Get ready for a new generation of talented Kiwi musicians! WhitebaitMedia have announced Take The Mic, a brand-new music video competition for emerging New Zealand singers and songwriters between 15-18 years old. Airing on TVNZ2 from Monday, 19th September, this docu-series will highlight some of Aotearoa’s fresh new talent and provide them with insight from music professionals, putting them on a platform to become stars.
Hand-picked from over 200 entries, 12 Kiwi kids were chosen by music video director Connor Pritchard and musician Mikey Dam to be supported by industry experts as they make their own music videos. Performing a mix of original music and covers, the show provides a spotlight for an age group who are starting to think about pursuing music as a career.
Each Monday, audiences will watch as judges Connor Pritchard and Mikey Dam select four contestants ready to begin their musical journey. With episodes every weekday at 4:05pm, the rest of the week’s episodes will give audiences a chance to meet the lucky entrants, visit them in their hometowns and ultimately, see their final music video. We’ll travel around the country to meet the diverse pool of teenagers, who hail from Hamilton, Tolaga Bay, Dannevirke, Wellington, Nelson, Methven, Christchurch, and Auckland. After three weeks of meeting the contestants, Kiwis will get their say in a public vote on Friday October 7th. The top three will then go head-to-head to come out on top and take out the Take The Mic 2022 crown.
Connor Pritchard has worked with some of Aotearoa’s most respected musicians, creating bespoke music videos for artists including Six60, SWIDT, Melodownz, JessB and many more. His work has earned him various accolades in New Zealand and abroad. Mikey Dam is a Kiwi singer-songwriter who has carved his own brand of therapeutic pop-tinged R&B that is always underlined with real life experience and honesty. His track ‘Time’ solidified his place in the industry, going on to co-write the widely loved song ’Not My Neighbour’ with Niko Walters, now certified platinum in NZ.
Producer Emma Martini comments on the show: “Working with these incredibly talented and passionate teenagers to bring their vision to life has been really rewarding for our team. These young adults are not celebrated enough on screen. We thank TVNZ and NZ On Air for their support in giving rangitahi this platform to share their skills with Aotearoa.
Take The Mic was created by WhitebaitMedia with funding from NZ On Air. Episodes will air weekdays at 4:05pm on TVNZ2 and are also available to stream on TVNZ+.
ABLE PARTNERS WITH TVNZ TO CELEBRATE GLOBAL LITERACY DAY
RESEARCH SHOWS CAPTIONS INCREASE CHILD LITERACY SUCCESS
Able, a not-for-profit organisation working towards a more inclusive Aotearoa, has partnered with TVNZ for Global Literacy Day to raise awareness about the free services available to all tamariki. TVNZ has confirmed that on Thursday 8 September, Global Literacy Day, all programming for children across the network will host open captioning (captions are turned on for everyone watching), bringing attention to how watching with same-language subtitles can improve reading skills amongst children, especially important given the news this week about the low pass rates in trial of NCEA literacy and numeracy tests alarming principals.
Able’s vision is for an Aotearoa in which everyone can access the media. By partnering with TVNZ to broadcast all children’s programming with open captions on the day of Thursday 8 September, TVNZ and Able aim to highlight the accessible features that are available for free for Aotearoa’s tamariki and show that what’s good for accessibility is good for everyone.
New Zealand’s media accessibility organisation Able creates captions for New Zealand TV and media. Primarily, these provide access for the 880,000+ New Zealanders who are d/Deaf and hard-of-hearing, but local and international research shows that having captions turned on also dramatically benefits children’s' literacy.
Key research findings in the report Now I Don't Know My ABC published in March 2022 by Dr Nina Hood, says two out of five New Zealand children are either only just meeting or failing to meet literacy standards entirely by the age of 15. Recently the New Zealand Government announced a new Literacy & Communication and Maths Strategy indicating a need for change in literacy for children.
Research shows captions directly lead to an improvement in children’s literacy, language and reading skills. Children read along with same-language-subtitles automatically and the presence of subtitles helps children recognise words and grasp story elements.
Able CEO Dan Buckingham says: “Current research has shown that captions on TV programming can have incredible benefits for children’s literacy. Partnering with TVNZ for Global Literacy Day demonstrates that what’s good for accessibility is good for everyone.”
TVNZ’s Director of Content, Cate Slater, says “We’re pleased to help celebrate Global Literacy Day in partnership with Able, by broadcasting our tamariki programming line-up with open captions for the day. We hope our viewers will take something away from the day too.”
“In a world where 85% of social videos are viewed without sound, captions are more prevalent in everyday life. One of the great benefits of captions is that they can double the chances of a child becoming good at reading. At Able, we make more than 2 million words accessible through captions every week, which not only provides essential access for the Deaf and hard-of-hearing community; but also have numerous other benefits for society, including boosting literacy for our tamariki and rangatahi” continues Dan Buckingham.
