Culture
Review: They Might Be Giants
There were surf guitars and Beach Boys melodies, Elvis Costello and The Attractions' organ sound and a hint of the dazzling musicianship within sardonic, satirical songwriting that Frank Zappa arguably pioneered.
Dull bakers fail to rise to the occasion
Meet the best bakers in the country, New Zealand's Hottest Home Baker (Thursday, TV3) boasts, heralding the start of its fourth season. Really? I don't think so.
Snitch has brains to go with brawn
Snitch, starring Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, proves it's more than just a paint-by-numbers revenge flick.
Dance crew aiming for gold
Wellington hip hop dance group are setting their sights on gold at this year's Hip Hop Unite World Championships.
Poet Kate Camp back in residence
Poet Kate Camp had never lived away from Wellington when she scored a year-long residency to Berlin. She wrote a book, learnt German and found a new perspective, she tells Diana Dekker.
Film review: War Witch
The award-winning War Witch, set in central Africa, is a magnificent film with some stunning performances.
Film review: Broken
Broken is a wee gem. Without ever becoming too kitchen-sink or gruelling, the film lays out a serious story with wit and insight.
Talent hopefuls line up for chance to shine
Wellington auditions for New Zealand's Got Talent kick off at Wellington East Girls' College today.
Tenacious D bring guitars and laughs
When Jack Black was in Wellington in 2004 for Sir Peter Jackson's King Kong, it was the perfect opportunity to interview him and Tenacious D cohort Kyle Gass, when they announced they would play in the capital that year.
Torture - but not just on X Factor
Be still my beating heart. Talk about romance, heroism and erotic tension, this week's episode of Game of Thrones had me literally crawling the walls.
Review: Disney on Ice in Wellington
Standing in a queue at the TSB Bank Arena for ice creams before opening night for Disney on Ice I overheard a frazzled-looking gentleman in front of me joke out loud in desperation: ‘‘I’ll have six beers please’’.
World's End to premiere in New Zealand
New Zealand audiences will get first shot at seeing the latest movie from the team behind Hot Fuzz and Shaun of the Dead.
Photographer's breakthrough
JOSEPH ROMANOS - The Wellingtonian
Wellington 20-year- old Taliah Morrison proved a sensation at the Photographic Society of New Zealand convention this month.Giants still dish it out in tiny bites
Most widely known for their theme to sitcom Malcolm in the Middle, American band They Might Be Giants specialise in short songs but still stand tall, writes Michael Dwyer.
Beth Orton still in season
Britain's Beth Orton went from singing with electronica giants The Chemical Brothers to forging her own career as a folk-leaning singer-songwriter. Ahead of her Wellington show tomorrow, she talks to Tom Cardy.
TV: Series explores inappropriate teacher
As Britain ritually disembowels itself over historic under-aged sex allegations, how uncannily timely is the theme of Vibe's new drama, The Ice Cream Girls, last night.
Film stars to walk flax mats
Forget the red carpet, organisers are rolling out flax woven mats for the New Zealand premiere of Kapiti film Shopping .
TV nostalgia not what it used to be
Nostalgia isn't what it used to be – though Sky's new Jones! channel makes it superficially tempting.
No Holds Bard sees return of writing pair
Popular stage, screen and television star Michael Hurst returns to Downstage tomorrow in No Holds Bard, his first solo show. Tom Cardy talks to Dan Musgrove and Natalie Medlock, the two young writers who made it happen.
Author faces tough competitors
Barbara Else's tales based in the land of Fontania are proving a hit with readers and critics.
Review: Thom Monckton at Downstage
Thom Monckton's multi-award-winning show Moving Stationery, with its new introductory 10-minute sketch Table Wine, was here for only three performances.
WotWots secure second season deal
The Wellington-made television show for preschoolers The WotWots has secured a deal to screen its second season in Britain this year.
Outdoor art recognised in awards
Wellington has long been home to numerous public and dealer art galleries but, more and more, the city is being defined and recognised for the increasing amount of art outdoors.
Snow White's 'prince' found love on the ice
For Sacha Lalonde and Sara Buck, Disney's magic kingdom really is a place were dreams come true.
Meet the opera's backstage star
AMY JACKMAN - The Wellingtonian
Life backstage of the New Zealand Opera's Madame Butterfly has been made easier by the presence of one man, Luca Manghi.The Bard as a comic
AMY JACKMAN - The Wellingtonian
The bad boy of Shakespeare's King Lear is the star of David Ladderman's new comedy festival show.Lorde's gig strange and short
© Fairfax NZ News
REVIEW: Lorde's gig was the place to be, that was obvious.A Kiwi play to sink your teeth into
REVIEW: Many contemporary New Zealand plays are fast-food theatre: they're over in about an hour and have small casts for small stages.
