Of Where I Live, Daegan Wells At Gus Fisher Gallery
Wednesday, 14 May 2025, 12:35 pm | Gus Fisher Gallery
Selected as part of a newly established open-call programme called The Changing Room, Wells’ presentation brings the materiality of his Southland surroundings into the gallery through a combination of handwoven textiles and furniture made from locally ... More >>
Tune-Yards Share New Single Ahead Of New Album 'Better Dreaming'
Wednesday, 14 May 2025, 11:10 am | The Label
Distraction, depression, and heartbreak reign supreme in 2025. “Making art in this day and age for me is a battle for focus; we’re in an age of interruption,” says Garbus of Tune-Yards’ sixth album Better Dreaming. More >>
Reb Fountain Joins 'Come Together' For Live Rust Tour
Wednesday, 14 May 2025, 11:07 am | Sandra Roberts
Reb joins an elite group of New Zealand’s finest artists, including Milan Borich, Sam Scott, Jol Mulholland, Brett Adams, Matthias Jordan & more to recreate, track by track, one of the biggest selling albums ever in three epic concerts in Christchurch, More >>
Queens Of The Stone Age Announce 'Alive In The Catacombs', Out June 6
Wednesday, 14 May 2025, 10:58 am | The Label
Queens of the Stone Age will unveil the cinematic realisation of a dream with the June 6 premiere of Alive in the Catacombs, an audiovisual document of the band’s long-rumoured performance in the tunnels of the famed Catacombs of Paris. More >>
OFC Women’s Champions League 2025 Semi-Finals Preview: Coaches Share Thoughts
Wednesday, 14 May 2025, 10:53 am | Oceania Football Confederation
Defending champions Auckland United FC head into their match with momentum from a strong group stage, but coach Ben Bate acknowledges there’s still room for improvement. More >>
The Nukes Drop ‘Max The Musical Mosquito’, And Hit The Road With Free School Shows
Wednesday, 14 May 2025, 10:19 am | Elephant Publicity
Now in their 15th year, The Nukes are a three-piece powerhouse of musical mischief, storytelling and heart. Founding frontman Dave Parker brings sparkle and swagger on vocals and uke, joined by fellow founding member. More >>
Jessica Pratt Announces New Zealand Tour
Wednesday, 14 May 2025, 9:56 am | Banished Music
Lyttelton’s own songsmith Ben Woods will be joining the bill both on Monday 9 June at The Piano in Christchurch and Tuesday 10 June at Wellington’s newest venue Meow Nui, while the wonderful Tiny Ruins will perform as a duo on Wednesday 11 June at ... More >>
Daniel Muggleton Announces Debut NZ Tour
Wednesday, 14 May 2025, 9:51 am | de Launay Enterprises
Daniel Muggleton (Photo/Supplied) “ Hello, I’m Daniel Muggleton, I’m THE guy. I just wanted to let you know that unlike previous years [in Australia] there’s a chance this show is about something. If I had to choose a word to describe what ... More >>
Folk Bitch Trio Announce Debut Album, Now Would Be A Good Time, Out July 25th Via Jagjaguwar
Wednesday, 14 May 2025, 9:34 am | The Label
The songs on Now Would Be A Good Time were workshopped on tour and written specifically with their shared connection in mind. Recording in Auckland with Tom Healy, the band built out these songs with minimalist, idiosyncratic arrangements, and, with voices More >>
Project Hip Hop - Empowering Young Dancers To Take The Stage
Wednesday, 14 May 2025, 9:28 am | Tauranga City Council
Junior crew, 'Roxy' from RGD, took home 2nd place in the junior division at Project in 2024. Photo supplied. Project Hip Hop Dance Competition returns to Mercury Arena Baypark this King’s Birthday Weekend, bringing more than 1,000 young dancers together ... More >>
Four Letters Of Love Trailer & Release Date Revealed
Wednesday, 14 May 2025, 8:22 am | Mushroom Group
Distributed by Mushroom Studios and The Reset Collective, Four Letters of Love is a sweeping romantic drama that brings to life a timeless story of destiny and the invisible forces that shape our lives. More >>
Greenpeace Flagship Rainbow Warrior Returns For 40th Anniversary Of French Bombing In Auckland On 10 July
Wednesday, 14 May 2025, 7:16 am | Greenpeace
In the 40 years since, the Rainbow Warrior has sailed on the front lines of our campaigns around the world to protect nature and promote peace. More >>
Illusionist Anthony Street Returns To New Zealand For Epic 22-centre Tour This Winter
Tuesday, 13 May 2025, 8:12 pm | Elephant Publicity