Full instructions to turn captions on are here: https://able.co.nz/captions/how-to-access/
TEASER POSTER FOR ‘RED, WHITE & BRASS’ RELEASED
The brand new feature film Red, White & Brass has today released their teaser poster to celebrate Uike Kātoanga'i 'o e Lea Faka-Tonga Tongan Language Week. Shot in Te Whanganui-a-Tara, Wellington, The film is inspired by a true story about a group of Tongans forming a brass band to get free tickets to the 2011 Rugby World Cup to see Tonga play France.
Produced by the production companies behind The Breaker Upperers, Cousins and Hunt for the Wilderpeople, Piki Films and Miss Conception Films, the film stars a stellar ensemble of Tongan talent including John-Paul Foliaki (Popstars), Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi (Panthers), Ilaisaane Green (Brutal Lives), Onetoto Ikavuka, Mikey Falesiu (Toke), Lupeti Finau, Lotima Pome'e (Under the Vines), and Haanz Fa'avae-Jackson (Savage).
Halaifonua (Nua) Finau who co-wrote and co-produced the film was in the original band that performed at the Rugby World Cup in 2011.
“It’s been straight māfana bringing this story to life, being surrounded by Tongan language, family and culture through the process. Koe taha ‘o e ngaahi taumu’a ‘o e faiva ko ‘eni kiate au, ko e fakamamafa’i ‘a e mahu’inga ‘o e tau lea moe ‘ulungāanga faka-Tonga, (My hope for the film is that it highlights the importance of our language and culture).
Tongans are renowned for the support of their teams with their Red and White flags covering cars, houses and faces throughout the World Cup. Against the odds in 2011, the Tongan team won against France at the game the band performed before.
Red, White and Brass is the debut feature film for co-writer and director Damon Fepulea’i. “The Tongan energy is so infectious, you can’t help but be excited by this underdog story about what’s possible if you band together for a common goal.” said Fepulea’i.
The film is produced by Georgina Conder, Morgan Waru, Halaifonua Finau and executive produced by Carthew Neal, Ainsley Gardiner and Taika Waititi. The film has funding from the New Zealand Film Commission, the New Zealand Government’s Screen Production Grant and Screen Production Recovery Fund, NZ on Air, Warner Bros. Discovery ANZ, Angel Investors Marlborough, Department of Post and Kiwibank.
The film is in a mix of English and Tongan languages and will be released in the first half of 2023 in cinemas across the country.
@redwhitebrass #redwhitebrass
AWARD-WINNING COMEDIAN ROB BRYDON ANNOUNCES NEW TOUR A NIGHT OF SONGS & LAUGHTER WITH HIS FABULOUS BAND
Award winning comedian Rob Brydon and his eight-piece band will head to Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch with his new show, Rob Brydon – A Night Of Songs & Laughter in 2023. The new show follows on from the huge success of his 2019 sold-out tour of Australia, and marks the first time the much-loved entertainer has created a show that includes songs and music alongside his acclaimed wit and comedy.
Pre sale tickets go on sale at 1pm NZT Tuesday 30 August via livenation.co.nz and general sale 2pm NZT Wednesday 31 August.
Rob’s new tour begins in Auckland in March 2023, before heading to Wellington and Christchurch.
With songs from Tom Waits to Tom Jones, Guys and Dolls to Elvis (and almost everything in between), audiences can expect Rob’s usual warmth and humour as well as some of his famed gallery of voices.
Rob said: “I'm so excited to be heading back to New Zealand and getting back on stage with this new show. Touring with this incredible band of musicians is such a delight. I'm looking forward to getting around your fine country next year and bringing some much needed music and laughter.”
Rob Brydon’s varied career began with the TV comedy shows Marion and Geoff and Human Remains in 2000, for which he won British Comedy Awards. Since then his comedy credits have included A Small Summer Party, The Keith Barret Show, Directors Commentary, Supernova, Cruise Of The Gods, Black Books, I’m Alan Partridge, Little Britain, Live At The Apollo, Rob Brydon’s Annually Retentive, QI, The Big Fat Quiz Of The Year, Have I Got News For You, Gavin and Stacey, Rob Brydon’s Identity Crisis, Would I Lie To You and The Trip with Steve Coogan.
He has also appeared in dramas Oliver Twist, Heroes and Villains: Napoleon, The Way We Live Now, Murder In Mind, Kenneth Tynan: In Praise of Hardcore, Marple and the films 24 Hour Party People, MirrorMask, A Cock and Bull Story and the film Swimming with Men.
In 2009 alongside Ruth Jones, Robin Gibb and Sir Tom Jones, Rob reached number one in the UK charts with the single Islands in The Stream, in aid of Comic Relief. He also embarked on an 87 date tour of the UK with his stand up show, Rob Brydon Live, which included a three week run in London’s West End. He also recently enjoyed a sold-out tour with Lee Mack and David Mitchell, before his own sell-out tour in 2020.
