Vic Uni x CubaDupa

We're partnering with CubaDupa, Wellington’s free annual street festival. Together, we’ll showcase our creative talent to the whole city on 28–29 March 2026.

139 Vivian Street, Te Aro and Glover Park, Cuba Quarter

Description

Come join us at the Vic Uni Glover Park Stage or step inside an immersive indoor arts sanctuary—our Te Aro campus will become Whanga (The Cove), a place to relax, be inspired, and discover the breadth of our creativity.

Slightly blurry photo of three students smiling at CubaDupa

Whanga

Whether you need a quiet moment, a burst of inspiration, or somewhere to explore between stages, Whanga is a welcoming creative space at the heart of the festival. It will be a multisensory forest filled with sculptural installations, sound, film, creative workshops, and performances by students, staff, and alumni.

Te Aro Campus at 139 Vivian Street, Te Aro, Wellington
Noon–5 pm, Saturday 28 March
11 am–5 pm, Sunday 29 March
Free entry

More details on the Whanga page on the CubaDupa website.

Programme highlights:

  • Whispers from Te Ngahere: Inspired by the forest that threads through Wellington’s hills, gullies, and town belt, this sculpture looks to translate the wind’s subtle rhythms in the foliage into a spatial experience of quiet creativity. Built entirely by hand from translucent paper.
  • Ngāherehere Matihik—Digital Forest: A living pathway winds through the space, constructed from real trees and foliage as well as abstracted digital landscapes.
  • Be a Tree: A playful, mind bending moment where visitors encounter their reflection—only to realise they’re seeing themselves as a tree.
  • The City Generator—An interactive celebration of Pōneke: Get hands-on with this interactive activation designed for the whole whānau—explore a scale model of the city, and start a conversation with a stranger about what makes this place home.
  • Shhhh: Delicate 3D printed electronic vines hang overhead, responding to the behaviour of the crowd. When the room falls silent, flowers open and light up—rewarding stillness in the midst of CubaDupa’s energy.
  • Ask a Philosopher: Here, the public can ask real-life philosophers anything—from the profound to the wonderfully mundane.
  • Synaesthetic Sanctuary translates the soundscape of Aotearoa’s native birds into a stunning series of audio visual pieces.
  • Check out our showcase of student-made film, animation, visual effects, and experimental work. Films range from narrative shorts to animations, poetry, and interactive digital pieces.
  • Come chill out in the DIY zine zone in the hush of the library, complete with all the materials you need to make your own zine, collage, or art.

Vic Uni Glover Park Stage

Experience the vibrant energy of the Vic Uni Glover Park Stage, proudly supported by Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington. This year’s lineup features an exciting array of artists now performing on the stage, showcasing genres from folk-noir to afrofusion and party-punk-rock.

Glover Park (off Ghuznee Street), Te Aro, Wellington
12.45 pm–late, Saturday 28 March
1 pm–6 pm, Sunday 29 March
Free entry

More details on the Vic Uni Glover Park Stage page on the CubaDupa website.