Issue No35 — Dance Your Cares Away

Kia ora! 

Auckland, are we still having fun? Winter rolls around and Aucklanders go out of their way to personify “comparison is the thief of joy.” They want to be their friends frolicking in Croatia; have parents bankrolling their unending OE; live in cities with larger populations, where there’s more to do and better public transport… but don’t look around to do those exact things here. Yeah, it’s the seasonal depression. Mine and yours and everyone’s seasonal depression is kicking in.

Two things about me is, I’m a double-Tāmaki returnee and a long-term SAD sufferer. I’ve been away for two meaty month-long chunks since the start of 2026. The first time I came back in February, I was like, bestie I looove ur vibe, don’t ever change. People were well-rested from the summer holidays, making the most of their non-work hours; the days still long, sun-kissed and freckled. And now, back again, I have a question for the culture: Auckland, are we still having fun?

‘Cause, yikes, sometimes it really seems like a fat no. I’m not about to armchair diagnose, but like sees like. I’m an empath; your seasonal depression is my seasonal depression.

Fear not, I have a solution to get us through this period of seasonal malaise: we all just need something to look forward to. Tāmaki Makaurau is not a site-specific work; it is made of people. May is a notoriously active time for Tāmaki, so go to your friend’s thing, go to a stranger’s thing, go alone. Make a new friend, no one’s too cool for each other. And when you feel brave, make something happen. Because beyond all the systems and institutions, its rules ambivalent and wild, what do we owe to each other? What are we chasing as an end goal? Is it achievable? Is it external? Does happiness come from within, or is happiness something shared?

At the risk of stating the obvious, it takes villagers to make a village. IDK, I just had a lame weekend where I had a design presentation in the middle of my Sunday, so I cancelled going to the club so I could make the deadline, and then the design presentation got moved to the next week, and then I was annoyed I spent my Friday night battling InDesign instead of shaking my ass! I was annoyed and I wrote this essay where I told everyone to stop being so fucking downbuzz and go outside. And then I looked at myself in the mirror and went, wait, that's me. And then I did stuff. I went to gallery openings, and had friends round, and made a perfect focaccia, went to Daybus at Goblin, and all of a sudden I was like, wow, Auckland is bomb. People are doing shit and don’t actively hate this city.

Maybe… suffering begets suffering? Maybe a place does not change… but your relationship to your environment does. Maybe… I have object impermanence about Tāmaki’s social calendar, and it’s all there if one just looks. Maybe… let’s battle whatever evil weather patterns there are in store for the winter (evil trifecta of June-July-August will not best me) and… go out anyway? 

Hei konā mai, catch u on the dancefloor!

Nuanzhi 

NUANZHI ZHENG is a multi-disciplinary artist, working primarily across theatre, moving image, graphic design, zine making and craft arts. She has almost finished writing her next play, so keep asking her about it – she responds well to peer pressure. Nuanzhi lives in Tāmaki Makaurau and is a Shanghai gal in her bones.

P.S. You can LISTEN to Nuanzhi in the latest episode of local loser.

By Jean

NEW OPENINGS

Wine bar Bare Wine is opening a coffee (serving eighthirty) and pastry shop, LA BUVETTE BY BARE WINE, just around the corner at 104 Richmond Rd, Grey Lynn (I think; I came to this conclusion using the zoom function on my phone and some detective skills). A further dining cellar is promised in the future.

The old Ockhee space on Ponsonby Rd has been reimagined into UNC’S HOT CHICKEN, a mostly-burger spot that specialises in, you got it, Nashville-style hot chicken. Reviews seem broadly positive on the old r/aucklandeats subreddit. And if you don’t know what unc is by now I am sad to say, you’re unc.

There’s a new Hong Kong cha chaan teng-style restaurant in Somerville (90 Whitford Rd) called JACK’S CORNER CAFE which I think used to be a food truck that’d park up outside Tai Ping in Albany. Curry fish balls! Milk tea in the mugs with the cow on it! 

