Events

Bruce Mason Centre: An Evening with Steven Pinker

February 2nd, 2026

In a rare live appearance, the acclaimed Harvard cognitive psychologist Steven Pinker will share his insights on the mind, human nature, and why the future is brighter than you think.

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The PumpHouse: Improv - Level Up

February 7th, 2026

10:00 am - 2:00 pm

This workshop is for participants with prior improvisation experience, or who have attended the beginners or next step workshops, and are ready to further extend their skills and confidence. It focuses on applying established improv techniques in more sustained and developed scenes, while keeping the same playful, supportive, and fun approach. 🔞 This is a workshop for adults (18+)

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Bruce Mason Centre: Pod Save America

February 11th, 2026

Join former Obama aides Jon Favreau, Jon Lovett, Tommy Vietor and Dan Pfeiffer for the Pod Save America - Hopefully Just Visiting tour. Pod Save America is coming to New Zealand, featuring no-bullshit conversations about the state of US politics (yikes), the global spread of right-wing authoritarianism and how all of us can fight back. Will the guys be so taken by the warm embrace of idyllic beaches, relatively normal politicians and universal healthcare that they end up staying for good? You’ll just have to come see for yourself to find out. Since 2017, Pod Save America has consistently been one of the most-listened-to podcasts in news and politics. Past guests include President Barack Obama, Senators Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren, Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, chef José Andrés, Hollywood legend Jane Fonda and many, many more.

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Bruce Mason Centre: 2Forty2 - Live

February 13th, 2026

A Historic Night Arrives in New Zealand For the first time ever, Auckland will witness a musical experience of pure class and brilliance — the extraordinary Billy Fernando performing live with the sensational 2Forty2. A sound refined with elegance. A performance crafted with passion. An evening designed for those who appreciate artistry at its finest. Every note. Every rhythm. Every emotion elevated. This is not just a concert. This is a luxury musical affair — where sophistication meets soul. In this exclusive New Zealand debut, Billy Fernando and 2Forty2 unite on one stage to deliver a night of breathtaking vocals, immaculate arrangements, and timeless energy. A posh, premium celebration created for those who want to be part of something truly unprecedented. History is happening. Auckland is the first to experience it. Secure your tickets now for this first-ever New Zealand showcase — an unforgettable night of class, music, and magic.

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Takapuna Beach Cup: Waka Ama 2026

February 13th, 2026 - February 15th, 2026

The Takapuna Beach Cup is a three-day Aotearoa Waka Ama event that attracts paddlers from across the nation as well as around the world. The event is hosted in Auckland at Takapuna Beach and racing takes places on the Hauraki Gulf which offers stunning views, including one of NZ's iconic extinct volcanoes, Rangitoto. The event is inclusive of rangatahi (youth) and pakeke (adults) with a wide range of different ethnicities and cultures coming together to participate in the biggest change race in Aotearoa. Thursday: International Paddler's Evening Friday: # OC6 5km. # OC6 16km - Mixed only race Saturday: # OC6 / OC4 42km OC6 marathon (changes). # OC6 / OC4 21km Iron - Men & Women only Sunday: # OC6 10km (J16 / J19). # OC1 / V1 24km Relay (2 paddlers), OC2 24km Relay (4 paddlers)​

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Bruce Mason Centre: Deacon Blue

February 15th, 2026

Scottish pop-rock icons Deacon Blue are thrilled to announce their return to Aotearoa in February 2026, marking their first shows down under since 2023. The tour will celebrate the band’s 40th anniversary and the release of their latest studio album, The Great Western Road. Known for their emotionally charged performances and enduring hits like “Dignity,” “Real Gone Kid,” “I’ll Never Fall In Love Again” and “Fergus Sings the Blues,” Deacon Blue will deliver a dynamic live experience that spans their full career — from the soulful grit of their acclaimed groundbreaking debut album Raintown to the energy of The Great Western Road. Their new album reflects the band’s journey with honesty, warmth, and a renewed sense of adventure. New Zealand fans can expect a specially curated setlist, including all the hits you know and love, blending arena-sized classic anthems, tracks off their latest album, mixed with intimate surprises. With a reputation for crafting unforgettable live moments, Deacon Blue’s 2026 tour promises to be a celebration of fan connection, nostalgia, and musical brilliance. Deacon Blue: 40 years strong, and more poignant and potent than ever.

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Bruce Mason Centre: An Audience with Sir Tony Robinson

February 17th, 2026

Sir Tony Robinson is one of Britain’s best-loved faces on screen, a master storyteller and an award-winning writer, known for creating the iconic Baldrick in Blackadder and presenting 20 seasons of Channel 4’s Time Team. Now, Tony celebrates a life on stage and screen—sharing stories from his remarkable career, his passion for history, and his thrilling fiction debut The House of Wolf, an epic tale of Alfred the Great and the bloody birth of England. Hear behind-the-scenes stories from Time Team, Blackadder, The Worst Jobs in History and beyond – and have the chance to ask Tony anything, from writing his first novel at 78 to why Baldrick still gets the biggest laughs. Drawing on decades of archaeological expertise and his gift for making the past come alive, Tony will reveal the gritty reality behind the legend of Alfred the Great in his latest work. What was life really like for ordinary people caught between Saxon kings and Viking raiders? How did political scheming in medieval courts compare to today's power struggles? This isn't just historical fiction – it’s Tony’s unique take on the real events that forged our nation. This will be a night of brilliant storytelling, big laughs, and history with a twist—all delivered by a man who always had… a cunning plan.

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Bruce Mason Centre: Haricharan & Saindhavi Live

February 20th, 2026

Experience a spectacular night of music as Haricharan and Saindhavi perform their beloved hits live in New Zealand, joined by the Drums Kumar Collective, host Manimegalai, and dazzling dance performance by Dharsha Gupta and group. A first-of-its-kind South Indian musical event in NZ on this scale — perfect for all ages!

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The PumpHouse: The Last Five Years

February 20th, 2026 - February 27th, 2026

For anyone who’s ever fallen in love, fallen apart, or found themselves somewhere in between. Two people. One love story. Jamie’s a writer catching his big break. Cathy’s an actor struggling to catch hers. They fall in love, build a life – and slowly start to fall apart. The twist? Jamie’s story moves forward in time, while Cathy’s runs backward. Their worlds meet only once, right in the middle. On their wedding day. Set to Jason Robert Brown’s breathtakingly honest score, The Last Five Years is a rollercoaster of romance, ambition, and what happens when two people fall in and out of sync.

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