Personalities
What home can be
We caught up with Jacqueline Coats, who has worked as a director, assistant director, and staging director for opera and theatre companies, festivals, and orchestras across the motu, about Voices New Zealand’s upcoming immersive concert Horizons.
Wellington Silver Screeners: Lola McLeod-Riera and Flynn Biara Allan
Following two girls trapped in a war zone who are suddenly confronted by a film crew wanting to exploit their trauma, Tuned Out was awarded the overall winner of the 2023 New Zealand Youth Film Festival. I caught up with the filmmakers of tomorrow, Flynn Biara Allan and Lola McLeod-Riera.
How music feeds the soul
This September, Music Therapy New Zealand will celebrate their 50th anniversary with a two-day conference. We caught up with speaker and music therapist Carlos Riegelhaupt Landreani about his journey to the profession – and the intersect between music and psychedelic therapy.
Wellington Silver Screeners: Ana Scotney
Actress and filmmaker Ana Scotney has her branches stretched out across Aotearoa’s creative scene. With plenty of past projects laying the groundwork for her future endeavours, watch this Wellingtonian continue to bloom.
Raising the bar
We caught up with 20-year-old Petone local Tiaki Freeman, who heads to Malta this month to represent New Zealand at the World Classic & Equipped Sub-Junior & Junior Powerlifting Championships.
Get on board
New Zealand’s current Scrabble champion Howard Warner gives us tactics, tricks, and the inside Scrabble scoop.
Trips down memory lane
Henry Brittain of Wellington Tramway Museum has been awarded a King’s Service Medal. Read on for fascinating stories about how life in Wellington used to be: when nary a car was in sight and everyone rode the tram to work.
Revel in the ultimate night out
We caught up with aerialist, pianist, and accordionist Jackson Cordery about his new variety cabaret and sky-high career soaring through venues of all shapes and sizes across Pōneke, Aotearoa, and beyond.
Wellington Silver Screeners: Adi Parige
During the pandemic, filmmaker Adi Parige dove deep into a rabbit hole about Indians in the Antipodes. This led him to reconnecting with his birth country of Aotearoa and embarking on a journey across the Pacific to shoot his short film The Lascar along Wellington’s South Coast.
On words, comedy, and community
We caught up with stand-up comedian and MC Jerome Chandrahasen about all things comedy, including his upcoming NZ International Comedy Festival solo show On Words.
Wellington Silver Screeners: Kristy Grant
Providing educational opportunities and production spaces for filmmakers across the Wellington Region, it comes as no surprise that Lane Street Studios director Kristy Grant received a nomination for Wellingtonian of the Year.
Working with Mother Nature
We caught up with Yotam and Niva Kay about their organic market garden and farm Pākaraka Permaculture, their books The Abundant Garden and The Abundant Kitchen, and Yotam’s upcoming appearance at the Featherston Booktown Karukatea Festival.
Because you asked for it
We had the pleasure of catching up with Annie Crummer MNZM about the upcoming reunion of When the Cat’s Away and her prolific career as one of Aotearoa’s best-loved and most-travelled voices.
The language of ballet
Royal New Zealand Ballet’s new artistic director Ty King-Wall returns to Aotearoa following an illustrious career in Australia. We asked him all about then, now, and the stacked 2024 programme.
Storytelling magic
Adding the title of director to her already impressive resume, Kiwi icon Rachel House presents her new film The Mountain, a story of friendship, loss, and the magic of nature.
Welcoming a new kaitiaki
As the first woman dean of Wellington Cathedral of St Paul, Katie Lawrence is making it her mission to welcome Pōneke’s diverse and vibrant community with open arms.
All in
We caught up with L.A.B singer and guitarist Joel Shadbolt ahead of the band’s upcoming album release and headline set at Kiwi music’s biggest party, Jim Beam Homegrown.
Treats for days
According to Rob Brydon, Nick Rado “must be stopped”. He’s too funny a comedian! We chat with the Porirua-born writer and radio host about his stand-up career and new comedy special Live from Jeff’s Garage.
This is why I’m here
This April, world-renowned Australian guitarist Tommy Emmanuel will share songs, stories, and highlights from his illustrious career with Wellington audiences. Here’s a teaser!
Constant music
Leilani Aaron Woodmore is the youngest entrant to ever win the Compose Aotearoa! national choral composition competition. Just after Leilani Aaron took home the accolade, we chatted about all things music and more.
