Daniel Pengelly spent more than twenty years in theatre as a performer, director, and former artistic director of both The Court Theatre and Centrepoint Theatre before finding a new home in the auction room. Now an award-winning auctioneer with Harcourts, he joins Culture 101 to explore the surprising connections between improv, storytelling and selling houses.

After 15 years as a psychologist, Rachael Mayne decided it was time to take a break and pursue her painting full time. What started out as an escape and hobby has become a second career. Her new exhibition at Turua Gallery, A Letter To Them, takes inspiration from her role as a psychologist and it's an expression of her gratitude to her patients. She speaks with Culture 101 about why she's particularly drawn to painting florals, gardens and nature and balancing her creativity and wellbeing.

For the past 30 years, Kyle Balda has been involved and behind some of the most successful animated films of the century. Serving as supervising animator on Jumanji to directing Minions and Despicable Me 3 for Illumination in Paris. He also worked with Peter Jackson at Weta on the 1996 classic The Frighteners. Now he's in Wellington as keynote speaker and Student Competition President at the Wellington Animation Film Festival, running 19-22 March at the Roxy Cinema. Kyle joins Culture 101 to discuss his career and what draws him to nurturing the next generation of animators.

Thirty-Six is a new play inspired by the viral New York Times article about the 36 questions designed to lead to love. It suggests that intimacy can be accelerated with specific and meaningful questions. Jenny and David meet on a Tinder date with very different agendas, and what unfolds is a flirty, raunchy and revealing night. Winner of Best New Play at the Bay Area Will Glickman Award 2025, it's now on at Circa Theatre starring stars Fern Sutherland (Brokenwood Mysteries), Niwa Whatuira and Anya Tate-Manning. Actor Fern Sutherland and director Yael Gezentsvey discuss bringing the show to the stage.

Internationally renowned UK artist Luke Jeram is known for large scale installations including the global Play Me, I'm Yours piano project. His latest work Helios is currently suspended in the Concert Chamber at Auckland Town Hall. The installation recreates the sun using hundreds of thousands of astro photographs and NASA solar observations, allowing audiences to experience the star up close. Jeram discusses the work and its journey to Aotearoa.

Kristian Lavercombe holds the world record for the most performances in The Rocky Horror Show and is now touring New Zealand as The Narrator.

Country Calendar Producer and narrator Dan Henry reflects on the legacy of the series on its 60th Birthday.

Actor Bronwyn Turei and director Amber Curreen discuss debuting Wet by Dr Tui Matelau.

Journalist, broadcaster and entrepreneur Brodie Kane joins Culture 101 for Fast Favourites.

A new documentary charts the rise of tenor Pene Pati, from South Auckland to some of the world's leading opera stages.