Aotearoa New Zealand Festival of the Arts is managed by Tāwhiri: Festivals and Experiences
Tāwhiri is the creative force behind Aotearoa New Zealand Festival of the Arts, Wellington Jazz Festival and Lexus Song Quest. Find out more at tawhiri.nz.
Image: Matt Grace
Aotearoa New Zealand Festival of the Arts
Running every two years since 1986, Aotearoa New Zealand Festival of the Arts is the nation’s largest celebration of cutting-edge arts experiences based in the Wellington region. Its programme features free and ticketed events including music, opera, theatre, dance, visual arts, literature and more.
The 2020 New Zealand Festival of the Arts featured more than 200 events, including six world premieres and 14 new works were commissioned. More than 150,000 people enjoyed free and paid events across the Festival. The 2022 Festival runs 21 February – 20 March.
No other New Zealand city buzzes like Wellington at Festival-time. Like Edinburgh, Avignon and other compact festival cities around the globe, Wellington’s geography, lively central city and diverse and culturally engaged population make it the ideal location for an event like ours. That’s one of the many reasons Wellington City Council invests in the Festival as the headline cultural event in the capital.
Check out the Aotearoa New Zealand Festival of the Arts on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to keep in the loop for future events.
Image: Stephen A'Court
Wellington Jazz Festival
With its reputation for innovation, the Festival also presents the annual Wellington Jazz Festival.
The 2020 Jazz Festival featured more than 100 gigs over five days, turning up the heat in the capital’s famous Cuba Quarter and beyond with relaxed afternoon sessions and riotous late-night jams.
Past headliners have included Bill Frisell, Dianne Reeves, Chick Corea, the Joshua Redman Quartet, Dee Dee Bridgewater and Irvin Mayfield with the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra, Chucho Valdez, Cassandra Wilson and Sonny Rollins.
Sign up now for email updates and keep up with Wellington’s vibrant jazz scene year-round on the Wellington Jazz Festival Facebook and Twitter pages.
The Wellington Jazz Festival 2022 will be held 19-23 October.
Image: Norrie Montgomery
Lexus Song Quest
The exciting and prestigious Lexus Song Quest singing competition is another of the Festival’s presentations.
The Lexus Song Quest is a proven springboard for young singers and has helped to launch the international careers of previous winners such as Kiri Te Kanawa, Malvina Major, Teddy Tahu Rhodes and Jonathan Lemalu.
Check out the Lexus Song Quest on Facebook and Twitter to keep in the loop for future events.
The next Song Quest will take place in 2022, more info coming soon.
