2025 Festival Archive
21 October - 2 November 2025
11 days of unmissable arts experiences in Whakatū
Thank you to our partners, sponsors, venues, crew and volunteers who make it all possible. Thank you to all the artists who bring their incredible work to our region, and to all of you - our audience - who are the driving force behind it all.
All The Things I Wish I Could Be
THE PASTORIOUS WALLER THEATRE AT THE SUTER
Mon 27 Oct | 11am | 50 min
$15 – $25
CRIME IN CONTEXT
Te Noninga Kumu Motueka Public Library
Thurs Oct 23 | 6pm | 60 mins
$25
IT’S GETTING HOT-ENE, SO TELL ME ALL YOUR JOKES
The Boathouse
Sat 25 Oct | 8.30pm | 55 min
$29 – $35
LIVES LESS ORDINARY
THE PASTORIOUS WALLER THEATRE AT THE SUTER
Sat 1 Nov | 10.30am | 60 min
$25
MASK CARNIVALE 2025
Whakatū Nelson CBD
Fri 31 Oct | 5-9pm
Mask Parade starts at 5.15pm | Carnivale from 5.45pm
POLLYHILL & SAMARA ALOFA
Deville Music Hub
Sat 1 Nov | Doors Open 8.30 pm, 9 pm Supporting Act, 11 pm Main Act
$26 – $29
PUKAPUKA TALKS GALA NIGHT
NCMA
Fri 24 Oct | 7.30pm | 90 min
$35-39
ration the Queen’s veges
THE PASTORIOUS WALLER THEATRE AT THE SUTER
Sun 26 Oct | 7.30pm | 50 min
$29 – $35
SCREENWRITING WITH MICHAEL BENNETT
Pūtangitangi Greenmeadows Centre
Tue 21 Oct | 5.30pm for a 6pm start | 210 min
$35
THE STORY OF TIAHUIA
THE PASTORIOUS WALLER THEATRE AT THE SUTER
Mon 27 Oct | 5.30pm | 75 min
$25
THE VELVET REBELS
NCMA
Sat 1 Nov | 6pm | 60 min
$29 – $39
TOM LARK
Deville Music Hub
Thu 30 Oct | Doors Open 8pm, 8.30pm Supporting Act, 9.30pm Main Act
$26 – $29
YES YES YES
THE PASTORIOUS WALLER THEATRE AT THE SUTER
Thu 23 Oct | 6.30pm | 60 + 30 min Post-show Forum
$15 – $35
Nelson Arts Festival Team
Ruth Roebuck
Janelle Bish
Rose McGrannachan
Kerry Sunderland
Lil della Porta
Technical and Delivery Team
JR Richardson
Antony Hodgson
Wendy Clease
Lydia Hannah Thomas
Maria Anderson
Sam Cole
Rosie Pidd
Festival Technical Team & Crew
Nelson Festivals Trust
Ali Boswijk (Board Chair)
Johny O'Donnell (Te Rarawa, Te Aupōuri)
Sarah Yarrow
Luke Acland
The Trustees would like to thank all previous Board members for their contribution, advice and support of the Trust and the Festival: Brent Thawley, Cynthia Greep, Zoe Palmer, Johannah Kātene-Burge (Ngāti Toa Rangatira, Ngāti Tama), Gemma Laing, Debbie Hannan, Sarah Sharp, Caroline Marshall and Pic Picot.