AGP Executive Report

Local Music Releases: Auckland’s Georgia Lines drops Live At The Civic, a 10-track Bandcamp-only album recorded at The Civic (June 15, 2025), featuring Auckland Philharmonia musicians and a Teeks guest spot. Alt Hip-Hop Spotlight: WHO SHOT SCOTT announces debut album HAIRY era single “I’M YOUR ALIEN”, pairing alternative hip-hop/rock with a personal coming-of-age story. New Year’s Festival Buzz: Rhythm and Alps returns for its 16th anniversary with a refreshed two-day format in Cardrona Valley (Dec 30–31), with tickets on sale from June 4. Streaming Watchlist (NZ angle): Plex expands its free horror library with A24 titles like Hereditary and Talk to Me, plus NZ-linked cult favourite Deathgasm. Community & Culture: Auckland hosts a Chinese music night on “Conversation and Connection” ahead of the UN Dialogue among Civilizations day. Sports (NZ entertainment crossover): England’s World Cup warm-up vs the All Whites in Florida ends 1-0, while Iran’s World Cup visa drama continues to shadow preparations.

Courtroom Fight: Auckland entertainer Cole Johnston is trying to block in-court cameras from his sex abuse trial, arguing photos could be “damaging” and fuel online speculation. World Cup Visa Drama: Iran says the US is restricting access for World Cup delegation staff after visas were granted to players but denied to some officials and advisers, with Iran warning it will raise the issue with FIFA. Music & Touring: Evanescence has released new album “Sanctuary” and announced an early-2027 Australia/NZ arena run, including Auckland’s Spark Arena. TV & Pop Culture: Rove McManus is back with NZ-made game show Celebrity Escape, where comedians tackle escape-room challenges. Sport (NZ focus): At Lord’s, rain limited play as New Zealand were 55/5 chasing England’s 254, with Ollie Robinson striking twice; England’s warm-up friendly vs NZ is set for Tampa. Fashion Spotlight: Lewi Brown talks style and individuality in a new Q&A, from his early footy jumper to designer pieces and sneakers.

Cricket at Lord’s: England seized control of the 1st Test vs New Zealand after a chaotic, fast-bowling first two days on a pitch under fire. New Zealand were bowled out for 113, then slipped to 36/3 in the chase of 254 as Kane Williamson fell lbw and Gus Atkinson struck again. Pitch controversy: Nasser Hussain and Michael Vaughan led criticism of Lord’s variable bounce, while the ECB and ICC are even trialling pink-ball options for bad light—but it won’t help this match. World Cup prep, NZ angle: The All Whites’ rivals keep shifting—Scotland boss Steve Clarke says Haiti shouldn’t be underestimated, and New Zealand’s Football Ferns fell 2-1 to lower-ranked Haiti in a friendly. NZ sport spotlight: Auckland FC A-League hero Cam Howieson has extended his contract for two more years. Entertainment & music: Lorde returned to Gov Ball with an unreleased-song tease and a reminder of her “Virgin” era. Pop tour news: BINI added Auckland to its “Signals” world tour, landing at Go Media Stadium on Sept 25. Global football politics: Iran’s World Cup squad finally got US visas, clearing the way for their Group G opener vs New Zealand.

Cricket at Lord’s: England surged on day two of the 1st Test vs New Zealand, with Gus Atkinson striking twice and debutant Emilio Gay making 57 as NZ closed on 36/3 chasing 254. World Cup 2026 basics: The tournament kicks off June 11 across the US, Canada and Mexico with 48 teams in 12 groups, then a knockout stage for the top two in each group plus the best third-placed sides. Iran visa drama: Iran’s World Cup squad has reportedly been granted US visas just 10 days before their Los Angeles opener against New Zealand, after last-minute travel base changes to Tijuana. NRL Warriors shake-up: Despite strong top-four form, the Warriors’ mid-season has been messy off-field with key departures and new signings as they hand out report-card style player ratings. White Ferns focus: New Zealand’s T20 World Cup campaign is framed as “win it again” ahead of warm-ups and the June 14 opener vs West Indies. Local sport & culture: Aotearoa’s Matariki and weekend “what to do” guides keep the spotlight on events, plus Auckland Zoo’s Dinosaur Discovery Track reopens June 10.

