Te Herenga Waka talent takes the stage at CubaDupa 2025

CubaDupa showcases Wellington’s cultural scene with standout performances from local acts, including many Te Herenga Waka students and alumni.

Students enjoying CubaDupa 2024.

CubaDupa is one of Wellington’s biggest and most iconic street festivals, celebrating food, music, and art. Wellington’s unique identity as a vibrant arts hub is central to its character, and events like this reflect the city’s thriving cultural scene.

The festival brings together local talent, showcasing the creative spirit that makes Wellington a fantastic place live and work. With Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington at the heart of this environment, it’s no surprise that many of the city’s best and brightest musical alumni and students are taking the stage.

Bianca Bailey, Festival Director for CubaDupa and Te Herenga Waka alumni, shared her excitement for 10 of the over 280 acts featured in this year’s festival, with half of her picks involving members of our student and alumni community.

One of Bianca’s picks, Subversion, is a unique fusion of fashion, theatre, and dance, exploring the counterculture fashion that has shaped Cuba Street. Subversion brings together 20 current and past theatre students from Te Herenga Waka, brought to you by Ruckus Theatre Company in conjunction with Equilibrium and ByCullen.

Among some other standout performances this year are the Rodger Fox Big Band, a cornerstone of Wellington's jazz scene. The group was founded by the late Dr Rodger Fox CNZM, producer, performer, and senior lecturer at the University. Rodger's legacy continues through his big band.

Another performance to watch out for is that of Te Kōkī Big Band 1, made up of auditioned students from the Bachelor of Music at Te Kōkī—New Zealand School of Music. This talented group, drawn from Te Kōkī Jazz Performance programme, was also led by Dr Rodger Fox until 2024. Now, under the direction of Daniel Hayles, they’ll bring their high-energy sound to a range of genres.

These performances and countless more are a celebration of the growth and talent fostered at the University.

To get a taste of the sounds that will be filling the streets of CubaDupa, listen to our playlist featuring music from some of these acts.

CubaDupa 2025 acts by (or supported by) students and alumni include:

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