Calendar (events)
We list events here in order from soonest to furthest in the future. As events fall into the past, we remove them from this page. We are always adding events, so keep checking!
We will also put newly-added events into the weekly updates, so you don't miss them.
On this page
15-16 April '25: Pac Rim 2025: disability-related conference opportunity
26 April '25: Audio described School of Rock - Palmerston North
4 May '25: Hamilton audio described Trust Waikato Symphony Orchestra
2-5 Sep '25: WBU General Assembly & World Blindness Summit 2025
27 August '25: Mamma Mia! is bringing the party to Wellington!
Peer-to-Peer gatherings
- Whakatū / Nelson: stable monthly and scheduled 13th May.
- Taranaki / New Plymouth: to be confirmed.
- Kirikiriroa / Hamilton: please let us know.
- Te Papa-i-Oea / Palmerston North: developing and scheduled 22nd May.
- Kāpiti: Developing and scheduled 23rd May.
- Te Whanganui-a-Tara / Wellington region: developing and scheduled 24th May.
- Tāmaki Makaurau / Auckland: April successful and stable quarterly; South Auckland – Developing and scheduled 17th May.
- Ōtautahi – Christchurch – In collaboration with Deafblind coordinator and recreation adviser BLVNZ we are developing a plan for Deafblind network as requested by one of our communities.
- Ōtepoti – Dunedin - TBA
- Waihōpai – Invercargill TBA
- Te Tai o Poutini - West Coast- As Above
Please contact us if you are interested in attending any of these events.
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2025 audio described and other accessible events
"Times have changed for the better. Older lifelong blind people remember their childhood museum visits being no more than tours of locked glass cases with some friends or families patiently reading some of the posters associated with the objects locked behind the glass. Today we can now say that opera, ballet, modern dance, pantomimes, magic shows, art galleries and museums are no longer just for sighted people. There's a whole world of new discovery asking to be explored, made possible through audio description from trained describers and theatre, museum and art gallery staff."
Audio Described Aotearoa and Accessible Information and Communications Ltd (A I Comms) have released their compilation of audio described and other accessible events for 2025. The booklet also features explanations of audio description and other other accessible event offerings.
With 45 events nationwide, in both the South and North Islands, there's lots to check out in the booklet below.
Audio Described Aotearoa and A I Comms: 2025 Audio Described and Other Accessible Events, 4 Feb 2025
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Free audio described gallery tour: Intimation of Endless Space Given in a Small Window of Time at Artspace Aotearoa
Join Nicola Owen from Audio Described Aotearoa and Kaitohu Director of Artspace Aotearoa, Ruth Buchanan, for a free audio described tour of Artspace's new exhibition. Intimation of Endless Space Given in a Small Window of Time (approximately 10 minutes) presents the work of composer Ethan Braun and graphic designer Lina Grumm as co-authors for the first time.
This exhibition tends to relationships between sound, space, the visual, and the body. Each day of the exhibition is uniquely scored, engendering a gallery in constant flux. The exhibition becomes a site to tune in to this living score together.
- When: Saturday, 7 June from 11am to 12 noon.
- Where: Artspace Aotearoa, 292 Karangahape Road, Auckland Central, Auckland 1145.
- Tickets: this event is free to attend but booking is essential.
- To book: Please reserve your spot online here:
Audio described exhibition tour
Join Nicola Owen from Audio Described Aotearoa and Kaitohu Director Ruth Buchanan for a tour tailored for blind and low vision audiences.
www.eventbrite.co.nz
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4 May '25: Hamilton audio described Trust Waikato Symphony Orchestra
Star-crossed Lovers: Force of Destiny "May the force/fourth be with you".
Musical fairy tales, romance, inter-galactic battles and so much more!
Featuring Trust Waikato Symphony Orchestra in a concert for all the family to enjoy. Experience New Zealand's favourite classical saxophonist Simon Brew in the starring roles of conductor and soloist, plus beautiful solos from concertmaster Tony Hong-Che Wu and the joint winner of University of Waikato's 2024 Concerto Competition, Sitiveni Palei on trumpet. With well-known orchestral music spanning the centuries, the 2024 Arts Foundation NZ Te Tumu Toi Laureate - Claire Cowan's Orchestral Suite from "Hansel and Gretel" and as the "May the 4th" finale - ever-popular Star Wars themes.
Conductor: Simon Brew. Soloists: Simon Brew - Saxophone, Tony Hong-Che Wu - Violin, Sitiveni Palei - Trumpet (University of Waikato 2024 Concerto Competition joint winner).