Cricket & TV: Ollie Robinson made a stunning return to Test cricket at Lord’s, taking three wickets in his first over after a two-year England absence, as New Zealand’s Kyle Jamieson earlier tore through England for 140 on day one. All Blacks & Super Rugby: Mils Muliaina tipped an all-Kiwi Super Rugby Pacific finals run, with Hurricanes hosting the Brumbies in the opening knockout. FIFA World Cup (NZ angle): New Zealand’s Tim Payne went viral after meeting Argentine influencer Valen Scarsini, jumping to millions of followers and sparking huge media interest ahead of the All Whites’ tournament return. Pasifika arts: The Pacific Dance Festival 2026 opens in Māngere with a big, diverse line-up celebrating Pacific movement, story and identity. Screen & culture: Apple TV+’s Alice and Steve tackles age-gap romance between legal adults, with writer Sophie Goodhart pushing back on blanket “taboo” thinking. Local theatre: Te Whare Tapere o Te Arawa brings Tarawera’s 1886 eruption to the stage in Tērā te Auahi.

Cricket Drama at Lord’s: Ollie Robinson roared back for England with a triple-wicket first over as New Zealand were left reeling after England were bowled out for 140; Robinson finished 4-10 and the Black Caps closed day one on 61-6, with Kyle Jamieson also starring for NZ (5-62). All Blacks Legacy: Tributes and 10 facts spotlight Jerry Collins’ impact, from 48 Tests to his legendary generosity. World Cup on the Move: FIFA’s 48-team 2026 tournament kicks off June 11 across the US, Canada and Mexico, with Netflix launching a free “FIFA World Cup Launch Edition” game updated daily during the real event. NZ Media & Sport Business: TVNZ and Sky are set to battle for NRL rights, while a Media Insider report flags TVNZ’s push for NRL/Warriors coverage. Rugby Championship Expansion Talk: SANZAAR president Mark Alexander hints Japan and Fiji could enter via youth “stepping stone” competitions. Local Arts & Screen: Fantasia International Film Festival reveals a second wave of titles for its 30th edition, including the Cape Fear series finale. Fitness Franchise News: Orangetheory Fitness expands into Italy with four new studios planned.

Espionage Alert: Five Eyes agencies, including New Zealand, warn Chinese intelligence is recruiting people with access to sensitive government info via LinkedIn, Indeed and Upwork-style job sites. All Blacks on TV: Sky NZ will delay free-to-air home Nations Championship Tests on Three (live stays on Sky Sport), with on-demand access too. Auckland Eats: A guide spotlights 20 of the best Auckland restaurants and bars in heritage buildings. Music & Festivals: BIGSOUND 2026 adds Julia Jacklin, King Gizzard and The Lizard Wizard, and Trials to its “Artist In Conversation” lineup. Radio Awards: Newstalk ZB wins station of the year for a sixth straight time; Heather du Plessis-Allan is broadcaster of the year. Local Arts: Selwyn Muru’s Waharoa gateway artwork is restored for Aotea Square. Sport NZ: Water polo coach Angie Winstanley-Smith steps down after a tumultuous year. Rugby & Samoa: Manu Samoa names a 32-player Nations Cup squad with three on-island players. Car Culture: Honda NZ revises the HR-V range, adding a new RS variant.

Music Industry: Universal Music New Zealand has launched nextWAV., a 12-month artist development programme for secondary school students, pairing workshops with mentorship and practical music-industry experience to help emerging Kiwi talent break through. Adventure Sports: NZ duo Nathan Fa’avae and Dr Sophie Hart return to the Yukon 1000 in July with “unfinished business” after winning in 2024, aiming to push faster in the 1,000-mile wilderness paddle race. Winter Sports: Shaun White’s Snow League is adding a New Zealand stop—Cardrona hosts a team halfpipe event Sept. 18–20—before Aspen, Park City and Laax round out season two. Cricket (NZ/England): Ahead of the first Test at Lord’s, Tom Latham is relishing a full-strength seam attack, with Kyle Jamieson and Will O’Rourke back in the mix; meanwhile England’s Ben Stokes defends Jofra Archer’s absence as cricket’s “landscape” changes with franchise leagues. NRL: Warriors hopeful Noah Jensen’s comeback story continues after a serious blood disorder and bone marrow transplant, with his sights set on Warriors pathways. Local Arts/Tech: YouTube is rolling out a custom “Home” feed that lets users prompt what they want to watch, shifting recommendations from passive to user-led.

