Upcoming Events

Thursday 26 February, 7.30pm

Friday 27 February, 11.30am & 7.30pm

Saturday 28 February, 7.30pm

Te Pou Theatre, Auckland

 

Touch Compass, Aotearoa’s leading disability-led arts organisation, presents: ABILITOPIA + WHITE NOISE, a provocative double bill of contemporary dance-theatre across four performances from 26–28 February at Te Pou Theatre

​

ABILITOPIA, directed by Dr Suzanne Cowan and featuring three dancers alongside a live AI-enabled robot, and WHITE NOISE, a solo work by Alisha McLennan Marler, challenge assumptions about ability and creativity. 

​

This powerful double-bill by Touch Compass brings together two unapologetically creative works that challenge how we see bodies, technology, power, and voices on stage and beyond. Together, ABILITOPIA + WHITE NOISE offer a performance that is intelligent, emotionally charged, and theatrically bold, alive with lived experience and fierce art.

​

ABILITOPIA – Audience Warnings

 

• Strobe/Intense Lighting: Frequent use of AV projection, LED lights, and mirror ball effects may trigger some photosensitive reactions.

• Smoke/Haze: Light haze used throughout to enhance lighting effects.

• AI/Robotics: Presence of an AI-enabled robot on stage; may startle some audience members.

• Thematic content: Explores philosophical, human-technology, and identity questions; includes mature ideas from a disability-led perspective.

• Accessibility: Full wheelchair access available; some live projections and onstage operations may be visually dynamic.

WHITE NOISE – Audience Warnings

• Strobe/Intense Lighting: Colour-changing side lights and moving head wash effects may be visually intense.

• Smoke/Haze: Light haze used to enhance lighting.

• Aerial Performance: White silk hammock aerial work performed above stage; visual height effects may be unsettling for some viewers.

• Reflective Surfaces: Large acrylic mirror panels may create visual distortion or flashes.

• Accessibility: Fully wheelchair accessible; includes dynamic physical performance and aerial movement.

 

Age restrictions: None, parental discretion advised   

​

TICKETS
Tickets can be purchased at the Te Pou Theatre website. Use code TCA11y at checkout to book for 25% off your ticket/s

Saturday 28 February, 7.30pm

Wellington Opera House, Wellington

 

Set in the summer of 1965, Waiora follows Hone, who brings his whānau from the East Cape to the South Island in search of a better life. As they gather for a beachside birthday hāngī with their Pākehā guests, buried secrets and cultural tensions rise to the surface. Far away from home, can they find a place to stand together or will they be set adrift in an ocean of change?

 

Originally premiered 30 years ago by the New Zealand International Festival of the Arts, Waiora is a landmark piece of New Zealand theatre, exploring the impact of colonisation, the urban drift, and the tension between past and future. Written and directed by multi-award-winning Hone Kouka MNZM (Ngāti Porou, Ngāti Raukawa, Ngāti Kahungunu), Waiora is a powerful reflection on family, culture and belonging.

​

Presented in partnership with the Aotearoa New Zealand Festival of the Arts, Te Ahurei Toi o Tāmaki Auckland Arts Festival, Auckland Theatre Company and Tawata Productions.

​

Access Tickets for Waiora Te Ūkaipō – The Homeland are priced at $20. Access tickets are available for anyone who might face barriers to attending shows because of disability or other access needs. You can book an Access Ticket by emailing access@festival.nz.

​

You may be asked some questions about your access needs, such as if you would prefer an aisle seat, if you need to be seated early, if you are coming for NZSL etc. You will also be asked about who else is attending with you, so that all tickets can be booked together if possible.
 

These questions are to help make coming to the show as easy as possible. You don’t have to say what your disability is or give any information about it unless you want to.
 

If you need someone to come with you to support you to attend the show, we may be able to provide you with a companion ticket. This might be a friend, family member, partner, support worker, or someone else who would help make it easier for you to attend the show.

Companion tickets are limited and subject to availability for some events.
For more information or to book a companion ticket contact us by emailing access@festival.nz

Wednesday 4 March, 7.30pm

The Civic, Auckland

 

The World's Favourite Rock n' Roll Musical!

​

Ready to thrill you with fun and naughty moments, Richard O'Brien's legendary rock 'n' roll musical celebrates 50 years of non-stop partying! The longest continuous run of a contemporary musical anywhere in the world, The Rocky Horror Show has been enjoyed by 35 million people and continues to delight audiences on its sell-out international tour.

