Festival Events

Ali Mau (author of No Words for This) and Sonia Orchard (author of Groomed) examine what happens when the people you trust most betray you and shine the light on what needs to change for justice to prevail. Chaired by Dr Nikki Evans.

Known for his rich garden paintings, this solo exhibition focuses on Karl Maughan’s early practice.

A brand new Kiwi kids comedy singalong! 

One of Aotearoa’s most acclaimed singer-songwriters whose songwriting and vocal ability blends into her unique sound.

Dr Hinemoa Elder’s new book, Ara: A Māori Guidebook of the Mind, is a quest through the caves of hinengaro and a resource for anyone seeking comfort and ease amid the chaos of life. Chaired by Annie Fay.

Battle Chorus is a social sing-along experience that brings people together for an unforgettable night of iconic melodies and sweet harmonies.

What does your body remember?

An exploration of tensions physical, emotional and relational.

Set in a sinisterly skewed version of England, Catherine Chidgey’s astonishing new novel, The Book of Guilt, is a story told through the eyes of Vincent (one of three identical triplets) and the lonely but observant single child, Nancy. Claire Mabey, who will lead the kōrero, describes it as both a page-turner and deeply serious work.

An immersive ode to cinema, turn of the millennium dance culture, and The Situationist International

True Stories told Live

What draws us to crime, psychological thriller, and suspense stories and what do they reveal about the deepest parts of ourselves?

A gentle dawn concert of Indian ragas to wake the soul.

Damien Wilkins won the prestigious Jann Medlicott Acorn Prize for Fiction for Delirious, a captivating tale about families and ageing, which follows ex-cop Mary and her husband Pete, a retired librarian, as they navigate life’s big transitions. Chaired by Elizabeth Knox.

This one’s for the young hearts, the old hearts, and the broken hearts.  

Discover how a restless working-class girl from the pā became a founding member of Ngā Tamatoa, the Women’s and Gay Liberation movements, and an essential voice in protests across Aotearoa. Chaired by Donna McLeod.

Holding Ground brings together two dynamic works in sharp contrast – one grounded in place, the other in technology.

What is it really like to work in the news media? Join Ali Mau and Michelle Duff to learn more. Chaired by fellow journalist Naomi Arnold.

The world’s heating up, going wild, and Hoani Hotene (Ngāti Hauā) is trying to get through it all with what…? Jokes, yep.

Hear from Naomi Arnold – who set off to walk from Bluff to Cape Reinga – and Rebecca Hayter – who swapped city life for country living and a career immersed in yachting for the land. Chaired by Samantha Gee.

Iconic Māori activist, artist, and performer Tāme Iti shares his extraordinary life, defined by resistance, resilience, and rangatiratanga.

Whakatū Nelson’s beloved masked parade returns in 2025, transformed, and as vibrant as ever.

Chelsea Winter’s new cookbook Nourish heralds a joyful return to what established her recipes as household favourites – now reimagined with balance and a deeper intention to truly nourish.

Michelle Duff’s Surplus Women explores power and patriarchy. Airana Ngarewa’s Pātea Boys delivers stories grounded in masculinity, place, and what it takes to survive. Chaired by Sunday Star-Times Short Story Award winner Fiona Sussman.

A new live show taking the timeless sound of PollyHill and Samara Alofa’s sonic collaboration AQUARIES into fresh atmospheres.

A once-in-a-lifetime storytelling experience!

A story about action, aroha & our Treaty. 

Join Michael Bennett for a fun, fast-paced tour through the writing toolbox of an acclaimed screenwriter, using short films, music videos, and excerpts from great movies to explore some of the most important fundamentals of storytelling for the screen.

Ōtautahi-based artist John Vea (Tonga, Aotearoa New Zealand) explores the complexities facing migrant workers working in Aotearoa in an exhibition at Refinery ArtSpace.

Possibly the first book to emerge from ‘live, disrupted TED-style talks’, Jo Randerson’s Secret Art Powers is a guide to using creative thinking to achieve radical change. In conversation with Meg Williams.

Take a front row seat to the raw emotional power of one of the 20th century’s most defiant musical voices.

Where timeless traditions converge with bold innovation, crafting a rich soundscape of fusion.

How do reviews work? What makes a great one – a piece of literature in itself?

Hayley Sproull brings her brand new outrageous hour of comedy to Nelson Arts Festival.

Tiahuia: A Karanga to My Mother is artistic director and choreographer Merenia Gray’s tribute to her mother Tiahuia Te Puea Hērangi, the whāngai daughter of Princess Te Puea. Facilitated by Donna McLeod.

Celebrating the Ratpack Era

Experience the bold brilliance of Toi Koru, the first major survey exhibition of paintings by Māori master of colour and kōwhaiwhai, Dr Sandy Adsett.

Sunburnt psychedelic folk fit for sensitive cowboys to meander and philosophise to.

Kick off Nelson Arts Festival with a boogie!

A unique musical experience that brings together four musicians from different cultural traditions.

Uncover a trail of magic and mystery behind the scenes at the Theatre Royal.

Journalist and author Naomi Arnold’s first-ever published magazine story was a Listener travel piece on Thailand and she has made writing about people and place her career ever since, with her most recent book, Northbound, largely written while she walked Te Araroa.

A theatre show created for young people that explores the knotty and necessary topics of healthy relationships, desire and consent.