Migration plays a vital role in the ebb and flow of belief systems, language and culture. Just how has migration shaped us?

Auckland Museum’s LATE 02: Culture Compass investigates how more than 700 years of migration has shaped our unique cultural identity. The evening’s panel discussion, moderated by Finlay Macdonald, explores migration’s part in fashioning our language, belief systems and cultural nuances. The evening’s music welcomes performances by Family Cactus and Batucada Sound Machine. 

Smart Talk  

Panellists at LATE 02 include Philippa Mein Smith, Canterbury University History Professor and author of A Concise History of New Zealand; Elizabeth Gordon; New Zealand linguist expert and author of New Zealand English: its Origins and Evolution; and Amster Reedy, leading Maoritanga consultant and long standing cultural advisor to the New Zealand Olympic squad.

Great Music  

The Wellington-based seven-piece Family Cactus make the journey north to perform tracks from their critically acclaimed album Come Howling. Family Cactus features members of notable New Zealand bands, including The Accelerants, The Brunettes, The Nudie Suits, Grand Prix, The Cosbys and The Bonnie Scarlets among others. Their recent nation-wide tour won them a legion of fans and their debut album Come Howling has garnered enthusiastic reviews for its lush pop melodies.

Loosely translated, ‘batucada’ means percussive samba jam, which aptly summarises Batucada Sound Machine’s musical roots. The band began in 2003 when five passionate drummers met once a month in the dimly lit lounge bar of Galatos nightclub in Auckland to experiment fusing batucada with local beats and influences. Before long, a talented group of diverse musicians had joined in and the band has grown to 13 energetic and eclectic members.

Food and a cash bar will be available. Please enter via the Grand Foyer entrance.