Twitter, Instagram and Facebook:
@robbrydonlive
ROB BRYDON – A NIGHT OF SONGS & LAUGHTER
TOUR DATES 2023
KIRI TE KANAWA THEATRE, AUCKLAND SATURDAY 4 MARCH
OPERA HOUSE, WELLINGTON MONDAY 6 MARCH
TOWN HALL, CHRISTCHURCH TUESDAY 7 MARCH
For complete tour and ticket information, visit livenation.co.nz
AWARD-WINNING COMEDIAN ROB BRYDON ANNOUNCES NEW TOUR A NIGHT OF SONGS & LAUGHTER WITH HIS FABULOUS BAND
AUCKLAND, NZ (August 29, 2022) - Award winning comedian Rob Brydon and his eight-piece band will head to Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch with his new show, Rob Brydon – A Night Of Songs & Laughter in 2023. The new show follows on from the huge success of his 2019 sold-out tour of Australia, and marks the first time the much-loved entertainer has created a show that includes songs and music alongside his acclaimed wit and comedy.
Pre sale tickets go on sale at 1pm NZT Tuesday 30 August via livenation.co.nz and general sale 2pm NZT Wednesday 31 August.
Rob’s new tour begins in Auckland in March 2023, before heading to Wellington and Christchurch.
With songs from Tom Waits to Tom Jones, Guys and Dolls to Elvis (and almost everything in between), audiences can expect Rob’s usual warmth and humour as well as some of his famed gallery of voices.
Rob said: “I'm so excited to be heading back to New Zealand and getting back on stage with this new show. Touring with this incredible band of musicians is such a delight. I'm looking forward to getting around your fine country next year and bringing some much needed music and laughter.”
Rob Brydon’s varied career began with the TV comedy shows Marion and Geoff and Human Remains in 2000, for which he won British Comedy Awards. Since then his comedy credits have included A Small Summer Party, The Keith Barret Show, Directors Commentary, Supernova, Cruise Of The Gods, Black Books, I’m Alan Partridge, Little Britain, Live At The Apollo, Rob Brydon’s Annually Retentive, QI, The Big Fat Quiz Of The Year, Have I Got News For You, Gavin and Stacey, Rob Brydon’s Identity Crisis, Would I Lie To You and The Trip with Steve Coogan.
He has also appeared in dramas Oliver Twist, Heroes and Villains: Napoleon, The Way We Live Now, Murder In Mind, Kenneth Tynan: In Praise of Hardcore, Marple and the films 24 Hour Party People, MirrorMask, A Cock and Bull Story and the film Swimming with Men.
In 2009 alongside Ruth Jones, Robin Gibb and Sir Tom Jones, Rob reached number one in the UK charts with the single Islands in The Stream, in aid of Comic Relief. He also embarked on an 87 date tour of the UK with his stand up show, Rob Brydon Live, which included a three week run in London’s West End. He also recently enjoyed a sold-out tour with Lee Mack and David Mitchell, before his own sell-out tour in 2020.
Twitter, Instagram and Facebook:
@robbrydonlive
ROB BRYDON – A NIGHT OF SONGS & LAUGHTER
TOUR DATES 2023
KIRI TE KANAWA THEATRE, AUCKLAND SATURDAY 4 MARCH
OPERA HOUSE, WELLINGTON MONDAY 6 MARCH
TOWN HALL, CHRISTCHURCH TUESDAY 7 MARCH
For complete tour and ticket information, visit livenation.co.nz
ACCLAIMED MĀORI SOUL SINGER TEEKS ANNOUNCES FIRST EVER SPARK ARENA SHOW
AUCKLAND, NZ (August 29, 2022) – Live Nation has today announced that award winning Māori artist TEEKS (Te Karehana Gardiner-Toi) will be returning to the stage for an immersive, up-close and personal Auckland show this November. Experience TEEKS making history in a special in-the-round stage setting at Spark Arena for one show only, November 12th. Being his first ever arena-headlining show, this is TEEKS as you’ve never seen him before.
Tickets for this show go on sale at 11am Tuesday August 30 from livenation.co.nz
Following the huge success of his sold-out Matariki shows with the NZSO and two Australian shows this year and a sold-out ‘Something to Feel’ debut album release tour, TEEKS has received global acclaim for his mahi on and off stage. ‘Something to Feel’ debuted at #1, with the single ‘First Time’ reaching #1 on Spotify and Apple, securing gold status in Aotearoa and South Africa, and amassing over 17 million streams. In 2021, TEEKS finished the year with three Aotearoa Music Awards for Best Solo Artist, Best Soul/R&B Artist, Best Māori Artist and Best NZ Act at the MTV EMAs.
