Help support award-winning choreographer and dancer @oli_sen to develop a groundbreaking new dance work, ‘Just Between Me and Jesus’, with seven incredible dancers.
Commissioned by La Biennale di Venezia, they are partnering with Auckland Live, Te Ahurei Toi o Tāmaki Auckland Arts Festival, Perth Festival, Sydney Opera House, and Copenhagen-based Teater V, all uniting to back this Aotearoa work on the global stage.
Oli pitched this work at the PANNZ Arts Market 2026 and we're so thrilled to see the huge support for it already!
Donations will be used to cover artist fees, rehearsal costs, and production development, helping to take this performance from Aotearoa to Venice.
Find out more and donate to the fundraising campaign here: https://givealittle.co.nz/cause/biennale
Last week our CEO Louies Gallagher had the joy of visiting Wānaka for some work with @festivalofcolour - Te Kaupeka Rau. While there she visited the stunning new theatre in Cromwell: Te Puna Mahara - Cromwell Memorial Events Centre, set on the shores of spectacular Lake Dunstan.
The landmark facility features a 400-seat theatre, 40-seat cinema, dance studio, café and bar. Te Puna Mahara is set to open in July – we can’t wait!
Pictured: Louise with Marco Creemers and Festival of Colour team Daz Coppins, James Wilson, and Sophie Kelly.
The @aklwritersfest kicks off today and this Saturday and Sunday you can catch Betsy Balloon, which was pitched at this years PANNZ Arts Market.
Betsy Balloon is a rambunctious modern fable presented as a staged reading with original music and illustration based on a story by Bill Manhire.
There’s also a few other familiar names in this year’s Writers Festival – get along to see Victor Rodger, Jo Randerson and Tusiata Avia.
Check their events and more out now at www.writersfestival.co.nz
*OPPORTUNITY*
@nzfringe is on the lookout for their next Fringe Director!
The Fringe Director is responsible for the year-round leadership, planning, and delivery of NZ Fringe alongside other events and activations. As an open-access festival, NZ Fringe creates the systems, infrastructure, and support that enable artists to participate successfully and connect with audiences.
Applications close Monday 25 May.
For more information and to apply visit: www.fringe.co.nz/about-us/apply
We’re delighted that Binge Culture’s Werewolf and Trick of the Light Theatre’s The Bookbinder and Suitcase Show are all heading to Aberdeen Performing Arts as part of their International Season, alongside works from Denmark, Australia and Sweden.
It’s fantastic to continue building our relationship with Chief Executive Sharon Burgess and her team. Sharon attended the PANNZ Arts Market in 2025, and last year we had the pleasure of visiting Aberdeen Performing Arts’ venues in Aberdeen.
We look forward to working more with Aberdeen Performing Arts in the future.
Find our more about Aberdeen Performing Arts International Season here: /international-season/
Applications are now open for ISPA's Aotearoa New Zealand Pacific Fellowship for 2027 – 2029!
The International Society for the Performing Arts’ (@ispaglobal ) Aotearoa New Zealand Pacific Fellowship in partnership with Creative New Zealand’s Pacific Arts Strategy provides three-year access to ISPA’s extensive international network of arts professionals to three mid-career leaders of Pacific Islands heritage from Aotearoa's performing arts community.
Participants join the ISPA membership and attend the ISPA Congresses where they engage in the development and exchange of ideas with leaders from some of the world's most significant presenting organisations, producing companies, artist management agencies, cultural policy groups, foundations, festivals, and related professionals.
Applications close Saturday 6 June 9AM NZT.
To find out more and apply visit: /page/fellowship_landing
From Aotearoa to Scotland.
Werewolf Binge Culture is heading overseas, with upcoming performances in Aberdeen and at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
After being pitched at the PANNZ Arts Market and touring Aotearoa through the PANNZ Touring Programme, this immersive horror comedy continues its journey on international stages.
#PANNZ #NZArts #OnTour #AotearoaArts #Theatre #LivePerformance #EdinburghFringe
We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Carla van Zon ONZM.
We want to acknowledge the pathway builder Carla was, that has allowed all of us to follow. Her passion and generosity helped shape the arts industry as it is today, what an incredible ambassador she was. We were fortunate enough to have had a wonderful relationship with Carla, who loved and followed what we were doing, we often would share stories and tips of where to go (holidays more so!).
We’d also like to acknowledge what an important role Carla played with members of our team, particularly Emily Hakaraia and Dolina Wehipeihana, who were close to Carla.
We want to extend our condolences to her whānau, friends and to all of those in the arts who knew her.
A true champion to the arts, Carla leaves behind an incredible legacy. Moe mai rā.
From Aotearoa to Scotland.
Suitcase Show by @trickofthelightnz is heading overseas, with upcoming performances in Orkney and Aberdeen.
After touring Aotearoa through the PANNZ Touring Programme, this inventive, transportable work continues its journey on international stages. What a delight to see.
#PANNZ #NZArts #ontour #theatre #liveperformance #trickofthelight
From Aotearoa to Canada.
@upucollective has just wrapped an eight city tour across Canada, taking Māori and Pasifika poetry to international stages.
We’re so proud of them.
#PANNZ #NZArts #OnTour #AotearoaArts #PacificVoices #MāoriArts #PasifikaArts #Theatre #LivePerformance
Another congratulations – This time for @theartsnz 's 2026 Springboard Award recipients! Springboard supports early-career artists with a cash gift, mentorship, and a community behind them.
The 2026 recipients are: A.J Manaaki Hope, Erika Holm, Flora Feltham, Isabella Loudon, Isla Huia, Isla Macleod, Jaime Jenkins, Jess Chambers, Lyncia Muller, Mia Maramara, Scarlett Robinson-Kean, Sean Dioneda Rivera, Sefa Tunupopo, Steven Junil Park 박준일, Te Huamanuka Luiten-Apirana and Tony Guo.
More info at https://www.thearts.co.nz/awards/springboard-award
Congratulations to the winners of @playmarketnz 's 2026 Adam NZ Play Awards! The awards recognise the best in new unproduced writing for the Aotearoa theatre.
Winner of the Adam NZ Play Award for Best Play:
LIAM HINTON for passionfruits
Runner Up for Best Play:
ALEX MACDONALD for Sundance
Best Play by a Woman, Trans or Non-Binary Playwright:
KERRY LANE for The Treehouse
Best Play by a Māori Playwright:
TAWHI THOMAS for Haere
