We produce a number of major festivals and events in Te Whanganui-a-Tara.
From a single festival in 1986 we have evolved into a charitable company that delivers multiple kaupapa over a two-year calendar and creative services for the Te Whanganui-a-Tara region and beyond. Tāwhiri events contribute to making Te Whanganui-a-Tara an exciting, creative and vibrant place where people want to live.
In 2024 alone, our festivals and events were experienced by more than 500,000 people and brought people to Te Whanganui-a-Tara from across the country and the globe.
Aotearoa New Zealand Festival of the Arts
Since 1986, the biennial Aotearoa New Zealand Festival of the Arts has brought the best of Aotearoa and the world’s performing arts to Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington - elevating artists, providing transformative experiences, building Hapori and invigorating the city. The programme features free and ticketed events spanning dance, music, theatre, whānau experiences, toi ataata, literature and more. The Festival returned in 2026 between 22 Feb - 15 Mar, marking 40 years of the extraordinary.
Wellington Jazz Festival
The annual Wellington Jazz Festival has been a highlight of Aotearoa’s music calendar since 1996. Featuring leading homegrown musicians and exciting international names, the Festival transforms Te Whanganui-a-Tara into a jazz haven. The 2025 Festival featured over 200 events across 50 venues including a series of international artists at St James Theatre and Meow Nui, and an explosion of gigs across the city, spreading the wairua of jazz throughout the Capital’s streets, cafes, bars and live music venues. More than 27,000 people experienced the Festival from across Aotearoa.
The Wellington Jazz Festival will return to the capital between 14 - 18 Oct, 2026.
Kiri Te Kanawa Song Quest
Established in 1956, the biennial Kiri Te Kanawa Song Quest is Aotearoa’s premier Puoro whakaari singing competition and a vital platform for young singers. It has launched the careers of some of New Zealand’s most celebrated singers including Dame Kiri Te Kanawa, Dame Malvina Major and Phillip Rhodes.
The next Song Quest Grand Final Gala will take place on 11 July, 2026, celebrating its 70th anniversary.
Light Cycles by Moment Factory
The 2024 Aotearoa New Zealand Festival of the Arts extended into autumn with Light Cycles by award-winning Canadian multimedia studio Moment Factory.
Highlighted by the Wellington Botanic Garden ki Paekākā’s lush canvas, Light Cycles invited audiences on a nighttime adventure where natures secret rhythms came to life through dazzling light installations, soundscapes, and digital art.
Enjoyed by more than 31,000 people, this multi-sensory experience was hit with all ages.
