A centuries-old Polynesian waka buried beneath coastal dunes on Rēkohu Chatham Islands remains at severe risk of washing out to sea, with excavation plans delayed until late 2027 by the Ministry for Culture and Heritage. Excavation Timeline Delayed to Late 2027 Amid Erosion Threats The Ministry for Culture and Heritage plans to resume full excavation … Read more
Comedian, actor, and musician Jonny Brugh is tackling another middle-aged character role in the upcoming feature film Mum, I’m Alien Pregnant, reflecting on a decades-long career that spans from playing to drunken university crowds in the 1990s to international screen success, according to recent interview statements. From 1990s Student Gigs to Screen Success Brugh began … Read more
Indigenous Stories, a free augmented reality experience created by White Snake Projects, is bringing Native perspectives to Boston’s historic Freedom Trail using a phone-based app, according to the activist performance company. The project combines music, storytelling, and augmented reality to present original performances by Indigenous artists at landmarks such as the Old State House. Bringing … Read more
Sir Sam Neill completed final film projects before his death from pneumonia last month at age 78, including a live-action adaptation of Nintendo’s The Legend of Zelda, according to entertainment news outlet Deadline. The late New Zealand screen icon wrapped filming on the major studio production in April, securing a posthumous big-screen release scheduled for … Read more
Wellington-based lawyer and author Asher Emanuel has emerged with one of the most talked-about books of the year, exposing the realities of New Zealand’s criminal justice system in his investigative work, The Valley. Published by Bridget Williams Books, the book examines aspects of the legal system that rarely capture mainstream headlines, highlighting systemic issues and … Read more
According to 1News, Auckland’s underground Karanga-a-Hape Station hosted performances by artists including Kween Kong and Jaycee from the Kiki House of Iman ahead of the $5.5 billion City Rail Link project opening next month. The event brought local arts and rainbow communities 33 metres below Karangahape Road to celebrate the upcoming transit milestone. Community Celebrations … Read more
Cinema operators in Australia and New Zealand are seeing a post-pandemic recovery driven by both traditional blockbusters and the rise of independent, internet-native films. According to Hoyts Group chief executive Damien Keogh, 2024 box office figures are tracking to be the strongest since the onset of Covid-19, as younger audiences increasingly seek out the social … Read more
Popular clinical psychologist and author Nigel Latta has been posthumously recognised with the Special Achievement Award at the Aotearoa NZ Book Industry Awards held on Saturday night. The Special Achievement Award was accepted on Latta's behalf by his wife, Dr Natalie Flynn. Dr Flynn noted that the recognition reminded her of how well-loved Latta was … Read more
Twenty-six New Zealand authors secured spots on the 2026 Whitcoulls Top 100 Books List, marking the strongest domestic performance in the list’s nearly 30-year history. According to Whitcoulls book manager Joan Mackenzie, the results reflect a record number of votes and a surge in reader interest for local voices and relatable storytelling. The Rise of … Read more
A portrait by Charles Frederick Goldie, missing from public view for over a century, is expected to fetch approximately $420,000 at an upcoming sale. Titled Lost in Thought, Ngāheke, An Arawa Chieftain, the painting resurfaced in Australia in 2020 after its last recorded exhibition in 1917. NZ artbroker director Jen McBride confirmed the artwork’s authenticity … Read more