Programme
- Prokofiev, Romeo and Juliet, No 13 Dance of the Knights "Montagues and Capulets". Georges Bizet, Chanson du Toreador from "Carmen Suite no 2 for trumpet". _ Beethoven, Romance no 2 for Violin. _ Verdi, Force of Destiny. _ Interval. _ Alexander Glazunov, Concerto in E flat major for alto saxophone and string orchestra, Op. 109. _ Claire Cowan, Hansel and Gretel Suite Selection.
- John Williams, Yoda's Theme and Imperial March from Star Wars Suite.
Location, dates and tickets
- When: Sunday, 4 May, 1:30pm touch tour, 2:30pm audio described show.
- Where: Concert Chamber, Gallagher Academy of Performing Arts, Gate 1, University of Waikato, Knighton Road, Hamilton 3216.
- Run time: 1 hour, 35 minutes, including a 20 minute interval.
- Tickets: Adult $32, Senior $27, Student with ID $5, Child under 18 years free.
A free companion ticket is available for blind and low vision patrons.
To book: please contact Catherine Polglase at Orchestra's Central Trust by calling [021 129 7346](tel:021 129 7346) or emailing artistic@orchestras.org.nz.
Catherine will reserve tickets on your behalf which can be paid for on the day of the performance when collecting your tickets from the box office.
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26-29 June '25: Deafblind Association NZ Conference 2025
Conference 2025 will be held at the Brentwood Hotel in Wellington, 26 to 28 June, checking out on 29 June.
We are looking forward to being with those of you who have been to our conference before, and we are excited to meet those of you who are new to the conference, which is designed specifically for deafblind needs.
Please note the dates in your diary. Please reach out to us if you feel there is anything that might make you hesitant about coming. We want to have you there and we can help to support you, so that you have a nourishing and great time with your peers.
27 August '25: Mamma Mia! is bringing the party to Wellington!
My, my, how can you resist the world's favourite feel-good musical as it brings the good times and sunshine to the St James Theatre. Since first opening in 1999, this exhilarating smash-hit has become a global phenomenon, thrilling over 70 million people worldwide. MAMMA MIA! is a jukebox musical featuring the timeless songs of the legendary Swedish pop group ABBA. With its heart-warming tale and infectious music, MAMMA MIA! has become one of the world's most beloved and successful musicals.
When: Wednesday, 27 August: 5:45pm touch tour; 7:30pm audio described performance.
Where: St James Theatre, 77 Courtenay Place, Wellington.
Run time: 2 hours 35 minutes, including a 20 minute interval.
*Tickets:** $60, plus booking fees. A free companion ticket is available.
To book: contact the Ticketmaster Group Booking line on 09 970 9745, or email groups@ticketmaster.co.nz. A $5 service fee per transaction applies. Let them know at time of booking how many headsets you need, if you will be attending the touch tour and if you will be attending with a guide dog. Arrive at 5:30pm for the touch tour at 5:45pm. On the night of the performance, tickets and headsets can be collected from The St James Foyer area (Stalls foyer, ground floor) from 6:30pm.
2-5 Sep '25: WBU General Assembly & World Blindness Summit 2025
Date: 2 to 5 September 2025, with committee meetings and special forums on 1 September.
Location: Holiday Inn Parque Anhembi, Rua Professor Milton Rodrigues, 100 – Parque Anhembi, 02009-030 São Paulo – Sao Paulo, Brazil.
Join blind and partially sighted leaders from around the globe for this landmark event. The summit will offer a multilingual experience, opportunities for international networking, and crucial discussions on advocacy, accessibility, and leadership.
Stay tuned in the coming weeks and months for further details on the program and registration.
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19-23 July '27: WFDB and Db Conference Zurich Switzerland
At the request of the President of the World Federation of the Deafblind (WFDB), we are honored to announce that Deafblind International (Db) and WFDB will jointly organize the next World Conference on Deafblindness also known as Helen Keller World Conference.
Dates: 19–23 July 2027 Venue: Davos Congress, Davos, Switzerland
Davos is a small mountain town, located 2–2.5 hours from Zurich Airport by car or public transport. The venue and surrounding environment provide an ideal setting for a fully inclusive conference experience, including outdoor workshops tailored to meet the needs of individuals with deafblindness.
Further information, including funding arrangements to support the conference, will be shared in due course.
We look forward to seeing you all in summer 2027!