Wellington's reputation as the capital of cool gets a boost next month.

J.K. Rowling has said she "loves" the fact that Hermione Granger will be played by a black actress in the highly anticipated new Harry Potter play.

Edna O'Brien's new novel is about how we can still be seduced by evil people. Francesca Wade meets her.

Uwe Grodd's introductions to Auckland Choral's annual Messiah are becoming as much of a tradition as the musical performances that follow them.

Author Kevin Barry's latest novel Beatlebone delves into the mind of John Lennon as he seeks the solitude of a tiny Irish island that he bought for 1700 pounds in 1968.

In 2016, the world marks the 400th year anniversary of the death of playwright William Shakespeare.

It sounds incredible now that it took so long, but it was well received and won the Best First Book award.

Although Paul Hartigan's art has roamed from pop-art painting and posters, to Polaroids and beyond, his neon work is the most familiar.

The 2016 Ockham New Zealand Book Awards inaugural longlist has been announced. There are 40 long-listed works; ten each from the four awards categories - illustrated non-fiction, general non-fiction, poetry and fiction.

Waiheke artist Emma Wright became a best-selling author after blogging about her art, her life and her battle with bulimia.

Going out is good. Like swimming in the sea, you almost never regret it. Perhaps it's because there's that subtle spice of danger.

Graham Reid previews a huge exhibition in Melbourne of two major artists, Andy Warhol and Ai Weiwei.

Tinder and LinkedIn couldn't be more different: One helps you find dates; the other, jobs.

Philip Trusttum's work at Whitespace is paradoxical. The chequered figures that fill the picture space with sharp-edged energy are shown in a variety of colours that all sing together.

The final concert of Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra's New Zealand Herald Premier series was a night to remember.

Martin was principal flautist with the Academy of St Martin in the Fields when he first worked with pianist Garrick Ohlsson 20 years ago.