Ponsonby News

06/12/2025

Ponsonby Christmas Market day is on right now-thanks to the great weather the strip is very busy.

06/12/2025

Grey Lynn Christmas Market is in full swing!

05/12/2025

Ponsonby News - December 2025. The final issue of the year is live to view right now. The office is closed. for the summer holidays and Christmas. We will be open again from Monday 12 January 2026. Merry Christmas everyone and enjoy your break.

https://issuu.com/ponsonbynews/docs/ponsonby_new-_december_2025

Ponsonby? Anyone not heard of us? We are Auckland's most talked about part of town. Our December issue is now live - happy summer reading. Merry Christmas everyone

02/12/2025

Play It Strange has announced its annual 2025 showcase, taking place on Thursday, 4 December at Kāhui St Davids in Tāmaki Makaurau at 7:00pm.

The event celebrates rangatahi artists from across Aotearoa who have taken part in the trust’s songwriting competitions throughout the year. First-place winners from the four major competitions will perform, alongside several talented alumni. Special guest speakers include 2025 judges and former participants CHAII and Rebel Reid.

The showcase is the culmination of a full day of workshops and mentoring. Beginning at 9:30am at 95bFM, performers will attend a hands-on session exploring the role of student radio, how emerging artists can get involved, and how to submit music for playlisting. This is followed by a songwriting kōrero with musicians and Play It Strange team members Evie Bamford and Paige, giving students the chance to share their work and perform.

In the afternoon, producer Emily Wheatcroft-Snape leads a Recording 101 workshop, covering home-studio setups, common beginner mistakes, and practical setup and pack-down exercises. Laughton Kora then delivers a performance workshop on stagecraft, developing an artist brand, overcoming anxiety, and soundcheck preparation, finishing with mentoring during the performers’ pre-show soundcheck.

The ten featured performers include the four major 2025 competition winners — Salem Māhia Randall (National Songwriting), Ihaka Whanarere-Tauri (Waiata Māori), Betty Shen (Peace Song), and Sienna Fitzgerald (Junior Songwriting) — as well as alumni Greer Castle, Cameron Beattie, Isabella Bedoya-Lopez, Levol Y, Dylan Lazz, and Shakira Liu.

2025 has been a landmark year for Play It Strange, with a record 879 song entries and funding provided for recording over 200 works.

The trust also launched the Play It Strange podcast, with hosts Rei and CHAII interviewing leading New Zealand artists as a resource for emerging musicians.

Strengthened alumni pathways, new partnerships with Moana Auckland, BIG FAN and 95bFM, and the support of mentors including Bic Runga, Louis Baker, Kings and Dame Hinewehi Mohi have all expanded opportunities for young creatives.

Ten albums from Play It Strange artists are being released throughout 2025. Follow for updates.

02/12/2025

Ponsonby Residents Bringing Ethical & Local Retail Together This Christmas

Ponsonby’s community spirit is taking on new life thanks to local resident and neighbourhood enthusiast Ryan Richards, who is bringing a brand-new Christmas market to Ponsonby’s stunning new urban jewel, Te Rimutahi at 254 Ponsonby Road.

For Ryan — who lives just a couple of hundred metres away on O’Neill Street — the idea wasn’t sparked by a business plan, but by something far more personal. This is a not-for-profit initiative driven purely by community spirit.

“I walk through this beautiful new civic space almost every day,” he says. “And I kept thinking… this is the perfect location for a community market.”

Ryan had followed the progress of Te Rimutahi closely and was thrilled when it finally opened.

To bring the market to life, Ryan has partnered with fair&good — a New Zealand not-for-profit that connects consumers with ethical brands. Together, they’re inviting a welcoming line-up of both ethical New Zealand brands and local Ponsonby businesses, with the aim of creating a warm, inclusive, community-driven event.

He’s also working with local volunteers to secure performances from neighbourhood musicians and choirs throughout the day.

Calling all stallholders: Ryan is still welcoming enquiries, with several stall spaces available. Local Ponsonby businesses receive a discounted stall rate of $84. “If you’re keen to be part of it, we’d love to have you! Please don’t hesitate to get in touch.”

The Te Rimutahi Christmas Market takes place 9:30am-3pm on Saturday, 13 December 2025.

Email Ryan at [email protected]
or learn more here:
https://kiaoraponsonby.co.nz/te-rimutahi-xmas-market

01/12/2025

It’s tonight for the Franklin Road lights switch on 😍👍🎄

28/11/2025

Dairy Date: Saturday 6 December from 9am

27/11/2025

We have one free double pass to giveaway for the Auckland show...Thursday 29 January: simply email [email protected] to go into the draw.

