WORM YOUR WAY INTO THE THEATRE

Acclaimed theatre company Nightsong is set to wriggle back onto the stage with their hit family show, The Worm. This thrilling tale, packed with oddball characters, live music and plenty of heart and humour, inches its way into Kerikeri and Whangārei 18 – 22 February and to three Auckland venues for the April school holidays and beyond.

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Michelle Lafferty
FIRST COMEDY ACTS ANNOUNCED FOR 2026 BEST FOODS COMEDY GALA

The New Zealand Comedy Trust is thrilled to announce the first local and international comedy stars heading to the 2026 Best Foods Comedy GalaHayley Sproull, Ray O’Leary and Elouise Eftos (Aus). The biggest night in the comedy calendar, hosted by Dai Henwood ONZM, heads to Auckland on 1 May, Wellington on 2 May and for the first time since 2017, Christchurch on 3 May.

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Michelle Lafferty
AGATHA CHRISTIE’S MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS STEAMS BACK INTO TOWN FOR AN ENCORE

After a sold-out 2025 season, the fastest-selling production in Auckland Theatre Company’s history, Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express is returning by overwhelming popular demand. Audiences now have a second chance to climb aboard the world’s most infamous train when the hit production returns for a strictly limited season to the ASB Waterfront Theatre from 7 – 22 February 2026.

Tickets are on sale now for this killer season. All aboard – again!

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Michelle Lafferty
BEST FOODS COMEDY GALA HEADS TO CHRISTCHURCH

The New Zealand Comedy Trust is delighted to announce the 2026 Best Foods Comedy Gala is heading to Christchurch for the first time since 2017. Hosted by none other than comedy legend Dai Henwood ONZM, a hand-picked line-up of both international and local comedy heavyweights and rising stars head to the Christchurch Town Hall on Sunday 3 May.

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Michelle Lafferty
KIWIS ADVISED TO STOCK UP ON SILVER BULLETS: WEREWOLF STRIKES PLANNED FOR 2026!

Werewolf, the immersive horror-comedy by Wellington performance renegades Binge Culture, went off at the 2024 Edinburgh Fringe and is returning to Aotearoa for a nationwide outbreak in 2026. PANNZ is proud to support this national tour, which includes the Aotearoa New Zealand Festival of the Arts (25 Feb – 1 Mar, Wellington), Te Ahurei Toi o Tāmaki Auckland Arts Festival (5 – 8 Mar), ONEONESIX (11 – 12 Mar, Whangārei) and Turner Centre (13 Mar, Kerikeri).

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Michelle Lafferty
MUROKI RETURNS HOME WITH AMBER SKIES

Muroki, one of Aotearoa’s most distinctive young voices, returns from Berlin with his debut album Amber Skies, written and recorded as he lived a nomadic lifestyle moving between Berlin’s creative underground, the hills of Raglan, the coastline of Portugal and a long overdue reunion with whānau in Kenya.

Amber Skies is released on 30 January 2026, followed by Muroki’s first national tour in three years, running from 6 February to 28 March. He will also make a solo appearance at Te Ahurei Toi o Tāmaki Auckland Arts Festival, where he joins He Manu Tīoriori, a celebration of waiata reo Māori, on Saturday 21 March.

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Michelle Lafferty
COMEDY’S TOPP PRIZE GOES TO TOFIGA FEPULEA’I

The New Zealand Comedy Trust is pleased to announce the 2025 recipient of the prestigious Topp Prize: beloved Samoan New Zealand comedian, actor, musician, entertainer and radio host, Tofiga Fepulea’i. Affectionately known as the Humble King of Comedy, Wellington born and raised Tofiga has spent more than two decades on stage and screen bringing laughter and his trademark character-driven storytelling to audiences across Aotearoa and beyond.

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Michelle Lafferty
DAI HENWOOD TO HOST 2026 BEST FOODS COMEDY GALA

The New Zealand Comedy Trust is back with the 2026 Best Foods Comedy Gala, hosted by one of Aotearoa’s most beloved comedy legends, Dai Henwood ONZM. It’s the perfect way to kick off three weeks of jokes, chaos, and comedy gold at the 2026 NZ International Comedy Festival with Best Foods Mayo.

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Michelle Lafferty
YOUNG VOICES FROM REFUGEE, MIGRANT AND LOCAL BACKGROUNDS SHINE A LIGHT ON THEIR FUTURE

A team of young people aged between 15 – 25+ are coming together this summer under the guidance of senior arts leaders, together with emerging artists, to create an interdisciplinary performance exploring ideas, concerns and dreams about their futures. This devised work, Hope: Standing on the Edge – Eying Up Our Future will be on from 24 – 25 January at the Pitt Street Theatre.

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Michelle Lafferty