Gardens Magic, music to the ears in Pōneke

The iconic Gardens Magic concert series returns to the Botanic Garden ki Paekākā’s Soundshell for three weeks next month – so get ready to face the music. Wellington City Council is proud to be hosting this free event for its 43rd year, filling the summer nights with sounds and a light display which transforms the gardens into a magical setting. Head along with a rug and picnic and grab some friends and whānau for an evening of free entertainment from some of the best local talent around. There’ll be something for everyone with music ranging from contemporary pop to indie to classical to rock. Here’s what some of the artists say about their Gardens Magic experience and performing live.

Toni Huata, Ngāti Kahungunu, Rongowhakaata (Aotearoa Allstars | Thurs 19 Jan)

A Wellington-based group made up of artists from a number of award winning Kaupapa Māori music groups. The group aims to promote te reo Māori through music and having fun with the audience.

I have performed and attended Gardens Magic at different times over the years and what I like about this festival is that it celebrates all genre of music, performance, culture and talent. Gardens Magic also celebrates Wellington and our arts culture here. In particular to our involvement, in the past and in 2023 with 'Puoro ki te Ao' and 'Aotearoa Allstars' we celebrate our reo, traditions, compositions and contemporary kaupapa Māori music for all to experience and enjoy.

I love being in nature, it brings a beautiful mauri. I also like being with families, different cultures and sharing our music to uplift and heal others. We are lucky that this is a two-way process and we receive a lot of positivity in return. The good thing with Gardens Magic is that it is a family audience, it's fresh into Raumati 2023, and we are sharing our reo with the multitudes.

I'd like to thank Ngāti Kahungunu ki te Whanganui a Tara for your tautoko and WCC for hosting this stunning festival. We are coming up to 3 years of the arts industry being hit hard, a lot of loss personally and professionally for many, so let's give ourselves the space to celebrate in 2023 at Gardens Magic.