(Background image: Turumeke Harrington).
(Background image: Turumeke Harrington).

Pop CultureJune 26, 2025

Event noticeboard: A waka, a harp and an auction of treasures

(Background image: Turumeke Harrington).
(Background image: Turumeke Harrington).

The Spinoff’s top picks of events from around the motu.

I am having one of those elusive weeks where my cup feels full. The darkest days are behind us. The weekend was long. The sun rose and I got to see Marlon Williams perform. A gift arrived for me in the post. A friend called and the sun was shining. I’ve even cleaned my house. There has been a series of reminders that despite all our flaws humans can and do make beautiful things and we offer them up to each other. Is there anything more sweet than that? Here are a few offerings to fill your cup this week.

spotlight

Exhibition: Ruruku by Hauteruruku ki Puketeraki waka club

Hocken Collections, 90 Anzac Avenue, Central Dunedin
10am 5pm Tuesday Saturday until August 2
Free

On May 19, a waka with a bright yellow nylon sail set out from Back Beach, Port Chalmers towards the Dunedin Marina. When it arrived, it was loaded onto a trailer and taken to the Hocken Library. There it was taken inside, where it will sit until August as part of an exhibition.

The waka, named Kuramātakitaki, is the third traditionally inspired waka made by community and whānau based waka club, Hauteruruku ki Puketeraki. The exhibition tells the story of the club and celebrates the the revival of waka traditions in the 21st century. Alongside Kuramātakitaki are photographs and objects. If you’re lucky, there may just be weavers at work in the gallery when you visit. They are working on te rā harakeke (flax sail) for the waka. Perhaps that will be the sail it uses for its homewards journey.

Te Ika-a-Māui

Kerikeri

Festival: Brew of Islands

Turner Centre, 43 Cobham Rd, Kerikeri
12pm and 6pm Saturday, June 28 
$40

“A craft beer adventure like no other”.

Whangārei

paintings arranged in castle shape
Art work by Turumeke Harrington

Visual art: Tā, Tau by Turumeke Harrington

Wairau Māori Art Gallery, 81 Dent Street, Whangārei
10am 4pm daily, until July 27

Free

Tā, Tau reflects Harrington’s contemplation of her contribution to landscape art. The work mixes space, colour and material in innovative ways.

Tāmaki Makaurau

Theatre: Seussical

Kiri Te Kanawa Theatre, Aotea Centre, Mayoral Dr, Auckland Central
7pm Friday, June 27, 7pm & 1:30pm Saturday, June 28, 1:30pm Sunday. June 29
$35-$65

Horton the Elephant, the Cat in the Hat and all your favourite Dr. Seuss characters come together in a fantastical and wacky musical extravaganza. The Tony-winning show will be performed by a cast of over 200 young performers from the National Youth Theatre.

Incised wooden panels made in the 1960s and 70s by Pauline Kahurangi Yearbury.

Kōrero, visual art: Megan Tamati-Quennell on Pauline Kahurangi Yearbury’s Life in forms

Te Uru, 420 Titirangi Road, Titirangi, Auckland
2pm Saturday, June 28
Free

Leading curator, writer and researcher Megan Tamati-Quennell will talk about the current survey of an important Māori artist who has been largely overlooked.

Hamilton

Music: An Operatic Gala

Concert Chamber, Gallagher Academy, University of Waikato, Knighton Road
6:30pm Sunday, June 29 
$0-$35

A feast of beloved arias to warm your soul.

Gisborne

Works by Fiona Collis.

Visual art: Hau Kainga

Tairāwhiti Museum, 10 Stout Street, Gisborne
10am – 4pm Monday – Saturday, 1:30pm – 4pm Sunday
$0 – $5

Intricate fibre artworks by three artists from Te Aitanga a Hauiti that blend traditional Māori weaving with contemporary artistic expression.

New Plymouth

HospiceShop Antiques & Collectibles Auction Expect everything from an 18kt gold necklace and Victorian brooches to a cannon ball, a scrimshaw-carved skull (yes, really!), and stunning ceramics, folk art, books, vintage toys and more.

Fundraiser: HospiceShop Antiques & Collectibles Auction

The Devon Hotel & Conference Centre, 390 Devon St. East, New Plymouth
10am Sunday, June 29
Free / depends on your bids!

You never know what treasures might be waiting for you!

Te Whanganui-a-Tara

Music: Palestine Relief Gig

Underworld Tavern, 13 Pirie Street, Mount Victoria, Wellington
6:30pm Saturday, June 28

$20

It is very hard to read some of these band names which leads me to believe this is a heavy metal or punk show. Fun!

Te Waipounamu

Nelson

(Photo: Melissa Banks).

Ceramics: Mana Māna

The Nelson Provincial Museum, 270 Trafalgar Street, Nelson
10am 5pm weekdays, 10am – 4:30pm weekends, until July 13
Free

Local artist Kim Ireland (Tūhourangi, Tapuika, Korea) has been inspired by gourds to explore the connection between wāhine and tīpuna wahine.

Hokitika

man playing a harp
Thomas Loefke

Music: North Atlantic Soundscapes, Thomas Loefke

Old Lodge Theatre, 11 Revell Street, Hokitika
7:30pm Friday, June 27 

$20

Thomas Loefke playing the Celtic harp, accompanied by photographs he took on the North Atlantic islands.

Lyttelton

man jumping with ukulele

Music: Jeff Parsnips, Silly Songs For Silly Sausages album release

Lyttelton Arts Factory, 1 Sumner Road, Lyttelton
2pm Saturday, June 28
$15

The Lyttelton Arts Festival is here and there’s a gig for kids!

Ōtepoti

man with big camera in snow

Film, talk: Climate Change Cinema, Max Quinn

Olveston Historic Home, 42 Royal Terrace, North Dunedin
6pm Wednesday, July 2
Pay as you can

As part of the International Science Festival, Max Quinn, natural history documentary director, will share his experiences from his global career. Bring your keep cup for a hot beverage.