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INTRODUCING OUR 2026 SEASON:

STORYTELLERS

Behind every piece of music is a story and throughout our 2026 Season, we’ll dive into them.

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Across concerts, collaborations, workshops and communities we’ll explore how composers transform stories and experiences into sound. We’ll boldly showcase more compositional voices than ever before, beginning with early folk melodies, and classical masterworks that resonate through the centuries, through to modern-day Grammy-winners and the distinctive voices of Aotearoa. The three string quartets of Benjamin Britten form the heart of our 2026 Season, to mark the 50th anniversary of the composer’s death.

Storytellers reflects a rich cross-section of our society and celebrates the art of storytelling through music. Join us in concert in 2026 and let us tell you a story.

Browse our events by series below, or see all our upcoming concerts in one place.

EXPLORE EACH SERIES

This series honours the rich repertoire of the classical canon while spotlighting New Zealand composers. In Concert showcases our signature style, blending engaging introductions with captivating performances of both familiar and fresh works, shared with audiences across Aotearoa.

  • Storytellers: Transform in Nelson
    Storytellers: Transform in Nelson
    Fri, 28 Aug
    Nelson Centre of Musical Arts
    28 Aug 2026, 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
    Nelson Centre of Musical Arts, 48 Nile Street, Nelson 7010, New Zealand
    Behind every piece of music is a story and across our 2026 Season, we're diving into them. Join us at NCMA for an evening exploring a rich cross-section of compositional voices and celebrating the art of storytelling through music.
  • Storytellers: Anthology in Hanmer Springs
    Storytellers: Anthology in Hanmer Springs
    Sat, 29 Aug
    Edit Hotel & Resort Hanmer Springs
    29 Aug 2026, 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm
    Edit Hotel & Resort Hanmer Springs, 1 Conical Hill Road, Hanmer Springs 7334, New Zealand
    Presenting our 2026 Season: Storytellers. For our Anthology concerts we're bringing together the best pieces of music from the year into one programme.
  • Storytellers: Anthology in Granity
    Storytellers: Anthology in Granity
    Sun, 30 Aug
    The Lyric Theatre Granity
    30 Aug 2026, 3:00 pm – 4:30 pm
    The Lyric Theatre Granity, 92 Torea Street, Granity 7823, New Zealand
    Presenting our 2026 Season: Storytellers. For our Anthology concerts we're bringing together the best pieces of music from the year into one programme.
  • Storytellers: Transform with Ariana Tikao in Christchurch
    Storytellers: Transform with Ariana Tikao in Christchurch
    17 Sept 2026, 7:30 pm – 9:30 pm
    The Piano, 156 Armagh Street, Christchurch Central City, Christchurch 8011, New Zealand
    Behind every piece of music is a story and across our 2026 Season, we're diving into them. Join us and Ariana Tikao at The Piano in Christchurch for an evening exploring a rich cross-section of compositional voices and celebrating the art of storytelling through music.
  • Storytellers: Anthology in Kaikoura
    Storytellers: Anthology in Kaikoura
    Fri, 18 Sept
    Mayfair Arts and Culture Kaikoura
    18 Sept 2026, 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm
    Mayfair Arts and Culture Kaikoura, 80 Esplanade, Kaikōura 7300, New Zealand
    Presenting our 2026 Season: Storytellers. For our Anthology concerts we're bringing together the best pieces of music from the year into one programme.
Collaboration

This exciting series pushes the boundaries of what chamber music can be. Working across genres and art forms, In Collaboration will bring us together with artists and organisations to create vibrant and eclectic experiences. Each performance is crafted with the audience experience at its heart, offering a fresh take on how music connects us all.

  • Between the Lines: Outsider with New Zealand String Quartet
    Between the Lines: Outsider with New Zealand String Quartet
    Thu, 27 Aug
    Te Matapihi | Wellington Central Library
    27 Aug 2026, 5:30 pm – 6:30 pm
    Te Matapihi | Wellington Central Library, 65 Victoria Street, Te Aro, Wellington 6011, New Zealand
    A FREE musical book club at Te Matapihi Wellington Central Library! Co-curated by New Zealand String Quartet, Orchestra Wellington and New Zealand School of Music - Te Kōkī, with reading lists created by Te Matapihi.
  • Storytellers: Transform with Ariana Tikao in Christchurch
    Storytellers: Transform with Ariana Tikao in Christchurch
    17 Sept 2026, 7:30 pm – 9:30 pm
    The Piano, 156 Armagh Street, Christchurch Central City, Christchurch 8011, New Zealand
    Behind every piece of music is a story and across our 2026 Season, we're diving into them. Join us and Ariana Tikao at The Piano in Christchurch for an evening exploring a rich cross-section of compositional voices and celebrating the art of storytelling through music.
  • Between the Lines: With New Zealand School of Music - Te Kōkī
    Between the Lines: With New Zealand School of Music - Te Kōkī
    Thu, 24 Sept
    Te Matapihi | Wellington Central Library
    24 Sept 2026, 5:30 pm – 6:30 pm
    Te Matapihi | Wellington Central Library, 65 Victoria Street, Te Aro, Wellington 6011, New Zealand
    A FREE musical book club at Te Matapihi Wellington Central Library! Co-curated by New Zealand String Quartet, Orchestra Wellington and New Zealand School of Music - Te Kōkī, with reading lists created by Te Matapihi.
Community

In Your Community enhances the accessibility of chamber music by bringing performances to vibrant spaces like libraries, schools, and community halls. Through these partnerships, we foster a love of music for audiences of all ages, creating shared moments of connection and inspiration.

  • The Creation Voyages | Blenheim
    The Creation Voyages | Blenheim
    Sat, 19 Sept
    Marlborough Library Te Kahu o Waipuna
    19 Sept 2026, 12:00 pm – 12:50 pm
    Marlborough Library Te Kahu o Waipuna, 15 High Street, Blenheim Central, Blenheim 7201, New Zealand
    A musical exploration of Aotearoa's creation myth, based on New Zealand Poet Laureate Robert Sullivan's award-winning children's book, Weaving Earth and Sky.
Pathways

Pathways represents our commitment to young artist development, spanning initiatives like the flagship Adam Summer School for Chamber Music to the relaxed and innovative Racket Lounge concert series, offering a performance platform for emerging talent. We’re dedicated to nurturing the next generation of New Zealand musicians as they launch their careers. 

  • The Racket Lounge: Session Three
    The Racket Lounge: Session Three
    Wed, 09 Sept
    09 Sept 2026, 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm
    Bedlam & Squalor, Level 1/18 Garrett Street, Te Aro, Wellington 6011, New Zealand
    Grab a spot on our couch and enjoy the noise at The Racket Lounge, a chill classical music series featuring up-and-coming Pōneke classical and jazz musicians.
  • The Racket Lounge: Session Four
    The Racket Lounge: Session Four
    Wed, 07 Oct
    Bedlam & Squalor
    07 Oct 2026, 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm
    Bedlam & Squalor, Level 1/18 Garrett Street, Te Aro, Wellington 6011, New Zealand
    Grab a spot on our couch and enjoy the noise at The Racket Lounge, a chill classical music series featuring up-and-coming Pōneke classical and jazz musicians.

Stay in the know

We're always working on more exciting events. To be the first to find out about new concerts, follow us on social media or sign up to our newsletter.

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New Zealand String Quartet

Te Rōpū Tūrū o Aotearoa

04 499 8883

90 The Terrace, Wellington 6011 New Zealand

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