Everyone's invited to join Brad and Janet for an adventure they'll never forget, featuring timeless classics including "Sweet Transvestite", "Damn it Janet", and of course, the pelvic thrusting show stopping "Time Warp".
​

The Rocky Horror Show is recommended for ages 12 and over. This show contains use of adult language and contains simulated sexual activity, graphic violence and partial nudity. The show contains special effects, the use of haze, strobe and lighting effects

​

This performance of The Rocky Horror Show  is NZSL interpreted. During the performance, trained interpreters will be positioned on stage with the performers. Tickets for these seats are at a discounted price of $62.50 (plus service fees) and a companion ticket is available at the same price. These seats are reserved for d/Deaf patrons wishing to attend the NZSL interpreted performance with a clear view of the stage and interpreters.
Introductory notes in NZSL will be given to attendees at The Civic at 6.00pm.

​

To purchase tickets click on this special link and enter the code SIGNED.

Thursday 5 March, 5.30pm

Aotea Square, Auckland

 

Throw on your dancing shoes and come boogie down with us to the funky, soulful rhythms of Island Vibes. Let it all out and dance like nobody’s watching, then head on out for an opening night show or a hangout at the Festival Garden in the golden hour sunlight. Good vibes, guaranteed!

 

Island Vibes are a nine-piece multi-cultural, multi-disciplinary Pacific funk band. After their feel-good Festival debut in 2025 they return by popular demand, performing both groove classics and raw original songs to launch three weeks of festivities in trademark foot-tapping, hip-moving style.

​

This free event will be NZSL-interpreted, no registration required.

Thursday 5 March, 7.30pm

Rangatira, Q Theatre, Auckland

 

Raised in Wainuiomata, Fonotī Pati Umaga was given two options from his father about his future. Either become a church minister or a lawyer. Determined to follow his own path, however, he followed his heart and chose music. In 2005, everything changed when a fall left him a tetraplegic. Years of hardship followed before finding renewed purpose and healing in places he never expected. Backed by a powerhouse Pacific creative team, Music Portrait of a Humble Disabled Samoan weaves live music, storytelling and visual design into a genre-defying celebration of resilience, hope and the fire music can carry.

​

Access tickets are available online for a special price of $20, and a companion ticket is available for free. To book tickets, please complete this online form.

Friday 6 March, 6pm

Tāwhiri Warehouse, Wellington

 

Weaving the powerful kupu of acclaimed author Tina Makereti and Riki Gooch’s visionary Rangatuone approach to taonga puoro composition, Ā Mua brings a story of Māori futurism to life.

Unfolding through four movements inspired by the Māori creation story, this performance journeys from the elemental to the contemporary, grounded in mātauranga Māori. Taking Māori futurism, whakapapa and taiao as its starting points, Ā Mua spirals and forms connections across time.

Live at the Tāwhiri Warehouse, prepare to be immersed in this spellbinding new work, featuring the incredible artistry of Tina Makereti (author/narrator), Riki Gooch (conductor/composer/taonga puoro), Ruby Solly (cello/taonga puoro), Serenity Thurlow (viola) and Alistair Fraser and Kiva Pirihi (taonga puoro).
 

Access Tickets for Ā Mua are priced at $20. Access tickets are available for anyone who might face barriers to attending shows because of disability or other access needs. You can book an Access Ticket by emailing access@festival.nz or calling Sameena on 04 830 7854.

 

If you need someone to come with you to support you to attend the show, we may be able to provide you with a companion ticket. This might be a friend, family member, partner, support worker, or someone else who would help make it easier for you to attend the show.
 

Companion tickets are limited and subject to availability for some events.

Sunday 8 March, 10am-4pm

Aotea Square, Auckland

​

Join us for a sun-filled day of whānau fun and festival magic!

 

A Festival family favourite and the perfect way for tamariki and their parents to fall in love with the arts in the heart of Tāmaki Makaurau, Whānau Day returns for another year in Aotea – Te Pokapū.

​

This free event will be NZSL-interpreted, no registration required. More details about NZSL interpretation will be shared once the Whānau Day schedule is confirmed.

Sunday 8 March, 7pm

Tāwhiri Warehouse, Wellington

 

A defining voice in Aotearoa’s music scene, multi-award-winning solo artist and Fur Patrol frontwoman Julia Deans returns to the stage with Goliath. Tracing her personal journey from cancer diagnosis to recovery, this powerful new album (set for release in 2026) reflects on love, mortality, and resilience.
From penning the unforgettable Fur Patrol hit “Lydia” to her acclaimed solo albums Modern Fables and We Light Fire, Deans has become one of our most beloved songwriters and performers. A fearless collaborator, her career spans rock bands, orchestral projects, theatre, and opera.
Goliath is her story: courageous, moving, and deeply human. Join us as Julia shares her reflections on her songwriting journey and experience a fearless storyteller whose “spine tingling vocals” (Metro) soar with honesty and emotion.
Supported by APRA AMCOS NZ as part of the SongWriter Speaks.

​

Access Tickets are priced at $20. Access tickets are available for anyone who might face barriers to attending shows because of disability or other access needs. You can book an Access Ticket by emailing access@festival.nz or calling Sameena on 04 830 7854.

 

If you need someone to come with you to support you to attend the show, we may be able to provide you with a companion ticket. This might be a friend, family member, partner, support worker, or someone else who would help make it easier for you to attend the show.
 

Companion tickets are limited and subject to availability for some events.

Monday 9 March 2026, 7.30pm

NZICC, Auckland

 

Join F1 legends Mika Häkkinen & David Coulthard for a night of high-octane entertainment—a conversation exploring their storied, turbulent time at the pinnacle of motorsport, the current state of play in Formula One, the electrifying 2025 season, and their predictions for 2026—all underscored by their endless banter.

The illustrious duo drove as rivals and then most famously as teammate in McLaren Formula 1 to the 1998 FIA Formula One World Constructors Championship, with a partnership as brilliant and consistent as it was volatile, and hostile. 

Discover how, in retirement, The Flying Finn and DC have seen their longstanding rivalry evolve into an enduring friendship—forged on the racetrack and strengthened through mutual respect.

Don't miss this unique chance to see these fierce rivals, close friends, and F1 legends as you’ve never seen them before.
​

NZSL-accessible tickets are available online.

Thursday 12- Saturday 14 March

Very Visual Performance

LOFT, Q Theatre, Auckland

 

A trio of hardcore party people. A three-day rave jammed into 60 chaotic minutes. One electrifying non-stop dance performance.

 

Fresh off mesmerising Australian audiences and completing an astonishing 23-show season in Edinburgh, this award-laden crowd favourite returns home for a triumphant encore. 

​

If you’ve not yet heard the word of mouth, the hypnotic brilliance of The Butterfly Who Flew Into The Rave lies in its test of endurance and the pure spectacle of watching these intrepid ravers dance themselves into techno oblivion. It’s the ultimate tribute to the pain, sweat, and bodily catharsis of surrendering to the music and your passion for it all.

​

Contains haze, strobe lighting and loud noises. Recommended for ages 13+

 

Access tickets are available online for a special price of $20, and a companion ticket is available for free. To book tickets, please complete this online form.

Thursday 12- Sunday 15 March

Very Visual Performance

Kiri Te Kanawa Theatre, Aotea Centre, Auckland

 

Circa's Duck Pond takes Tchaikovsky’s beloved masterpiece and gives it a dazzling twist — circus style.

​

In this whimsically audacious reimagining of the world’s most iconic tale of transformation, the brilliant minds and bodies of contemporary circus company Circa have outdone themselves. Sumptuous aerials, jaw-dropping acrobatics and a flurry of feathers swirl through their inspired fusion of this timeless score and the fairytale The Ugly Duckling — all performed with astounding, controlled chaos. 

​

If you like your high art served with humour and panache, Duck Pond is the perfect blend of elegance, thrills and entertainment, made for the grandeur of the Kiri Te Kanawa stage. 

​

Access tickets are available online for a special price of $20, and a companion ticket is available for free. To book tickets, please complete this online form.

Saturday 14 March 2026, 6pm

The Spiegeltent, Aotea Square, Auckland

 

Five-time Festival favourites Strut & Fret return with their most dazzling spectacle yet.

​

La Ronde radiates pure theatrical seduction, a heady mix of gravity-defying aerial work, jaw-dropping pole acts and choreography dripping with sass. Backed by powerhouse vocals and a soundtrack that fizzes like champagne, it’s an intoxicating collision of circus, cabaret, comedy and exhilaration — or as one critic called it, “a glitter-soaked invitation to lose yourself in sequins, sass, and sound.” 

​

Contains strobe lighting, haze and mild nudity. Recommended for ages 15+

​

Access tickets are available online for a special price of $20, and a companion ticket is available for free. To book tickets, please complete this online form.

