The Spinoff’s top pick of events from around the motu. Here’s the week 21 – 28 August.
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.
Nationwide
Literature: National Poetry Day
Multiple venues all over Aotearoa
Friday, August 22
Poetry! Live! Check out the calendar of events to see what’s on near you. It’ll cure what’s ailing you.
Tāmaki Makaurau
Music/talk: Liz Pelly In Conversation With Martyn Pepperell + Q&A
Whammy Bar
6pm Tuesday, August 26
$18
New York-based music journalist Liz Pelly, the author of Mood Machine: The Rise of Spotify and the Costs of the Perfect Playlist, talks with Martyn Pepperell about the book.
Haka Theatre: Autaia
Kiri Te Kanawa Theatre, Aotea Centre
7pm Thursday, August 28 (continues Friday, Aug 29)
$25
Twelve schools and Kura Kaupapa Māori from across Tāmaki Makaurau, Waikato and Te Tai Tokerau showcase their excellence in Haka Theatre (a blend of kapa haka, theatre, haka movement, and storytelling).
Tauranga
Literature: Book launch of The Lost Words by Kimberley Kearney
Te Ao Mārama – Tauranga Library
2pm Saturday, August 23
Free
The launch of a new picture book with face painting and other activities for tamariki.
Coromandel
Object art workshop: Hikidashi Tea Bowl – Fire and Clay with Aaron Scythe
Driving Creek Railway & Pottery
9am–5pm Saturday–Sunday, August 23–24
$400 (for two days)
A two-day workshop with ceramicist Aaron Scythe who will guide participants through the art of Hikidashi and tea bowl making.
Carterton
Film: New Zealand Mountain Film Festival
Carterton Events Centre
4pm Saturday, August 24
$20
A collection of five short films of the mountainous variety. See the full national tour programme here.
Te-Whanganui-a-Tara
Film: Whānau Mārama NZ International Film Festival
Various venues
Various times, August 21–28
$17–$23
A smorgasbord of movies to binge, including Prime Minister, the Jacinda Ardern documentary discussed on The Spinoff’s Gone By Lunchtime podcast.
Beer: Beervana
Sky Stadium
11am –4pm; 6pm–11pm, Saturday–Sunday, August 22–23
$47–$150
The big beer and food fest at the stadium.
Blenheim
Theatre: Sense & Sensibility by Jane Austen and Penny Ashton
Boathouse Theatre,
7.30pm Wednesday, August 27 (opening night)
$25.58–$40.95
An adaptation of a classic staged to celebrate Austen’s 250th birthday. See a ranking of Austen’s novels here, and film adaptations, here.
Ōtautahi
Literature: WORD Christchurch
Various venues
Various times Wednesday, August 27 (and until August 31)
Various prices
Books, storytelling, performances, conversation, workshops! It’s a writers fest!
Ōtepoti
Comedy: Hang in there! Gerard Dougherty
Dropkicks, 354 Great King Street
7pm Thursday, August 28
$14–$22
A return, last-chance hit from the Dunedin Comedy Festival.
