Speed is Emotional returns to Barbarian’s home town for a season at Wellington’s Circa Theatre as part of the Aotearoa New Zealand International Arts Festival.

Creative powerhouse Jo Randerson (ONZM) unpacks their diagnosis, neurodivergent parenting, sad songs, men taking their time, and so much more in Speed is Emotional, a highly lauded “funny as hell” theatre extravaganza from Pōneke’s Barbarian theatre company.

In Speed is Emotional Jo bares their soul, sharing the exhilaration, exhaustion, joy, and absurdity of living and parenting with neurodivergence, weaving their trademark punk poetic magic into a beautiful physical comedy about transcending labels and living life with a voltage so high it’s going to blow the mains.

Barbarian work's hard to keep their pricing accessible and as part of the ticket pricing at Circa there are options for under 30 year olds ( $30*) , and access tickets ( $20*) for people who are neurodivergent, or have other access needs.

More information at https://www.barbarian.co.nz/work/speed-is-emotional

See the world from a new perspective.

Breathe | Mauri Ora illuminates the hidden forces surrounding us, revealing the sublime through sensory journeys beyond our everyday perception. Step inside these incredible digital artworks, lose yourself and connect with nature, from the roots of rainforest trees to the rhythm of your own breath.

On at Te Papa for a limited time only, runs until 27 April.

Full details online at tepapa.nz/breathe

Globetrotting local four piece, The Beths are thrilled to announce their return home playing seven shows throughout Aotearoa this March in celebration of their recently released fourth album Straight Line Was A Lie.

Released in August last year, Straight Line Was A Lie is the first album released via American label ANTI- , debuting at #1 on the Aotearoa Album Chart and receiving glowing reviews from press around the world.

The Beth's will be landing in Wellington for two nights on the 13th and 14th of March! This one's at the wonderful Meow Nui - head over to ticketek.co.nz to grab your tickets before it sells out!

He rā whatiwhati kō! Ngahuru is a time to honour the mahi behind the kūmara harvest. This Friday 13 March at Te Papa, that spirit comes to life with a free night celebrating takatāpui communities and Pride icons. Catch drag performances by The Tīwhas and House of Marama, get styled by Suzanne Tamaki, see taonga honouring Pōneke rainbow whānau, and more.

Nau mai, tauti mai e te iwi ki tēnei pō whakanui!

After Dark at Te Papa. This Friday. R16. Free entry.

Rosé is a wine as deliciously diverse as our community and here's your chance to taste your way across the spectrum. We'll do a relaxed wine tasting of 12 different rosés, where you'll learn, laugh, slurp and smile. Maybe you'll even discover your new favourite!

Then we'll crank up the tunes and you can put your dancing shoes to good use. Nibbles will be provided, a cash bar will be in operation after the tasting session to keep the good times flowing, and we might just throw in some other surprises too. You don't have to be a wine expert to join in - Pink Pony Club Rosé Party welcomes everyone from newbies to oenophiles!

For more information and tickets head to www.vogelmorn.nz

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Join Wellington’s Filipino community at Salo-Salo: A Filipino food fair and charity concert on 14 March at 25 Phillip Street, Johnsonville, Wellington.

Enjoy a variety of popular Filipino dishes at the food fair from 2:00 pm onwards, followed by a charity concert at 5:00 pm featuring four up and coming Filipino bands.

All profits support Mary Potter Hospice. Experience Filipino food, music, and hospitality — all for a great cause!

This event is sponsored by MTF Thorndon, The Coronation Lodge No. 127, New Zealand Pacific No. 2 and Lodge Te Puni 315

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Part of Wellington Pride Festival, science museum Space Place is lighting up the planetarium for a special dance party.

Lose yourself under the dome’s 360-degree visuals and live music by DJ Karl Moser.

R18. Saturday 21 March. Get your tickets at spaceplace.nz

The Radio Active Oasis returns to Cuba St Tavern for this year’s CubaDupa.

Cuba St’s favourite boutique tavern and venue will once again be transformed into a haven for food, drink and dancing. With an all-star lineup of Radio Active DJs playing across the two days.

Last year the Active Oasis dancefloor was the place to be. This year the lush ‘Courtyard Club’ will be joined by the ‘Sonic Saloon’. A new dancefloor inside so more people have the chance to boogie.

Come join us at the Cuba St Tavern for Cuba Dupa weekend as the Active Oasis takes you on an expedition to sonic and culinary delights.

Saturday 1pm - 1am and Sunday 1pm - 7pm

CubaDupa takes place across the Cuba Precinct over the weekend of March 28th & 29th, transforming streets, parks, laneways and venues into a free, accessible festival for all ages. Produced by Creative Capital Arts Trust, the festival celebrates community, creativity and the unique spirit of Wellington and invites audiences to discover something unexpected around every corner.

In 2026, CubaDupa will feature over 210 acts, 70 food vendors, 220 performances, welcoming thousands of visitors into the heart of Wellington across the weekend to celebrate creativity in all its forms. From street music and theatre to dance and immersive, participatory experiences.

Don't miss out on the most iconic street party in the country, all day on the 28th & 29th of March, Cuba Street.

Acclaimed artist Tom Scott is hitting the stage with his self untitled tour this May.

Fresh off his recently released chart‑topping album ANITYA, he’ll be performing tracks from across his decade‑plus career, alongside new material.

UK art-rockers Dry Cleaning are making their return to Aotearoa. Playing Meow Nui on the 2nd of June.

Praised as one of the most exciting live acts to come out of the UK, Dry Cleaning are touring off the back of their critically acclaimed new album Secret Love.

This marks their first New Zealand visit since their sold-out shows in 2022, with critics hailing them as “like no other band you’ve seen”.

Tickets go on sale Monday 16th of March, with presale commencing on the 13th. For more info head to mg.live/drycleaning and for tickets head to ticketek.co.nz

Hot on the heels of last week’s launch of the galvanising new single 'Tell Me How It Feels', The Jungle Giants are now announcing their new album to be released later this year, and New Zealand tour dates this July.

The new album, EXPERIENCING FEELINGS OF JOY, is an apt title not only for the listener, but its creator. Careening from crushing personal loss to hopeful exuberance, it’s an album Sam Hales could only write after thinking he’d never be able to write one again.

Catch The Jungle Giants live in New Zealand this July. They will perform at Meow Nui in Wellington on Friday July 10, The Powerstation in Auckland on Saturday July 11, and in Christchurch at the James Hay Theatre on Saturday July 12. Tickets are live now via Ticketek