Puppeteers, from left Mita and Vai Puni Tupaea A 5m-long taniwha called Haututu that glows in the dark is just one of a whole constellation of giant, glow-in-the-dark puppets to feature in an upcoming show at Orewa’s Centrestage Theatre. The...... Read More

As well as Zac Franich and Roger Farrelly (HM May 2) Hibiscus Matters has discovered another local who is hitting the dance floor in the current series of Dancing with the Stars. Hibiscus Coast resident Brad Coleman says he is living his dream, as dance...... Read More

A special performance by the Swiss Kiwi Yodelling Group will be the curtain raiser to the film Die Wiesenberger – No Business Like Show Business (2012), which will be screened at the Warkworth Town Hall on June 3. The award-winning documentary...... Read More

An eclectic line-up of movies will hit the big screen at the Warkworth Town Hall over Queen’s Birthday weekend, June 1 to 3, for the second Sounds on Screen Festival. Following on the success of last year’s inaugural event, organiser Urs...... Read More

Silent movie buffs are in for a treat when the music documentary film festival Sounds on Screen shows Sherlock Jr at the Warkworth Town Hall on Sunday morning, June 3. The 1924 classic, which features Buster Keaton as both lead actor and director,...... Read More

Secondary school students are being encouraged to start planning their entries for Showquest, a music, dance and drama event that will run in 10 regions, from Dunedin to Whangarei, starting next month. Showquest will replace the popular Stage Challenge...... Read More

Sawmill Café favourites Hopetoun Brown are back in Leigh next month, this time bringing a seven-piece band for the finale to a national tour on Sunday, June 17. The core band of Tim Stewart on trumpet, trombone, lead vocals and “stomping...... Read More

Organisers of a new Scottish dancing class in Kaiwaka say besides offering lots of fun, the dancing is also great for the brain. Organiser Elaine Goldthorpe says everyone knows someone meeting the challenges of dementia or Alzheimer’s and, while...... Read More

Northland musician Erin Cole-Baker will perform at the Leigh Sawmill Café on May 20, her first show after a break to raise her children. The singer-songwriter was born on the West Coast of the United States, but moved to Whangarei with her family...... Read More

Calling all would-be writers – the Friends of Mahurangi East Library is offering a one-day crash course in creative writing convened by Whangarei author Michael Botur on Saturday, May 26, from 10am to 3pm. From Inspiration to Publication will cover...... Read More