What’s On around New Zealand

Markets, live music, festivals, theatre and family days in the 20 Explore cities, from each city's What's On page. Pick a city or a kind of event.

CityKind of event

Onnow

HamiltonArts, Culture & Performance

Annual Art Competition Arts for Health

The Arts for Health Annual New Zealand Art Competition and Exhibition showcases work from emerging and experienced artists from across the country.

Mon 2 – Sat 21 Nov · Artspost Galleries

Artists, Potters and Photographers’ Annual Exhibition

The annual exhibition of fresh work from the Gisborne Artists, Potters and Photographers Societies.

On until Sun 15 Nov · Tairawhiti Museum

Exhibition – Growth: Texture in Sculptural Felt by Ellen Looij-Machie

Ellen Looij-Machiela shows three-dimensional sculptural felt work built on 25 years of felting.

Until Wed 11 Nov · Creative Arts Napier

Heaven’s Blade: Juliet Carpenter

Juliet Carpenter’s new film, shot across Hawke’s Bay and Central Otago, is set in a speculative world where the sun is too intense to spend long outdoors.

Until 6 Feb 2027 · Hastings Art Gallery

Ilam 2026 Open Studios

The annual open studios at the Ilam School of Fine Arts show work by third-year, fourth-year, Honours and Master’s studio artists.

Sat 7 – Thu 12 Nov · Ilam School of Fine Arts

Italian Film Festival

The Italian Film Festival continues at the Roxy Cinema through 15 November.

All week, to Sun 15 Nov · Roxy Cinema

Land of Captured Time Showcase

A showcase of abstract paintings by Gaen, inspired by the post-war colour field movement.

Mon 2 Nov – Tue 1 Dec · Welcome Swallow Gallery

Marlborough Mount Everest Challenge

Walk, run or hike the equivalent of Mt Everest’s 8,848 metres of elevation over seven weeks, the time it took Sir Edmund Hillary.

All week, until 29 Nov · Port Marlborough Pavilion, Picton

NASDA Presents That Bloody Woman

NASDA’s second-year students perform the musical That Bloody Woman by Luke Di Somma and Gregory Cooper.

Thu 5 – Thu 12 Nov · NASDA Theatre

Napier Fire Brigade Proudly Celebrates 150 Years

An exhibition marking 150 years of the Napier Fire Brigade, founded after the early township was plagued by deadly fires.

Until Sun 15 Nov · MTG Hawke’s Bay

New Old

A selection of the historic photographs donated to the museum over the last five years.

On until Mon 7 Dec · Tairawhiti Museum

New Works by the Junior Company 2026

Northland Youth Theatre’s youngest cohort performs a brand-new collection of original stories.

Sat 7 – Mon 9 Nov · ONEONESIX

Paul Dibble: Of This Place (2026)

A free exhibition of new sculpture by Paul Dibble MNZM in its final week.

Until Mon 9 Nov · Milford Galleries Dunedin

Petals of Light Exhibition

A free spring exhibition of floral art by local artist Anahera Pedersen, creator of Mango Made Floral Art.

Daily until Mon 30 Nov · Wai Ariki Hot Springs & Spa

Please Don't Lick the Walls by Fiona Tunnicliffe

An exhibition of work by Fiona Tunnicliffe, who brings more than 40 years of working with clay and a playful, rule-breaking sense of humour.

Daily to Mon 16 Nov · Taupō Museum

Robin White: Tuituia / Something is Happening Here + At Home With Us

Final days to see two complementary exhibitions of work by celebrated Aotearoa artist Robin White, including Tuituia / Something is Happening Here on tour from Te Papa.

Mon 2 – Tue 10 Nov · Waikato Museum

Selective Memory: Paintings by Carol Bucknell

An exhibition of nine paintings by Carol Bucknell depicting glimpses of memory, mainly drawn from her past.

Thu 5 – Sun 8 Nov (to 29 Nov) · Zimmerman Art Gallery

Te Matau-a-Māui Contemporary Art: Gwen Malden Trust Commissions

The second edition of the biennial Gwen Malden Trust commissions, featuring Asaki Kajima, Leanne Morrison, Raewyn Tauira Paterson and Miria Pohatu.

Until Sat 14 Nov · Hastings Art Gallery

Te Pou O Hinematioro – He Ihu Tō Mai Nō Te Pō

This exhibition celebrates the return to Te Aitanga a Hauiti of the Pou o Hinematioro, which left Ūawa on board the Endeavour in 1769.

On until Sat 3 Apr 2027 · Tairawhiti Museum

Transplant Shock: Biljana Popovic

An installation by Biljana Popovic, resembling a film set under construction, that considers relationships between architecture, environment and culture.

Until 6 Feb 2027 · Hastings Art Gallery

Unravelling the Saree: Beyond the Fold

An exhibition exploring the history, artistry and meaning of the saree, with garments from India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal and beyond.

Daily to Sun 15 Nov · Nelson Provincial Museum

Wellington Heritage Festival 2026

A festival of the people, places and stories of the greater Wellington region, running 24 October to 15 November.

All week, to Sun 15 Nov · Across the region

Nelson Repertory Theatre's locally written family pantomime is back for its 10th anniversary. The Queen Bee has vanished and the hive needs help. Music, mayhem, audience participation and plenty of puns, for ages 3 to 103.

Fri 20 Nov, Fri 7pm, Sat 2pm & 7pm, Sun 12pm