Entertainment

Autumn and early winter are a fantastic time to visit Hawke’s Bay, with a steady line-up of events across Napier and the wider region. Whether you’re after live entertainment, markets, or cultural experiences, there is always something happening within easy reach of Ace High Motor Inn. April: Festivals, Exhibitions and Live Entertainment April kicks off with some of the region’s most popular annual events: The Extravaganza Fair (3–6 April) – a vibrant, family-friendly festival with food trucks, market stalls, and live entertainment at Anderson Park Hidden in History: Trailblazing Women of Hawke’s Bay (running until 19 April) – a free exhibition highlighting influential local women at MTG Hawke’s Bay The King of Pop – Michael Jackson Concert Experience (24 April)...

Auckland comes alive from April through to early winter with a vibrant mix of cultural festivals, live performances, and creative events. For visitors planning a stay, Best Western Newmarket Inn & Suites offers a comfortable and convenient base, with easy access to the city’s top venues and attractions. Here are some of the standout events happening from the start of April: World of Cultures Festival (March 21- April 5) Location: Various locations across Auckland Kicking off the month, this citywide celebration showcases Auckland’s incredible cultural diversity. Visitors can explore international food, music, dance, and traditions through a variety of free and family-friendly events held across the region. Dreamer Indoor Light Festival (3 to 12 April) L...

“A perfect day.” That from Selwyn Sounds promoter, David Parlane who says from the first note played yesterday at 11am to the last at just after 8.30pm, the day was perfect. 8000 people dance, sat, drank and ate in the sun on Saturday at the Lincoln Domain, enjoying the ninth Selwyn Sounds. This year headliners were Tony Hadley ex Spandau Ballet and Irish superstar, now living in Australia, Ronan Keating. The festival sold out in record time last year and people were still wanting tickets right up to the day. “Everyone was there to have a good time, and they did,” says Parlane. “The dance area was full from the beginning to the end of the day. There was not a cloud in the sky and as things cooled in the evening when Ronan Keating came on, the vibe was magic.” Perennial favourite Autom...

Annual music festival Selwyn Sounds, which sold out in record time late last year, is almost upon us. On March 7, a crowd of 8000 will pack the Lincoln Domain for a great day of music from a range of acts, headlined by international stars Ronan Keating and Tony Hadley - ex-Spandau Ballet. Selwyn Sounds promoter, David Parlane, says all of the musicians and performers can’t wait to hit the stage. He adds that despite being sold out he’s are still getting inquiries about tickets. “We’ve had a group who had bought VIP tickets to our corporate area contact us, and due to unforeseen circumstances they can’t make it so those tickets are now available. But that’s it,” he says. “Everything has been snapped up. There’s even a massive wait list for campervan and other vehicle parking spots. It’s ...

With event day fast approaching, excitement is building for the Frankton McDonald’s Colour Run/Walk, made possible by the generous support of local and national sponsors and partners who have come together to back this community fundraiser. Set to light up Innes Common at Hamilton Lake on Sunday 15 February 2026, the event will run from 10am to 2pm, with gates opening at 9am for early check-in, filling the lakefront with colour, music and connection. This 4km run and walk is designed for all ages and abilities, bringing families, friends and workplaces together in support of Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC). Every step taken and every ticket sold helps support families when they need it most. Full event details, tickets and donations are available at www.HamiltonColourRun.co.nz. ...

With event day fast approaching, excitement is building for the Frankton McDonald’s Colour Run/Walk, made possible by the generous support of local and national sponsors and partners who have come together to back this community fundraiser. Set to light up Innes Common at Hamilton Lake on Sunday 15 February 2026, the event will run from 10am to 2pm, with gates opening at 9am for early check-in, filling the lakefront with colour, music and connection. This 4km run and walk is designed for all ages and abilities, bringing families, friends and workplaces together in support of Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC). Every step taken and every ticket sold helps support families when they need it most. Full event details, tickets and donations are available at www.HamiltonColourRun.co.nz. ...

I'd be happy to provide an art critique of "Theatre" by Leonardus Aarts. Compositional Strengths: The painting demonstrates a strong sense of architectural rhythm through the repetition of vertical building forms. The artist creates visual interest by varying the width and color temperature of these structures, preventing monotony. The horizontal banding in the lower portion provides effective counterbalance to the vertical elements, creating a stable compositional framework. Color and Light: Aarts employs a sophisticated cool-warm color dialogue. The dominant turquoise and blue-green palette suggests evening or artificial light, while strategic placement of yellow-orange accents (particularly in the windows and right-side building) creates focal points and atmospheric depth. This inte...

I'd be happy to provide an art critique of "Theatre" by Leonardus Aarts. Compositional Strengths: The painting demonstrates a strong sense of architectural rhythm through the repetition of vertical building forms. The artist creates visual interest by varying the width and color temperature of these structures, preventing monotony. The horizontal banding in the lower portion provides effective counterbalance to the vertical elements, creating a stable compositional framework. Color and Light: Aarts employs a sophisticated cool-warm color dialogue. The dominant turquoise and blue-green palette suggests evening or artificial light, while strategic placement of yellow-orange accents (particularly in the windows and right-side building) creates focal points and atmospheric depth. This inte...

Now I can see "Theatre Reprise" - and it's quite a different work from the previous "Theatre" painting. This gives me a much better understanding of Aarts' approach to revisiting a theme. Comparative Approach: This reprise represents a fascinating departure from the colorful, impasto-heavy original. Where "Theatre" was vibrant and sculptural, "Theatre Reprise" is restrained, almost monochromatic, and significantly more linear. This suggests the artist is exploring the same subject through an entirely different aesthetic lens - less about atmospheric color and texture, more about linear structure and spatial complexity. Line and Form: The work is dominated by sinuous, organic contour lines that create a maze-like quality. These lines meander across the surface, defining spaces, suggesti...

Now I can see "Theatre Reprise" - and it's quite a different work from the previous "Theatre" painting. This gives me a much better understanding of Aarts' approach to revisiting a theme. Comparative Approach: This reprise represents a fascinating departure from the colorful, impasto-heavy original. Where "Theatre" was vibrant and sculptural, "Theatre Reprise" is restrained, almost monochromatic, and significantly more linear. This suggests the artist is exploring the same subject through an entirely different aesthetic lens - less about atmospheric color and texture, more about linear structure and spatial complexity. Line and Form: The work is dominated by sinuous, organic contour lines that create a maze-like quality. These lines meander across the surface, defining spaces, suggesti...