UPSURGE Festival

11/09/2026

These are top-flight classical musicians who should not be missed. Highly recommended from us!

The Korimako Trio - Next Sunday

Three internationally renowned musicians with decades of experience, who are beloved in New Zealand for their powerful communication as well as the intelligence of their playing.

The trio bring a fresh approach to a both classic and cutting-edge repertoire informed by a deep understanding of both the structure and the emotional content of the music.

Sunday 20th September, 4:30 PM
Book your tickets here: https://www.iticket.co.nz/events/2026/sep/the-korimako-trio?occurrence=2026-09-20

09/09/2026

During Upsurge 2022 and Upsurge 2024 one of the highlights was working with the Royal New Zealand Ballet and local kura in our region to present two perfomances, at the Turner Centrebased on local stories, with tamariki from the region. Sadly, the Creatives in Schools scheme which funded these amazing initiatives was cancelled by the government last year. Two of the amazing kura who participated in our 2024 performance were iKawakawa Primary and Moerewa School This was the first time Moerewa (but hopefully not the last!) was involved in Upsurge. Please support these amazing tamariki and the whanau who support them. The Education Team from the RNZ Ballet are truly amazing and you will be guaranteed a fantastic time from the gifted tamariki who are performing. And look out for more arts events happening in your rohe for Upsurge in April 2027

🌊 SAVE THE DATE, WHĀNAU! 🌊

Something pretty special is coming together. 💙

Our kura, creatives and community are joining forces to bring Te Awa o Taumarere to the stage — sharing the story of Rangiriri and Pokopoko through movement, kapa haka, storytelling and the incredible talent of our tamariki.

✨ TE AWA O TAUMARERE
📅 Tuesday 22 September 2026
📍 Bay of Islands College Hall
🚪 Gates open 5pm
🍔 Kai available from 5pm
🎭 Production 6pm–7pm
💚 Koha entry on the night

Featuring tamariki from Moerewa School and Kawakawa Primary School, alongside the Royal New Zealand Ballet Education team and our combined kura kapa haka.

Come early, grab some kai, bring the whānau and get ready to tautoko our tamariki! 🌊💙

More details on kai and what our kura have happening on the night coming soon 👀

08/09/2026

Elizabeth Knox – Kerikeri events cancelled

We’re sorry to advise that, due to an injury, Elizabeth Knox is unable to travel and will no longer be able to visit Kerikeri for her planned events in September.

This means that the writing workshop and in-conversation event are cancelled.

For everyone who has purchased a ticket, we have been in touch with you directly regarding your refund.

We wish Elizabeth a smooth recovery and look forward to welcoming her at a future date if possible. If we are able to rebook the events, we’ll be sure to let you know as soon as a new date is confirmed.

Thank you for your understanding and support.

27/08/2026

Check out this amazing opera event happening on Saturday and Sunday.

23/08/2026

What a coup for Kerikeri: Elizabeth Knox at Cornerstone Church.

CNZM, Arts Foundation Laureate, Prime Minister’s Award for Fiction and honorary doctorate recipient, Elizabeth is one of Aotearoa’s most honoured writers.

Events like this rarely make it to the regions — and when they do, they’re not to be missed!

On Sunday 20 September, she joins award-winning Waipapa poet Lynn Jenner, whose latest collection is “The Gum Trees of Kerikeri”, for an intimate conversation about writing, creativity, the stories that shape us — and Elizabeth’s powerful memoir “Night, Ma”.

Sunday 20 September | 2.00pm – 3.30pm
Cornerstone Church, Kerikeri
Tickets $25
Book now → https://events.humanitix.com/elizabeth-knox-weekend

This event has been made possible thanks to funding from the Far North District Council Creative Communities Scheme, with additional support from Stay Kerikeri - Apartment and Studio style Accommodation and Te Herenga Waka University Press.

21/07/2026

We're delighted to share some exciting news!

Planning is underway for the return of the Upsurge Bay of Islands Arts Festival in April 2027. We're currently awaiting some important funding decisions and look forward to sharing more news in the coming months.

Alongside our plans for the festival, we’re looking forward to creating more opportunities for our community to experience exceptional arts and culture throughout the year.

This September, we're thrilled to welcome one of New Zealand's most celebrated authors, Elizabeth Knox, to Kerikeri. Fresh from the publication of her acclaimed memoir, Night, Ma, Elizabeth will lead a memoir writing workshop and appear in a special in-conversation event.

Whether you're an aspiring writer, an avid reader, or simply someone who loves great books, this is a rare opportunity to spend time with one of New Zealand's most respected literary voices.

🎟 Tickets are on sale now: https://upsurgefestival.co.nz/literaryweekend/

We'd love to see you there! Please help us spread the word by sharing this post with the book lovers in your life.

This event has been made possible thanks to funding from the Far North Creative Communities Scheme, with additional support from Stay Kerikeri and Te Herenga Waka University Press.

Far North Creative Communities Scheme
Stay Kerikeri - Apartment and Studio style Accommodation
Te Herenga Waka University Press

06/05/2026

Troy Kingi was one of the highlights of Upsurge 24. He's performing at the Turner Centre. Don't miss out on early tickets!

04/05/2026

Kia ora Upsurge whanau
The incredible Atamira Dance Company will be at the Turner Centre in Kerikeri on Thursday and Friday night, May 7 and 8. Don't miss this incredible show from one of the country's leading dance companies. Festival-level dance in your back yard!

Rongo Whakapā
Te Tai Tokerau Tour – Whangārei, Kerikeri, Kaitaia

Following its powerful premiere in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland, Rongo Whakapā now embarks on its first tour to Northland - we can’t wait to share with audiences across the region!

The debut choreographic work by Brydie Colquhoun (Ngāpuhi), one of Aotearoa New Zealand’s most captivating Māori contemporary dance artists, invites audiences to slow down, witness, and connect. In an intimate environment, six dancers respond to each other and a shifting space while exploring tensions between individualism and community through entrancing movement, immersive sound design by Eden Mulholland, and distinctive spatial design by Rowan Pierce.

We are honoured to support this significant milestone in the evolving landscape of Māori contemporary dance.

Whangārei | ONEONESIX
29 April – 1 May 2026
https://www.eventfinda.co.nz/2026/rongo-whakapa/whangarei

Kerikeri | Turner Centre
7 – 8 May 2026
https://www.iticket.co.nz/events/2026/may/rongo-whakapa

Kaitaia | Te Ahu
13 – 14 May 2026
https://www.eventfinda.co.nz/2026/rongo-whakapa-kaitaia/kaitaia

Campaign Creative Direction – Osborne Shiwan
Campaign Hero Photography and Videography – Shabnam Shiwan
Campaign Drone Photography and Videography – Petra Leary