Hawke's Bay Arts Festival

09/10/2026

09/10/2026

Get out and experience something live over the next 10 days! 🎵🎨🎤🎭🍿

09/10/2026

A once in a lifetime opporutnity to see Hawke’s Bay premiere of award winning film TOITŪ: Visual Sovereignty, followed by an in person Q&A with Nigel Borell and Chelsea Winstanley.
We're beyond thrilled to bring this to you!

Sunday 11 October, 4.30pm at Toitoi Opera House.
Tickets $35.
Book at the Festival website, Eventfinda or ISites.

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Indigenous curator Nigel Borell’s groundbreaking Māori art exhibition becomes both a cultural triumph and a battleground for power, captured with extraordinary behind the scenes access in Chelsea Winstanley’s directorial debut feature, TOITŪ: Visual Sovereignty.

TOITŪ: Visual Sovereignty, the debut directorial feature from Academy Award nominated producer Chelsea Winstanley, goes behind the scenes of the largest Māori art exhibition in Aotearoa New Zealand’s history. Following curator Nigel Borell’s vision for Toi Tū Toi Ora: Contemporary Māori Art, the film captures both its record-breaking success and the behind the scenes conflicts that arise when Indigenous sovereignty challenges institutional power.

Featuring rare access and the voices of celebrated artists such as Shane Cotton, Emily Karaka, Taika Waititi, Brett Graham, Ngahina Hohaia, the Mataaho Collective and Reuben Paterson, this is a powerful portrait of cultural resilience and authorship.

09/10/2026

A little rain isn't stopping us! But we are moving inside...

LOCATION CHANGE FOR ARTSFEST HERETAUNGA -

~ Silent Disco, Sei and Caricature will now be inside at the Hastings Art Gallery
~ The Hawke's Bay Community Orchestra pocket sessions will be next door at the Hastings Library, at 4.00pm and 5.00pm

Activities at the Hastings Arts Centre and The Big Room will carry on as planned.

See you soon!

Hastings District Council - Te Kaunihera ā-Rohe o Heretaunga Hastings Art Gallery - Te Whare Toi o Heretaunga Hastings NZ Heretaunga Hastings Libraries Hastings City Hawke’s Bay Community Orchestra Arts Inc. Hawke's Bay

08/10/2026

Who better to explain Balloon Dog than Jacob Rajan?
It's here TOMORROW Saturday 10 October - performing two shows at Toitoi Opera House, 1pm and 5.30pm.

Hawke's Bay LOVES Indian Ink - don't miss your chance to see this very special show.

Book now at the Festival website, Eventfinda or ISites.

Toitoi - Hawke's Bay Arts & Events Centre Indian Ink Theatre Company Hastings NZ

08/10/2026

Last change to experience this five-star, zombie apocalypse, masterpiece - Werewolf!

Very limited tickets remaining for tonight, but never fear because a second show is running tomorrow (Saturday) at 4.00pm, at the Blyth Performing Arts Centre.

Get out of your comfort zone and choose something new this weekend. Book now at Eventfinda or ISites.

08/10/2026

LOCATION CHANGE:
~ Silent Disco, Sei and Caricature will now be inside at the Hastings Art Gallery
~ The Hawke's Bay Community Orchestra pocket sessions will be next door at the Hastings Library, at 4.00pm and 5.00pm

THIS AFTERNOON!

ArtsFest Heretaunga is taking over town for a FREE afternoon of creativity, music and family fun.

Dance it out at the silent disco thanks to the Hastings City Business Association, get stuck into hands-on art and craft activities, then make some noise with the Hawke’s Bay Community Orchestra. Clap, sing, try an instrument, have a go at conducting, and discover how an orchestra comes to life.

There’s plenty to make, do, hear and explore for tamariki, teens, grown-ups and everyone in between.

Bring the whānau, come to town and get amongst it!

What's on:
Hastings Art Gallery: 3.30pm - 7.30pm
- Circa public art
- Silent Disco with Hastings City Business Association,
- Tongan Craft workshop: Make a Floral Sei - Hibiscus, Frangipani or Yang Yang
- Caricature

Hastings Library
- Hawke's Bay Community Orchestra interactive performances (4pm and 5pm, 30 minutes each)

Hastings Arts Centre open late
- Fotofest: Murray Cammick 'Music'
- W**e tastings with Paritua

The Big Room open late

Proudly presented with Hastings District Council and Hastings City Business Association.

08/10/2026

The silent disco at last year's ArtsFest Heretaunga went off, and we can't wait to bring it back tomorrow - thanks to the Hastings City Business Association!

Lock it in for Friday afternoon from 3.30pm - 7.30pm, at Civic Square with surrounding galleries open late too. Alongside the silent disco, there'll be art, crafts and interactive pocket sessions with the Hawke's Bay Community Orchestra - all free to enjoy with your family.

08/10/2026

Keen to end the school holidays well? Here's a couple of ideas!

🎪 Friday 3.30pm - 7.30pm - How about a FREE silent disco, interactive orchestra jam, and craft session? Head down to Civic Square and get your kids into the action!
🎪 Sunday at 11am and 2pm - Take your family along to The Valentina - a truly gorgeous children's play (that you'll love as well). About space, creativity, and with amazing art projections to go alongside the live performance. Kids tickets are only $15! At the Century Theatre, Napier.

For more details, head to the Hawke's Bay Arts Festival website or Eventfinda.

08/10/2026

SEI & SLAY 🇹🇴

Learn more about one of our interactive workshops, Sei & Slay, all the way from the Kingdom of Tonga 🇹🇴 Join us TOMORROW as we celebrate AND experience the beauty of Tongan art culture with them!