The large crowd had been ready since Tim Finn and a choir of young Maori children sang his song Parihaka.

What may well be the quintessential Kiwi love story is brought to life in an utterly charming show that has intimate family history blended with a heartfelt tribute.

The Forbidden City Chamber Orchestra's brief 2011 visit left one eager for more of the virtuoso Chinese ensemble.

There's a moment in this art-heist caper when the group of museum curators, art historians and artists, on a mission to save 1000 years of art and culture from the Nazis during World War II, discover barrels filled with wedding rings and gold fillings.

This intriguing whodunnit is entertaining and excellently produced. Its pleasing twists and turns balance humour and seriousness with just the right light touch.

For those into contracts, 175 East delivered firm promises for its Sunday concert, chalked up on a blackboard, reading "75 min - lockout applies".

The underwater world proves to be the ideal environment for Red Leap's unique blend of puppetry, dance and physical theatre in Sea.

Lydia Jenkin reviews Pharrell's rap-free new album, GIRL.

The New Zealand Festival's 2014 opera was shortish in length, running not too far past an hour, but Osvaldo Golijov's Ainadamar was a stunning achievement.

This year's Summer Shakespeare eschews the well-worn path of the familiar plays.

There was an air of ritual about Requiem for the Fallen, the major music commission of the New Zealand Arts Festival.

The politics of violence - when can it be justified? Who is capable of it? - is considered by two separate productions at The Basement.