Culture 101

Weaving the People is a new documentary available on RNZ Video, following ten Waikato artists who spent a year embedded in their communities as part of the Whiria te Tangata pilot programme.

Auckland Theatre Company's Helen Clark in Six Outfits opens in just over a week. Written by Fiona Samuel, the play follows Helen Clark's journey from a Waikato farm to the prime ministership, with Jennifer Ward-Lealand playing one of two versions of Helen.

New York-based photographer Austin Bell specialises in aerial landscapes, and his project Shooting Hoops has taken him to over 4,500 outdoor basketball courts across 21 countries and 19 US states.

Florian Habicht is one of New Zealand's leading documentary filmmakers, best known for finding ordinary people and drawing out extraordinary stories. His latest project is a 24-part mini-film series made with Griffin's, capturing each hour of a single day across Aotearoa.

The Auckland Arts Festival's Young Critics Programme pairs rangatahi with festival shows, asking them to file reviews within 24 hours. Two participants in this year's programme join Culture 101 to reflect on what it means to write critically about the arts in Aotearoa, and where the next generation of reviewers might take it.

If you don't notice Saana Kelley's work, she's done her job well. Almost three decades into her career, the foley artist has earned an Emmy for Shogun and credits spanning Ted Lasso, Jurassic World and Only Murders in the Building, while building a social media following of nearly three million by sharing the behind-the-scenes of her craft. She joins Culture 101 to talk stilettos, handcuffs, and t...

Crackhead is a bold new local drama created, written by and starring Holly Shervey, drawn from her own experience in psychiatric care.

For the first time, four New Zealand artists are exhibiting at the Shanghai Biennale, China's longest-running art biennale and one of the most influential in the region.

Daniel Pengelly spent more than twenty years in theatre as a performer, director, and former artistic director of both The Court Theatre and Centrepoint Theatre before finding a new home in the auction room.

After 15 years as a psychologist, Rachael Mayne decided it was time to take a break and pursue her painting full time. What started out as an escape and hobby has become a second career.

For the past 30 years, Kyle Balda has been involved and behind some of the most successful animated films of the century.

Thirty-Six is a new play inspired by the viral New York Times article about the 36 questions designed to lead to love.

Internationally renowned UK artist Luke Jeram is known for large scale installations including the global Play Me, I'm Yours piano project. His latest work Helios is currently suspended in the Concert Chamber at Auckland Town Hall. The installation recreates the sun using hundreds of thousands of astro photographs and NASA solar observations, allowing audiences to experience the star up close. Jer...

Kristian Lavercombe holds the world record for the most performances in The Rocky Horror Show and is now touring New Zealand as The Narrator.

Country Calendar Producer and narrator Dan Henry reflects on the legacy of the series on its 60th Birthday.

Actor Bronwyn Turei and director Amber Curreen discuss debuting Wet by Dr Tui Matelau.

Journalist, broadcaster and entrepreneur Brodie Kane joins Culture 101 for Fast Favourites.

A new documentary charts the rise of tenor Pene Pati, from South Auckland to some of the world's leading opera stages. 

At The Performance Arcade on Wellington's waterfront, The Red Phone Project pairs strangers in neighbouring telephone boxes for guided conversations using scripts written by playwrights including Victor Rodger.

Boris Jancic joins us to unpack Baz Luhrmann's latest Elvis documentary, revisiting the life and cultural legacy of Elvis Presley through archival material and newly assembled footage.

Australian comedian Joel Creasey is heading to Christchurch for the Court Theatre's Rainbow Festival.

As part of the Aotearoa Festival of the Arts, Werewolf transforms Circa Theatre into a makeshift safe house overseen by three wardens.

Acclaimed filmmaker Oliver Laxe joins Culture 101 to discuss his latest feature, Sirat.

Ramon Te Wake speaks to Culture 101 about returning to the Pride stage to headline the Out of the Gutter street party, closing the 2026 Auckland Pride Festival

The 1989 cult film The 'Burbs, directed by Joe Dante and starring Tom Hanks, now has a new streaming era successor.