Saturday 14 March 2026, 7pm

Tāwhiri Warehouse, Wellington

 

With humour, honesty and a quiet, powerful presence, Samoan musician and disability advocate Fonotī Pati Umaga shares his remarkable story in this compelling new work.
Raised in a church-going family in Wainuiomata, Fonotī was expected to become a minister by his father — but his passion was music. He forged his own path, breaking into the industry, launching a record label and building a career as bass player for The Holiday Makers.

In 2005, a fall left Fonotī tetraplegic, leading to years of challenge and self-made darkness before finding renewed purpose and healing in unexpected places.

Backed by a powerhouse Pacific creative team, Music Portrait of a Humble Disabled Samoan blends live music, storytelling and striking visuals to honour a man who continues to rise.

 

This production was commissioned by Aotearoa New Zealand Festival of the Arts, Te Ahurei Toi o Tāmaki Auckland Arts Festival and with support from Creative New Zealand’s Festival Commissioning and Presentation fund managed by PANNZ.
 

Access Tickets  are priced at $20. Access tickets are available for anyone who might face barriers to attending shows because of disability or other access needs. You can book an Access Ticket by emailing access@festival.nz.

Sunday 15 March 2026, 3pm

Rangatira, Q Theatre, Auckland

 

Woven from the threads of a sweeping family epic, A Place in the Sultan’s Kitchen is a charming, funny and moving fusion of theatre and good food.

​

Creator Josh Hinton fills the room with music, stories and exotic smells as he attempts to make his grandmother’s chicken curry, live on stage (and you get to eat it). Through childhood memories and family folklore he transports us from the backstreets of Sri Lanka to a bustling India, from a schoolyard in Iran to a South African farm, to his home in Wollongong. 

​

It’s a show for anyone who’s searched for where they belong in this world, who’s lived between different cultures, or who has loved and lost family.

​

Contains descriptions of violence. 
Recommended for ages 12+

​

Access tickets are available online for a special price of $20, and a companion ticket is available for free. To book tickets, please complete this online form.

Thursday 19 - Saturday 21 March 

Very Visual Performance

The Civic, Auckland

 

How long does it take to master a skill?

​

For the world class circus crew Gravity & Other Myths, it’s tens of thousands of hours, and believe us it shows. Their latest global hit is part mind-blowing spectacle, part hilarious hangout with the most insanely talented mates you wish you had. They make the impossible look so easy, you’ll swear you could do it yourself (spoiler: you can’t). 

​

With the audience gently guiding the performers, no two shows and their jaw-dropping moments are quite the same. If you’re into the ‘wow’, curious about the ‘how’, or just love a night out that’ll leave you grinning, this is the superhuman squad you want in your world.

​

Contains haze and loud music.

​

Access tickets are available online for a special price of $20, and a companion ticket is available for free. To book tickets, please complete this online form.

Friday 20 March 

ASB Waterfront Theatre, Auckland

 

Set in the summer of 1965, Waiora follows Hone, who brings his whānau from the East Cape to the South Island in search of a better life. As they gather for a beachside birthday hāngī with their Pākehā guests, buried secrets and cultural tensions rise to the surface. Far away from home, can they find a place to stand together or will they be set adrift in an ocean of change?

 

Originally premiered 30 years ago by the New Zealand International Festival of the Arts, Waiora is a landmark piece of New Zealand theatre, exploring the impact of colonisation, the urban drift, and the tension between past and future. Written and directed by multi-award-winning Hone Kouka MNZM (Ngāti Porou, Ngāti Raukawa, Ngāti Kahungunu), Waiora is a powerful reflection on family, culture and belonging.

​

$20 access tickets are available for Deaf or disabled audience members attending an accessible performance. One companion ticket per theatregoer is also available for $20. Access tickets for the relaxed performance can be purchased via email, over the phone, or online.

For tickets to all other accessible performances, to reserve wheelchair seating or for assistance with your booking, email boxoffice@atc.co.nz or call 09 309 3395

Friday 20 March 2026, 9pm

Spiegeltent, Aotea Square , Auckland

 

Icons reborn — this must-see show will have you praying to the rock gods for more!

​

At the age of 27, Janis Joplin, Amy Winehouse, Kurt Cobain, Jim Morrison and Jimi Hendrix all became instant music immortals. Now with the help of Aussie rock royalty from The Superjesus, Jebediah, Mondo Psycho and Wanderers, these icons get to power on as part of the 27 Club.