Weaving words and worlds of magic
We caught up with author Jessica Jayne Webb about her debut novel The Secrets of Wilderfort Castle, a historical fantasy that she’ll launch at Schrödinger’s Books in Petone on the 18th of November.
Wellington Silver Screeners: Luke Ross
In this edition of Wellington Silver Screeners, Alessia Belsito-Riera chats with Wellingtonian Luke Ross, an experienced colourist, about directing, his new short film, and his commitment to creating content that focuses on social change and sustainability.
Transcendent, Twirly dance
Emma Memma is boarding her Green Plane and bringing her Twirly Tour to New Zealand! We chat with the Australian dancer, singer, filmmaker, actress, author, and former Yellow Wiggle Emma Watkins about the show and her prolific career in children’s entertainment.
Wellington Silver Screeners: Thomas Coppell
In this edition of Wellington Silver Screeners, Alessia Belsito-Riera chats with Wellingtonian Thomas Coppell about becoming a filmmaker in the capital, their TVNZ show Little Apocalypse, and the importance of queer representation in all its forms.
The perpetual learner
Jack Giles has been accepted to the prestigious Barcelona Academy of Art to study classical drawing and painting. He can’t wait to see all the old masters in person and immerse himself in the culture.
Wellington Silver Screeners: Halaifonua Finau
In this edition of Wellington Silver Screeners, Alessia Belsito-Riera chats with Wellingtonian Halaifonua Finau, writer and producer of Red, White and Brass.
The winding road so far
Australian soul blues band The Teskey Brothers are on their Winding Way to New Zealand with their expansive new studio album. We caught up with Sam Teskey ahead of the tour.
A queer pirate punk Shakespearean musical
What if all the Antonios that Shakespeare wrote were in fact the same person? Ania Upstill’s original queer pirate punk Shakespearean musical Antonio! asks that very question.
Wellington Silver Screeners: Tin Whistle Collective
In our new Wellington Silver Screeners series, Alessia Belsito-Riera shines a spotlight on the movers and shakers working in the film capital of New Zealand.
Pathos, punchlines, and one purple puppet
After puppeteering a colossal career in stand-up comedy, Randy Feltface is bringing his latest show Feltopia to Wellington.
Into the light – ki te marama
Urban Art Foundation creative director Andrew Hagen has had a long and successful career in music, film, and now the arts! He tells us about Urban Art Foundation’s newest venture with Parliament TV, bringing art to screens across Aotearoa.
Celebrating 200 issues
We can’t quite believe it, but this is our 200th issue! We’re so thrilled to be marking this milestone and wanted to take this opportunity to share more about how we got here.
A whale of a tale
16-year-old Kapiti Coast local Arlo Kelly has been announced as one of the youngest-ever finalists in the 2023 New Zealand Book Awards for Children & Young Adults for his debut novel Echo.
Of monsters and men
A new creature feature called The Tank has joined the ranks of New Zealand’s filmmaking legacy. We caught up with writer, director, and producer Scott Walker to hear what he had to say about making a horror film in the middle of the pandemic completely.
Emerging theatre companies of Wellington – PopRox
Next up in our emerging theatre companies of Wellington series, we meet PopRox.
A perfectly pitched page-turner
Lauren Keenan (Te Āti Awa ki Taranaki) is a writer, reader, and doer of new things who has just won the 2023 NZ Booklovers Award for Best Junior Fiction Book for Amorangi and Millie’s Trip Through Time.
190, flirty, and thriving
Ahead of his NZ International Comedy Festival appearance, we interviewed 190-year-old vampire Deacon about what he does in the shadows.
10 out of 10cc
We caught up with 10CC frontman Graham Gouldman ahead of the Ultimate Greatest Hits Tour in Wellington, where the UK legends will play I’m Not In Love, Dreadlock Holiday, and more.
Emerging theatre companies of Wellington – Squash Co Arts Collective
Next up in our new emerging theatre companies of Wellington series, we meet Squash Co Arts Collective.
Meet Lynley Dodd and Friends
We had the pleasure of interviewing Dame Lynley Dodd, known the world over for her beloved series Hairy Maclary and Friends, about her illustrious career and upcoming appearance at Featherston Booktown.
Stand-up and self-love
Award-winning comedian and actor Kura Forrester talks about dogs, hearing aids, dating, and more in her new show Here If You Need this NZ International Comedy Festival.
Emerging theatre companies of Wellington – Knot Theatre
Next up in our new emerging theatre companies of Wellington series, we meet Knot Theatre.
The maker of dreams
Glitter, queerness, and whakapapa combine in a beautiful “world-bending” practice to make up renowned Kiwi artist Reuben Paterson’s largest exhibition to date.