If you’re missing AGAK AGAK (which was, for a small and blissful window of time, in Rose Alley in Ponsonby), they are now offering $10 meal deals on Wednesdays and Thursdays at Atrium on Elliot from the Taste Cafe (directly to your left when you go up the escalator). Nasi lemak bungkus, beef rendang, and nasi ganja with ayam goreng feature.

EVENTS

A reminder that it’s AUCKLAND WRITER’S FESTIVAL weekend. While quite a few events are remarkably sold out (turns out, people do read, or at least like to pretend they read), there’s still plenty available – including some free events (go to the programme and filter by “free”). There’s also a big day of alternative programming at Q Theatre, called Plot Twist. 

If you’re around Aotea Square and need a quick feed, give Tanuki’s Cave a rest (I’m a hater, sorry) and pop into Queens Court across the way instead and you can get basically anything your heart desires there, including Brazillian (Tropeiro), Persian (Feri) and Chinese rice noodles (Gui). 

The Fam market outside the Beresford St station on Saturday is expanding down to the Hopetoun Alpha courtyard with a food truck area featuring Sagrado Cantina, Lollo’s Pizza and lots of sweet treats.

Hawkes Bay’s finest, including Halcyon Days, Aard Wine, Amoise and Tawhiti are doing a WINE TASTING at Goblin tonight. You can also get pizza by Matua (from Tawhiti Wines, and also a chef).

And in further wine news, By The Bottle is hosting a new series called PETIT JURA SALON – a “walk around” tasting at Florets on Sunday afternoon with what looks like a bunch of French wine. Drop in between 2-5pm, food will be available for purchase.

And in further French news, Maison Vauron has a FONDUE NIGHT next Thursday.

NEWS

We can confirm that Dominion Rd’s The Bridgman is closed and FOR LEASE. It is a massive space to make work, so good luck to you.

D.O.S.E. on High St, which was always meant to be a cocktail bar, has finally got to the point where their license application is up in the window. We can’t wait to pop in for a little inventive cocktail after a long day’s work at Cringe HQ!

BUMMER about Others Way especially for Karangahape Rd and all involved :(

By Mike

After a decade-long run and a sell-out event last November, the organisers of the annual Others Way music festival along K Rd are sadly the latest to pull the plug. Debt, cost pressure and funding uncertainty are blamed, and Cringe understands last-ditch offers of support from Council and others were not enough. Undoubtedly we’re in a hostile environment for entertainment, as ever-increasing ticket prices force cost-conscious punters to blink. And all the more so for independent artists, promoters and venues without the corporate backing to underwrite increased risk. Live Nation’s acquisition of Christchurch’s Electric Avenue last year may or may not change the vibe, but it definitely provides financial solidity (and a happy outcome for the promoters).

Indeed, judged by the PROLIFERATION OF LARGER VENUES, Big Music seems to be doing OK. Bringing in massive overseas acts is a crowd pleaser and wins government support for the resulting economic boost, with $40m of funding on offer to help attract large-scale international events. But what impact does this Coldplay corporatisation have on Aotearoa’s artists and music entrepreneurs? Gating access to government subsidy on including local acts on the lineup, as is the case in NSW, would help feed some of the benefit back into the ecosystem, which needs acts and venues of all sizes to thrive.

Choice items from the liquidation sales of Auckland’s two-speed recovery.
By Simon

SMEG STAND MIXER
Current bid $170, Closes Monday
I feel like they’ve said this before but apparently this is the very last sale of the long-running Kitchen Things liquidation so go stock up on fridges and wastemasters while you still can!

PACK OF AIRTAGS
Current bid $25, Closes Monday
This one’s for you ADHD kings and queens! An affordable opportunity to stop looking for your stuff all the time.

NINTENDO SWITCH 2
Current bid $470, Closes Monday
The Switch 1 got me through Covid, I’m hopeful this one can get me through Hantavirus.

