On now at Pātaka Art+Museum, award-winning artist Lindah Lepou shares her world of Pacific couture, weaving her Samoan gafa (genealogy) into Pacific couture as a living fashion art archive.

Lepou has been a guest judge for the World of Wearable Art Awards and has exhibited alongside Dior, Vivienne Westwood and John Galliano.

Lindah Lepou’s Mata’AITU runs until 8 November. Free entry.

Warning: contains monsters (and the young makers who create them).

Fangs. Claws. Scales, and a few too many eyes. These school holidays, kids can sculpt them all from a single lump of clay.

In this new workshop, they'll become a monster maker for an hour. Working with the same modelling clay used by our Wētā Workshop crew, they'll shape and sculpt their very own creature, then take it home... if they dare.

Book on the Wētā website!

Price: $29, parents and caregivers go free.

Want to make a day of it? Add a tour with our Junior Combo for $49 per person: Monster Makers & Tour Combo | Wētā Workshop Experiences

You know the name, come and meet the Queen of Wellington. Te Waka Huia Wellington Museum presents Arohanui, Carmen xx a lively exhibition about the life and legacy of Carmen Rupe.

Step into Carmen’s world, through glamorous outfits, intimate photographs, unseen archives and her very own korowai – all on display together for the first time.

Arohanui, Carmen xx is on now at Wellington Museum, open daily 10am–5pm. Admission fees apply. Learn more at wellingtonmuseum.nz

Big Girls Don't Cry is in Cinemas from October 8th!

Set in rural Matakana and Omaha during the summer of 2006, the film follows 14-year-old Sid Bookman as she navigates friendship, identity, desire and a desperate need to fit in.

Fresh from an international festival run including Sundance, SXSW and BFI Flare, it also opened the 2026 Whānau Mārama New Zealand International Film Festival.

Written and directed by Auckland filmmaker Paloma Schneideman, also known as musician PollyHill.

In cinemas across Aotearoa from October 8. Get in early for the preview screening October 7th at Penthouse Cinema - ActiveCard holders get $12 discounted tickets via penthousecinema.co.nz

Radio Active, Banished Music and Lacuna presents Flamingo Pier.

After more than a decade of building dancefloors around the world, Flamingo Pier return to Aotearoa this spring to celebrate the release of their new album, WOVEN TOGETHER.

Don’t miss the chance to experience WOVEN TOGETHER live, as Flamingo Pier bring their full live band to the stage for a celebration of connection, community and irresistible grooves.

Flaming Pier with support from Christopher Tubbs & Bontempo. Meow Nui October 9th. Get your tickets from ticketek.co.nz

Spring has arrived, and we're pretty stoked about it at the Tav.

We've pulled together a sweet lineup of old friends and new ones for Spring Sessions - a primo selection of Pōneke selectors, starting early and carrying on into the night.

Each of them holds down different nights at the Tav, so if you've missed out on one of their sets before, this is your chance to catch them all in one night and get a taste of what they deliver.

Benny Balance & Shush, Bon Tempo, Coda, Jen Kyle, Jewel School, Tempo Schmempo

Epic beats all night guaranteed.

Saturday 10 October from 3pm at Cuba St Tavern.

Early birds $10, tickets from undertheradar.co.nz - Set times to be announced.

From 14-18 October, the Wellington Jazz Festival returns to the capital for its 30th anniversary year, with an electrifying programme of international artists making their Aotearoa debuts, acclaimed New Zealand musicians, new works, and unforgettable live performances.

Across five days, more than 100 performances will fill Te Whanganui-a-Tara with music. From intimate late-night club sessions to major theatre shows, audiences can experience jazz, soul, funk, brass, blues and bold contemporary sounds across venues, streets, and unexpected spaces throughout the city.

Find more info and specific events via jazzfestival.nz

Cuba St Tavern is proud to present Julien Dyne on Friday 16th of October

Drummer, producer, DJ and visual artist Julien has built one of the most quietly extraordinary careers in Aotearoa music.

His solo output has landed on Soundway Records (UK) BBE Records (Worldwide) and Wonderful Noise (Japan), along with recording and/or performing with Ladi 6, fat Freddy's Drop, Avantdale Bowling Club, Lord Echo and many others - Julien Dyne has the kind of name that makes other musicians stop and listen.

For this set, Julien steps behind the decks - bringing jazz, funk, afrobeat and electronic together in a set that's connected, unpredictable and entirely his own.

With support from the brilliant Jewel School, this is Jazz Festival Friday sorted.

Cuba St Tavern | Friday October 16th | 8:30pm

The Learning Connexion is Stop #12 at the Lower Hutt Art Trail on Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 October.

With more than 30 student artists filling our studios, demonstrating their creative processes and selling their work.

The Art Trail runs 10am - 4pm both days, and you’ll find them at 182 Eastern Hutt Road, Lower Hutt.

Gaboodi Gaboodi Gaboodi!

In celebration of Gaboodi’s debut album “Lifting From the Legs: Versions and Dubs” Bigbada Boom soundsystem is stringing up at:

Shorland Park Band Rotunda in Island Bay on Sunday the 25th of October from 3pm.

This is a free gig; all ages.

With support from DJ KOA and Queen Big Punch, Gaboodi spins his brand new double 12-inch vinyl, filled with heavyweight dub, for the people of Te Whanganui-a-Tara.

Radio Active’s Roots and Culture show will be live-to-air from the park, so tune in right here on 88.6fm, if you can’t make it down.

Follow @gaboodi on Instagram for updates.

Get your new years plans sorted! Twisted Frequency is an ever evolving hub of underground music and art with hundreds of performers across the genre spheres.

Four stages running five straight days in the lush riverside bush of Golden Bay.

This year find your favourite artists in the valley: Tom Scott & Brandn Shiraz, Aes Dana, Paige Julia, Bastiengoat, Spekki Webu and many more!

30th of December to the 3rd of January. Visit Twistedfrequency.nz and secure your tickets today.