The Spinoff’s top pick of events from around the motu. Here’s the best for the week April 23-30.
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.
Whangārei
Music: Kanikani Ki Te Pūoro – TE TUMU, WAIWHAI & Jasper Lindsay
Oneonesix
7.3opm Sat, April 25
Free (but register, koha on the door)
“An evening of live, experimental taonga pūoro with a curated intention to elevate your spirit, move your body and settle your mind, with selector Jasper Lindsay guiding the evening’s closing. Come be a part of something timeless but new.”
Tāmaki Makaurau
Music: Art of Remembrance
Kāhui St David’s, Grafton
7pm – 8.30pm Fri, April 24
Free & pay-what-you-wish
“We will remember them at the Art of Remembrance 2026, an annual musical night of remembrance in the Great Hall of Kāhui St David’s, Auckland’s living memorial. Join veterans, whānau, and the wider community for an unforgettable evening honouring all members and veterans of the New Zealand Defence Force.”
Te Whanganui-a-Tara
Music: Boney M – The final curtain tour
TSB Arena
8pm, April 30 & May 1
$103.35 – $161.01
“One of the most beloved bands to emerge from the golden age of disco, Boney M are back with The Final Curtain Tour, and it will feature original member Maizie Williams. The band is renowned for mixing the glitz and glamour of the 70s with catchy upbeat songs. Head to St James Theatre and enjoy all of their greatest hits. The full live band will play Rasputin, Daddy Cool, Sunny, Rivers Of Babylon, Ma Baker, Gotta Go Home, Brown Girl In The Ring and plenty more.”
Whakatū
Pride: Whakatū Pride Festival
Various venues
On until May 2
“Whakatū Pride Festival offers a range of opportunities for the rainbow, queer & takatāpui community to connect, have fun and express our pride. Across our two-week long Pride Festival, we have over 25 events focused on queer history, dancing and music, sewing and crafts, getting out into nature and playing games. Pride Festival is for the community, by the community and we are excited to welcome our rainbow whānau and allies to get involved!” Check out the event calendar here. Pictured: a photograph from the Proud to be Gay exhibition on as part of the festival, celebrating the 40th Anniversary of the Homosexual Law Reform in New Zealand.
Ōtautahi
Literature: Author talk – Shana Chandra
Scorpio Books
6.30pm Thurs, April 23
Free
“Scorpio Books and Moa Press warmly invite you to an author talk featuring Shana Chandra, author of Banjara. Set in Aotearoa, Australia, India and Fiji, Banjara is an essential reimagining of Indo-Fijian Girmitiya history, and a love letter to our ancestors whose stories live on in our genes. Shana will talk about the history that inspired her novel and be available for questions from the audience.”
