We hope this finds you well and staying well, and finding plenty to occupy your mind during lockdown. Being in a bubble doesn’t mean you need to be isolated. Come and join the fun here on the Tauranga Arts Festival website where our team has been busy sourcing and creating content just for you.

Here’s a look at what’s been posted already this week and what’s coming up. Look out for our posts from midday.

Monday, April 6:
Doris de Pont talks about the NZ Fashion Museum, an online entity that has its virtual doors open come what may. Featured among the exhibitions is one about iconic Tauranga swimwear brand Expozay.

Wednesday, April 8:
In his 2017 book, 'The New Zealand Project' (BWB), Max Harris imagines a better kind of politics, one with values, kindness and heart, and one that stems from a community up, not the top down. Replay from Escape! 2018.

Friday, April 10:
Come for a walk outside with novelist Laurence Fearnley and co-director of Queenstown Natural Perfumiers Harold Jones as they explain how the natural scents around us can enhance our lives. Replay from Escape! 2018.

Monday, April 13:
Here’s a surprise Easter gift – a bundle of poetry! Tauranga poet Harold Jones explains why one of his favourite pieces of text – ‘The Shield of Achilles’ from Homer’s ‘Iliad’ – has resonance for our current situation.

And we’re posting the first of our Home-made Poetry videos

• Dr Siouxsie Wiles of Auckland University reads ‘The word as a means of communication’, written by Dr Glenn Colquhoun (Horowhenua)
• Former NZ chess champion Bob Smith, who lives in Mt Maunganui, reads ‘Kiwitahi Way’, written by Bob Orr (Thames coast).

Any queries or comments email info@taurangafestival.co.nz. And of course you’re very welcome to follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and share our posts with others.

For us to be able to keep bringing the arts to Tauranga in the long term we need your support, recognising that these are tough financial times for everyone. We thank you for your past support and hope that you are able to remain part of our Festival whānau in the future. Find out here how you can support us.

Kia kaha ki ā tātou