Entertainment in New Zealand
Culture and the Arts
New Zealand is proud her own culture embraces a strong tradition of Maori art and craft, Polynesian, European ancestry and other traditions. Maori have a wide range of performing arts - Kapa Haka which includes haka, waiata and poi dancing. The national competitions are well supported by the general public. The Chinese community celebrate their New Year with traditional festivities. Many of the different ethnic groups will advertise their celebrations which give parts of New Zealand, especially Auckland a colourful diversity.
Theatres, Orchestras, Opera and Dance
Most cities have theatres, orchestras and sometimes opera companies of their own. Auckland is home to several modern dance companies while Wellington is the'theatre capital' with three, full-time professional theatres. Wellington is also the home of the huge biannual International Festival of the Arts while Christchurch, New Plymouth, Tauranga and Nelson all host Arts Festivals.
Museums
Te Papa, The Museum of New Zealand, based on Wellington's waterfront showcases New Zealand art and culture often hosting international exhibitions. As does Auckland's Art Gallery, with crowd pleasing exhibitions like Monet, that broke all attendance records.
The Film Industry
The film industry has international status with the recent The Lord of the Rings trilogy winning Oscars. The cult series Hercules and Xena were filmed in Auckland and the more recent international teenage hit The Tribe was shot in Wellington .
