Describing it as “uncovering a hidden story of our history”, filmmaker Tearepa Kahi (POI E: The story of our song, MURU) says his new film, SGT. HAANE, came about through a series of “happy accidents”.

The film traces the story of 28th Māori Battalion soldier Haane Manahi who leads a small band of B Company soldiers – all cousins – up a 300m cliff face in a surprise attack on an enemy post and changes the course of World War II in North Africa.

SGT HAANE weaves together dramatic reconstruction, intimate documentary testimony and rare wartime footage and had its world premiere in Rotorua on the 83rd anniversary of the event. The film is screening in cinemas now. We caught up with Tearepa to talk about bringing Haane Manahi’s story to the screen.

Described as a “high-risk dance duet”, An Honest Conversation was created by Wellington dancer Sacha Copland in 2021 and this month marks the 21st conversation.

Every performance features two dancers who dance, talk and attempt to be as honest as possible in a completely improvised one-hour duet.

We sit down with Sacha for a chat about honest conversation and bravery in creativity.

It’s with heavy hearts that today we share news of the passing of arts rangatira Carla van Zon ONZM (1952-2026). Much-loved and respected by the arts community in Aotearoa and internationally, Carla worked for the Aotearoa New Zealand Festival of the Arts for 20+ years including as artistic director (2002-2006).
Moe mai rā e te tuhi māreikura

Together with his brother Caspar and father Thomas, Geronimo LaHood plays a supporting role in Speed Is Emotional, the theatre 'extravaganza' created and performed by his mother Jo Randerson which had its Wellington premiere in the 2026 Aotearoa New Zealand Festival of the Arts.

We catch up with Geronimo (18) to talk about being on stage with whānau, his passion for violin, and learning sign language.

The Aotearoa New Zealand Festival of the Arts is filled with many family connections among performers. When Waiora Te Ūkaipō – The Homeland playwright and director Hone Kouka needed a sound composer for the restaging of the play, he looked to his daughter Maarire Brunning-Kouka (pictured). As one of Aotearoa’s most exciting new artists, Maarire (MĀ) also features in the Festival programme in her own show.

We caught up with the very busy father-daughter pair in the midst of their rehearsals and performances.

Winner of the 2024 Lexus Song Quest, Katie Trigg has recently joined LA Opera as a Domingo-Colburn-Stein Young Artist and will feature in upcoming seasons of Akhnaten and The Magic Flute. With a busy schedule of classes, rehearsals and recitals, we managed to catch up with Katie from her new base in Los Angeles.

A core part of the 2026 Festival, the Access Programme offers specific events for those with access needs, ranging from NZSL-interpreted shows,, audio-described performances, , relaxed performances, discounted tickets for people with access needs, accessible pricing including Choose Your Price I Kōwhiria Tō Utu and TIX for $20, along with additional resources and personalised assistance.

Our Access Programme producers Sameena Zehra and Helen Fletcher are at the heart of the programme, working with access communities and finding solutions to help break down barriers and ensure the Festival is inclusive for everyone.

Celebrated author Dr Rachel Buchanan (Taranaki iwi Te Ātiawa, Taranaki Whānui ki Te Upoko o Te Ika) features in two sessions at the weekend Writer’s programme at the Tāwhiri Warehouse during the 2026 Festival. We catch up with her from her base in Naarm/Melbourne.

Our annual summer reading list from Unity Books this year challenges us to take time to read books which “demand more” from us. Thanks to Unity Books Wellington Manager Susanna Andrew for curating this list for us. Unity Books is our Official Bookseller for the Writers Programme at the 2026 Aotearoa New Zealand Festival of the Arts.