Currently, the Auckland Art Gallery is housing a free exhibition of more than 120 portraits by artist Gottfried Lindauer, whose paintings feature prominent New Zealand historical figures and rangatira from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Lindauer’s portraits reveal a long history of engagement with protagonists from New Zealand’s past. Pearl speaks to the Auckland Art Gallery’s Maori curator Nigel Borrell about the trials and tribulations of the exhibition.
Edith Amituanai came into the studio to talk about her latest exhibition; a series of photographs displayed on billboards and bus shelters in Henderson and Avondale. The opening involved a train journey from Henderson to All Goods Gallery in Avondale, with musicians playing in the carriage. We also talked to Rose Theunissen about her abstracted landsacpe paintings on display at North Art Gallery, in Northcote
PC 120 or Plan Change 120 was announced for Auckland as a way to boost housing intensification along public transport hotspots and in the CBD. The plan was celebrated as a way to ensure Auckland remains livable as a city into the 21st century, reducing traffic around key centres and increasing affordability.
The plan was met with criticism from those living in affected central neighbourhoods, such as Mount Eden, Parnell, Ponsonby, and Epsom. Some residents say the changes will diminish the character of the neighbourhoods or make things much busier, disturbing their way of life.
Intensification is difficult, therefore, as a balancing act between multiple parties. To discuss how developments can work as we move into a city fit for the 21st century, News Director Castor spoke to Dr. Mohsen Mohammadzadeh from the University of Auckland’s school of architecture and planning.
Happy New Year and with that Walao starts off strong with Co-Host Jaycee showing us demos and his top plays and discoveries from 2025. From Hyperpop to experimental, what a treat!
Tonight's show was actually entirely curated by bFM's own Samuel Harmony, who sent Oto and Jaycee, not just a playlist, but a stack of CDs and Casettes that he collected while he was in Indonesia as part of the New Zealand Delegation attending AXEAN Festival 2025. Whakarongo mai to experience 2 hours of Psych rock, folk, disco and more by Southeast-Asian artists playing at the festival!
Murray Cammick pops into the studio a little earlier than normal to talk about his upcoming exhibition, Queens St, at Black Asterisk. Murray photographed women and their friends in Queen St, circa 1975, while he was doing his V8 series Flash Cars, and this will be the first time these photos are exhibited in Tāmaki.
Lebanon has experienced warfare, economic hardship, and terrorism throughout its recent history. From the war that raged in the country from 1975 to 1990, when an estimated 120,000 people were killed, to foreign occupation, to instability, Lebanon has had a difficult history. Last week, on August 4th, an explosion devastated Beirut killing over one hundred people and injuring thousands. This incident shocked the nation amidst a horrible economic crisis and a tremendous lack of faith in the competence of the government. Doug Becker speaks with Bassel F. Salloukh and Hannes Baumann about the ongoing political and economic crisis in Lebanon.
For more stories like this head to www.thebigq.org
Producer Jasmine Gray speaks to Councillor Julie Fairey about the folllowing for this week's edition of City Counselling: Auckland Council has unveiled their long-term housing development proposition in the form of Plan Change 120, which is now open for public submissions until December 19. Key focuses include intensifying housing density in high-infrastructure areas.
And this week Ngāti Whatua Ōrākei welcomed the world’s largest indigenous education conference to Tāmaki Makaurau, bringing over 3,800 visitors. Accompanying the conference is Te Ao Pūtahi, a free public festival showcasing indigenous artistry, that is happening in Aotea Square until 7pm tonight.
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