Every athlete is an artist
In 2020 Wellingtonian Zakea Page won the Winter Youth Olympic Games medal design competition and did a live painting performance at the opening ceremony. This year he is part of the judges panel, while his film about his experience is winning awards in the international festival circuit.
Emerging theatre companies of Wellington – Horse with No Name
Next up in our new emerging theatre companies of Wellington series, we meet Horse with No Name.
Marking a massive milestone
The Rodger Fox Big Band celebrates their 50th anniversary this year with The Big Drum Off Concert Tour. We caught up with trombone legend and bandleader Rodger Fox about the last 50 years and what’s up next.
Emerging theatre companies of Wellington – Heartbreakers
First up in our new emerging theatre companies of Wellington series, we meet Heartbreakers.
Finding and forging his voice
We caught up with highly acclaimed and accomplished writer Chris Tse, the New Zealand Poet Laureate for 2022-2024.
From Wellington to Berlin
We chat with Matthew Di Leva, who has autism and ADHD and has been selected to represent New Zealand in athletics at the 2023 Berlin Special Olympics.
Swim for the stars
Olympic swimmer and Commonwealth Games gold medallist Lewis Clareburt chats about his swimming career, achievements, and his role inspiring the next generation in the third instalment of our Wellington sportspeople series.
Smoke and shadows, tours and trickery
Trick of the Light celebrates their 10th birthday this November. We caught up with playwright Ralph McCubbin Howell, the co-founder of the theatre company, to look back on the last decade and look forward to the next.
Mixologists of Wellington: Jameskingi Campbell – Le Café Plum
In our new Mixologists of Wellington series, we visit popular local establishments to find out about the craft of cocktails and the people who make them.
Urzila Carlson gets personal
One of Australia and New Zealand’s biggest comedy names, Urzila Carlson is bringing her latest comedy show It’s Personal to Wellington this November.
Where stories are told
Sarah Bolland is the co-director of The Cuba Press in Wellington. We caught up to chat about the ins and outs of running an independent publishing house as part of a small team of just three.
I’m going to be an All Black
Retired All Black wing Cory Jane talks about his rugby career, highlights, and achievements, as well as his coaching role at the Hurricanes in the second instalment of our Wellington sportspeople series.
Comedy and community
Lesa MacLeod-Whiting is a comedian, improviser, mum, and semi-professional-amateur-dance-enthusiast who co-runs Shut Up & Dance by day and slays on the stand-up stage by night.
Chefs of Wellington: Nathan Auld
Alessia Belsito-Riera chats to Nathan Auld, the head chef of Burmese restaurant Mabel’s on Tory Street.
I’m just Stevie
We caught up with well-known Wellington performer Stevie Hancox-Monk to talk about fundraising for top surgery, the waitlist for which is up to 20 years long, and what role the arts have played in their journey so far.
Bringing Broadway to Wellington
Sandy Brewer founded Capital Theatre Trust to plug the gap in the local scene for large-scale musical theatre produced by and for Wellington. The first spectacular production is Les Misérables.
Rising to the challenge
Wellington Phoenix and All Whites midfielder Clayton Lewis talks about his football career, highlights, achievements, future, and more in the first instalment of our new Wellington sportspeople series.
25 years of standout storytelling and stand-up
Rhys Darby, one of New Zealand’s most successful comedy exports, tours New Zealand for the first time in five years with a retrospective show that celebrates an exceptional quarter-century in the industry.
Chefs of Wellington: Gabriele Cagnetta
Alessia Belsito-Riera chats to Gabriele Cagnetta, the head chef of Mediterranean Foods Trattoria & Deli in Newtown.
Chefs of Wellington: Hasan Alwarhani and Flora Quintana
Alessia Belsito-Riera chats to head chefs Hasan Alwarhani and Flora Quintana of Syrian restaurant Damascus, located in the Vogelmorn Bowling Club in Brooklyn.
Ana Sciascia is Porirua proud
New director of Pātaka Art + Museum in Porirua, Ana Sciascia, opens up about her love for the local region and her exciting new position.
James Roque keeps knocking
James Roque – aka the Filipino stepson of New Zealand comedy – returns to our stages with Badong, a brand-new hour of laughs about growing up and finding joy in adulthood.
Chefs of Wellington: Joel Teka
Alessia Belsito-Riera chats to Joel Teka, the head chef of Ethiopian restaurant Mother of Coffee on Left Bank.
