Aratoiotepoti

02/09/2026

Tēnā koutou art appreciators,

Hot off the press, it’s the wonderful Super Nice Art Guide - your September digest of Ōtepoti visual art openings, ongoing exhibitions, upcoming exhibitions workshops and talks.

Kā mihi nui to all the people and spaces hosting the arts over the next month or so:

🎨 Brett McDowell Gallery 🎨 🎨 🎨 🎨 Ōtepoti Dunedin Community Gallery 🎨 RDS Gallery 🎨 Dunedin Public Art Gallery Society 🎨 🎨 🎨 Gallery De Novo 🎨 Otago Art Society 🎨 Koru Gallery 🎨 .dunedin 🎨 Fe29 Gallery 🎨 🎨 🎨 🎨 Dunedin Dream Brokerage 🎨 The Valley Project

28/08/2026

In May this year, the Ōtepoti Hou vinyl compilation was released, designed to speak to several implementation points in the Ōtepoti Live Music Action Plan.

It’s happening again!
The Ara Toi - Creative Partnerships team, alongside esteemed members of the local music community are looking to release Ōtepoti Hou II on LP in 2027.

📢 This is an open call for unreleased music submissions. If you’ve got an absolute banger oxidising on your hard drive or ridiculously gifted musical mates that need a nudge, don’t be shy.

This compilation is proudly intended to be eclectic and inclusive, in many ways designed to awhi underserved musical streaks in our vibrant community.

You can find a link to the Expression of Interest form to fill out, and the Ts & Cs at www.tinyurl.com/otepotihou

🖌️: Madison Kelly - Matamata (tohu for the original Ōtepoti Hou release)

Matamata was the kaitiaki of Ngāti Kuri, Kāti Māmoe rakatira Te Rakitauneke. In searching for the chief, Matamata carved out the waterways of the Taiari, and Ōtakou Harbour, eventually coming to rest at Pukemakamaka / Turimakamaka – Saddle Hill.

Loosely translating to Ōtepoti Sound or Fresh Ōtepoti, Ōtepoti Hou is a snapshot of the diverse musicians and sound that make up the contemporary music scene of Dunedin.  The  ten-track compilation pilot was released in late May 2026 as a limited run no...

26/08/2026

Kia ora koutou,

Sound is the mechanical vibration of a material medium (air, water, solids, your face when the bass hits). It propagates by compressions and rarefactions of molecules. In the vacuum of space there are effectively no molecules to carry those vibrations, so acoustic waves cannot propagate.

What’s that sound? Ōtepoti level 14 magi applying the secret sauce of sonic alchemy to transcend the limits of modern science and create everlasting vibrations impervious to the vacuity of the void? Probably, but also, Ōtepoti Hou! Fresh local live music happening all around you.

Plugs for the venues hosting this week:
Marama Hall🔌Dunedin Musicians Club🔌🔌🔌
Dunedin Folk Club🔌🔌The Crown Hotel Dunedin
🔌U-Bar🔌🔌The Glenroy Auditorium🔌Hanover Hall🔌🔌

🌖 Maramataka 🌕
Wednesday 26th – Atua Whakahaehae
Thursday 27th - Turu
Friday 28th – Te Rākanui: Full Moon
Saturday 29th - Rākaumatohi
Sunday 30th – Takirau

🎨 “Shooting Star Night” (unattributed) + geometry gifs

25/08/2026

🌿 ARTISTS WANTED – CREATE A NEW HERB GARDEN FOUNTAIN

The Dunedin Botanic Garden is inviting artists and designers to bring a new sculptural fountain to life in the beautiful Herb Garden.

The commission is being funded by the Friends of the Dunedin Botanic Garden to celebrate their 40th anniversary — making this a special opportunity to create a lasting artwork for the Garden and its visitors.

This is an exciting opportunity to create a contemporary, enduring artwork that becomes a focal point within one of the Garden’s much-loved spaces — bringing together plants, water, heritage and contemporary garden design.

Submissions close 10th November 2026. To register your interest and receive the full brief please email [email protected]

21/08/2026

Drifting along the time | space continuum it's 🪐 Ōtepoti Hou 🪐
August is bringing in what we hope are the final weeks of winter before some of the hallmarks of Spring make themselves known.

This weekend's activities show signs of up-tick to match the longer days and warmer temperatures. There are opportunities to sing along, dance along, and also sit back and enjoy different genres across the city.

If something takes your fancy, pick up your people and head out to support local and visiting musicians who are putting on some incredible shows.

Special shout out to the homes of live music, who continue to present opportunities to musicians and audiences alike:

Glenroy Auditorium 🪁 The Bog Dunedin 🪁 The Crown hotel 🪁 Yours Ōtepoti🪁 Hanover Hall 🪁 Pearl Diver 🪁 Inch Bar 🪁 Dunedin Folk Cub

🖼️ "A colony's window" by Rick Guidice (1970s)

12/08/2026

Tickets are still available for the .scene end-of-festival party - a gig following a DIY merch screenprinting workshop with designs from the bands!

, , , and .hc will be bringing you a mix of riot grrrl political punk, noise-alt rock with a ‘Dunedin Sound’ twist, hardcore, and metal blending sci-fi soundscapes with heavy instrumentation.

Screenprinting
🗓️ Saturday 15 August
🕙 3pm - 4pm
📍 Yours Cafe, 43 Moray Place
🎫 $16.58 (through Eventfinda)

Gig
🗓️ Saturday 15 August
🕙 Doors open 7pm, gig starts 8pm
📍 Yours Cafe, 43 Moray Place
🎫 $16.58 (through Eventfinda)

🎫 $28.92 (through Eventfinda) for Screenprinting and Gig!

11/08/2026

Kia ora anō e te whānau ipuraki!

I can feel it in the water, I can feel it in the earth ... August has arrived, bringing us into the final month of winter. We've had rain, we've had snow - now here's Ōtepoti Hou! (It's a near rhyme).

A huge number of musical experiences on offer this week, from lunchtime concerts to celebrations of noise, from fundraiser shows to Kiri and Lou! This week has something for everyone, so get out there Ōtepoti and get into it

10/08/2026

Tickets are still available for the .scene Electronics Workshop with from Com2Tech!

In this workshop you’ll learn the basics of repairing electronics, diagnosing issues, and components you might come across 🔧

All proceeds go towards keeping open!
🗓️ Thursday 13 August
🕙 6pm - 8pm
📍 Yours Cafe, 43 Moray Place
🎫 Pay what you can, starting from $16.58 (through Eventfinda)

05/08/2026

Kia ora! The Super Nice Art Guide is back as your guide for Ōtepoti visual art events this August!

Check out the massive variety of events happening this month, including:
🐛 Openings
🐛 Ongoing exhibitions
🐛 Upcoming Exhibitions
🐛 Workshops and Talks

Thank you so much for all the support, Super Nice Art Guide :)

.p.a.g. .rds.gallery .gallerystudio