Saturday, February 21, 2026

Arts & Culture

UB40 concert tonight: What you need to know

  Pukekohe is preparing for an influx of visitors as UB40 featuring Ali Campbell performs at Navigation Homes Stadium tonight, February 13. The R18 event is...

Blending Māori and English into music

Pukekohe band Aro mixes elements of English, Māori, jazz, folk, soul, and haka-based rhythm. Aro is made up of husband-and-wife duo Charlies and Emily Looker,...

Pukekohe duo shaking up the music world

Pukekohe siblings Jacob, 24 and Christy, 22, Sahota of Sahota Vision describe their music as a little bit of everything: fun, exciting, and emotional. Inspiration...

Chess experts descending on Auckland for top tournaments

Paul Spiller is on a mission to grow the popularity of the ancient and strategic sport of chess across Auckland. The long-time East Aucklander, who...

NZ Opera bringing ‘Bluebeard’s Castle’ to Auckland Arts Festival 2026

New Zealand Opera is pleased to announce details around the highly anticipated Auckland performances of Bluebeard’s Castle as a stunning highlight of Te Ahurei Toi o Tāmaki...

Real life encounters inspire new book’s themes

A new fiction book by a well-known and respected journalist is described as “22 deliciously twisted tales of the unexpected that delve into the...

Artist making Pukekohe proud

Jah Branks aka Selwyn Marsh has come a long way in the Pukekohe music world, and hopes to inspire others. Born autistic, and with partial...

Project forges ahead

By Janet Pates, Tuakau and District Museum The annual general meeting of the Tuakau and District Museum Society was held recently electing Keith Brasell as...

Art exhibition a success

Clevedon artist Katie Blundell’s exhibition Women at Work has been so successful that she is extending it – but by appointment only. Over the last...

Watson’s heartfelt down-home homage to Hiatt

By Phil Taylor of Eastern Times One of New Zealand’s masters of blues-roots music is paying a fervent on-the-porch-style tribute to one of his heroes...