Sparking joy with laughter
Dai Henwood has starred in Three’s 7 Days for 13 years. The much-loved TV personality is about to bunk up with seven Kiwi comedians to tour 7 Days Live around the country, hitting Wellington this June.
The arts are what bind us
Regional News caught up with former Governor-General of New Zealand Dame Patsy Reddy, who has been appointed a trustee of the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra (NZSO) Foundation.
Storytelling with food
Lucy Corry is a writer, editor, mother, cook, and published author whose cookbook, Homecooked: Seasonal Recipes for Everyday, has just won the NZ Booklovers Award for Best Lifestyle Book 2022.
Chefs of Wellington: Lucas Tock
Alessia Belsito-Riera chats to 1154 Pastaria’s head chef Lucas Tock.
The peak of Jo Morgan’s passion
Jo Morgan has ridden a motorbike through 110 countries and summited 22 of New Zealand’s 3000-metre-plus mountain peaks. On number 23, Mount Hicks in Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park, she survived an avalanche.
Chefs of Wellington: Kristan Mulcahy – Chow
In our Chefs of Wellington series, we talk to the chefs behind some of our favourite local restaurants. Alessia Belsito-Riera chats to Chow’s head chef Kristan Mulcahy.
Getting to the heart of a culture
Judith Geare MNZM has been at the Goethe-Institut for 38 years and is currently the Leiterin der Sprachabteilung (head of the German Language Department). We caught up with the lover of languages about her passion for teaching and her time at Goethe, which will come to a close when she retires at the end of March.
Chefs of Wellington: Minh Le
We talk to the chefs behind some of Wellington’s favourite local restaurants, starting with Apache owner and head chef Minh Le.
Taking the bull by the horns
Actor Matt Chamberlain, who has played more than 50 onscreen characters and starred in close to 30 stage shows, talks to Regional News about his new play Timber…! at Circa Theatre.
Vanessa Stacey’s big vision for Fringe
We sat down with multimedia artist Vanessa Stacey to chat about her appointment as director of the 2022 New Zealand Fringe Festival.
Behind the Water Tiger with T-Wei
Leah Maclean chats with artist T-Wei, who developed the Wellington Lunar New Year Water Tiger artwork, about his inspiration and creative process.
Street performers: Trent H Baumann and Sachie Mikawa, aka The Birdmann and Egg
We caught up with The Birdmann and Egg, who met 10 years ago in a fateful carpark and have since collectively performed in over 20 countries.
Gabby Anderson on the gift of comedy
Local comedian, improvisor, and teacher Gabby Anderson has been nominated for the prestigious Billy T Award.
Street performers: Jarrod ‘Woody’ Wood
Do you know there is a magic tree that plays flute around the streets of Wellington? Ever wondered why? We met the man behind the tree, Jarrod ‘Woody’ Wood, to find out.
Shane Kidby is Walking With Wings
Shane Kidby has started an epic mission: traversing Aotearoa’s 15,000-kilometre coastline to raise funds for cystic fibrosis and mental health.
Emma Louise’s journey of movement
10 years ago, Emma Louise went to her first pole dance class. What began as a bit of a laugh turned not only into her passion, but a profession too.
Street performers: Imogen Stone and Zane and Degge Jarvie
We caught up with street performers Imogen Stone and Zane and Degge Jarvie, whose outdoor show Biggest Little Circus has seen them tour Aotearoa and even 13,000 kilometres through Canada.
Music is how Hollie Smith breathes
Soul singer-songwriter Hollie Smith has three number one solo albums to her name and returns to cement her mark on New Zealand’s music landscape with her fourth, Coming In From The Dark.
40 years of Flying Nun
We speak to Flying Nun Records founder Roger Shepherd about the label’s past, present, and future.
Street performers: Matthias Goed
We catch up with Matthias Goed, who grew up in the circus with an elephant in the backyard and specialises in Rola-Bola – which he can balance on while juggling knives or fire!
Street performers: Fraser Hooper
We chat to award-winning clown Fraser Hooper about his decades-long successful career and famous boxing act.
Bringing Māoriness to the world
Pre-lockdown, we sat down with actor, producer, director, and musician Jamie McCaskill to chat about his extensive stage and screen career over a cuppa.
Literally living her dreams
From leaving the Jehovah’s Witnesses to travelling the world, Jillian Webster has found the life she was always searching for. The second book in her climate fiction trilogy, The Burn of a Thousand Suns, came out earlier this month.
