Exhibition Opening & Artist Talk: Friday 27 March 6–7.30pm. Artist talk at 6.30pm
This exhibition explores the three-maunga island chain of the Devonport peninsula, linked by jewel-like gardens, as a reinterpretation and homage to Pat Hanly’s early-1970s Inside the Garden series.
depot.org.nz/event/verity-kindleysides-inside-the-garden-beyond-after-pat-hanly
Exhibition Opening: Thursday 2 April, 5.30–7pm
Artist Amanda Mackenzie, with support from Creative New Zealand’s Early Career Fund, presents a study of the humble egg tray, made for function from waste, endlessly recycled, the epitome of sustainability. Her process-oriented practice values modest materials, the dignity of work, and curation.
depot.org.nz/event/amanda-mackenzie-common-matter
Small-group writing sessions where participants write a personal poem, then leave with it professionally designed and printed as a fine-art artwork. April sessions are timed for Mother's Day gifting.
Easter weekend dates: Friday 3 April, 10am–1pm and Saturday 4 April, 1–4pm
April dates for Mother's Day gifting - Friday 17, Saturday 18, Friday 24, Saturday 25
Up to five participants per session. $220 per person, includes design, print, and shipping.
Booking link: gingerfiasco.com/creativeworkshops/
Debbie began researching the history of Milford to raise awareness of the suburb’s colourful history as an Auckland beach and entertainment destination. She will discuss the era of the 1910s to 1950s, when crowds flocked to Milford’s beach and entertainment venues. These were decades when fading Victorian rules about proper behaviour were being well and truly challenged by younger generations. In this talk, Debbie will trace the development of Milford’s reputation as a louche beachside village on the edge of Auckland.
Debbie is an Auckland historian who lives in Milford. She has published commissioned histories on the suburb of Mount Albert and the rural district of Kumeu.
pumphouse.co.nz/whats-on/show/creative-talks-debbie-dunsford
A much-loved Tāmaki Makaurau tradition is celebrating a major milestone in 2026, with Auckland Live Morning Melodies returning for its 25th season of monthly Monday morning concerts at the Bruce Mason Centre. Known for its relaxed atmosphere, loyal audiences and consistently high-quality performances, the 2026 season brings together many of the brass bands and ensembles audiences know and love, alongside special highlights marking the 25-year milestone.
Tickets: $7.14 per ticket, or $54 for a season pass.
Season passes and single tickets are available via Ticketmaster or at the Bruce Mason Centre Box Office. No booking or infrastructure fees apply when purchasing in person at the box office.
For full programme details, visit aucklandlive.co.nz
Programme:
• 20 Apr – The Up-Doos
• 25 May – AOTANGO Quintet
• 22 Jun – Society Jazzmen
• 20 Jul – Kumeu Vintage Brass
• 10 Aug – The Madeleines
• 7 Sep – Base Auckland Brass
• 5 Oct – NZTrio He Taonga Wairere
• 9 Nov – The Band of the Royal Regiment of New Zealand Artillery
• 7 Dec – The Royal New Zealand Navy Band
Critically acclaimed, highly original adaptation of the Bard’s dark tale. Tragic yet uplifting, tender and raucous, poignant and high-energy.
Set to a live score of Americana and bluegrass music, the multi-award-winning New Zealand troupe blends classic literature with a modern twist, alongside original arrangements of Mumford & Sons, Dolly Parton, and The SteelDrivers, creating an emotional, accessible, toe-tapping theatrical experience.
pumphouse.co.nz/whats-on/show/macbeth-blood-and-bluegrass
Acclaimed Kiwi theatre company, The Barden Party’s Auckland premiere of this powerful, original work, shedding new light on untouched aspects of one of mythology’s greatest figures: his struggle with his darker self and his fraught relationship with Hera, Queen of the Gods.
Four characters explore a timeless question. Who are we when no one is watching: hero, man, beast or god? Greek folklore blended with 1940s Hollywood aesthetic through a highly innovative live-looping musical landscape, where one musician creates the sound of a full band.
pumphouse.co.nz/whats-on/show/heracles
7.30pm - Wed 29, Thu 30 Apr, Fri 1, Sat 2 May
2pm - Sat 2, Sun 3 May
The Glass Menagerie is an intimate and quietly devastating portrait of a family living with hope, frustration, and unspoken longing. Tom looks back on his life with his fragile sister, Laura, and his fiercely determined mother, Amanda. As memory softens and distorts the past, moments of tenderness sit alongside regret and disappointment, creating a world that feels deeply personal while still being instantly recognisable. A landmark work of twentieth-century theatre, The Glass Menagerie established Tennessee Williams as one of the great voices of twentieth-century theatre. It won the New York Drama Critics’ Circle Award for Best Play and marked the beginning of an extraordinary career that would go on to shape modern drama. Frequently cited as one of the most important American plays ever written, The Glass Menagerie is studied, revived, and reinterpreted not because it is a classic, but because it continues to speak with honesty and compassion about ordinary lives under quiet strain.
pumphouse.co.nz/whats-on/show/the-glass-menagerie
The Vic is proud to be hosting the Eleventh Edition of the Italian Film Festival NZ.
