As we find ourselves well and truly into the swing of the year, a calendar packed with cultural events is keeping us excited for the months ahead. From exceptional exhibitions and uproarious comedy shows to live music, art installations, thrilling theatre and more, consult our April Culture Guide for your creative fix this season.
RNZB’s The Firebird & My Brilliant Career
When & Where: Wednesday 30th April — Sunday 1st June, various locations country-wide
The Royal New Zealand Ballet presents The Firebird and My Brilliant Career, a compelling double bill of storytelling and movement. Loughlan Prior’s visually stunning The Firebird returns, while Cathy Marston’s My Brilliant Career, inspired by Miles Franklin’s novel, makes its New Zealand debut. This powerful season tours nationwide, promising an unforgettable ballet experience.
Nick Herd — The Light of Day
When & Where: Now until Friday 18th April, 5a Gore Street, The Pavilions, Britomart
The Light of Day showcases Nick Herd’s visceral, large-scale figurative paintings, rich in texture and emotion. Working from life, Herd builds layered, gestural portraits that explore vulnerability, resilience, and the human condition — each stroke a raw, sculptural act of expression that blurs the line between abstraction and representation. The exhibition is open daily between 9.30am—4.30pm, until April 18th.
Mark Adams: A Survey | He Kohinga Whakaahua
When & Where: Saturday 29th March — Thursday 7th August, Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki
Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki is set to present Mark Adams: A Survey | He Kohinga Whakaahua — a major retrospective of the renowned New Zealand photographer. The exhibition, curated by Dr Sarah Farrar, showcases over 65 works spanning Adams’ 50-year career, exploring Aotearoa’s landscapes, histories, and cultural intersections. Public programmes and events will accompany the showcase, offering a rare opportunity to engage with Adams’ influential photographic practice, while a new book on Adams’ work will be released to coincide with the survey — the first ever detailed consideration of the artist’s oeuvre.
The Lost Dogs Disco
When & Where: Friday 4th — Thursday 24th April, Aotea Square
Step into the enchanting Lost Dogs’ Disco at Aotea Square — an immersive light and sound installation featuring 16 towering, luminous pups. With playful barks, electronic beats, and vibrant designs, this free, family-friendly event celebrates creativity, connection, and the joy of dogs. Running this April — leashed pups welcome!
In The Ngahere by Ngahuia Williams
When & Where: Friday 4th April — Sunday 30th April, Allpress Studio
Ngahuia Williams’ latest exhibition is a meditation on life’s intricate ecosystems, weaving together her deep connection to the New Zealand wilderness with her evolving creative practice. Drawing from solo expeditions into the bush, she explores whakapapa, solitude, and the unseen worlds — capturing the beauty of nature’s delicate balance through a lens of reverence and discovery.
Pilates on The Dell at Ayrburn
When & Where: Saturday 5th April & Saturday 12th April, The Dell at Ayrburn
Join Studio Yayoi for Pilates on The Dell at Ayrburn this Saturday morning. Start your weekend with an energising class at 8am, followed by a well-deserved coffee and breakfast at The Bakehouse. Sessions are held on select Saturdays, with the next two on the 5th and 12th of April. Think of it as an excuse to unwind and treat yourself to life’s simple pleasures.
Gracie Abrams
When & Where: Tuesday 29th April, Spark Arena
Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter sensation Gracie Abrams is bringing her captivating live performance to our shores this April. With over seven billion streams and acclaim from icons like Taylor Swift, Abrams will celebrate her latest album, The Secret of Us, in an electrifying performance.
Ben Elton
When & Where: Saturday 19th April — Friday 2nd May, various locations country-wide
Ben Elton, the godfather of modern stand-up, returns with Authentic Stupidity, a sharp, hilarious take on the world’s biggest threat — our own foolishness. The multi-award-winning comedian, writer, and director brings his signature wit to the stage, tackling AI, politics, and human absurdity in an unmissable live show.
Sex Pistols Featuring Frank Carter
When & Where: Wednesday 2nd April, Auckland Town Hall
One of the most influential rock bands of all time, the Sex Pistols, are bringing their explosive live show to our shores this April. Nearly 30 years since their last visit, the punk icons will perform Never Mind the Bollocks in full — raw, rebellious, and unmissable.
Speed is Emotional
When & Where: Wednesday 16th April — Saturday 3rd May, Q Theatre
Experience the exhilarating chaos of life with ADHD in Jo Randerson’s Speed is Emotional. With humour and vulnerability, Randerson explores creativity, identity, and living life at full voltage in this bold, beautiful comedy that challenges conventions and celebrates the restless, electric mind.
Chaka Khan
When & Where: Wednesday 16th April, The Civic
Grammy Award winner and Rock & Roll Hall of Famer, Chaka Khan, is set to grace Auckland with a one-night-only performance this April. Celebrating five decades of iconic music, the Queen of Funk will bring her powerhouse vocals and timeless hits to The Civic.
Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express
When & Where: Tuesday 22nd April — Saturday 10th May, ASB Waterfront Theatre
Step aboard the luxurious Orient Express for a thrilling night of intrigue and suspense. Cameron Rhodes stars as Poirot in Ken Ludwig’s clever stage adaptation of Agatha Christie’s classic whodunnit — where every passenger is a suspect.
Rhys Darby — The Legend Returns
When & Where: Thursday 4th & Friday 5th April, Bruce Mason Centre
Kiwi comedy icon Rhys Darby is back with a brand-new stand-up show, blending sharp observations, physical comedy, and a hilariously absurd storyline. In a tech-driven world, can good old-fashioned silliness save the day? Expect a riotous ride from a true master of comedy.
Freida Market
When & Where: Saturday 5th April, Freida Margolis, Auckland
Kickstart your weekend at the lively Freida Market, held on the first Saturday of every month at Freida Margolis in Grey Lynn. Discover a curated selection of pre-loved and vintage clothes, unique finds, freshly baked goods, seasonal flowers, vinyl, handmade crafts, and more. Enjoy tasty bites as vinyl spins in true Freida’s style, adding to the warm, community feel.