Thomasin McKenzie’s big year
We chat to the Jojo Rabbit star about her latest flick The Justice of Bunny King, collaborating with Taika Waititi and Edgar Wright, and her tendency towards darker characters.
Street performers: Mr Fungus
We chat to iconic performer Mr Fungus, the goofy guy with glasses who’s been making an impression on Wellington since his career began in 1984.
Music for people
New Zealand indie-pop superstar BENEE will hit all corners of Aotearoa this August, playing hits like Supalonely and Glitter alongside new tracks at Te Rauparaha Arena in Porirua on the 8th.
A cornucopia of songs and stories
With nearly 400 songs to his name, Kiwi singer-songwriter Greg Johnson has been touring for over three decades and has a heck of a lot of stories to tell. Catch him and his new album, Tilt Your Interior, at Meow this July.
Tim Minchin brings BACK back
We got the chance to chat to internationally renowned entertainer Tim Minchin ahead of his encore return of BACK, a concert tour spanning all four corners of his phenomenal career and eclectic repertoire.
Jacob Rajan on puppetry and pathos
With Indian Ink’s latest work Paradise or the Impermanence of Ice Cream on now, Regional News caught up with the theatre company’s co-founder, prolific actor and playwright Jacob Rajan, about the journey so far.
Libby Hunsdale won’t take no for an answer
Libby Hunsdale is a dancer, an Attitude Award winner, and now a leading lady. With the release of Poppy on the 27th of May, she will become the first lead actor playing a young woman with Down syndrome in a New Zealand feature.
Street performers: Kozo Kaos
We chat to street performer Kozo Kaos (Kozo Komatsubara), a juggler, magician, and circus stunt performer.
Ben Elton catches up with change again
Ben Elton, co-writer of The Young Ones and Blackadder, is officially in New Zealand. Regional News got to chat to the British comedian, playwright, director, author, and (reluctant) actor not once but twice ahead of his stand-up show in Wellington.
Joy Cowley’s second childhood
One of New Zealand’s most successful and prolific children’s authors, Joy Cowley talks to Regional News about her remarkable life and work ahead of the Featherston Booktown Karukatea Festival.
Street performers: Patrick Adderley
We chat to street performer Patrick Adderley, aka Circus Patrick, who can juggle, skate, and fit his body through a tennis racket… while riding a unicycle.
Girl put your lashes on
When business analyst and Made Marion Craft owner Maryanne Cathro puts her lashes on, she transforms into comic chanteuse Constance Craving.
The two stellar careers of Boh Runga
Jewellery designer and stellar* frontwoman Boh Runga talks to Regional News ahead of the band’s performance at the new Wellington music festival Peachy Keen.
Dave Batten headlines very special birthday gig
The Humorous Arts Trust has invested thousands in a new portable ramp that has made the comedy scene more accessible for Dave Batten, who describes himself as more of a sit-down than a stand-up comedian.
300 plays and counting
Murray Lynch ONZM chats to Regional News about nearly 50 years in the theatre industry.
YelloHalo to donate 100% of profits to frontline ambulance officers
YelloHalo CEO Graeme Blake talks about the first social enterprise broadband company in New Zealand.
Anthony Field on 30 years of The Wiggles
The Wiggles are coming to Wellington! We looked back on 30 years of the world’s most popular children’s entertainment group with Anthony ahead of the We’re All Fruit Salad Tour.
Jonathan Mosen wins the Impact Award
Serial volunteer, mentor, and advocate in the disability community Jonathan Mosen MNZM has won the Impact Award at the 2020 Attitude Awards.
Murray Cammick talks music, photography, and his industry-defining magazine
From launching Rip It Up magazine and Wildside Records to his street photography, Murray Cammick ONZM created spaces for Kiwi musicians to thrive.
Giselle Clarkson on illustrating the new Egg & Spoon cookbook
Wellington-based illustrator Giselle Clarkson is known New Zealand over – sometimes as “the biscuit girl”, she laughs.
Pax Assadi talks comedy, COVID, and challenging the status quo
Pax Assadi has been bringing audiences joy since he set out into the world of stand-up in 2012.
Actor, dancer, drummer celebrated at Te Putanga Toi Arts Access Awards
Duncan Armstrong says he is “proud and grateful” to have won this year’s Arts Access PAK’n SAVE Artistic Achievement Award.
Burlesque dancer seeks surgery for rare syndrome
Jayne, also known as Courtney L’amour, describes burlesque as “a sparkly, fabulous artform all about body positivity, creativity, and confidence.” In June 2018, Jayne’s world changed when she felt an intense pain in the side of her ribs during a workout.