Te Ahurei Toi o Tāmaki Auckland Arts Festival starts its 18-day run of theatre, music, dance, cabaret and more in early March. We asked curators Shona McCullagh and Ataahua Papa for their top picks from the 200 acts on offer.

Shona McCullagh, Artistic Director

Diptych - This show by award-winning theatre company Peeping Tom from Belgium is the ultimate murder mystery, with twists, turns and surprise reveals throughout. Expect to have your mind blown by brilliant set design, performers and visual effects.

Angelique Kidjo - This night will be completely joyous! We’re delighted to present Angelique for what will be an incredible one-night-only show. Over a 40-year career, her 16 albums range from Afrobeat, dancehall, funk and jazz to American R&B and West African musical traditions.

Boot Scootin’ Boogie - Tom Sainsbury and Lara Fischel-Chisholm – aka Dynamotion – will be taking over the Spiegeltent in Aotea Square and leading audiences on a rootin’ tootin’ barn-dance spectacular. Don’t worry if you’ve never line-danced before, Tom and Lara will guide you through every slap-chapping step.

Wonders - Scott Silven is recognised as one of the most exciting theatrical illusionists on the world stage. His show has been described as hypnotic and strangely moving. Sceptics and believers unite, and prepare to be wowed.

Manifesto - Stephanie Lake has been appointed Resident Choreographer at the Australian Ballet and is one of the world’s leading dance artists. With Manifesto, she was inspired by the Edinburgh Tattoo and wanted to create a ‘contemporary’ version so, working with her husband, composer Robin Fox, they pair nine drummers with full rock ‘n’ roll drum kits with nine dancers and set the work against an opulent old-Hollywood staging. The end result is a ‘tattoo to optimism’ that is completely uplifting.

RoZéO - We’re delighted to be bringing acclaimed French aerial artists RoZeo. They’ll soar on swaying, seven-metre poles with live music, and crowds below will be able to enjoy their ‘dance across the sky’ while lapping up the atmosphere around Auckland’s vibrant Viaduct Harbour precinct. This is just one of the many free live events at the Auckland Arts Festival.

Ataahua Papa, Kaihautū Māori

Hear Me Roar - We’ve created the ultimate International Women’s Day celebration – New Zealand’s iconic female vocalists Annie Crummer (When the Cat’s Away), Betty-Anne Monga (Ardijah), Boh Runga (Stellar) and Julia Deans (Fur Patrol) share stories and songs by the women who have inspired their dynamic careers. There’ll be big music, big voices and we might just get the chance to sing along too.

Āhuareka - Tāmaki Makaurau came alive to the sounds of haka and waiata in February 2023 with Te Matatini Herenga Waka Herenga Tangata National Festival. Returning to Auckland and appearing at the Auckland Town Hall are some of the successful kapa haka groups. The performance will be on our final weekend – an uplifting moment to share with whānau and friends.

Kōtuitui - Indigenous creativity and artistic flair come to the fore with a rich array of Indigenous artists joining us for the festival. Kōtuitui will bring together members of taonga puoro collective Haumanu from Aotearoa, with Pamyua (Alaska) and William Barton (Australia) to present a spontaneous, original musical offering. Creative genius at its best.

Culture Beats / City Beats - The festival’s theme of resonance really comes to life with these two free events. Culture Beats sees some of our visiting international drumming experts (Ju Percussion, Afrique en Cirque) join with local artists Tamashii Taiko Drummers and Anuanua Cook Island Drum Group to put on a rhythmic show that will bring Aotea Square to life. Then it’s the audience’s turn to join in with City Beats to create the biggest mass drumline assembled in Auckland.

aaf.co.nz