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This week's stories Apirana Taylor - Ka Tito Au Kupe came to Aotearoa from Hawaiki in pursuit of an octopus and finally killed in in Cook Strait - then known as Raukawakawa. Murray Lynch is directing the play and has collaborated on it with Apirana - who says Kupe has a place in his own whakapapa. Feb 11, 2018 02:51 pm Kapiti Writer’s Retreat The old saying don't let the facts get in the way of a good story usually applies to journalism, but a speaker at a writers retreat in Kapiti is going to argue that that also holds true when writing fiction based on true stories. Feb 11, 2018 02:40 pm In praise of the design of Kristian Frederikson Kristian was born in Petone and his designs for theatre, ballet and opera are still remembered for their opulance, sumptuousness and occasional eccentricity. Australian dance scholar and historian Dr. Michelle Potter is writing a book about Kristian and is giving a lecture on him in Wellington today, part of a series honouring New Zealand choreograher and dancer Russell Kerr. Feb 11, 2018 02:25 pm Flowing Water - Witi Ihimaera and composer Janet Jennings. Flowing Water tells the epic story of the Waikato River and all the peoples nurtured by the river - Maori, Pakeha and later migrants in a landmark production written and produced specially for the Hamilton Gardens Arts Festival 2018. Feb 11, 2018 01:50 pm Fast Blues Shuffle - Dean Whaitiri Dean taught himself to play saxophone and went on to tour with bands, even playing for the late Sir Howard Morrison during the Maori showband era. Feb 11, 2018 01:48 pm Boat Date with Melissa Laing Over the past two years, Auckland artist, writer and curator Melissa Laing has been taking people out on her boat on the waterways of West Auckland and inviting them to share stories. Feb 11, 2018 12:30 pm New Lease of Life for the Sarjeant Whanganui's Sarjeant Art Gallery has been emptied out ahead of a multi-million dollar earthquake strengthening and extension project. Costing a total of $34.9 million, it's a dream that's taken two decades to realise, with many moments of despair along the way. Feb 11, 2018 12:15 pm     Older stories Catch Me When You Fall Te Auaha – Creativity in Wellington NZ Festival behind the scenes Kaffe Fassett’s life in fabric New lease of life for the Sarjeant Thomasin Harcourt McKenzie: the newest Kiwi star Aspiring conversations Not all audio is available due to copyright restrictions   Visit the full archive of stories from Standing Room Only