Bursting onto the scene in 2017 with his EP The Grapefruit Skies, the world came to know TEEKS (Ngāpuhi, Ngāi Te Rangi, Ngāti Ranginui), with gold certified singles ‘If Only’ and the iconic ‘Never Be Apart’. By 2019, the Māori artist from the Far North had captivated the industry’s imagination as his towering potential came into focus. What really sealed the deal was his concerts, where an ostensible initial shyness quickly gave way to rare level of vulnerability. Speaking of TEEKS’ momentous, sold-out headliner show at Auckland’s Town Hall with the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra, The New Zealand Listener said his performance had the “emotional punch as, say, Adele’s version of ‘Someone Like You’ at the Brits in 2011.”
From performing in intimate venues to historical town halls, TEEKS is one live act you won’t want to miss.
“Teeks has an uncanny knack for singing with a gravitas that makes you feel like you are in a stadium, but at the same time as if he is singing for you and you only.” – New Zealand Herald
“His ballads, like soothing balms for heartache, and his stage presence, endearing and utterly likeable, are universally appealing – and his motley crew crowd are a testament to that.” – Stuff
“New Zealand’s soulful singer to know” – American Vogue
TEEKS
NEW ZEALAND 2022
SPARK ARENA, AUCKLAND
SATURDAY, 12 NOV
TICKETS ON SALE TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 1 AT 10AM NZT
Live Nation and Ticket Agent pre-sale: 9am Wednesday August 31 – 9am Thursday September 1
For complete tour and ticket information, visit: thisteeks.com & www.livenation.co.nz
AUCKLAND LIVE PRESENTS PICK & MIX 2022
Auckland’s much-loved, free family-friendly programme, Auckland Live Pick & Mix, makes a welcome return with a short taster for 2022.
Featuring a renowned kapa haka troupe and an immersive app-based adventure, two perfect ways to be inspired by the creativity of the performing arts.
Pick & Mix offers performances and workshops, a fantastic opportunity for curious young audiences to try out new artforms and learn some new skills in a safe, relaxed environment together with some of Aotearoa’s most talented artists and performers.
First up is Te Wehi Haka, The Haka Experience! With a free kapa haka performance that celebrates Te Ao Māori (the Māori world) alongside a fun and interactive workshop where everyone gets to learn more about Toi Māori (Māori art forms) and gain some new te Reo Māori kupu (words). The Haka Experience! is presented in celebration of Te Wiki o te Reo Māori, Māori Language week.
In November, Binge Culture (Whales) returns with a free app-guided immersive adventure, Who What Where Now. Participants will go on an adventure around the Aotea Centre and Aotea Square – including behind-the-scenes areas that are not generally open to the public.
Discover different characters, activities, and surprises on this interactive adventure that is guaranteed to stimulate the imagination and inspire creativity. This event will be great fun for everybody and can be completed solo or in groups of 2-6 people. Who What Where Now was commissioned by Auckland Live, celebrating an exciting direction in hybrid arts experiences. These experiences integrate technology and immersive theatrical storytelling in an exciting way that families can enjoy together.
Auckland Live Pick & Mix aims to immerse audiences into the world of performing arts by providing everyone, especially families, with free high-quality arts performances and workshops designed to inspire and open doors to discover the wonder of live arts and entertainment.
Auckland Live Pick & Mix is free to attend, however bookings are essential due to limited venue capacity. Registering for a free ticket is the best way to secure your spot. Tickets are available now for The Haka Experience! and can be booked at aucklandlive.co.nz. Registration for Who What Where Now will be available later this year. You can sign up to a waitlist to be the first to hear when tickets are released at aucklandlive.co.nz
For full details of the Auckland Live Pick & Mix programme, venues and timings, visit: www.aucklandlive.co.nz/event/pick-and-mix
AUCKLAND LIVE PICK & MIX EVENTS:
Suitable for ages 4 to 10+
The Haka Experience!
10am, Sat 17 Sep – Auckland Town Hall | Hōro ā-Tāone o Tāmaki Makaurau
10am, Sun 18 Sep – Bruce Mason Centre
Who What Where Now
Sun 6 Nov – Aotea Square | Aotea – Te Papu Tū Wātea and Aotea Centre | Aotea – Te Pokapū
FIRST RELEASE OF ACTS FOR RHYTHM AND VINES 2022 AS THE FESTIVAL CELEBRATES ITS 20 YEAR ANNIVERSARY
After having a year off, Gisborne’s award-winning multi-day music festival returns with its first release of acts tasked with bringing the party to the 20th anniversary celebration of Rhythm and Vines.
