A promotional banner for The Event Guide which shows a photo of a stage show called The Worm in which one actor is dressed as a worm and another as a fruit.
The Worm is on in Whāngarei this week.

Pop Cultureabout 11 hours ago

Lunar on Lorne, Hamlit, and the famous 24-hour book sale: The Spinoff event guide

Books editor
A promotional banner for The Event Guide which shows a photo of a stage show called The Worm in which one actor is dressed as a worm and another as a fruit.
The Worm is on in Whāngarei this week.

The Spinoff’s top pick of events from around the motu. Here’s the best for the week February 19–26.

Welcome to The Spinoff event guide, your weekly, curated selection of gigs, events and exhibitions happening across Aotearoa. If you want to pitch your event for future guides then please use this handy form.

Whāngarei

A photo of a stage set with two actors dressed as a worm and some kind of fruit.

Family theatre: The Worm by Carl and Peter Bland

OneOneSix
February 21–22
From $22.50

“When a giant bird pokes its beak through the ceiling and swoops away with his mum, a determined little worm sets off on a heroic adventure to save her! This surprising tale from acclaimed company Nightsong is funny, exciting, and delightfully offbeat, featuring live music by Carnivorous Plant Society’s Finn Scholes.

Can one tiny worm wriggle his way past dastardly critters, tricky puzzles, and wild encounters to save his mum?”

Tāmaki Makaurau

A photo of a table set up outside at a festival on a street. People are sitting around the table and looking at a large Chinese dragon (person in costume).

Festival: Lunar on Lorne

Te Hā o Hine (Khartoum Place), Lorne Street
12pm–5pm Sat, February 21
Free 

A free Lunar New Year festival featuring Street Dance crews, Lunar Cypher: Fire Horse Edition – a high‑energy rap cypher, K-Pop choreo, open mic karaoke with Eric & Susan Qu, plus special guest host 姐姐 Amanda Grace Leo. Whānau-friendly activities also include Asian board games and Go/WeiQi workshops, crafts and cultural activities hosted by Andi & Jingshu and the launch of picture book, Missing, by Thomas Chin. Full info online here.

Kirikiriroa

A photo of a stage set with the actor Jo Randerson dressed in costume with streaks of light like feathers around her head.
Jo Randerson’s show Speed is Emotional is at Hamilton Gardens Arts Festival.

Festival: Hamilton Garden Arts Festival

Hamilton Gardens
Feb 20 – Mar 1
Various prices

A rich programme of events in one of the most beautiful festival locations in Aotearoa. Artists include Don McGlashan, Fijian Flying Circus, Speed is Emotional (Jo Randerson, Barbarian productions), Miss Brontë (a theatre show), Battle Chorus, The Nukes, and the Hamlit programme of literary sessions. Full programme online here.

Te Whanganui-a-Tara

A close up photo of a young man's moustachioed face; the left side is blurring as if moving.

Music/theatre: Motion Sickness (Fringe Festival)

The Gods Paramount, 29 Courtenay Place
February 25–28
$30

“Internationally acclaimed physical theatre company, a2, guide you through the potential cosmic ends of the universe.

This is an hour of urgent electronic music performed live by Toby Leman (Earl Green, HUMMUCIDE, Revulva), and a sharp new text written by Ben Ashby and Performed by Ethan Morse. It’s an existential crisis at the rave, it’s a cathartic hour of fear, rage and hope, scored by an overwhelming and hypnotic AV design by Asha Barr.”

Ōhinehou

A promotional banner for Port Noise music festival which has text in red and white, listing the musicians participating.

Music/literature: Port Noise

Multiple venues
3pm–midnight Sat, Feb 21
From $109

“Port Noise returns for its fourth year, transforming Ōhinehou/Lyttelton into a community-charged celebration of singular voices from across the motu and abroad. One ticket unlocks every venue, every performance, and the full atmosphere of the port’s biggest party.” The 2026 lineup includes the likes of Die! Die! Die!, HTRK, Fazed on a Pony and local guitar legend Roy Montgomery; plus writers Dominic Hoey, Tusiata Avia and more. Full programme and event info online.

Ōtepoti

A promotional banner for the 24 hour book sale in Dunedin which shows a photo of a young woman with long hair holding a stack of books. Her head is cropped out of the image.

Books: The Regent 24 hour book sale

The Regent
10am–10pm, Feb 20–21
Free

Over 10,000 bargain books, games and puzzles. Hold me back!

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