​

Brought to you by Amplified House, this fist-pumping, full immersion concert smashes together a rock and roll hall-of-fame setlist — from ‘Smells Like Teen Spirit’ to ‘Piece of My Heart’ — with the mythic storytelling of a live rockumentary. So come as you are and experience our famous Spiegeltent in classic rock mode for a music festival within the Festival — and one hell of a belter night out.

​

Contains strobe lighting and loud noises. Suitable for ages 8+ with parental guidance

​

Access tickets are available online for a special price of $20, and a companion ticket is available for free. To book tickets, please complete this online form.

Saturday 21 March

NZSL-interpreted main SYNTHONY set 7.30pm-9.30pm

Auckland Domain

 

New Zealand’s biggest one-day music festival returns to Auckland Domain for 2026.

​

Expect world-class visuals, international headliners, and iconic dance anthems reimagined with a full live orchestra

 

Featuring Faithless, Peking Duk, Hot Dub Time Machine, The Black Seeds, The Exponents, a new set list from SYNTHONY No.7, plus more to be announced.​

 

Tickets include entrance to the entire Manuka Phuel SYNTHONY Festival. The main SYNTHONY set from 7.30-9.30pm will be NZSL-interpreted.. NZSL-access tickets can be purchased online.

Sunday 22 March, 2pm

Royal Whanganui Opera House, Whanganui

 

Prepare to be swept away by the epic story that has captivated audiences for generations. Les Misérables is more than a musical — it’s a powerful journey through love, loss, justice, and redemption, set against the backdrop of revolutionary France.

​

Follow the unforgettable characters — from the tormented Jean Valjean to the relentless Inspector Javert, from the heartbroken Fantine to the brave young revolutionaries — as they fight for freedom, dignity, and hope in a world on the brink of change. With a soaring score that includes iconic songs like “On My Own,” “Bring Him Home,” and “One Day More,” this production promises to stir your soul and leave you breathless.

​

Whether you’re a lifelong fan or discovering Les Misérables for the first time, this is a theatrical experience you won’t want to miss. Join us for an unforgettable night of drama, music, and emotion — book your seats now and be part of the revolution!
 

NZSL accessible tickets are available direct from the Royal Whanganui Box Office, 06 349 0511.  Opening times are 10am—2pm Monday to Friday.

Sunday 29 March, 7.30pm

Kiri Te Kanawa Theatre, Auckland

 

With their new concert, the multi-Grammy® and Emmy Award®-winning SOWETO GOSPEL CHOIR return to Aotearoa in 2026 to perform a joyful program of South African freedom songs, traditional spirituals and some classics. 

​

Opening with a rousing program of South African freedom songs, the repertoire moves down through time to the USA, with beautiful renditions of the protest music of the Civil Rights Movement and more contemporary classics, including works by legendary artists Elvis Presley, Sam Cooke, Cynthia Erivo, Stevie Wonder and the one-and-only Aretha Franklin.

​

Formed to celebrate the unique and inspirational power of South African Gospel music, SOWETO GOSPEL CHOIR is dedicated to sharing the joy of faith through music with audiences around the world, receiving critical acclaim and audience adoration for their powerful renditions of African American spirituals, gospel and classics.
 

To book NZSL-accessible tickets, visit this Ticketmaster link and enter the password 'NZSL'.

Saturday 24 October, 7pm

Spark Arena, Auckland

 

5 Seconds of Summer (5SOS) are an Australian pop-rock band formed in Sydney in 2011. Known for hits like “She Looks So Perfect” and “Youngblood,” the group has sold over 10 million albums worldwide. Their sixth studio album, Everyone’s A Star! (out Nov 14, 2025), marks a bold new chapter, blending their early energy with 15 years of evolution. 

​

To book NZSL-accessible tickets, visit this Ticketmaster link and enter the password 'NZSL'.

Saturday 5 December, 7pm

Spark Arena, Auckland

 

Rap legend J. Cole is bringing "The Fall-Off Tour" to Tāmaki Makaurau in December 2026!

 

J. Cole announces The Fall-Off Tour marking his first solo headline tour in five years, following 2021’s The Off-Season Tour, and his first full global run in nearly a decade since the 2017 4 Your Eyez Only World Tour.

 

The global run supports J. Cole’s seventh studio album, The Fall Off, which was released February 6, 2026 via Dreamville/Interscope.

​

To book NZSL-accessible tickets, visit this Ticketmaster link and enter the password 'NZSL'.