Running from 6 July to 10 August 2025, this show is not only Anthony’s biggest New Zealand tour yet but is his most ambitious show to date, bringing pure magic to 22 towns and cities from Northland to Otago. More >>
Brydie Colquhoun’s Rongo Whakapā Decolonises The Performance Space
Tuesday, 13 May 2025, 8:01 pm | Elephant Publicity
An intimate and shared exploration of presence, connection, and community through dance. More >>
Dame Malvina Major Foundation Arts Excellence Awards Will Kick Start Careers In Classical Music For Three Young NZers
Tuesday, 13 May 2025, 4:05 pm | Dame Malvina Major Foundation
“Encouraging and enabling young people to pursue their dreams in classical music has always been at the heart of the Foundation’s work,” says Dame Malvina Major. “These awards are one way we help open doors, ease the financial burden, and let ... More >>
Christchurch’s Euromarque Motorsport Park Will Host Round One Of The 2026 Championship
Tuesday, 13 May 2025, 3:38 pm | New Zealand Superbike Championship
Series promoter Mike Marsden says it’s great to be heading back to Ruapuna in 2026 for the first leg of the South Island Series double header. The two North Island rounds will be MotoFest at Hampton Downs on March 7-8 andMotoMania at Taupo on March ... More >>
13 Clubs Now In Contention To Be Part Of The Inaugural OFC Professional League
Tuesday, 13 May 2025, 2:09 pm | Oceania Football Confederation
There are 11 clubs from six OFC Member Associations including four from New Zealand, two from Fiji, two from Papua New Guinea, one each from Solomon Islands, Tahiti, and Vanuatu, with the other two clubs from Australia. More >>
Approaching Halfway Stage Anyone Could Still Win
Tuesday, 13 May 2025, 12:39 pm | Bikesport NZ
Taranaki pair Luke Thompson and Sam Parker battled to an incredibly close first and second overall respectively in the premier Gold Grade over the two days at round one of the series in Taranaki back in March, with round two in Central Otago last ... More >>
CHAII And Anna Coddington First Performers Announced For 2025 Aotearoa Music Awards, Official Event Partners Confirmed
Tuesday, 13 May 2025, 10:25 am | Aotearoa Music Awards
Off the back of a successful partnership in 2024, RNZ will again be the Aotearoa Music Awards Official Media Partner in 2025. The public media organisation will livestream the event via rnz.co.nz and across its social media channels. More >>
CAST ANNOUNCED For The New Zealand Premiere Of The West End Hit Peppa Pig’s Fun Day Out LIVE!
Monday, 12 May 2025, 8:45 pm | Blackout Music Management
The New Zealand premiere follows a smash hit season in London’s West End, and is the first time Peppa Pig has graced New Zealand stages since 2018. More >>
Hekari Womens FC Spot Secured In The OFC Women's Champions League 2025 Semi-Finals!
Monday, 12 May 2025, 8:36 pm | Oceania Football Confederation
Hekari Women’s FC have ended local hopes at the OFC Women’s Champions League in Tahiti with a hard fought 2-0 win over AS Pirae in the final Group B match at State Pater in Papeete. More >>
Bunnings Rugby Assist Returns For 2025 To Support Your Club
Monday, 12 May 2025, 8:30 pm | Bunnings
Over the past four years, Bunnings has worked shoulder-to-shoulder with clubs from across the country who are making a positive difference to their local rugby community. More >>
'We're Just Doing Our Best': Cultural Backlash Hits Auckland-based Kava Business
Monday, 12 May 2025, 7:23 pm | RNZ
Vibes Kava, co-founded by a Kiwi-American of Samoan descent, has found itself at the heart of a cultural debate, with critics raising concerns about appropriation. More >>
Rotorua set to shine bright this Matariki with the return of the ARONUI Drone Show
Monday, 12 May 2025, 6:47 pm | Rotorua New Zealand
This year’s theme, Matariki mā Puanga, is all about inclusion, embracing diversity, and celebrating together. More >>
Football: The One Trophy Auckland FC Have No Chance Of Winning
Monday, 12 May 2025, 6:35 pm | RNZ
As a New Zealand side playing in a mainly Australian league, Auckland find themselves in a strange limbo, writes Mathew Nash. More >>
Sky Tower Lights For Road Safety Week
Monday, 12 May 2025, 4:41 pm | SKYCITY Auckland
Each year, around 300 lives are lost on New Zealand’s roads, and Road Safety Week aims to inspire positive change and encourage safer road behaviours. More >>