Alex and Trafford are musical theatre geeks. They’re shameless in their enthusiasm and they’re using that energy to magic up the Auckland production of the Broadway musical, Wicked.

Yölk is the brainchild of Gwen and Alyssa - the eggies - who want to foster a nesting space for pan-asian creatives to make and share and grow.

Seymore and Charlie are the boys in the kitchen. The Eggplant Boys just want to share kai and kōrero - maybe meet some cool people and make some mean content along the way. 

Camila and Catalina are the sisters at the helm of the Auckland Zinefest ship in 2021.

Steph and Fen take us on the journey of their musical collaboration, Lips. From illegal apartments in Brooklyn, through parenthood and a global pandemic.

Storyo started when Elina Ashimbayeva and Steven Male realised their bookshelf, Netflix and Instagram feeds were just packed with white male voices. They created a platform for diverse storytelling, and are still figuring out exactly how it’s going to bring down the patriarchy.

Dan Larkin and Tristan Simpson are besties. They’re boisterous and British and together they are a post-production powerhouse.

Poetry powerhouses Dan Goodwin and Nathan Joe talk to me about theatre, self-belief and why we all need a “champion” in our creative journey.

Drag performers Monty Montgomery and Yuri Guaii talk about hip pads, admin, and how DIY is part of queer culture.

Manawa Tapu and Haser have dramatically different life paths, but coincidentally came together through their shared love of the motif of manu. “Birds of a Feather” was an obvious name for their collab show at Mercury Plaza.

Food Court Books is Jackson and Caro’s brainchild. But the space wouldn’t exist without the whānau of Pōneke writers and artists that fuel their mahi. 

Charli from Koha Apparel and Nick from Everybody Eats are all about community. They started very separately, but working together just makes sense.

Balu Brigada is musical proof that Henry and Pierre don’t have much sibling rivalry. They resist the label of a “duo”, but this band sure has some characteristic two-person qualities.

Jess and Carla figure if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. Their contrasting personalities set them in perfect balance, and that’s why they started Jawline Dance Company.

Holly and Jackson harmonise. Their band may have disestablished, but their relationship has stuck it out. Now they’re figuring out how to make music while still paying Auckland’s ridiculous rent.

Pat and Bel founded Paradise Press through a series of happy little accidents. They believe art shouldn’t be reserved for the wealthy, and artists would be paid for their work. Seems simple, and that’s the way they like it.

You’ve probably seen Sani and Tempest at markets, festivals and conventions across the country. They’re both committed to the craft, but their greatest collaboration is their life-long friendship.

In the USA, everyone was shocked when poets Carrie Rudzinski and Ken Arkind got together. But in Auckland, we’ve always known them as the wholesome mum and dad of the JAFA Slam.

The Oddballs make theatre happen. Alice Kirker and Katie Longbottom talk about all the things that get in the way, and how their platonic love has gotten them over every hurdle.

Connor and Diva go way back. They share a trust and vulnerability in their creative friendship that can only come from late nights with gnocchi. Together they explore light and music and movement and everything that makes us human.