The first announcement and day split includes:
DEC 29
CHASE & STATUS (DJ SET), CAMELPHAT, ANDY C, FOLAMOUR, LASTLINGS, SPACEY JANE, TSHA, ALICE AGNES, BARRY CAN'T SWIM, DJ SEINFELD, ESTÈRE, GRAFIX, HARRIET JAXXON, JESS RHODES, MELL HALL, SURE BOY
DEC 30
DIMENSION (LIVE), BONOBO (DJ SET), SKREAM (DUBSTEP SET), CROOKED COLOURS, GLAIVE & ERICDOA , LADYHAWKE, EMWA, GEORGIE RIOT, KIKI ROCKWELL, KINK (LIVE), PRETTY GIRL, SAMMYTHESINNER, SHANTI CELESTE, SOFIA KOURTESIS, WIRI DONNA
DEC 31
ALISON WONDERLAND, FRICTION, COSMOS MIDNIGHT, FLAVA D, LEE MVTTHEWS, PROSPA, ASSOCIANU, DENA AMY, DJ MARKY, GERD JANSON, GODLANDS, HALOGENIX, KITO, SAMMY VIRJI, SIN, TS7
CLICK HERE FOR FESTIVAL MARKETING ASSETS
The opening night of Rhythm and Vines features headline performances from CHASE & STATUS, CAMELPHAT and ANDY C. It has been eight years since UK drum and bass legends CHASE & STATUS last performed at Rhythm and Vines. With four albums and two legendary performances at Rhythm and Vines under their belt, it makes perfect sense to have one of the globe’s biggest drum and bass artists headline the opening night of Rhythm and Vines 20th anniversary celebration. Joining Chase and Status on the opening night, is the undisputed King of D&B and RAM Records head honcho ANDY C, returning for his second appearance at the festival. Rounding off the first night is a NZ exclusive performance from electronic producer-duo CAMELPHAT, who most notably are responsible for 2017 breakthrough, Grammy nominated hit “Cola”. Lovers of house, disco and all things dance floor are also given a treat with performances from hotly tipped TSHA, French house and disco producer FOLAMOUR, Swedish producer DJ SEINFELD and Scotland born house maestro BARRY CAN’T SWIM. Western Australian indie rockers SPACEY JANE also make their debut performance at Rhythm and Vines, with more acts to be announced in November.
Night two of Rhythm and Vines features a NZ exclusive live set from UK drum and bass producer DIMENSION (LIVE). Audiences will be treated to an audio and visual treat with anthems including “Desire”, Offender, and “Love to Give” to name a few. No surprises that Auckland lists high on Spotify stream locations, placing second below his hometown of London. Critically-acclaimed British musician and producer BONOBO will bring his globally respected ambient electronica vibe to the festival. A cult following, his unique jazz infused, trip hop and world music will have the Cellar Stage forest dancing till close. SKREAM returns to the festival bringing his highly respected Dubstep set. The last time Skream, aka Oliver Jones, performed at Rhythm and Vines in 2016, he proposed to his girlfriend Chloe on stage (she said yes!). The second night also features performances from New Zealand indie legend LADYHAWKE, who returns to Waiohika after 14 years, with debut performances from Australian indie group CROOKED COLOURS, hyper pop GLAIVE & ERICDOA and more.
Australian producer ALISON WONDERLAND makes her highly anticipated return to Waiohika Estate on New Year’s Eve. Globally renowned for big stage performances at Tomorrowland and being the highest billed female DJ in Coachella history, she will be tasked with bringing in the iconic New Year’s Eve time slot, sending 23,000 festival fans flying into 2023. And Drum and Bass icon FRICTION is no stranger to New Zealand fans, with regular tours and festival slots, he gets his shot to bring his anthemic crowd pleasers to the Vines Stage on New Year’s Eve. Featured performances also include Kiwi heroes LEE MVTTHEWS, UK garage and grime producer FLAVA D, and Australian house duo COSMO’S MIDNIGHT. Performances to watch out for include South African-born, Australian-raised DENA AMY (who once featured on Flight of the Conchords) through to ASSOCIANU (side project of Tove Lo). The most popular night, Rhythm and Vines is world famous for its New Year’s Eve show, including the infamous countdown video and fireworks show providing the ultimate send off into the New Year. And of course, the holy grail for festival fans across the globe is to be the first to welcome in the first sunrise in the world.
NEW DAVID FARRIER FILM EXPLORES AN INCREDIBLE TRUE STORY OF PSYCHOLOGICAL WARFARE
The new investigative film from David Farrier, Mister Organ, has been selected to have its world premiere next month at the prestigious Fantastic Fest 2022 in Austin, Texas.
Mister Organ sees journalist and filmmaker David Farrier (Tickled, Dark Tourist), unwittingly drawn into a dangerous game of cat and mouse with a mysterious individual clamping cars and creating havoc in his neighbourhood.
The clamper is revealed to be Michael Organ and as Farrier delves deeper into his background he falls into a thrilling and tension filled three year long investigation — unearthing a trail of multiple court cases, inflated claims of royal bloodlines and ruined lives, in this incredible true story of psychological warfare.
Mister Organ will be released in New Zealand cinemas from Thursday 10th November 2022.
Directed and produced by David Farrier, of the newsletter Webworm and co-host of the Flightless Bird podcast, Executive Producer Ant Timpson (Come To Daddy) and produced by Emma Slade (Nude Tuesday, The Justice of Bunny King) and Alex Reed (There’s No “I” in Threesome, The Girl on the Bridge).
The film is made with investment from the New Zealand Film Commission and MUBI. The film is distributed in New Zealand/Australia by Madman and international sales are being handled by Submarine and UTA.