Cinema Italiano offers a curated programme of 27 films showcasing the best in contemporary Italian cinema.
thevic.co.nz/movie/cinema-italiano-2026
Art, music and heritage combine for one special night in Devonport
To help celebrate NZ Music Month, the New Zealand String Quartet, French-Kiwi fusion Café Chateaubriant and Toi Toi wines have partnered to bring you a divine evening of art, music and cuisine. New Zealand’s leading string quartet, the NZSQ, will perform a stunning array of music exploring how composers transform feelings and stories into sound. Guests will have the opportunity to view the recently opened exhibition by fine arts photographer Chris Melville, showcasing a striking collection of contemporary works. Visitors can also explore the artist studio spaces upstairs, meet creatives in residence, and experience the unique character of this landmark venue.
A wonderful evening for art lovers and curious minds alike.
depot.org.nz/event/new-zealand-string-quartet
Mon 4 May - 7.15pm; Sun 17 May - 12.30pm
Let the good times ROLL. The Big Bike Film Night is back, bringing the best cycling short films from around the world together for you. Showcasing the 2026 collection that has everything a cycling-centric audience could want - action, drama, humour, and plenty of inspiration - we're going to spin your wheels, crank your dial, and ring your bell! There’s always an air of mystique about The Big Bike Film Night; we’re not your typical mainstream film festival; we’re left field and damn proud of it. Treasuring where a bike can take you, our annual curated collection of short bike films is devised and designed to delight the two-wheel devotee in celebrating the fun, the adventure, and the inspiration that cycling enables.
These short films are a great reminder of why we love to ride our bikes; with stories that captivate us, stories that make us think, and most importantly of all – inspiring us to get out and ride. All celebrate the fun, adventure, and joy that cycling enables. So... listen to the voice inside you; it’s telling you to go. Grab your mates, GO ON… grab your bike and come along for the ride!!
thevic.co.nz/movie/the-big-bike-film-night-2026
North Shore Rotary Charity Golf Tournament ‘Par 4 a Better Future’ is raising much-needed funds to support De Paul House, housing and family support services. De Paul House is building a brand-new housing complex in Birkdale. There are nine homes, with one designed for those with disability. They offer affordable, stable homes to homeless and low-Income families and senior citizens, ranging in size from two- to four-bedrooms. They are planning to open this complex in June/July 2026, and construction is on schedule.
Registration, information and enquiries to Tony Costello, phone 021 323190, email tony@sanzi.co.nz
Andre Vegas, New Zealand’s premier illusionist, as seen on NZ’s Got Talent and known internationally as The Kiwi Horror Illusionist, is bringing his horror comedy show back to The PumpHouse Theatre for one night only! Expect the unexpected with a mix of magic, comedy, audience participation, spectacular illusions and circus. Dress up and join the madness!
pumphouse.co.nz/whats-on/show/the-vegas-horror-show
2pm and 5pm shows
We celebrate the joy of performance in this powerful evening of dance, song, and theatre, where emerging performers and industry professionals unite to showcase talent, passion, and the confidence to take the stage.
pumphouse.co.nz/whats-on/show/platform-passion
Evening performances: 7:30pm; Matinee performances: 2pm or 4pm
Preview night: 13 May
Marion Crawford, affectionately known as “Crawfie”, spent sixteen years as nanny to the young princesses Elizabeth and Margaret. Melanie Tait has constructed a superbly written, witty, insightful, and poignant play that examines the power, sacrifice, hurt, and betrayal of a time in history when loyalty was demanded, the barriers of class were strictly defined, and the right to tell one’s own story was non-existent.
Director Simon Prast steers this personal drama, a commentary on class and the monarchy, into an unmissable night of theatre, with an exceptional cast. Needless to say, another Tadpole masterpiece not to be missed.
pumphouse.co.nz/whats-on/show/the-queens-nanny
Catherine has worked in grant-making and philanthropy for over 30 years, with roles as an advisor or assessor with Creative New Zealand, Lottery Grants Board, Foundation North, and currently at Auckland Council. She also understands the other side of the arts funding equation from her time spent in fundraising and development for Q Theatre. Passionate about the arts from a young age, she has three adult children who have worked in theatres throughout Aotearoa in a variety of roles, both behind the scenes and on stage. Catherine will speak about the often-unseen value of the arts and why arts funding is so important to our communities.
pumphouse.co.nz/whats-on/show/creative-talks-catherine-george
Various times
Step into a hauntingly beautiful world where ancient myth meets modern music and youthful spirit. Hadestown Teen Edition follows the timeless story of Orpheus and Eurydice, two young souls searching for hope in a world divided between earth and the underworld.
With a spellbinding folk-inspired score and storytelling that feels both classic and alive, this reimagined version invites teen performers and audiences alike into a journey of love, trust and courage. When fate, temptation and doubt threaten to pull them apart, the question remains: can music carry a heart back from the darkness?