Colourful work after masterpiece
© Fairfax NZ News
REVIEW: This was an ambitious concert, and one that involved large forces to service two works of very different caste from one another.Sellout production ticks all the boxes
© Fairfax NZ News
REVIEW: Puccini's three-act opera is the ultimate tear-jerker and one of the most popular operas in the repertoire.Bright and bold trucks of Pakistan
A photo exhibition of the riotous art on Pakistan's trucks is on at Pataka until next week.
Review: Star Trek Into Darkness
I was thinking that Star Trek: Into Darkness, no matter how good it was, could never live up to that first installment. I needn't have worried. It's better.
Wellington's sculptor to the stars
Sculptor to the stars Max Patte has just finished a major work for Sir Michael Hill, jeweller, and is intimately familiar with celebrity chef Nigella Lawson's bust. He talks to Nikki Macdonald.
Hot knits for Winter
With winter just around the corner its time to be on the look out for some luxurious wool knits. Have a look through some of the latest styles here.
Wellington cartoonist a winner
Wellingtonian Cory Mathis has taken the top prize in the first Young Cartoonist Awards.
Still angry after all these years
Jello Biafra, former lead singer of American hardcore punk band Dead Kennedys, spoken-word pundit and solo artist, was here to wow fans both old and new with a selection of songs - both old and new.
Lorde: NZ's newest pop star
Lorde, our newest pop star, makes her Wellington debut tonight with a show that sold out in minutes.
Plenty to like in TV's new Harry
Gee, Kiwi actress Theresa Healey gets a lot of work, most recently appearing in The Blue Rose, Agent Anna and Go Girls and then way back in the mists of Avalon time tripping the light fantastic in Dancing with the Stars.
Island Bay mural brings coast closer
Painter's studio becomes a work of art
A Wellington artist has given new life to building in Island Bay with a mural mirroring its coast.
Disney with an icy difference
Wellingtonians are invited to have their eyes opened by the wonders of the World of Disney next week.
Viewers dine on news feast served up by salivating broadcasters
Call it a news bomb, or borrow from the United States' political repertoire and say we had a Super Tuesday, but TV news bulletins were exploding with dag-rattling stories by the end of Tuesday.
Review: Wayne Brady at Opera House
Everyone who hasn't been walking around with a blindfold and earplugs for the past 15 years has most likely seen Whose Line is it Anyway? and will be familiar with Wayne Brady as a master of improv comedy.
J J Abrams talks about new Star Trek
J J Abrams has just finished Star Trek into Darkness, after his successful reboot of the series in 2009. A few months ago, Kathleen Kennedy, the new head of Lucasfilm, asked him to direct the first Star Wars reboot, aka Star Wars: Episode VII.
Sir Peter Jackson's film effects idol dies
A Hollywood visual effects pioneer who inspired Sir Peter Jackson to become a film-maker has died.
Casting call for more Hobbit extras
People with "character" faces are asked to apply for extra roles in the final two Hobbit films.
Political thriller makes for unmissable viewing
How many more addictive, intelligent television thrillers can decently be fitted into a week, when we really should instead be learning Mandarin, reading the latest literary hit or at least cleaning out the fridge?
Giving video art its due
Two exhibitions in Wellington show that even in the age of YouTube video art can be powerful, exciting and relevant.
Downpour fitting for Mansfield tribute
A sculpture of Wellington author Katherine Mansfield was installed amid heavy rain in Midland Park yesterday.
Tale of two comics has one winner
REVIEW: The Comedy Festival brings to town all sorts of international delights for our entertainment pleasure, two such acts being Brit Stephen K Amos and Canadian Tom Green.
'Suitcases of cash' in kiwifruit scandal
Police officer assaulted at party
This is why you don't like Mondays
Tech-savvy teachers join Google academy
Family counts blessings after superbug scare (graphic content)
Police: 'No perfect solution' to pursuits
Prison escaper Wilder caught heart of nation
Passion for animals fuels inspector's commitment
Sting busts more ghost-writers
Students left to learn the hard way
Most popular
'Suitcases of cash' in kiwifruit scandal
This is why you don't like Mondays
Family counts blessings after superbug scare (graphic content)
Man scrambles for help after crash
Shoppers become DJs of the aisles
Security guard wins unfair dismissal case over tattoo
Police officer assaulted at party
What should this year's budget prioritise?