Have beauty pageants lost their allure?

Danielle Wright finds Wellington alive with art events, food and popular culture this winter.

Patua means "to hit, kill, subdue, ill-treat", and writer-director Renae Maihi bravely takes on the subject of child abuse in the 75 nicely paced minutes of this, her second play.

Dick Frizzell believes he lost more than $100,000 as the official artist of the Rugby World Cup. He's not bitter, but says it's the worst investment decision he's made.

Michal Dworzynski will launch the Auckland Philharmonia's Splendour Series.

Elliott Crimp has lost two fingers, part of his right foot, areas around his knees and all his toes to meningococcal B - but he hasn't lost his sense of humour.

Cars slowed and heads turned as almost 200 brightly coloured mood sticks were carried through central Auckland by people with white gloves.

Works of art featuring the model Kate Moss have gone up for auction at Christie's in London. From an photograph of Moss from a Calvin Klein campaign in 1993 to a recent shot of her in a bronze body suit, the model is an iconic figure on the catwalk. The British model's career spans over two decades and she continues to front numerous campaigns today.

Rockers The National have shown their stamina when they performed their hit song Sorrow for six hours on repeat as part of an art installation.

Julia Fischer's new CD with the Tonhalle-Orchester Zurich under David Zinman is a clever concerto combo that will hopefully bring the lesser-known Dvorak to listeners initially drawn to the more popular Bruch.

Dr Rodney Wilson, a former director of the Auckland War Memorial Museum, died peacefully at home on Saturday.

The Auckland Triennial, which opens next month, brings together a host of local and international artists responding to what it is like to live here.

Dick Frizzell's famous Mickey to Tiki Tu Meke had him labelled a 'spiritual assassin'. Now it's up for auction and Frizzell revisits the Kiwi icon.

So, you think your child's funny? Danielle Wright talks to the kids comedy industry to find out how you can encourage your children to make people, other than their mum and dad, laugh.

Gallery curator Danae Mossman shares her love for contemporary art.

Danielle Wright finds public art in children's playgrounds the perfect combination.