10 albums in 10 years in 10 different genres - that was Troy Kingi’s goal. But after the release of the seventh album - 2023’s ambient instrumental vibe album Timewasters - he’s admitted in a new TVNZ series Desert Hīkoi it was “starting to feel a bit stale.” He had been feeling a creative block.

Desert Hīkoi follows Kingi on his creative and spiritual journey with his band to regain his mojo.

The 2024 NZ Children’s Music Awards have been announced with the NZ On Air Best Children’s Music Video awarded to a two minute ode to flatulence. 

‘Let it Out’ by Don McGlashan and Harry Sinclair, featuring Tami Neilson,  is from the pair’s hit claymation TV series Kiri and Lou.

Arts News for 5 May 2024

In early 2021 writer Stuart McKenzie and director Miranda Harcourt’s verbatim play Transmission opened to sell-out houses at Pōneke’s small, dynamic BATS Theatre. Fast forward three years and a sequel Transmission Beta is about to premiere. And it’s a quite different, more complex story. 

McKenzie and Dame Miranda joined Mark Amery on RNZ’s Culture 101.

Festival Opera is celebrating 10 years of introducing, training and supporting young people in the opera through the Project Prima Volta community programme in Hawkes Bay.

Known for its surf and beaches, Mangawhai may not strike you as a hub for arts and culture. But locals are extremely proud of the modern museum which celebrates the town’s rich history, life around the harbour and the fight to save the endangered fairy tern.

Hamiltonians are getting the last laugh as the first-ever comedy club in the city is opening this month. Coinciding with the Comedy Festival, Last Laugh Comedy Club is the only comedy club in the Waikato region.

Actor, director and writer John Davies is celebrating 50 years in theatre with a national solo tour. Te Tupua - The Goblin is travelling to 16 regional centres, with Davies playing nine characters in English and te reo Māori.

The closure of the City Gallery building won't stop it from bringing art to the capital, its boss says.

A familiar face from stage and screen in New Zealand and Australia, Sara Wiseman is on stage with ATC for the first time in 20 years, as Dr Lorna James in The Effect.