The popular annual Summer Concert Tour returns in January with the recent announcement by Greenstone Entertainment of their stellar 2026 artist line-up, featuring IGGY POP, JOAN JETT and THE BLACKHEARTS, HOODOO GURUS and ZED.

In light of public feedback over the scheduling of the Whitianga concert to the Monday (26 January) following the Auckland Anniversary weekend, Greenstone Entertainment has listened to concert-goers and made the decision to move the Coromandel concert to Auckland’s Spark Arena on Thursday, 29 January ensuring a wider audience may enjoy this historic line-up of artists.

The Summer Concert tour will now play Taupo’s Amphitheatre on Saturday, 24 January, Auckland’s Spark Arena Thursday, 29 January (formerly Whitianga) with the final show at Wānaka’s Three Parks Outdoor Arena on Saturday, 31 January. Please note, Hoodoo Gurus will not be available to perform in Auckland.

Amanda Calvert, Greenstone CEO said; “We have been blown away by the reaction to legendary artists – Iggy Pop and Joan Jett and The Blackhearts – being confirmed for our 2026 artist line up. Equally, we especially value the feedback of our Greenstone members and fans who have supported us for 16 years. While it is has been a difficult decision not to proceed with the Whitianga concert, we have listened to your requests and look forward to many more fans getting to see this legendary lineup in Auckland.”

Tickets to the newly announced Auckland, Spark Arena show will be available from today, head to Greenstoneentertainment.co.nz

Patrons who currently hold tickets to the Whitianga show are eligible for their tickets to be transferred to the new Auckland event or Taupo concert at no cost, or to receive a refund. Patrons will be contacted directly to confirm which option they wish to choose.

26/11/2025

25/11/2025

FREE TICKETS GIVEAWAY:..

We have two double passes - 4 tickets for the Auckland show 21 January...

STEWART COPELAND HEADS TO AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALAND WITH HIS SPOKEN WORLD TOUR

email [email protected]

Have i said too much? The police, hollywood & other adventures’ - Spoken word tour

Legendary rock drummer, Stewart Copeland, is returning to Australia & New Zealand for the first time in 18 years. He will bring his ‘Have I Said Too Much? The Police, Hollywood, And Other Adventures’ show to our shores, following dozens of sold out shows across the UK.

Stewart says, “Demand for this intimate new show has surpassed my expectations, and I can’t wait to return to Australia & New Zealand next year and share the stories of my life with even more fans.”

As one of the greatest rock drummers of all time, he drove the all-conquering success of The Police during the 1970s and 1980s, before being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. A multi-Grammy winner, who followed his work with The Police by composing music for soundtracks for Hollywood movies and operas, Stewart is hitting the road for his most intimate tour to date.

Having played drums for Curved Air from 1975 to 1976, Stewart was the founding member of The Police, recruiting lead singer Sting and guitarist Andy Summers.

His remarkable talent helped drive The Police to world domination between 1977 and 1986, and then again from 2007 to 2008 when the band reunited.

His Hollywood soundtracks include Francis Ford Coppola’s Rumblefish and Oliver Stone’s Wall Street and Talk Radio. He has written books, formed supergroups, made films, and composed music for ballet, opera, and classical concerts.

This special evening with Stewart Copeland will provide a fascinating insight into his incredible life as a performer, musician, entertainer, and writer. All shows will be hosted by acclaimed Perth radio broadcaster, Sarah Tout.

Meet and Greet packages will be available and fans will also be able to submit questions for Stewart to answer on stage.



HAVE I SAID TOO MUCH? NEW ZEALAND TOUR DATES 2026:

Tuesday 20th January

Opera House, Wellington NZ



Wednesday 21st January

Bruce Mason Centre, Auckland NZ

Tickets and tour information available at:

www.birdsrobe.com

CONNECT WITH STEWART COPELAND:

WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | X

YOUTUBE | SPOTIFY

25/11/2025

Legendary Kiwi children's presenter Suzy Cato takes the
reins of the sleigh in the Tunes 4 Tamariki: Christmas with
Suzy concert.

2pm and 3pm Sunday 14 December, Bruce Mason Theatre
10am and 11.30am Sunday 21 December, Auckland Town
Hall. $15 per person or $50 for a Family Pass.

BOOK NOW

Link
https://aucklandphil.nz/concert/tunes-4-tamariki-christmas-with-suzy/ #