UPSURGE Festival

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

29/03/2026

This wonderful show is coming to the Turner Centre in June. It's a great show performed by two of the country's best actors. Highly recommended. Book early!

"Joy and humour performed by two masters of their craft” - NZ herald

“A masterpiece” - Broadway World NZ

Jennifer Ward-Lealand and Michael Hurst star in the award winning and critically acclaimed play ‘In Other Words’

This intimate story explores the effect of dementia and the transformative power of music to help us remember the past, reconnect with the present and hope for the future.

Written by Matthew Seager, produced and co-directed by Callum Brodie and presented by Figment Productions

Tickets on sale soon 🎭 🎟️
Turner Centre Theatre Royal Nelson Whangarei District Council Michael Hurst Jennifer Te Atamira Ward-Lealand

06/10/2025

The Turner Centre sits at the hub of the arts in the Bay of Islands. It's a wonderful space and the team there is awesome. The Upsurge Festival has held numerous events at the Turner Centre with great success. The Turner Centre is currently looking for two new members to join its exciting team. If you are interested in the arts and running events in one of NZ's coolest towns, then apply now. You won't regret it.

The Turner Centre - Come Join Our Team!

The Turner Centre, winner of the EVANZ Award for Best Small Venue of the Year, is recruiting an Operations & Finance Manager and Event Producer to join their dynamic Far North team. The Operations & Finance Manager will serve as 2IC overseeing daily operations, financial management, and team leadership, while the Event Producer will lead event planning, community engagement, and ticketing. Both full-time roles offer excellent growth opportunities at this award-winning venue serving over 45,000 annual users.

The Centre has achieved 165% growth over four years and seeks driven event professionals ready to make an immediate impact. Applications are being considered as received with interviews starting from 24 September 2025.

Operations & Finance Manager - https://www.seek.co.nz/job/87084816
Event Producer - https://www.seek.co.nz/job/87084733