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23 February — 18 March 2018

Calendar

23 Feb 24 25 26 27 28 01 Mar 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18
Free NZ
This is New Zealand

This is New Zealand

Free, Visual Arts 03 Mar – 15 Jul

Venice Biennale works by Michael Stevenson, Michael Parekowhai, Simon Denny and more.

Free NZ
The Language of Things: Meaning and Value in Contemporary Jewellery

The Language of Things: Meaning and Value in Contemporary Jewellery

Free, Visual Arts 24 Feb – 24 Jun

How meaning and value are challenged through the often-surprising materials used in contemporary jewellery from Europe, America, Asia, Australia and New Zealand.

Free NZ
Luke Willis Thompson

Luke Willis Thompson

Visual Arts 21 Feb – 15 Apr

Using the entire gallery as his stage, this new solo exhibition continues the artist's investigation into cinema and performance as mechanisms of violence and counterviolence. 

Free NZ
Gavin Hipkins: The Domain

Gavin Hipkins: The Domain

Free, Visual Arts 25 Nov – 11 Mar

A thought-provoking and illuminating survey revealing one of New Zealand’s most innovative and subversive investigators of the possibilities of photography.

Free NZ
Ruth Watson: Other Worlds

Ruth Watson: Other Worlds

Free, Visual Arts 21 Feb – 01 Jan

A major new public sculpture will be launched for the opening of the Festival, created by internationally recognised, Auckland-based artist Ruth Watson, and commissioned by the Wellington Sculpture Trust.

Free NZ
Adam Portraiture Award 2018

Adam Portraiture Award 2018

Free, Visual Arts 01 Mar – 27 May

The 15th annual Adam Portraiture Award – New Zealand's premier portrait competition – exhibits the best in contemporary painted portraiture.

Writers & readers
Fun and Games with Harry Giles

Fun and Games with Harry Giles

Festival Club, Writers & Readers 10 Mar

Performance poet and “doer of many things” Harry Josephine Giles has been described as “the sharpest new tongue in Scotland” and is big on playfulness and participation. Come and join the fun!

Writers & readers
AC Grayling: Modern Minds and Politics

AC Grayling: Modern Minds and Politics

Writers & Readers 10 Mar

Can democracy be saved? Explore its birth, unfolding and the challenges it faces today with British humanist and philosopher AC Grayling.

Writers & readers
Blazing Stars

Blazing Stars

Festival Club, Writers & Readers 10 Mar

Hear two young trailblazers - Patricia Lockwood (United States) and Hera Lindsay Bird (New Zealand) - read and converse about their vivid, extraordinary and successful poetry.

Writers & readers
Charlie Jane Anders: Beautiful Fantasy

Charlie Jane Anders: Beautiful Fantasy

Writers & Readers 10 Mar

Magic and technology collide in the worlds of acclaimed American fantasy fiction writer Charlie Jane Anders. She talks about fantastical fiction with local practitioner AJ Fitzwater.

Writers & readers
Charlotte Wood: The Power of Fiction

Charlotte Wood: The Power of Fiction

Writers & Readers 10 Mar

Charlotte Wood was described by The Australian as one of that country’s “most original and provocative writers”. She joins Emily Perkins to discuss how Australasian fiction can prevail in these troubling times.

Writers & readers
Francis Spufford & Elizabeth Knox Talk About God

Francis Spufford & Elizabeth Knox Talk About God

Writers & Readers 10 Mar

British non-fiction writer and novelist Francis Spufford and Wellington fantasy writer Elizabeth Knox share their ongoing discussions about faith, belief, the concept of god and more...

Writers & readers
Jeet Thayil: Post-Narcopolis

Jeet Thayil: Post-Narcopolis

Writers & Readers 10 Mar

Widely travelled journalist and acclaimed poet Jeet Thayil burst onto the literary A-list in 2012 with his Booker-nominated novel Narcopolis. He has just published the followup, The Book of Chocolate Saints.

Writers & readers
Mike Ladd & Bill Manhire: Capital Poets

Mike Ladd & Bill Manhire: Capital Poets Selling Fast

Writers & Readers 10 Mar

If one poet can be said to represent an entire city, then Mike Ladd is Adelaide and Bill Manhire Wellington. They read and converse about place, time and verse.

Writers & readers
Outer Space Saloon Salon

Outer Space Saloon Salon

Festival Club, Writers & Readers 10 Mar

Dock in for free-form, fun-filled spoken word, fast-fire conversations, quizzes and giveaways, with other-worldly guests on a future-embracing Saturday night at the New Zealand Festival .

Writers & readers
Sonny Liew: Epic Comics

Sonny Liew: Epic Comics

Writers & Readers 10 Mar

With The Art of Charlie Chan Hock Chye, Sonny Liew not only created “probably the greatest work of art ever produced in Singapore”, but also a multi-faceted history of the comics medium itself.