SOL3 MIO ANNOUNCE ‘THE COMING HOME TOUR’ FOR OCTOBER 2022
Operatic pop vocal trio SOL3 MIO have today announced dates for New Zealand as part of The Coming Home Tour. Shows are confirmed for Auckland, Christchurch, Napier and Wellington in October 2022.
Comprised of Samoan-descended brothers Pene and Amitai Pati - both tenors - and their baritone cousin Moses Mackay, the group fuses classical, opera, and pop music with a playful wit and frequent nods to their Samoan heritage.
The Coming Home Tour will include songs from their third studio album Coming Home, featuring a mix of contemporary hits and well-known classics, including lead single E Ipo.
All three are classically trained and had been pursuing their own careers when, in 2008, Pene and Moses found themselves in the backing choir for famed Italian star Andrea Bocelli. The inspiration they felt from that concert stayed with them, and in 2011 they united with Amitai for a series of fundraising concerts that would launch their career as SOL3 MIO.
By 2013 they signed with Universal and recorded their self-titled debut, a collection of traditional and popular songs that immediately topped the New Zealand Albums Chart and became the biggest-selling album in the country that year. SOL3 MIO’s success continued in 2014 with the release of a four-song EP, a holiday single, and appearances around the world. Their 2015 follow-up album, On Another Note, also reached number one in New Zealand led by the single I See Fire, a cover of Ed Sheeran's song from The Hobbit soundtrack.
PRODUCTION COMMENCES FOR PIKI FILMS’ NEW FILM STARRING ERANA JAMES AND RIMA TE WIATA
Production is underway for Piki Films’ new feature film starring Erana James, Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei and Waikato Tainui (The Wilds, The Changeover), Nathalie Morris (Bump, Petrol), new talent Manaia Hall, Ngāi Tūhoe, Ngāti Manawa, Ngāti Pukenga, and acclaimed actor Rima Te Wiata, Ngāti Raukawa (Hunt for the Wilderpeople, Housebound).
From the production house behind NZ box office hits Jojo Rabbit, Baby Done, Hunt for the Wilderpeople and The Breaker Upperers, the film follows the friendship of three misfit teens trapped at an institution inconveniently situated on a tiny island. The school’s mission is to transform delinquents from barbarism to domestication.
Directed by Josephine Stewart-Te Whiu, Ngāpuhi and Te Arawa (Waru, Ani), the film is written by cartoonist and writer Maddie Dai, whose work features in the New Yorker, with additional writing from Stewart-Te Whiu.
Director Josephine Stewart-Te Whiu said: “The strength and friendship in these young women is funny and inspiring, and to bring this film to life is my teenage dream. It’s a privilege to be working with such an incredible cast and crew in Christchurch.”
It will be produced by Morgan Waru of Piki Films, Ngāti Porou (Baby Done) and Polly Fryer (The Golden Hour). The film features Ōtamahua Island and is being made with support from Te Hapū o Ngāti Wheke.
The film is made with investment by The New Zealand Film Commission, the New Zealand Government’s Screen Production Grant, Fit Via Vi, Screen CanterburyNZ, Department of Post, Native Audio, and Kiwibank. The film is distributed in New Zealand by Madman and Piki Films and in Australia by Madman.
‘CYCLORAMA’, NZ’S FIRST E-BIKE FESTIVAL TO DEBUT THIS LABOUR WEEKEND
Cyclorama, New Zealand’s first e-bike festival is set to debut this Labour Weekend (22nd and 23rd October) in Arrowtown offering the ultimate weekend destination for the growing numbers of e-bike riders.
The brainchild of Film and TV producer Dave Gibson, and curated after research from festivals around the world, Cyclorama offers riders from New Zealand and abroad the chance to ride spectacular trails while experiencing aspects of the Whakatipu that make it such a renowned destination. Whether you are into wine, beer, gin, food or bird watching - there is a ride and stunning views for you to lap up.
Cyclorama offers six carefully designed and curated rides suitable for all ages and fitness levels. Riders are welcome to bring their own e-bike to the festival or secure a bike from one of the local rental suppliers. E-Bike experience is not specifically required and there’s no need for a high level of fitness to enjoy many of the rides.
All rides start and finish in Arrowtown at the Cyclorama Festival Village which will house various e-bike retailers and accessory providers. In addition there will be e-bike activities set up to complement Arrowtown’s great cafes, bars, restaurants and shops.
“It’s fantastic to be welcoming a new bike-focused event to the region,” says Destination Queenstown Marketing & Communications Director, Sarah O’Donnell. “We are very excited to be hosting the inaugural Cyclorama e-bike festival in our region, showcasing both the amazing biking in our region but also the huge range of world-class experiences that Queenstown is renowned for. It’s shaping up to be an outstanding programme of activities and we look forward to welcoming visitors here.”
