Features

The Wellington City Council has voted to approve the transfer of waterfront land to the Fale Malae Trust for a new Waterfront Pasifika cultural centre. The Trust's goal is to promote and share New Zealand's Pacific heritage.

The Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG) has criticised Aotearoa over the presence of a New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) plane in the region. Audio

The female turtle, about 25-30 years-old, was bound in rope in the Koutio mangrove swamp in Dumbéa, New Caledonia.

Listen to the Soweto Gospel Choir's performance 'HOPE' at the Auckland Arts Festival in 2025. The South African choir is known for its powerful blend of African gospel music, freedom songs, and international classics.

In this week’s programme, we’re featuring hymns written or translated by women, including New Zealanders Shirley Murray and Marnie Barrell. Audio

Recently-formed ensemble ldvf is coming to this year's Wellington Jazz Festival in October. RNZ Concert's Nick Tipping catches up with the quartet's drummer, NZ musician Myele Manzanza. Audio

Rising violin star Chloe Chua will be performing Tchaikovsky's Violin Concerto with the Auckland Philharmonia this Thursday. She came into the studio to chat with RNZ Concert's David Morriss. Video, Audio

There's a brand new chamber music festival taking place in the Waikato town of Cambridge this weekend. RNZ Concert talks with one of the Artistic Directors, bassoonist Todd Gibson-Cornish. Audio

Enjoy this sonic voyage traversing the landscapes of China and New Zealand to find common ground in the melodies that unite us. Shared themes include the innocence of children, the majesty of nature, and songs that sing of the heart.

Visiting musician Yura Lee hasn't been able to decide between the violin or the viola, so she plays both. Audio

We're marking World Peace Day in Hymns on Sunday this week. Established in 1981 by the United Nations, the day is dedicated to the absence of war and violence, and observed around the world every year on 21 September. Audio

Toiere unites beloved operatic arias, duets and ensembles in their original languages and te reo Māori, celebrating voice, language and identity while honouring Aotearoa New Zealand’s rich cultural landscape and opera’s universal emotions.

Ahead of her departure for the UK, Jane Bulpin looks back on her work as Director: Orchestral Delivery with the NZSO. Video, Audio

New Zealand String Quartet violinist Peter Clark talks with RNZ Concert part way through the quartet's latest tour. Audio

Pūmanawa embodies the ideals of legacy, talent and dedication to a centuries-old way of celebration as four kapa sing and haka with full voices, fierce wairua (spirit) and boundless energy. Listen online now.

Hawke's Bay tenor Lila Crichton talks about his latest gig, singing for this year's World of WearableArt show in Wellington.  Video, Audio

This year’s SOUNZ Tarling Trust Orchestral Commission winner Joshua Pearson dedicates his prize to highlighting the vulnerability of Pasifika nations to climate change. Video, Audio

Celebrate the 50th anniversary of Te Wiki o te Reo Māori this week with a selection of hymns in Te Reo Māori. Audio

After jumping ship in the late 1950s, Glaswegian Tommy Ferguson won himself a place in the New Zealand music scene. An exuberant showman and crowd-pleaser, he was one of the most colourful characters in New Zealand rock. Audio

Danny Lucin is a go-to man when it comes to playing the cornetto in Australia and New Zealand. He and conductor Michael Stewart talk with RNZ Concert ahead of a performance of the early 17th century masterpiece, Monteverdi's Vespers. Video, Audio

Relive the energy and joy of nearly 1000 students from New Zealand's twenty-four top secondary school choirs gathered on stage to sing in The Big Sing Finale Gala. 

Waikato-raised saxophonist Simon Brew talks about coming home to manage a music venue in the heart of Cambridge. Audio

Pasifika singers are an increasingly big part of the New Zealand choral scene. Will Kingi and Enyah Talamaivao are part of a Choirs Aotearoa gathering which recognises that role, but will also explore how the wider NZ choral community can give something back. Video, Audio

Anapela Polata’ivao and Stacey Leilua bring a Kiwi Samoan perspective to directing the action in NZ Opera's latest production, Jonathan Dove's "The Monster in the Maze". Video, Audio