The Culture Compass

We may be on the precipice of the July school holidays, but this week’s Culture Compass will not be defined by them. Iconoclastic as always, here lies a selection of thought-provoking, cerebral, creative and entertaining arts and cultural events taking place across the motu. Most welcome children and would probably offer them enrichment, but they are by no means the primary audience.

At the heart of Matariki – like many cultural celebrations – is connection with whānau and community, often over shared kai. Artists Graham Tipene and Amy Hawke (Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei) have created a multi-purpose art installation at Viaduct Harbour for Matariki that embodies the spirit of whakawhanaungatanga (connection) and invites the community to literally sit with it. Maruata Rikoriko is a tēpu (table) with stools in Market Square, framed by two carved pou (pillars) that form its entrance. On site until July 13, Tipene and Hawke’s thoughtfully designed sculpture utilises Cleanstone panels, made by Māori-owned company, Critical, from recycled plastic waste and reclaimed fishing nets, and is carved and constructed by Jacob Scott and Jason Kendrick of Te Ara Hihiko. Arrange to meet someone for some kai and kōrero at Maruata Rikoriko (some neighbouring Viaduct restaurants are offering Matariki-inspired dishes) or just take a seat there and see what connections the spirit of Matariki offers you.

From public art that’s unique to Aotearoa to iconically British street art, The Art of Banksy exhibition is returning to Auckland with more than double the number of original and authenticated Banksy artworks than shown at the 2018 show. While a gallery setting is not the way Banksy intends his art to be viewed, there’s little chance we’ll be seeing the artist’s latest statement spontaneously popping up on the Sky Tower or Beehive so this may be your only opportunity to see some of his original pieces. Contributions from private collections include gifts and hand drawn sketches along with video testimonials which reveal how some infamous stunts were pulled off. Banksy’s Dismaland and recent works referencing the ongoing war in Ukraine are also central to the exhibit. More than 150 original pieces (no replicas) will be displayed at the Hunua Rooms at Aotea Centre July 7 to August 3.

From public art that’s unique to Aotearoa to iconically British street art, The Art of Banksy exhibition is returning to Auckland with more than double the number of original and authenticated Banksy artworks than shown at the 2018 show. While a gallery setting is not the way Banksy intends his art to be viewed, there’s little chance we’ll be seeing the artist’s latest statement spontaneously popping up on the Sky Tower or Beehive so this may be your only opportunity to see some of his original pieces. Contributions from private collections include gifts and hand drawn sketches along with video testimonials which reveal how some infamous stunts were pulled off. Banksy’s Dismaland and recent works referencing the ongoing war in Ukraine are also central to the exhibit. More than 150 original pieces (no replicas) will be displayed at the Hunua Rooms at Aotea Centre July 7 to August 3.

Across the hall of the Aotea Centre, the Royal New Zealand Ballet presents their first ever collaboration with The New Zealand Dance Company next month. Home, Land & Sea is the name of both the tour and its centrepiece, a short ballet featuring six dancers from each company choreographed by NZSD artistic director Moss Te Ururangi Patterson. New Zealand music icon Shayne Carter composed the music for the piece, which explores Aotearoa’s complex past, present and future. The tour also includes Chrysalis, a world premiere by RNZB choreographer-in-residence Shaun James Kelly, and The Way Alone by Stephen Baynes, a short ballet to the music of Tchaikovsky which premiered at Tutus on Tour. The Home, Land & Sea tour begins in Wellington (July 24-26), followed by Auckland (July 31 – August 2), and concludes in Christchurch (August 8-9).

Moving from classical to contemporary dance, Atamira Dance Company presents Rongo Whakapā next month, a debut piece by dancer turned choreographer Brydie Colquhoun (Ngāpuhi). Departing from traditional ways of viewing theatre, Rongo Whakapā is performed in a circular space where the audience is invited to move around at their will. The name, Rongo Whakapā, means sense of touch, and the work explores connection, disconnection and intimacy in contemporary society. Premiering at Te Pou Theatre July 11 to 13, the 70-minute piece is sound designed by Eden Mulholland and draws on Colquhoun’s extensive contact improvisation background. 

There’s no connection more intimate – physically or spiritually – than that between a puppeteer and his master. Though don’t expect anything sacred when the purple puppet with a potty mouth, Randy Feltface, arrives in Aotearoa next month for performances in Christchurch (July 14), Wellington (July 15) and Auckland (July 16). The Australian comedian is touring a new one-hour comedy show called First Banana, which seemingly references the yellow suit Randy’s wearing on tour and little else of the show’s content. Anyone unfamiliar with Randy can find an extensive library of clips on the puppet’s YouTube and Instagram pages that should help you determine if his wildly popular brand of comedy is for you.

And finally, the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra along with Signature Choir are reprising Mana Moana for two concerts in the capital on July 24 and 25. A stirring fusion of symphony and songs of the Pacific, it was a roaring success when it debuted in 2022 and has been consistently gaining momentum, with Signature Choir having just performed two sold-out shows with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra at Sydney Opera House. Mana Moana 2025 includes both traditional and contemporary songs from Samoa, Tonga, Fiji, Cook Islands, Niue and Tokelau, adding some brand new arrangements to this year’s repertoire. It’s a spectacularly moving evening of music and cultural synergy that, with comedian Tofiga Fepulea’i hosting, is bound to also include some quality belly laughs.