Make Labour Weekend An Arts Adventure At The Nelson Arts Festival

Celebrate spring in Whakatū this Labour Weekend, with the Nelson Arts Festival, which jumps into action next month from 23 October – 2 November taking over Whakatū. This year’s programme is bursting with powerful conversations, inspiring exhibitions, side-splitting comedy, moving dance works, fresh theatre, whānau adventures and live music. It’s the perfect time to gather, connect and let the arts bloom.

Kicking off the long weekend early on Friday, join Ali Mau and Sonia Orchard for #METOO DOWNUNDER, in partnership with Hikitia! Rise. Join them for an unflinching, insightful conversation about justice and the power of collective action. That evening, the Pukapuka Talks Gala Night brings together seven of Aotearoa’s most compelling voices, including Tame Iti, Elizabeth Knox, Matariki Bennett, and more.

On Saturday, see one of Aotearoa’s hottest up-and-coming comedians Hoani Hotene (2025 Billy T Award-winner), or immerse yourself with acclaimed dance artist Xin Ji for his deeply personal debut solo work, Body Story. At Refinery ArtSpace join artist John Vea in a talk on his exhibition Seasonal Agreement, exploring the complexities facing migrant workers working in Aotearoa, in conversation with contemporary artist Chris Ulutupu. Plus, get along to even more Pukapuka Talks conversations with renowned New Zealand authors including Ngāhuia te Awekōtuku, Michelle Duff and Dr Hinemoa Elder.

Continuing the series of vital and thought-provoking conversations, celebrated playwright, performer and theatre director Jo Randerson talks about their new book Secret Art Powers,. Bestselling author Catherine Chidgey delves into her astonishing new novel, The Book of Guilt, and award-winning writer Damien Wilkins who just won the Ockham Jann Medlicott Acorn Prize for Fiction 2025 unpacks his novel Delirious, a captivating tale about families and ageing.

Families can uncover a trail of magic and mystery behind the scenes at the Theatre Royal with Binge Culture’s Who What Where Now, an adventure experience guided by a bespoke mobile app, and join Tom Knowles and Jeff Parsnips for a brand new Kiwi kids comedy singalong, All The Things I Wish I Could Be for some fun for the whole whānau.

For theatre lovers, Te Pou Theatre’s ration the Queen’s veges is an irreverent one-man play inspired by true events, retelling activist Te Wehi Ratana’s protest and his 48 hours at Rimutaka Prison.

Closing out the long weekend, the festival is thrilled to celebrate New Zealand’s top-selling cookbook author Chelsea Winter, and her newly released book Nourish, with an afternoon tea at The Summer House. At Suter Theatre, choreographer Merenia Gray speaks with Donna McLeod about her book Tiahuia: A Karanga to My Mother.

Make your Labour Weekend one to remember as Nelson comes alive for the Nelson Arts Festival.

See the full programme at www.nelsonartsfestival.nz

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