Olivia Dean
17 October
Western Springs
Sold-out demand has bumped Olivia Dean’s Auckland show from Spark Arena to the newly transformed Western Springs Bowl, christening the venue’s next chapter. Papua New Guinean artist Kaiit supports. “I’m so excited to return to Australia and New Zealand!” says Dean, celebrating record-breaking NZ chart runs with second album The Art of Loving.
Manawa Ora: Taurite
7–8 October
Q Theatre
Manawa Ora: Taurite brings 20 rangatahi together with artists including Diggy Dupé and Karlos Saunders Tunks, through Ngā Rangatahi Toa’s kaupapa Māori youth development model. Using music, dance and honest storytelling, the production explores balance as a seesaw – life’s highs, lows and the ongoing practice of recalibrating.
Karangahape Art Weekend
18-20 September
K’ Road
Karangahape Road transforms into one giant gallery for the inaugural Karangahape Art Weekend, a free three-day celebration of contemporary art. Galleries, artist-run spaces and studios unite for late-night openings, exhibitions, talks, tours and live music – inviting Aucklanders to wander the iconic street and discover the creative energy anchoring the city’s leading contemporary art district.
We The Young
25 September – 11 October
Various Locations
We The Young returns to Auckland’s city centre with over 25 performances for tamariki and whānau, spanning theatre, music, circus, puppetry and creative play. Highlights include Mario the Maker Magician, Suzy Cato’s Animal Antics, Wonderverse and The Kids’ Election. More than half the events are free!
Pork and Poll Taxes
16-19 September
Aotea Centre
Pork and Poll Taxes returns to the Herald Theatre five years after its sold-out premiere, now reimagined under director Chye-Ling Huang. Written by Talia Pua, the production confronts New Zealand’s Chinese Poll Tax through a story of migration, family, resilience and belonging – restaging one of Aotearoa’s often-overlooked histories.
The Lover and The Collection
3-8 November
TAPAC, Western Springs
Potent Pause Productions marks 25 years with a double bill of Pinter’s The Lover and The Collection – dark comedies of deception, jealousy and illusionary identity. One follows a married couple’s game to revive their stagnant sex life; the other, a fashion designer accused of infidelity by a stranger at his partner’s door. Also showing at the Meteor Theatre, Hamilton, 23-24 October.
Titanic: The Human Story
Until 25 October
Smith & Caughey’s Building
More than a century after the Titanic claimed 1,496 lives, Titanic: The Human Story opens in an Auckland-exclusive season at Smith & Caughey’s Building. Created by Musealia and historian Claes-Göran Wetterholm, the immersive exhibition features genuine artefacts, life-size interior recreations and an audio-guided journey back to 1912.
The Pearl Fishers
23, 25 & 27 September
Kiri Te Kanawa Theatre
The Pearl Fishers returns in a bold new staging set at Pêcheur & Perle, an exclusive resort where image and ambition rule. As old loyalties fracture, this visually stunning NZ Opera and State Opera South Australia co-production reveals a human story of friendship and sacrifice beneath the luxury. One vow. One love. One impossible choice.
