The Garden Party
Thanks to everyone who came to our fresh, new Summer festival celebrating talks, food and music in the Wellington Botanic Garden’s Soundshell.
Stunning festival photography by Rebecca McMillan is on our Facebook album here; and in this Spinoff article.
Brought to you by Verb Wellington and The Spinoff.
FAQs and Info
Festival artists:
Karl Maughan
The best-known garden painter in New Zealand and one of the most successful in the world. We celebrate the lush first book dedicated solely to his work. See Karl’s appearance details here.
Isaac Te Reina
Isaac Te Reina (Ngāti Raukawa ki te Tonga) is an actor and writer. Issac was in Taki Rua’s flagship Te Reo Māori Season, which inspired young children across Aotearoa to look into a career in the Arts. See Isaac at 10am, Sun 21 Feb, Navigating the Stars by Witi Ihimaera & Taki Rua.
Leonie Hayden
Leonie will be talking with musicians Church & AP (Sat 20 Feb, 2.30pm) and Ria Hall (Sun 21 Feb, 2.30pm) at The Garden Party. Leonie (Ngāti Whātua o Kaipara, Ngāti Rango) is the editor of Ātea, The Spinoff's Māori and indigenous content channel. She is the former editor of Mana magazine and Rip It Up magazine.
Bad Bitches of Wellington Walking Tour
It wouldn't be a garden party without a bit of scandal! This Bad Bitches of Wellington walking tour puts women front and centre in tales of local history, with extra spice. See here for more info and to book in your tour!
Ash Davida Jane
Ash Davida Jane is a poet and bookseller from Pōneke. Some of her recent work can be found in Starling, Peach Mag, Scum, The Spinoff, and Stasis. Her second book, How to Live with Mammals (VUP), will be published in April.
See Ash at the tiny poetry stage, 2pm - 3.30pm at The Roaming Hut on Sat 20 Feb.
Good Habits
Good Habits are a UK alt-folk duo, telling stories and turning heads across the globe. Composed of singer-cellist Bonnie Schwarz and accordionist Pete Shaw, Good Habits create folk-infused songs that test the limits of their traditional instruments. Good Habits perform at 2pm on Sun 21 Feb at The Garden Party.
Garden Party After Party
Join us and our artists for a party at The Hunter Lounge on Sat 20 Feb. We’ll be presenting some awards, enjoying live music and the company of fellow festival goers. Tickets here.
*Tickets free for Spinoff Members and Verb Community.
Linda Clark
Linda Clark will be talking with Dom Post editor Anna Fifield at The Garden Party. Linda is a Partner at Dentons Kensington Swan, and is a political analyst and commentator known for her sharp perceptions and strategic analysis.
The Big Fun Family Quiz!
Toby Morris & Toby Manhire (The Spinoff) host a quiz full of fun questions for the whole family. Win prizes, come dressed as your favourite book characters for bonus points.
11.30am, Sunday 21 Feb.
Ariana Tikao
Ariana Tikao is a singer and composer of Kāi Tahu descent. In 2020 she became an Arts Laureate, awarded with the inaugural Te Moana-Nui-a Kiwa Award by the New Zealand Arts Foundation. See Ariana at 10am, Sun 21 Feb, in Navigating the Stars by Witi Ihimaera & Taki Rua.
Toby Manhire
Co-Host of the Big Fun Family Quiz on Sun 21 Feb at 11.30am, Toby Manhire is the editor of The Spinoff.
The Garden Party
The weather is perfect. The marquee is about to be erected, a flood of canna lilies has arrived, and – is that the telephone ringing? Join actor Isobel MacKinnon in The Treehouse, 2pm Sat 20 Feb, for a reading of Katherine Mansfield’s classic short story ‘The Garden Party’. Brought to you by Katherine Mansfield House & Garden.
Dayle Jellyman
Dayle sings and plays synths + keyboards in many well-known Wellington bands, including The Roseneath Centennial Ragtime Band, Miles Calder and the Rumours, and Niko Ne Zna. He spent time working and playing in New York and has recorded and played on many albums. Dayle is one third of the Garden Party house band!
Moana Ete
Moana works in theatre, television, film. Moana also makes music as Mo Etc. and sometimes she is seen touring with Aotearoa super-band Fly My Pretties. Moana is Creative Director of her Production Company Ohokomo. See Moana at 10am, Sun 21 Feb in the cast of Navigating the Stars by Witi Ihimaera and Taki Rua.
Toby Morris
Co-Host of the Big Fun Family Quiz on Sun 21 Feb, 11.30am, Toby Morris is an illustrator, comic artist and writer. He is the author of The Spinoff's non-fiction comic series The Side Eye, won the Voyager award for Cartoonist of the year for 2019 and in 2020 his Covid-19 collaborations with Dr Siouxsie were shared around the world.
Maiava Nathaniel Lees
Maiava Nathaniel has been an artist and creative in the theatre, film and television arts culture in Aotearoa for over 30 years. Nathaniel is director of Navigating the Stars, 10am, Sun 21 Feb: a new performance piece by Witi Ihimaera and Taki Rua.
Melissa Boardman
We’re thrilled that Melissa Boardman will be in our Garden Party market. Melissa is a local illustrator who is seriously passionate about our native birds. You will love her greeting cards, embroidered patches, tote bags and art prints, all with her illustrations of our beautiful birds.
Tyson Smith
A member of The Garden Party festival house band, Tyson Smith is a guitarist, singer & songwriter. His music combines elements of electronica, rock, blues, folk, world music and freeform improvisation. He worked with acts ranging from the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra to Hollie Smith, before focusing on his own music in the last few years.
More artists to be announced soon.
Full timetable up by early Feb 2021.
Entry to the festival is free or by donation if you can.
The Garden Party is made possible because of support from:
