Arts
Review: Bumblebee
Bumblebee is a Transformers movie that harks back to some of our most beloved family films, says Dan Slevin. Video
Episode 1: Beach, please!
We explore themes and characters of popular culture, and what their popularity says about us. First up: Mermaids! (And Mermen. And Tritons. And Sirens. And... you get the gist.) Featuring author and… Audio
The campaign for Lego to make a Kākāpō set
Hayden Pickford's kākāpō Lego design has more than half the support it needs for the huge company to consider turning into a commercially available set. Audio
Review: Can You Ever Forgive Me?
Can You Ever Forgive Me? proves that Melissa McCarthy has the dramatic chops to go with her abundant comedic skills, says Dan Slevin. Video
Bret McKenzie: paying homage to Jim Henson & the Muppets
The Muppets came to Wellington in April. Kathryn Ryan spoke to Bret McKenzie and Jim Henson Retrospectacle organiser Nic Marshall, who organised the three-week long musical tribute to the genius… Audio
Sam Hunt: Coming To It
Sam Hunt is New Zealand's best known poet. He's been writing and performing his work for nearly 50 years, and has published a new selection of his work called Coming To It - which includes 19 new… Audio
Nga kōrero o te tau: Te Ahi Kaa highlights of 2018 - part two
In the final show of the year, Te Ahi Kaa features highlights from 2018. Kaiora Honey is a thriving whanau business lead by Blanche Morragh, she discusses the hard yards and ongoing work of running… Audio
Christmas movies a fabulous topic for festive family moments
Filmmaker Roseanne Liang looks at why those cheesy Christmas movies are so important at this time of year.
Jed Mercurio - Writer of Bodyguard and Line of Duty
Jed Mercurio is an acclaimed UK writer for television. His most recent productions are Bodyguard and Line of Duty, both of which have broken audience records. His other credits include Lady… Audio
Simon Denny - A year of The Founder's Paradox
Simon Denny is a New Zealand artist based in Berlin. In 2015, he represented NZ at the 56th Venice Biennale with his work Secret Power - which explored the workings of the US National Security Agency… Audio
Free Theatre may have found a home in time for Christmas
Free Theatre Christchurch has been battling to survive at a time when many of the city's smallest theatre companies are struggling to find venues to perform in and are often at the mercy of… Video, Audio
Thomasin Harcourt McKenzie: leaving much more than a trace
Runaway success Thomasin Harcourt McKenzie's award winning indie film Leave No Trace, about a father and daughter living off the grid in Oregon's forests first found fans here at the 2018 New Zealand… Audio
International duo to head up Len Lye Centre
A duo with a proven international pedigree has been lured from across the Tasman to head up the Len Lye Centre in New Plymouth.
The best TV new to streaming this week
Australia gets a turn at Netflix’s production billions with the supernatural thriller Tidelands, one of Dan Slevin’s picks of the week. Video
Press & Roma
Tamar Munch reviews the BBC drama series Press, set in the offices of two British newspapers and the film Roma, already being hailed as "the greatest film of 2018" . Audio
Looking back over the year that was in the arts
Arts commentator Courtney Johnstone pays respect to the Vivian Lynn, who passed earlier this month. Courtney also reflects on the year that was, from Banksy's self-destructing canvas at Sothebys to… Audio
Tom Sainsbury, man of many faces & Paula Bennett impersonator
From Matamata farmboy to Snapchat darling. Actor, playwright and comedian, Tom Sainsbury is a man of many impressions, alter egos and voices. He talks to Kathryn about getting under the skin of Paula… Audio, Gallery
Shorty St airs plane crash story after real-life crash
Shortland Street's annual summer cliffhanger aired last night, and featured a deadly plane crash. It was on our screens just hours after a real-life crash a happened. Two people died in a light… Audio
Russell Brand’s new stand-up special is not for the fainthearted
Russell Brand’s new stand-up special is vintage Brand but be aware of which version you are getting, advises Dan Slevin. Video
The best movies new to streaming this week
This week’s streaming highlight is Netflix’s first masterpiece, advises Dan Slevin. Video