MY FIRST CAMERA
Current bid $20, Closes Monday
These are really fun party cameras and wasted on the young.

NANOLEAF 4D SCREEN MIRROR
Current bid $20, Closes Monday
This kit that watches your tv and splashes matches colours from the edge of the screen onto the wall behind it will either be totally amazing or insanely annoying but at $20 it’s worth the dice roll.

By Simon

FRIDAY 15TH

FINN JOHANSSON AND HIS ALL STAR BAND
Whammy, $20
Alt country/folk with new band: Thomas Friggins, Milly Tabak, Arahi and Fen Ikner. Support by Milly Tabak, who I guess is pulling a double. 

INITIAL PRIX FUNDRACER W/BOYRACER
Neck of the Woods, $10
New music show from Boyracer, to raise funds for Boyracer. With support from 2che, JHL, Teddyy B2B Monoga.my, Intersekkt, rede, and a live set from one-time winner of Cringe’s Rap Name of the Week, TAKATAPUNANI.

SATURDAY 16TH

GUINEA PIG MEGA PET SHOW
Waimauku Hall, Gold coin entry
Amongst many other prize categories there is an owner-guinea pig lookalike competition, a guinea pig fancy dress and a biggest butt category. No sudden, loud noises please.

BRUNELLE DIAS PRIMBS
Grace, Free
Cringe fave brunelle dias primbs has found representation at Grace and has her first show there, mysterium rationis opening this weekend fresh off the back of her run at Gus Fisher. Closes June 13.

URBANAUT’S 9TH BIRTHDAY
Northern Line, Free
Birthday party for everyone’s favourite Kingsland brewery at ROSIE RUSSELL’S FAVOURITE DATE SPOT. Big beer line up plus DJs Sam Harmony and Chapters and a live performance by Swizl Jager.

GEORGIA KNIGHT
Neck of the Woods, $45
Our Gig of the Week from around Easter that was cancelled due to that storm and is now rescheduled and rehoused at NOTW. 

CLUB EPOCH VOL 1
Whammy, $40
Leftfield house and techno with DJs Cellphii, Concussion, Farron and Ryan Borne. It says the event is ‘emphasizing the importance of collective safety in the basement’ and I know what they mean but it sounds like it might also be an architectural/engineering issue so keep your wits about you.

SUNDAY 17TH

SKATE PARTY
Te Uru, Free
Kalisolaite ‘Uhila’s skate ramp installation in Te Uru is getting put to use before it gets packed down on Monday with a skating demonstration by Daniel Jochems in the afternoon. There will also be music from DJ Anabe, coffee, pastries and oranges.

MONDAY 18TH

AUTUMN RESONANCE
St Matthews, Free
Nice way to spend a Monday evening with the University orchestra playing Haydn and Tchaikovsky in St Matts for free. Reserve a pew via the link.

WEDNESDAY 20TH

MURPHYS LAW
Whammy, $50
Touring 80s New York City Hardcore band. QUICK FACT: Frontman Jimmy G remains the only remaining member from the original group and the band has been through 75 different members on the way to arriving at the current 6 piece line up. Support from Cootie Cuties and Drop Off Point.

CRYSTAL CHEN QUARTET
Goblin, Free
Crystal Chen is playing the Wednesday jazz slot at Goblin! With Joe Kaptain, Michael Howell and Adam Tobeck.

THURSDAY 21ST

PIRINGATAHI: OPTICAL ILLUSIONS AND HONEST MISTAKES
Central Library, Free
2pm talk about the entertaining world of mistaken and fraudulent maps. Follows the (also free) Ella Jean Jazz Combo Notes on Tāmaki concert which starts at 12:10.

CARPE NOCTEM: A NIGHT OF VAMPIRIC REVELRY
Cafe 39, $10
First birthday party for GLITCHLAND with a goth marketplace, tarot readings, DJs playing darkwave/industrial/alt and more! No mention of goth snacks but I’m hopeful. World Goth Day is the 22nd so a great way to get into the mood.