FamilyNZ
For the Birds

For the Birds

Visual Arts 03 – 19 Mar

Gather the whānau together for an adventure in the bush, at this celebration of light, flight and birdsong from the makers of 2014 Festival hit Power Plant.

Beautiful, unexpected and alive!
The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (UK)
FamilyFree
The Contact Festival Playground

The Contact Festival Playground

visual arts 27 Feb – 19 Mar

To celebrate the Festival’s 30th birthday, we’re building Wellington a fantastical family fairground perfect for anyone young at heart.
FamilyFree
Le Grand Continental®

Le Grand Continental®

Spectacular, Dance 26 Feb

A 30-minute dance spectacular performed by 150 volunteers aged between 10 and 75. Afterward, the crowd will be asked to join in for a giant freestyle dance party. 
NZ
Modern Māori Quartet

Modern Māori Quartet

Cabaret, Music 16 Mar

Waiata, wit and downhome warmth as the boys bring you their fresh take on the classic Māori showband and put their stamp on Kiwi classics and some of today’s biggest hits.
FamilyNZWorld Premiere
The ACB With Honora Lee

The ACB With Honora Lee

Theatre 27 Feb – 26 Mar

Quirky humour, playfulness and intergenerational love are at the heart of this adaptation of the 2012 novel by Kate De Goldi, one of New Zealand’s most loved authors, popular with adults and children alike.
Family
Waves

Waves

Theatre 05 Mar

The unofficial history of how Elizabeth Moncello invented the butterfly stroke with the help of fish, penguins and other aquatic friends while growing up on Australia’s Gabo Island in the 1930s.
Family
Chalk About

Chalk About

dance, Theatre 01 – 06 Mar

This highly inventive show takes the old playground game of making chalk outlines and turns it into a look at how we fill in the outlines of each other’s identities.
Family
Paul Beavis: Crunch! Munch! Chew!

Paul Beavis: Crunch! Munch! Chew!

Writers Week 13 Mar

For a super fun storytelling session, bring your little monsters to hear New Zealand children’s writer Paul Beavis. Dressing up is encouraged – and there are prizes! 
Family
Mariko Tamaki: Drawing on Life

Mariko Tamaki: Drawing on Life

Writers Week 13 Mar

Co-writer of the first graphic novel to win the Caldecott Medal, This One Summer, Mariko Tamaki is cool, calm and collected about her success. She joins Kate De Goldi in conversation.
Family
Sally Gardner: Maggot Moon

Sally Gardner: Maggot Moon

Writers Week 13 Mar

Deemed unteachable at school, children’s author Sally Gardner, who is a proud dyslexic, chats to Anna Mackenzie about magic, time travel and other wonders. 
Family
Cornelia Funke: Reckless, Fearless, Heartless

Cornelia Funke: Reckless, Fearless, Heartless

Writers Week 13 Mar

Magic and fantasy are topics German children’s writer Cornelia Funke is an expert on.  Cornelia is magical to listen to – hear her tell stories with Jo Randerson. 
FamilyNZ
Weta Digital Presents Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials

Weta Digital Presents Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials

Writers Week 13 Mar

From zombie-like humans to terrifying Cranks, discover Weta Digital’s secrets behind the making of Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials, based on the popular YA novel by James Dashner. 
FamilyNZ
Joy Cowley: A Joyful Life

Joy Cowley: A Joyful Life

Writers Week 13 Mar

To celebrate her 80th year, Joy Cowley returns to Writers Week to delight adults and children alike.