Writers & readers
RA Spratt: Funny Ha Ha

RA Spratt: Funny Ha Ha

Writers & Readers 10 Mar

Authors who spark laughter on the page are rare treasures. RA Spratt, author of the popular Nanny Piggins and Friday Barnes series, talks about the serious job of funny writing.

Writers & readers
Ready to Die?

Ready to Die?

Writers & Readers 10 Mar

Leading Australian intensive care specialist Dr Charlie Corke talks about how people can mess up dying and how an end-of-life plan can give us dignity and autonomy in the face of the inevitable.

Writers & readers
Samin Nosrat: Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat

Samin Nosrat: Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat

Writers & Readers 10 Mar

Master the four elements that Californian chef Samin Nosrat writes about in her New York Times bestseller Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat and anything you cook will be delicious. 


Writers & readers
Teju Cole: Blind Spot

Teju Cole: Blind Spot

Writers & Readers 10 Mar

In his new book Blind Spot, international photography critic Teju Cole features his own photography for the very first time. He discusses this and his previous wide-ranging books with Paula Morris.

Writers & readers
The Horror! The Horror!

The Horror! The Horror!

Writers & Readers 10 Mar

Popular culture is now permeated by disturbing nightmare visions. Join three writers whose work delves into the dark – Ian Tregillis, Elizabeth Knox and Intan Paramaditha.

Writers & readers
Sarah Glidden: Comics Correspondent

Sarah Glidden: Comics Correspondent

Writers & Readers 10 Mar

Journalism: what is it, and how to do it in comics? Seattle-based writer and illustrator Sarah Glidden, who works primarily in reportage comics, talks with RNZ Morning Report co-host Susie Ferguson.

Writers & readers
Words’ Worth

Words’ Worth

Writers & Readers 10 Mar

Discover how Australian authors Ursula Dubosarsky and Nick Earls foster fascination for word fun in young audiences through their award-winning books, with children's writer Kate De Goldi.

NZ Writers & readers
Cave Men

Cave Men

Writers & Readers 10 Mar

Witness extraordinary photographs and hear thrilling stories of exploring New Zealand’s longest and deepest caves with Marcus Thomas and Neil Silverwood.

NZ Writers & readers
CK Stead: In Full Stride

CK Stead: In Full Stride

Writers & Readers 10 Mar

Former Poet Laureate, novelist, essayist and literary critic CK Stead is still astonishingly productive. He talks to Steve Braunias about his latest work and what's up next.

NZ Writers & readers
Defining a Nation

Defining a Nation

Writers & Readers 10 Mar

Historian Vincent O’Malley explores Māori and Pākehā relationships from first contact to settlement and government apology with “artivist” Moana Maniapoto, musician and writer for e-Tangata.

NZ Writers & readers
Mansfield And Us

Mansfield And Us

Writers & Readers 10 Mar

Three Katherine Mansfield scholars and fans celebrate the 120th anniversary of the famous New Zealander’s birth: Redmer Yska, Sarah Laing and Vincent O’Sullivan, with poet Kate Camp.

Writers & readers
Questions of Faith

Questions of Faith

Writers & Readers 10 Mar

Two deep thinkers – New Zealand author and theologian Lloyd Geering and American journalist Sarah Sentilles – discuss faith, fundamentalism, hope and humanity with Kate De Goldi.

NZ Writers & readers
The Missing

The Missing

Writers & Readers 10 Mar

Journalist Kelly Dennett explores the as-yet unsolved case of Jane Furlong, who disappeared in 1993 and whose body was discovered five years ago. She talks with true crime aficionado Steve Braunias.

NZ Writers & readers
Untold War Stories

Untold War Stories Sold Out!

Writers & Readers 10 Mar

Jane Tolerton tells the stories of doctors, dentists, ambulance drivers, mathematicians and other forgotten heroes in Make Her Praises Heard Afar: The Hidden History of New Zealand Women in World War One.

NZ Writers & readers
Tikanga Now

Tikanga Now

Writers & Readers 10 Mar

Emma Espiner proposes a brilliantly sensible way of doing things in New Zealand. She discusses why Pākehā need to understand and embrace tikanga Māori with lecturer Māmari Stephens and unionist Morgan Godfery.

On The Road Writers & readers
Jock Serong & Brannavan Gnanalingam: Law, Power & LBW

Jock Serong & Brannavan Gnanalingam: Law, Power & LBW

Writers & Readers 10 Mar

Australia's Jock Serong and Wellington's Brannavan Gnanalingam both have new novels and a shared love of cricket. They visit the Wairarapa to discuss migration, crime, injustice and politics.

On The Road Writers & readers
Sarah Sentilles: Drawn Weapons

Sarah Sentilles: Drawn Weapons

Writers & Readers 10 Mar

Join American journalist Sarah Sentilles and Dowse Art Museum Director Courtney Johnston as they discuss how images of violence impact on our thinking about how war is waged, witnessed and resisted.

Free NZ Writers & readers
Photobook New Zealand 2018

Photobook New Zealand 2018

Writers & Readers 07 – 11 Mar

During this year’s Writers & Readers, you can enjoy a full range of Photobook NZ activities nearby at Te Papa, including the launch and awards, photobook fair, lectures, talks and panel discussions. 

Free Writers & readers
Brow Books Book Launch: Apple and Knife

Brow Books Book Launch: Apple and Knife

Writers & Readers 10 Mar

Join Australian publishers Brow Books and writer Intan Paramaditha for the worldwide launch of her first English language collection, Apple and Knife.

Free Writers & readers
Lots in Translation

Lots in Translation

Writers & Readers 10 Mar

Enjoy a family Saturday morning at the National Library with picture book readings in many languages by guest authors and members of Wellington’s diverse multicultural community. 

À Ố Làng Phố

À Ố Làng Phố Selling Fast

Circus, Dance, Family 08 – 11 Mar

Whisk the whole family away to a village in Vietnam at À Ố Làng Phố – a circus show of extraordinary feats and infectious fun.

NZ
Wild Dogs Under My Skirt

Wild Dogs Under My Skirt

Access, Artist Talk, Theatre 07 – 11 Mar

Samoan New Zealander Tusiata Avia’s poetry becomes a fearless and enchanting piece of theatre under the direction of Anapela Polata'ivao and a cast of six powerful Pasefika actresses. 

Future Playground

Future Playground

Access, Family 01 – 11 Mar

If this is the future of digital technology, then we like it. More than just screens, this is pure artful inspiration where you make the magic. Come and play.

Home

Home

Theatre 07 – 11 Mar

Watch a home, brimming with the stuff of life, evolve before your very eyes on stage in this interactive art installation with a twist – created by multi-award-winning actor, illusionist and inventor Geoff Sobelle. 

NZ
The King’s Singers & Voices New Zealand chamber choir

The King’s Singers & Voices New Zealand chamber choir Selling Fast

Music 10 Mar

Join one of Britain’s greatest musical exports and the best choral voices in New Zealand for a musical trip from the Renaissance to now.

NZ
Star Wars: A New Hope In Concert

Star Wars: A New Hope In Concert Sold Out!

Family, Music 10 – 11 Mar

For the first time ever, watch the original Star Wars: A New Hope with its spectacular Oscar-winning soundtrack performed live by the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra. 

Free NZ
ARTIST TALK: Wild Dogs Under My Skirt

ARTIST TALK: Wild Dogs Under My Skirt

Artist Talks, Theatre 10 Mar

Led by writer Tusiata Avia and director Anapela Polata’ivao, hear from the strong female voices behind Wild Dogs Under My Skirt in this free, public post-show Artist Talk. 

Free
Women at the Frontline of Climate Change in Vanuatu

Women at the Frontline of Climate Change in Vanuatu

Free, Visual Arts 23 Feb – 08 Apr

This exhibition brings to light the risks that climate change presents to Pacific Island women and the issues we share as Pacific neighbours.

Free
The Secrets of Mona Lisa

The Secrets of Mona Lisa

Visual Arts 10 Feb – 15 Apr

Discover the amazing secrets behind the world’s most famous painting. 

Free NZ
The 26th Annual Wallace Art Awards

The 26th Annual Wallace Art Awards

Visual Arts 19 Feb – 25 Mar

For the first time in Wellington City, more than 50 works by the current winners and finalists of the Wallace Art Awards are on display. 

Free NZ
He Tohu

He Tohu

Visual Arts 19 – 31 Dec

A declaration. A treaty. A petition. Discover the signatures the shape New Zealand at the National Library

Free
Late Night at the Festival Club

Late Night at the Festival Club

Festival Club 23 Feb – 18 Mar

You've seen a show, now stay for the party. When the curtain falls each night, Wellington’s newest hot spot throws open its doors with free entry for everyone. Because the show ain’t over until the Festival Club closes. 

Stay & Play Deals

Treat yourself to a night at Trinity Hotel

Treat yourself to a night at Trinity Hotel

Trinity Hotel
23 Feb – 18 Mar
Free Affogato Dessert with every main

Free Affogato Dessert with every main

Thistle Inn
23 Feb – 18 Mar
CQ Wellington Pre-Show Bistro Menu

CQ Wellington Pre-Show Bistro Menu

CQ Restaurant at CQ Hotels Wellington
23 Feb – 18 Mar
Wine Mingle

Wine Mingle

Coco's Bar&Grill
23 Feb – 13 Mar
Two Small Plates and a glass of bubbles

Two Small Plates and a glass of bubbles

The Arborist Rooftop Bar and Eatery
23 Feb – 18 Mar
SweetArt

SweetArt

Giddy-Up!
23 Feb – 18 Mar

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