Auckland Region Development Resources

The New Zealand Comedy Festival is back! | Until 22 May 2011

The NZ International Comedy Festival is back, with a line-up that is sure to tickle anyone’s funny bone. With world-class international and local acts performing stand-up, improv, cabaret, children’s comedy and comic theatre, the 19th annual NZ International Comedy Festival promises the widest range of entertainment experiences to date. Check out the website for all of the details so you don’t miss out!

2011 South Auckland Pacific Arts Summit | 4 May – 4 June 2011

The 2011 South Auckland Pacific Arts Summit is a celebration of Pacific arts appreciation in South Auckland. The summit features a range of events including grassroots music concerts, Pacific visual arts exhibitions, talks and discussions and much more. The Arts Summit takes place in various venues and many of the events are free, so everyone can enjoy what’s on offer.

Mr. Jones’ Wives: War Brides of New Zealand Servicemen | Until 4 September, 2011

War Memorial Season at Auckland Museum kicks off with a look into the lives of war brides.

Newspapers called them ‘Mr. Jones Wives’ after New Zealand’s Minister of Defence, Frederick Jones. It was his job to oversee the mass migration of around 3700 women who had fallen in love with New Zealand servicemen. Read the love letters that kept romance alive during the uncertain days of war, to the voyage out onboard ‘bride ships’ and the experience of settling in a new land far from home.

War Memorial Season includes poetry reading, a talk on the Lost Generation and Auckland-Northland Batallion’s Beat Retreat military ceremony.

For more information visit