Local to star in The Show Must Go
A local Hawke's Bay woman who has gone on to become a musical theatre star throughout Australasia, is returning to the Bay to perform - and we have COVID19 to thank for it
Akina Edmonds was born in Napier, of Ngati Kahungunu, Ngati Porou descent and grew up in the Hawkes Bay, being the eldest of seven in her family. While she had fond childhood memories of singing and dancing around the coffee table in the family home as a child, Edmonds first exposure to performing and has fond memories to her time with the school Kapa Haka group. There was no background or music connections in her family, other than her great grandmother who she thinks was a singer with a beautiful voice.
Three years of tertiary study at NASDA (the Christchurch-based National Academy of Singing and Dramatic Art) was followed by over a decade of work in some of the biggest professional productions in Australasia – including Buddy, Hairspray and The Lion King, and the Australasian Premiere of Sister Act in New Plymouth, New Zealand in 2016.
The Show's Must Go On is a glittering concert of musical theatre showstoppers, featuring songs from the world's greatest Broadway and West End musicals in concert including The Phantom of the Opera, Chicago, Mamma Mia, Wicked, Priscilla The Greatest Showman, and more, along with New Zealand’s favourite musical Les Misérables.
The Shows Must Go on performs in Hawke’s Bay at Toitoi – the Hawkes Opera House in Hastings on Wednesday 28th October at 7.30pm. Tickets are available from Ticketek.
Time to Tickle Your Thinker 🧠
If a zookeeper had 100 pairs of animals in her zoo, and two pairs of babies are born for each one of the original animals, then (sadly) 23 animals don’t survive, how many animals do you have left in total?
Do you think you know the answer? Simply 'Like' this post and we'll post the answer in the comments below at 2pm on the day!
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Poll: As a customer, what do you think about automation?
The Press investigates the growing reliance on your unpaid labour.
Automation (or the “unpaid shift”) is often described as efficient ... but it tends to benefit employers more than consumers.
We want to know: What do you think about automation?
Are you for, or against?
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9.5% For. Self-service is less frustrating and convenient.
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43.4% I want to be able to choose.
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47.1% Against. I want to deal with people.
Have you got New Zealand's best shed? Show us and win!
Once again, Resene and NZ Gardener are on the hunt for New Zealand’s best shed! Send in the photos and the stories behind your man caves, she sheds, clever upcycled spaces, potty potting sheds and colourful chicken coops. The Resene Shed of the Year 2026 winner receives $1000 Resene ColorShop voucher, a $908 large Vegepod Starter Pack and a one-year subscription to NZ Gardener. To enter, tell us in writing (no more than 500 words) why your garden shed is New Zealand’s best, and send up to five high-quality photos by email to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz. Entries close February 23, 2026.
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