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Regional News is a fortnightly events and entertainment, lifestyle and leisure publication. It is the last remaining free arts newspaper in Greater Wellington, enjoyed by approximately 90,000 readers.

Our eyes are on Wellington events. We cover all aspects of the arts and entertainment industry, from exhibitions and festivals to concerts, theatre, live comedy, and drag shows. We write articles, reviews, and feature stories, interviewing artists from the capital and beyond. As print media increasingly moves away from the arts, we are dedicated to giving creatives a platform to discuss and promote their work.

Articles this issue:

The strength of sisterhood - 230 | Regional News

The strength of sisterhood

Sister Wives, based on an unsettling true story that happened right here in Wellington, will premiere at BATS Theatre from the 16th to the 19th of October.

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Wicked, wonderful, weird - 230 | Regional News

Wicked, wonderful, weird

In a cautionary tale, giants, foxes, trolls, and the obnoxious king of the land collide. Step into The Kingdom of Bling from The Rocky Horror Picture Show creator Richard O’Brien at The Opera House on the 31st of October and Te Raukura ki Kāpiti: Performing Arts Centre on the 1st of November.

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A smorgasbord of shorts - 230 | Regional News

A smorgasbord of shorts

Be voracious, Wellington! Show Me Shorts Film Festival is coming to Wellington’s Light House Cuba cinema between the 16th and 23rd of October to serve up bite-sized morsels of movie magic.

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An Aotearoa legacy - 230 | Regional News

An Aotearoa legacy

In celebration of the life, work, and legacy of Dutch-born photographer Ans Westra, {Suite} Wellington is hosting a series of exhibitions and initiatives over the course of the final three months of 2024.

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Beautifully, brutally honest - 230 | Regional News

Beautifully, brutally honest

Jon Toogood is bringing his first-ever solo album The Last Of The Lonely Gods to life across Aotearoa on a mammoth spring tour that reaches Wellington’s Meow on the 26th of October.

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The magic of the moment - 230 | Regional News

The magic of the moment

World-renowned illusionist Cosentino is coming to town to defy gravity and death in a staggering stage spectacular this spring. Decennium: The Greatest Hits Tour hits St James Theatre on the 29th and 30th of November.

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Testimonials

  •   Congratulations on your marvellous 200th edition with the inspired spread of 200 covers… I appreciate this newspaper very much. It seems like a miracle to have it delivered, connecting us with events and places all around us in this era of change. Obviously a labour of love.  

    – Lynsey, reader, Aro Valley

  •   Regional News is a key part of the cultural infrastructure in the Wellington region: it is the ‘go-to’ publication for information about all upcoming arts and cultural events. Each publication highlights and showcases the rich diversity of culture on offer, from the large to the small.  

    – Kirsten Mason, general manager, Orchestra Wellington

  •   Regional News plays a hugely valuable role in the Wellington and Aotearoa arts industry, as an integral media publication that gives Wellington key access to arts interviews, news, and information. There is very little media throughout the country, especially in Wellington, which covers arts news, and Regional News have always been hugely supportive of the arts community.  

    – Michelle Lafferty, director, Elephant Publicity

  •   No other local publication devotes as significant amount of space to the arts as Regional News. Wellington is the cultural capital of New Zealand and this newspaper truly reflects that. It is a vital part of Wellington’s arts and journalistic ecology.  

    – Salesi Le’ota, publications and events coordinator, Playmarket

  •   Thanks for all the work you're constantly doing for the arts community in Wellington – doesn't go unnoticed!  

    – Lydia Zanetti, Zanetti Productions

  •   Thank you Maddi for all you, Frances, and Regional News do for me and the Wellington arts scene! Truly awesome.  

    – Colleen McColl, publicist

  •   Let us congratulate you on a great publication. Nowhere else out there are the arts so widely and competently covered.  

    – Heather and Richard, readers from Point Howard

  •   Regional News is a great asset for the arts in Wellington. They include an entire page of visual arts coverage in each issue (which I'm sure you'll know is rare for a newspaper).  

    – Simon Gennard, communications and publications manager, Enjoy Contemporary Art Space.

  •   Congrats to Regional News for being singularly the best all round summary of what's going on in the region, by far.  

    – Andrew, president, Wellington Bluegrass Society

  •   I received my first booking from this advert totalling $1400. A huge thank you!  

    – Robin, Red Tussock Motel

  •   The what’s on pages are the first that I read whenever I receive your newspaper and influence my choice of entertainment each month.  

    – Margaret, committee member, festival singers

  •   Regional News is becoming miles away the best organ for information about local events… You have served us – and the Hutt Valley community very well!  

    – Murray Presland, president, Chamber Music Hutt Valley

  •   I’m sitting here with my coffee reading your latest terrific R News. Both my husband and I look forward to each edition. It is packed full of interesting, informative and educational articles not only local but national too.  

    – Anonymous resident, Karori