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.

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.

‘Tis the season to not only be jolly, but to reflect on the year that has been and the year ahead. We asked four artists within the 2026 Aotearoa New Zealand Festival of the Arts programme to share their season wishes – whether it be personal or global.

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.

From finding happiness to her most treasured possession, we catch up with Sally for some quickfire questions.

Renowned dancer, choreographer and co-founder of The New Zealand Dance Company Shona McCullagh performed in the first production of Gloria in 1990. With GLORIA – A Triple Bill featuring in the 2026 Festival, we ask Shona to recall memories from the days of the work’s creation.

Incognito Global debuts the newest iteration of their super-secretive, fine-dining, and immersive performance event, Chapter One, in Aotearoa for a one-night-only experience this November.

Oscar Lavën and Damian Forlong are gearing up for a busy schedule at Wellington Jazz Festival this month with Oscar playing 20 shows and Damian managing 37 gigs.

Hot off acclaimed seasons in Australia, Edinburgh and London, Wellington theatre company EBKM bring Heartbreak Hotel back home for a limited season this month.