Stressing over gifts for dad on September 3? Tauranga Arts Festival is at your service and happy to help with ideas for fathers of all ages.

Men’s health is the focus for the one-man show of storytelling and original music from Daniel Tobias that is the acclaimed The Orchid and The Crow (Thursday October 26). Although the subject matter is serious – Tobias being diagnosed with stage 4 testicular cancer – it is an uplifting and at times very funny show. On Sunday October 29 sports journalist Phil Gifford talks about his book Looking after Your Nuts and Bolts, written with the NZ Men’s Health Trust.

Phil Jarratt appears on Saturday October 21 in Lives of Brine to talk about his memoir, published this month, is an unflinching look at his long career in journalism and backpacking around the world with other surfers looking for the perfect wave. Jarratt’s 2017 documentary Men of Wood and Foam, telling the story of Australia’s pioneering surfboard makers, screens at Mt Drury the same night.

Dads who like a laugh shouldn’t miss the “hilariously daft and gruesome tale” of murder in a small, country town in Australia. The Ballad of Backbone Joe (Saturday October 21) comes complete with live music, puppetry and slapstick.

Remember that TECT cardholder discounts apply until October 6 to the first two tickets purchased to any show (Baycourt box office sales only). A great saving.