Cricket Calendar Boom: New Zealand Cricket has confirmed a blockbuster home summer: an all-format India tour from Oct 22 to Dec 1 (12 matches across five cities) plus a late-Jan/Feb Sri Lanka series, setting up a packed 42-day run of international cricket. World Cup Warm-up Shock: Haiti sent a clear FIFA World Cup warning to New Zealand with a 4-0 friendly win at Inter Miami, with goals from Providence, Joseph, Pierrot and Lacroix. Local Governance: Wellington mayor Andrew Little says the Government’s council amalgamation timeline is too rushed for residents to make a “major decision,” even as he backs the idea of a metro-style council over time. Steampunk in Ōamaru: Thousands flocked to Ōamaru’s annual steampunk festival, celebrating Victorian-meets-sci-fi creativity with DIY personas, teapot racing and parasol duels. Sport for Youth: Sport NZ and the Government have announced an $8m community sport push aimed at reducing child and youth offending. Afghan Women’s Football: After Taliban bans and years in exile, an Afghan women’s team is rebuilding in Auckland with FIFA eligibility progress and friendly matches.

World Cup roster drop: FIFA has confirmed a record 48-team, 1,248-player field for the 2026 World Cup, spanning 104 matches across Canada, Mexico and the US, with squads still tweakable for serious injury up to 24 hours before kick-off. All Whites spotlight: Tim Payne’s sudden online fame is prompting calls for boundaries and smarter PR as his profile surges ahead of the tournament. Cricket at Lord’s: Kane Williamson says the historic ground still feels “unique” as New Zealand prepare for their Test summer. Local fashion pressure: New Zealand-made clothing is facing a rough patch as closures and rising costs leave the industry “hanging on by a thread.” Sports tech meets Kiwi ingenuity: At Lord’s, two New Zealand start-ups are set to battle it out with new protective gear for cricketers. Gaming buzz: Summer Game Fest kicks off with a packed week of showcases, including major PlayStation and Xbox events. Reality/streaming: Heated Rivalry is renewed for Season 2, with filming planned for summer 2026 and a likely April 2027 release. Music & culture: Devilskin announce album-anniversary NZ touring, while WOMAD Glasgow has been cancelled over ticket sales.

Arts Funding Fight: Dame Lynda Topp used the Aotearoa Music Awards stage to back her “no holding back” stance against Budget 2026 arts cuts, arguing the sector’s GDP contribution dwarfs the government’s tiny investment. Local Heritage Under Threat: Hutt City’s Rotary Club has withdrawn its plan to rescue and reuse the historic Gibbes Watson Pavilion, citing council demands for unsustainable long-term liabilities—leaving demolition a real possibility. Music & Identity: Wellington singer-songwriter Mozie (Moana Leota) releases “Here We Go Again,” tying her grief and Sāmoan heritage to a stronger sense of self as NZ Music Month ends. Sport Relief Spotlight: Lionesses star Jill Scott is set for a 388-mile cycle-and-run Sport Relief challenge, with stops linked to her football career. Rugby Business: New Zealand government officials are in talks to secure Moana Pasifika’s future, with Prime Minister Christopher Luxon signalling reluctance to fund another investment. Tech for Shopping: Google expands virtual try-on to New Zealand and other APAC markets, aiming to make search more “dressing-room” friendly for fashion. World Cup Reality Check: New Zealand’s World Cup ticket affordability is under scrutiny, with locals facing steep secondary-market prices in some host cities. Community Storytelling: Twizel students publish “Hebe the Hero,” honouring a Border collie credited with helping villagers flee the Lake Ōhau fire. Entertainment Calendar: Sony’s State of Play lands today (June 2) with a promised deep look at PS5 games.

World Cup Build-Up: England boss Thomas Tuchel says the heat and humidity won’t be an excuse as players head to Miami for a 10-day acclimatisation camp, with Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka, Declan Rice, Noni Madueke and Eberechi Eze granted extra recovery time and likely missing the warm-up vs New Zealand in Tampa. Black Caps Spotlight: Tom Blundell’s 186 at Stormont is framed as a “vindication” moment for New Zealand cricket, with the wicketkeeper’s form and partnerships highlighted after a wobble. Moana Pasifika Future: Winston Peters says the government is exploring all options to keep the financially pressured Super Rugby franchise alive after liquidation, with “good news” teased after talks with Pacific leaders. Education Pressure: Ministry of Education figures show physical restraint incidents in schools have risen sharply since 2023 guidelines, with staff stretched and learning support gaps blamed. Music & Culture: Rhys Darby joins Bear Grylls Is Running Wild, while the Aotearoa Music Awards spotlight continues with new Gold Guitar winners and tributes. Sports Tech/Health: A University of Otago oncologist reports a pancreatic cancer drug trial that could double survival time.

