Discover Aotearoa New Zealand’s vibrant performing arts scene, a testament to the country's rich Māori, Polynesian, and European heritage.
Aotearoa New Zealand is home to internationally acclaimed national performing arts companies and several quality regional orchestras.
New Zealand Symphony Orchestra (NZSO)(opens in new window)
The Royal New Zealand Ballet(opens in new window)
The World of WearableArt (WOW)(opens in new window), the largest festival of it’s kind, showcases works of wearable art created by designers from across the globe.
Te Matatini(opens in new window) is Aotearoa New Zealand's premier Māori performing arts festival. Held every two years, this prestigious event brings together the country’s top performers to compete for the coveted title of national champion. Competition is fierce, earning the event a reputation as the "Olympics of kapa haka". In the Māori language, kapa haka means performing arts.
Pasifika(opens in new window), the world's largest Polynesian festival, celebrates the art, music, dance, food, and traditions of the Pacific Islands.
Held every two years in Wellington, the Aotearoa New Zealand Festival of the Arts(opens in new window) is New Zealand's largest celebration of the arts, showcasing both local and international performing arts talent.
Each year, the quiet farming community of Oamaru transforms into a steampunk epicentre with its Steampunk Festival(opens in new window), celebrating wrought iron and science fiction in equal measure. A grand opening ceremony marks the beginning of a busy lineup that includes teapot racing, suitcase decorating, parasol duelling, and more.
