by Lindsay Shelton
“We’ve got to save the Embassy,” said Bill Sheat, when he phoned me in 1996. “We don’t want it to become a used car yard.” Read more »

Wellington.Scoop
William (Bill) Sheat, who died in Lower Hutt this week, completed more than seven decades as an innovative leader in the creative arts, not only in Wellington but also throughout New Zealand. Read more »

Opinion from Inner-City Wellington
It is vital that any redesign of Te Ngākau – Civic Square recognises that inner-city residents now make up the largest suburb in Wellington in terms of population (in the smallest area of land in Wellington) and, as this population is expected to grow considerably, it is essential that, as well as being developed as the Civic heart and cultural hub of the city, the Square can also be seen as the heart of the inner city community. Key to this is retention of outdoor space, especially green space, and inclusion of surrounding internal community amenities at ground floor of ‘new’ buildings. Read more »

Press Release – Wellington City Council
Hundreds of events and activities are happening in Wellington over the next few months, encouraging Wellingtonians to come to town, shop local, eat out, and get entertained. Read more »

Press Release – French Film Festival

New Zealand lifts the curtain on the 2021 French Film Festival Aotearoa after the 2020 season was halted due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. Returning under new management for its 15th year, the country’s second largest film festival invites Kiwis to come along for a glass of red and a very French night at the movies. Read more »

Press Release – Upper Hutt City Council
Upper Hutt Libraries is starting its 2021 programme of speakers with an author talk, hosting Angela Robertson on Saturday, 30 January, 2.00 pm at its Central branch. The afternoon event marks the launch of a series of events focussed on celebrating writers, local community stories, and storytelling. Read more »

News from Metlink
Metlink is putting on special direct bus services to and from Trentham Racecourse over the next few weeks so punters won’t miss starting orders and get saddled with delays while essential track and station upgrades are underway on the Hutt line. Read more »

Press Release – Live Nation
New dates have been added to Van Gogh Alive’s Wellington season due to popular demand, from Friday 29th – Sunday 31st January. The large-scale, indoor experience is in Wellington at TSB Arena, ahead of opening in Christchurch at the Air Force Museum of New Zealand on February 18th, then Auckland at Spark Arena on 14th April. Read more »

Press Release – Admit One
The New Zealand gothic horror THE TURN OF THE SCREW gets its highly anticipated nationwide cinematic release on 21 January. Read more »

2021 Fringe Festival – Nuestro Mundo

Press Release – Wellington City Council
The next couple of months will see events happening on and off the water and in and out of the city – so there’s something for everyone wherever you are. Read more »