Rugby League Loss: Icon John Kear has died aged 71, remembered for a 46-year career as player, coach and BBC broadcaster, including famous Challenge Cup upsets. World Cup Build-Up: New Zealand’s cricket squad gets a boost with Mitchell Santner recalled after injury recovery, while the wider World Cup countdown keeps rolling with squad and venue updates. NZ Sports Spotlight: Shane van Gisbergen earns his first oval top-five in NASCAR after a photo-finish bump to fifth, a big milestone for the Kiwi. Music & Film Buzz: Australian DJ FISHER lands a voice role in Disney and Pixar’s Toy Story 5 as a “Garden Gnome,” and Warner Bros confirms the Minecraft sequel title A Minecraft Movie Squared for July 23, 2027. Local Arts & Culture: An Auckland art gallery is spotlighted as a celebrity magnet, drawing names like Oprah and Paul Simon. Honours: King’s Birthday Honours recognise Pasifika leaders and Māori contributors across sport and the arts, including a kiwifruit scientist behind SunGold.

King’s Birthday Honours 2026: New Zealand’s latest awards roll in, with standout arts and entertainment-adjacent names including Chloe Smith (services to the screen industry) plus major sport and community honours such as Beatrice Faumuinā (CNZM for sport and governance) and Suzie Bates (ONZM for cricket and basketball). Music loss: Ronald LaPread, founding bassist of the Commodores behind hits like Brick House and Three Times a Lady, has died aged 75 in Auckland after a “sudden medical event”. Festival buzz: Steampunk NZ returns to Oamaru with a “frontiers of steam” theme, celebrating its 10th anniversary Guinness record and promising another big push for 2029. Screen & pop culture: The Minecraft sequel is officially titled A Minecraft Movie Squared, with production underway in New Zealand and a July 23, 2027 release date. Local TV: Celebrity Tipping Point NZ is set for TVNZ 1 primetime, bringing the arcade-style quiz machine to a new celebrity season.

New Zealand on screen: Madeleine Sami is set to take over Paul Henry’s hosting role on Traitors NZ, with the comedian balancing Auckland and Australia while juggling co-parenting duties. Local TV export: The NZ-set crime drama The Brokenwood Mysteries is now streaming in the UK (Channel 4 and U&DRAMA), with new episodes airing Mondays. Music & culture: MPs share their favourite homegrown albums for New Zealand Music Month, spotlighting records from Anthonie Tonnon to Te Wehi. Sport—women’s cricket: Calls are growing for more red-ball matches for the White Ferns, as New Zealand’s women’s Test drought stretches on. Sport—swimming: Erika Fairweather lowers the Mare Nostrum 400m freestyle record again in Barcelona (4:01.75), while Agostina Hein takes silver (4:02.99). Sport—rugby: Waikato Chiefs thumped the Blues 59-34 in Super Rugby Pacific, shaping playoff travel and matchups. Sport—sailing: Oceans Tribute remains the leader in the Solo Trans-Tasman after passing the Three Kings.

All Whites buzz: New Zealand defender Tim Payne has gone from “least-known” to a World Cup social-media magnet after Argentine influencer Valen Scarsini spotlighted him—his Instagram has reportedly surged from about 4,500 followers to 1.5m-plus in days. Super Rugby Pacific: Chiefs vs Blues live updates in Hamilton feature Wallace Sititi captaining the Chiefs and Joshua Fusitu’a returning for the Blues, with Beauden Barrett out. NRL Origin fallout: Blues prop Addin Fonua-Blake is targeting a big game with returning Payne Haas in Origin II, while Cronulla confirms dummy half Blayke Brailey has a broken arm and is ruled out of Origin 2. Music & culture: Martin Short opens up on surviving tragedy in a new documentary-style feature, while Gin Wigmore has returned to New Zealand and opened a deli in Kingsland. Policy & sport business: IOC president Kirsty Coventry says she doesn’t believe in paying athletes—sparking fresh debate as the World Cup ticket-price row heats up.