Tickets are limited and are on sale now from the website www.cyclorama.co.nz
THE RIDES
TOUR DE GOURMET
Tour de Gourmet offers riders a spectacular ride through the Central Otago countryside with featured degustation style foodie stops along the way.
Largely based around Arrowtown, Lake Hayes and Dalefield, riders will be treated to delicious locally sourced food with matched beverages at four very special locations.
This ride has sessions across both the Saturday and Sunday and includes food and beverages at each stop.
GINOLOGY
This ride gives riders the unique opportunity to blend your own craft gin under the expert guidance of renowned Fenton Street distiller Stuart Green. After riding to a colourful taxidermist’s studio on the Arrow River Bridges trail, Stuart will guide riders nose and palate through a gin tasting session, while he regales the group with the tales that made Fenton Street an award-winning distillery. Following that, riders will have the chance to make their own gin by selecting from a range of botanicals, then blending them into their very own exclusive gin to take home.
THE HOP TRAIL
This ride is an adventurous 50 km ride highlighted with tastings at some of the best craft breweries in the Wakatipu basin.
Travelling across a rarely accessed track riders will head to Arthur’s Point where riders have craft beer tastings at both Cargo Brewing and Canyon Brewing, choosing one location for their late lunch. Lager, IPA, Pilsner, Wheat, Porter, Hazy…maybe even a seltzer, a radler or a cider will be available at each of the two breweries offering different tastings.
Then it’s back to Arrowtown via the occasionally challenging Lower Shotover/Kimi Ākau Trail (and a diversion around the slip). In Arrowtown, riders will choose to try a Lake & Wood brew at Slow Cuts from local brewer Jay Sherwood or choose from a wide selection of craft beers at The Fork and Tap where there will be live music.
RIDE TO THE SKY
Local e-MTB guide, Shay Muddle normally guides riders up Grant Peak. For Cyclorama he will guide riders up one of his favourite and hard to access rides – Mt Rosa.
Shay will transport the bikes out to Gibbston Valley to save batteries for the breath-taking one hour ride up the hill. Although moderate experience is required, this is a chance for riders to take themselves to the next level and do something a bit different with a guide.
PEDDLING PINOT
Riders will head along the Arrow and Kawarau Rivers taking in all the sights en route to Gibbston Valley and to Valli vineyard where they will meet Grant Taylor amongst his vines.
Grant will share the reasons why he grows pinot grapes here and what’s special about the land and the varietal. Together they will ride through the vines to Kinross for a tasting showcase which will demonstrate the different nature of terroir by comparing pinot noir from his Gibbston and Waitaki vineyards.
A delicious lunch with Grant in the Kinross Wine Garden will be served with an accompanying glass of wine.
AWAKE WITH THE BIRDS
Riders will enjoy a gentle early morning e-bike ride around Lake Hayes with the chance to spot pukeko, crested grebes, black shag, New Zealand scaup, white-faced herons, black swans, kingfishers, waterfowl and coot.
October is a great month for bird watching and riders will be guided by zoology graduate, eBirder and experienced nature guide Petrina Duncan alongside bike pro Tony Moore. Binoculars are supplied or you may bring your own.
The ride includes brunch at The Dishery on return to Arrowtown, where riders can relax, debrief on what they have seen and watch the Festival Village come alive from their own special table.
TRAILER UNVEILED FOR UPCOMING KIWI FILM ‘MILLIE LIES LOW’ STARRING ANA SCOTNEY AND RACHEL HOUSE
The enthralling trailer for upcoming Kiwi film Millie Lies Low has today been released, ahead of the comedy-drama’s general release on September 29th. Bringing the story of Millie to life is actor, artist and theatre-maker Ana Scotney (Cousins, The Breaker Upperers), Kiwi acting stalwart Rachel House (Bellbird, Hunt for the Wilderpeople), and is supported by Chris Alosio, Jillian Nguyen and Sam Cotton. The film has screened at prestigious film festivals SXSW, Berlinale, Sydney Film Festival and the New Zealand International Film Festival, and will soon screen in Melbourne and Edinburgh.
Millie Lies Low is Michelle Savill’s feature film directorial debut, with Millie’s story inspired by her own. When heading to France to screen her award-winning short film Ellen is Leaving at the Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival, Savill arrived to the airport to discover her flight had left 24 hours earlier. While a kind airline staffer saved the day, it inspired the story behind Millie Lies Low, where our main character isn’t quite so lucky.
Co-written by Savill and Eli Kent (Coming Home in the Dark), Millie Lies Low follows Millie, an architecture student on her way to New York for an internship, before a moment of panic causes her to miss her flight. Unable to afford another ticket, and worried about the shame of confessing to her friends and family, she hides out in Wellington until she can scrounge together the money for another flight. Keeping her loved ones in the dark starts to backfire, causing Millie’s world to crumble around her.
Director Michelle Savill is thrilled to share Millie Lies Low with Kiwis: "It has been great to share the film with audiences around the world and I am now looking forward to bringing it back home."
Lead actress Ana Scotney adds: “I am so excited we are finally getting to share Millie Lies Low with Aotearoa after such a wild two years! It’s been an honour to be part of this film and share a performance that reflects such an anxious time. I hope you all enjoy the ride!”
CEO of Rialto Distribution Kelly Rogers says: “We are thrilled and excited to be releasing Michelle’s wonderfully entertaining film to Kiwi and Australian audiences in a golden year for local films.”
Produced by Desray Armstrong (Coming Home in the Dark, Juniper) and Angela Littlejohn (Juniper, The Drivers Wife: The Legend of Molly Johnson), Millie Lies Low was made with financing from the New Zealand Film Commission, Images and Sound, Rialto Distribution and private investors. The film was completed with funding from the New Zealand Government’s Screen Production Recovery Fund.
Rialto Distribution will distribute the film in New Zealand and Australia.
TRAILER RELEASED FOR KIWI DRAMA FEATURE FILM PUNCH
The trailer for local drama film Punch has today been unveiled ahead of its nationwide general release on September 8th, 2022. The film stars British actor and Oscar nominee Tim Roth (Bergman Island, Rob Roy, Pulp Fiction, Tin Star), alongside rising Aotearoa talent Jordan Oosterhof (Cul De Sac) and Toi Whakaari graduate Conan Hayes (Sweet Tooth).
Welby Ings, whose award-winning short films have screened at more than 80 international festivals, is writer and director for the project. Punch is a contemporary love story about loyalty and redemption.
The story follows seventeen-year-old small-town golden boy and boxing hero, Jim (Oosterhof), who carries the hopes and dreams of his father Stan (Roth) on his shoulders. His growing relationship with local boy, Whetu (Hayes), forces him to confront the truth about his sexuality, navigating isolation, hypocrisy and the brutality of small town life.
Punch had been a long-time passion project for writer and director Welby Ings: “I am so proud of this story - rarely told – it’s a homage to a truth-facing, compassionate world. Sometimes adversity is beautiful. Punch is like that. I fought for 15 years to bring the story into the light. Magnificent cast and crew wrestled the film from between the jaws of Covid-19 and the country that I love unfolded a breathtaking landscape.”
Ings adds: “Punch is really the story of anybody who has fought to find their place in the world, even when this means losing the things that keep you safe.”
Punch received its world premiere at the Whānau Mārama New Zealand International Film Festival 2022 this past weekend. It will screen in 14 centres around New Zealand as part of the festival in the lead-up to its nationwide cinema release on September 8th, 2022.
Punch is produced by Catherine Fitzgerald (Coming Home in the Dark, Bellbird) of Blueskin Films, and Robin Murphy (Lowdown Dirty Criminals, Births, Deaths and Marriages) for Robin Murphy Productions. The film is made with investment from The New Zealand Film Commission, and the New Zealand Government’s Screen Production Grant and Screen Production Recovery Fund. Punch is distributed byVendetta Films in New Zealand and Australia with international sales by The Yellow Affair.
SPRING CITY PRESENTS GROOVE ARMADA LIVE
One of the globe's biggest electronic dance acts GROOVE ARMADA will be touring their full live band experience across New Zealand this Spring as part of their 25 Years farewell tour. The 4 date tour will feature performances at QEII PARK in CHRISTCHURCH on THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 24 2022, CHURCH ROAD WINERY in NAPIER on FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 25 2022, and TSB ARENA, WELLINGTON on SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 27 2022. The Auckland performance on SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 26 2022 will see Groove Armada headlining the return of the SPRING CITY MUSIC FESTIVAL, taking place at the stunning AUCKLAND DOMAIN.
For over two decades GROOVE ARMADA has been established as one of the planet's best loved and biggest selling dance acts. Since debuting in 1997, they’ve proved that it’s possible to bravely explore a multitude of sounds while achieving critical and commercial success. It’s a trait that is apparent within a selection of their best loved songs. From the dancehall dub of ‘Superstylin’ to the crossover pop of ‘Song 4 Mutya (Out of Control)’ and from the dancefloor-igniting ‘I See You Baby’ to the woozy sunset vibes of ‘At The River’, Groove Armada have consistently and uncompromisingly followed their own vision.
What the duo - Tom Findlay and Andy Cato - have achieved must’ve seemed unthinkable when they first met at university back in the nineties: three UK Top 10 albums; three Grammy nominations; a BRIT nomination; and a succession of hit singles that are still being discovered by new fans to this day. Despite having formed a quarter-of-a-century before streaming exploded, they still command the attention of almost two million monthly listeners at Spotify. They’ve also collaborated with or remixed countless high profile artists, notably Madonna, Paul Simon, Fatboy Slim, Calvin Harris, Neneh Cherry and Bryan Ferry.
Fans of Groove Armada can expect to experience the live show with the full band at each of the 4 shows, with support acts to be announced. The full Spring City Music festival lineup to be released at a later date.