Experience a little StageAntics sparkle as powerful voices, bold movement, and theatrical magic bring this modern myth to life. Heartfelt, raw, and irresistibly theatrical, Hadestown Teen Edition is a story that reminds us that even in the deepest underground, hope can still grow.
pumphouse.co.nz/whats-on/show/hadestown-teen-edition
Various times
Company of Giants presents a wild and wonderful collection of acts celebrating the extraordinary and the ordinary in our own backyard. Songs, poetry, mime performed by a troupe of puppets, animals, clowns and flowers. Explore the familiarity of the domestic and the mundane, draped in a blanket of glitter. An untamed ride of wonder and delight. Your heart will quicken, and your eyes will glow. Wear your best dress! There’ll be hats at the door.
pumphouse.co.nz/whats-on/show/a-vaudeville-of-flowers
Roll up to The Biggest Drag Carnival Circus, returning with a brand new, supercharged spectacular!
After three years of sold-out crowds and rave reviews, this year’s production raises the bar with even more glitter, thrills, and fabulous chaos. Expect a high-energy blend of comedy, jaw-dropping daredevil acts, dazzling drag performers, powerhouse vocalists, and electrifying dancers. This is a show designed for everyone – from circus lovers to drag fanatics to anyone who just wants an unforgettable night out in Takapuna.
Plus $500 worth of prizes will be given away on the night!
pumphouse.co.nz/whats-on/show/biggest-drag-carnival-circus
Actor, director, and New Zealand Arts Laureate, Michael Hurst has enjoyed a successful career in theatre, film, and television spanning over 40 years. He is a well-known name in the arts. Michael also has a long-time connection with The PumpHouse Theatre. In 1991, he played Richard in Richard III, produced by the PumpHouse Winter Shakespeare Committee. Michael will be sharing some of his acting anecdotes and memories of performing at The PumpHouse over the years.
pumphouse.co.nz/whats-on/show/creative-talks-michael-hurst
7.30pm - Fri 18, Sat 19, Wed 23, Thurs 24, Fri 25, Sat 26, Wed 20 Sep, Thurs 1, Fri 2 Oct
2pm - Sat 19, Sun 20, Sat 26, Sun 27 Sep
Fifty years since its first performance, Phoenix Theatre proudly presents Roger Hall’s smash hit Glide Time, the play that inspired the TV classic Gliding On. Step back into a time when office chairs squeaked, memos were handwritten, and the tea break was sacred. This beloved Kiwi comedy brings the quirks of 1970s public service life to the stage with razor-sharp wit, painfully familiar characters, and laugh-out-loud moments that still hit home today. Whether you once worked in a government office or just love a smart, character-driven comedy, you’ll recognise the personalities, politics, and passive-aggressive paper shuffling that define life behind the desk. It’s a workplace time capsule full of charm, chaos, and classic Kiwi humour. But this is more than just a comedy; it’s a slice of New Zealand’s cultural history. First performed in 1976 and still as relevant as ever, this play captures a moment in time with humour, heart and honesty. It’s a celebration of everyday people, of workplaces that frustrate and comfort in equal measure, and of finding laughter in the small moments. As we mark 50 years since its debut, this is your chance to experience (or re-experience) a true Kiwi classic, live on stage.
pumphouse.co.nz/whats-on/show/glide-time-by-roger-hall
South Island-born Darrell plays the cornet, trumpet and flugelhorn, and is a member of the North Shore Concert Band. For 35 years, he worked for a Swiss engineering company, which researched, manufactured and marketed joint replacement prostheses, requiring travel to Switzerland once or twice each year. At various social functions and events, there were Swiss alphorn players. He got to try and play one on a few occasions, and so it became his dream to own one… In 2019, the dream came true. Darrell will share the story of the Swiss alphorn, how he became a very proud owner of one and bring his ‘prized possession’ to show and even play for us!
pumphouse.co.nz/whats-on/show/creative-talks-darrell-daglish
Richard is a Councillor for the North Shore on the Auckland Council and Chair of the Policy, Planning and Development Committee. He has led much of the Council’s major policies and strategies, such as the Future Development Strategy, Economic Development Strategy and Te Tāruke-ā-Tāwhiri: Auckland’s Climate Plan. Richard is a big supporter of the arts across Tāmaki Makaurau and the Shore. He credits his background in communications, some very amateur stand-up comedy experience, and even winning the drama cup in high school, for setting him up with many creative skills that help him do this job, respond to media, and chair a passionate bunch of personalities around the council table. He says, “There is theatre in everything, and there sure is a lot in politics!”
pumphouse.co.nz/whats-on/show/creative-talks-richard-hills
Three performances: 11am, 2pm and 4pm
Returning to The PumpHouse Theatre just in time for Hallowe'en! An all-new show along with some old favourites, like the Doves, Chihuahua and Rabbits. But watch out for the Monkeys! A fast-paced show full of Magic, audience participation and comedy, plus spectacular Illusions. Dress up in your favourite costume!
Prizes and Giveaways: Every ticket sold is in the draw to win a Magic Set! (5 per show).
pumphouse.co.nz/whats-on/show/tricks-n-treats-2026
