There is much joy to be had poring over a great map. And this particular map may be the finest in New Zealand to pore over of them all. It's a map of Wellington city first made in 1891 by surveyor Thomas Ward. Obsessive in its detail, it's thought to be unique as a record of a New Zealand city for its time, and provides the visual structure for a very handsome new book, Mr Ward's Map by Elizabeth Cox, published by Massey University Press.

Christchurch's Keely O'Grady and Mitchell O'Hara join Culture 101 to discuss the Irish dance show A Celtic Christmas.

Nature artist, Niels Meyer-Westfeld joins Culture 101 to talk about his new book Feathers of Aotearoa: an illustrated journal.

Regional Wrap: Te Whare Taonga o Kāwhia - Kāwhia Museum.

One of New Zealand's leading photographers and artists, Yvonne Todd has announced she is now only working in AI. We believe as a professional in Aotearoa, she may be among the first.

A year ago, on Culture 101 we played a recording of Tusiata Avia reading a commissioned poem for the 2024 Arts Foundation's Laureate Awards. It was entitled 'I'm writing you a poem about art'. In it, Avia wrote, "I hope writing poetry doesn't get me into trouble…. again."

Jackie van Beek joins us on Culture 101 to talk about season four of Educators and share some her cultural favourites.

Just opened at New Plymouth's Govett Brewster Gallery is a major survey exhibition of one of Vietnam's leading - but at home most controversial - artists, Tran Luong . Entitled T m Tã - Soaked in the Long Rain, this large exhibition debuted in Dubai and will travel on to Perth and Guangzhou China.

On Thursday evening, poet Dinah Hawken was one of three recipients of a Prime Minister's Award for Literary Achievement. The others were, for fiction, Barbara Else and non fiction, Ross Calman. The awards have been made annually since 2003. They are managed by Creative New Zealand and decided by its governing Arts Council following public nominations and recommendations from an external panel. Dinah Hawken will publish her 11th book of poetry in 2026, Peace and Quiet. Her debut collection, It Has No Sound and is Blue won the Commonwealth Poetry Prize for Best First Time Published Poet back in 1987. Across those 48 years she has been published by Te Herenga Waka Press. In 2007 Dinah received the Lauris Edmond Award for Distinguished Contribution to Poetry. As a poet Dinah Hawken has a remarkable ability to situate herself and us in nature and history. To connect us to these bigger things, while - gently yet pointedly - make us ask questions of ourselves. Dinah joined Culture 101 in the Poneke Wellington studio on Friday, and we started with her reading a poem she read at the awards ceremony.

Local artist David Gunson joins us to talk about the arts scene there and the town's new art gallery.

Authors David O'Donnell and Hilary Halba join Culture 101 to discuss their new book.

City Gallery Wellington Te Whare Toi have announced that they will return to Te Ngākau Civic Square next October 2026 with a major new exhibition from, who they describe, as "one of the most significant artists of the 21st century": Cornelia Parker.

A just released book, An Eccentric History in Batik shares the story of the art and love of Dinah Priestley and Tony Burton.

Born in beautiful Te Anau, since age 5 tennis star today Lulu Sun has lived around the world. Formerly representing Switzerland, since 2024 she has again called New Zealand home.

Arts News for 2 November 2025.

All art is politics: Acclaimed Australian artist Mike Parr's controversial performance.

Regional Wrap: working with kelp in the Waitaki.

Award-winning actor Alison Bruce is one of the country’s most versatile and experienced stage and screen actors.   

Tauranga Art Gallery reopens in $306 million redevelopment of city's cultural heart.

Fast Favourites: TV presenter and journalist Laura Tupou.