In 1994, Childspace founders Toni and Robin Christie were working in early childhood education in Christchurch, but they weren’t as happy as they thought they should be. “We were young, fresh and idealistic,” Toni admits. “The standard of early childhood education was really appalling at the time. I used to come home so upset.” Having saved […]
Trinity Roots Citizen (Self-released) When beloved Wellington group Trinity Roots rallied themselves for a series of reunion concerts in 2010, it became clear that the public weren’t that keen to let them drift away into the fog again. Five years and several small line-up changes later, they unveil their third proper album. Driven by the core team […]
Public criticisms of the established New Zealand music industry aside, Ian ‘Blink’ Jorgensen might be best known for organising the well-loved Camp A Low Hum music festival during the late 2000s/early 2010s, and running Wellington’s excellent Puppies music venue between late 2012 and early 2014. However, when I first met Ian 15 years ago, he […]
By Martyn Pepperell on Comments Off on The world comes to Taranaki
Between 13 and 15 March, the New Zealand WOMAD festival returns to Brooklands Park and TSB Bowl of Brooklands in New Plymouth for yet another weekend of incredible music, arts and dance from across the globe. One of the most beautiful outdoor festivals New Zealand has to offer, WOMAD also features food, arts, crafts and, crucially, […]
By Martyn Pepperell on Comments Off on It’s Newtown’s party — but we’re all invited
On Sunday, 8 March, the storied suburb of Newtown will close its main roads and host the 19th edition of the iconic Newtown Festival street fair, its annual community party for the Wellington region. In the place of traffic, the streets will be filled with 380 food, crafts and clothing stalls, 12 stages of music […]
Fat Freddy’s Drop, live at Unit, Tokyo, 9/11/2014 At just past 1am on Sunday 9 November, Fat Freddy’s Drop, our very own hi-tech soul stalwarts, took to the stage inside Tokyo’s sprawling Unit basement venue. Somewhat surprisingly, it was the first time they’d ever performed in Japan. While in a sense they had a lot […]
By Martyn Pepperell on Comments Off on Suburb Spotlight: Island Bay
On Sunday 15 February, an estimated 20,000 people will descend on Island Bay’s Shorland Park and the surrounding coastal area. They’ll be there for Day in the Bay, the main event during the suburb’s annual Island Bay Festival. Attendees are treated to a full day of food stalls, craft stands, live music, variety shows and […]
By Martyn Pepperell on Comments Off on Wellington airport: Flight Plan
The question of whether Wellington Airport should extend its runway isn’t exactly a new one. It was first mooted as early as 1970 in a report by the New Zealand Institute of Economic Research. However, over the last couple of years discussion around it has heated up substantially. Research suggests that 85 percent of Wellingtonians […]
Whether you travel in from Kilbirnie or take the scenic route around Scorching Bay, the drive to Shelly Bay on the Miramar Peninsula affords you some of the most beautiful views in the capital. On a sunny day it’s seaside bliss, while under rougher weather it’s an invigorating ride through the elements. Depending on your […]
Electric Wire Hustle Love Can Prevail (Okayplayer/Somethinksounds) With their self-titled 2009 debut, Wellington trio Electric Wire Hustle paid homage to the rich traditions of African-American soul, jazz, hip-hop and modern beats, while kaleidoscopically twisting motifs associated with these forms into something they could call their own. Five years on, following the departure of original […]