Auckland’s Production Rebound Boosted by New Stages and Studio Complexes

PlayStation Plus tiered system has launched in its last regions today (June 23) – find out the biggest games you can play here.The Essential, Extra and Premium tiers offer a number of differing benefits that stack the higher players go, with each now available in Europe, Australia and New Zealand.Essential subscribers get the current PlayStation Plus offerings, whilst Extras will also get a number of PS4 and PS5 games, with Premium subscribers getting game trials and classic games on top of that.Sony also noted today that a number of PAL-based regions will get NTSC support for a “majority” of their classic game library, meaning players will be able to choose between 50Hz and 60Hz display settings.We’ve compiled a list of some of the most notable games from each platform available in Europe today for subscribers, but you can easily find the full list per platform here.

Mura Masa has released a brand new single, ‘hollaback bitch’ – you can check it out below.The Guernsey musician’s latest track – which features Shygirl and Channel Tres – is the latest preview of his upcoming third album, ‘demon time’, which is set to be released on September 16 via Polydor Records.The follow-up to 2020’s ‘R.Y.C.’ will also feature previously released tracks, ‘blessing me’ (with Pa Salieu and Skilliben), ‘2gether’ and ‘bbycakes’ (with Lil Uzi Vert, PinkPantheress and Shygirl).Combining elements of house, early 2000s R&B and vogue culture, as well as a slick rap verse from LA-based artist Channel Tres, you can check out ‘hollaback bitch’ below:Besides releasing the fresh club single, Mura Masa has also revealed the tracklist for ‘demon time’.In addition to the aforementioned singles, the album will also feature fresh cuts like ‘up all week’ featuring Slowthai, ‘slomo’ with Tohji and Midas The Jagaban and ‘blush’ with Leyla.Check out the tracklist for ‘demon time’ below:Mura Masa is currently in the midst of a summer tour that will include performances at All Points East and this weekend’s Glastonbury.

Now leaving Riverdale, next stop … New Zealand? KJ Apa revealed he’s planning to visit home later this year — and the actor just might need to convince partner Clara Berry to make their vacation a little more permanent.

Patrick Frater Asia Bureau ChiefProduction is underway in the lush and remote northern tip of New Zealand on “Far North,” a premium drama series for Sundance Now. The fact-based series stars local acting legend, Temuera Morrison (“Star Wars,” “Once Were Warriors”) and award-winning actress, Robyn Malcolm (“Top of the Lake”) as an everyday couple who foil an international crime ring’s largest ever deal in the Pacific.The series was researched and created and is being directed by David White (“This Town,” “Meat”).

Ed Sheeran has announced three new dates for his upcoming tour of Australia and New Zealand in 2023 – find tickets here.The new shows, which have been added “due to overwhelming demand”, will take place on February 1 at the Sky Stadium in Wellington, New Zealand; February 11 at Eden Park in Auckland, New Zealand; and February 19 at the Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.Additionally, more tickets have been released for the singer-songwriter’s concerts in Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide and Perth.Tickets to the newly announced shows will go on sale on Thursday, June 23. Tickets to several of the previously announced concerts are also currently available.

Conan Gray has shared details of a four-date Australasian tour, which is set to take place this coming November.The tour, announced today (June 16), will mark Gray’s second visit to Australia following his inaugural run of shows in February of 2020. The Auckland date will also mark Gray’s first time ever in New Zealand.The tour will be in support of ‘Superache’, Gray’s second studio album, which is set for release next Friday (June 24).

Jem Aswad Senior Music EditorSony Music Entertainment has named Vanessa Picken to the role of chair and CEO of Sony Music Entertainment Australia and New Zealand. Reporting to Sony Music Group Chairman Rob Stringer, she will begin her new role in September.Based in Sydney, Picken will oversee all operations, artist signings, marketing, and business partnerships for the company, according to the announcement.

Scott Huver “Native humor can be dark and raunchy — and it’s weird,” says Tazbah Chavez, a writer, producer and director on “Reservation Dogs,” the off-kilter show that follows Native teenagers navigating their community in rural Oklahoma. The quirky, often bittersweet series is both goofy and sublime, and the comedy-drama’s first season has already garnered two Independent Spirit Awards, a Peabody Award, a Gotham Award, an American Film Institute Award and Television Academy Honors. Created by writer-director Sterlin Harjo, a Seminole and Muscogee Creek filmmaker from Oklahoma, and New Zealand-born filmmaker Taika Waititi, the pair of friends share an interest in mining their respective Indigenous cultures for funny, moving stories.  Executive producer Garrett Basch understood their friendship dynamic and nuanced cultural backgrounds well, playing an instrumental role in the development of the series and encouraging the co-creators to take “Reservation Dogs” where they believed it needed to go.  “The reason the show is successful is that we were trusted and allowed to go as far and hard as we needed to,” says Harjo.

Kate Bush has shared a new statement on ‘Running Up That Hill’ after it reached a new peak on the Official UK Singles Chart.The 1985 single has been witnessing a resurgence after it featured as a prominent part of the storyline in Stranger Things 4.Yesterday (June 11), the track landed at Number Two on the Official UK Singles Chart. It was held off the top spot only by Harry Styles’ ‘As It Was’, which has remained Number One for 10 consecutive weeks.

Patrick Frater Asia Bureau ChiefWarner Bros. Discovery Thursday announced its management team for Japan, Australia New Zealand, reporting into James Gibbons, WBD’s president and managing director.The reshuffle follows similar announcements for the EMEA area under Priya Dogra and India, Southeast Asia and Korea under Clement Schwebig.In addition to the above appointments, David Macdonald is named VP Networks, Japan, based in Tokyo.

Warner Bros Discovery is wasting no time in unveiling new leadership teams across the globe with the most recent structure outlined for Japan, Australia and New Zealand under James Gibbons, President and Managing Director of the region. This follows teams in EMEA, India, Southeast Asia and Korea being confirmed in the past 36 hours.

A dad killed his six-year-old son after he crashed his car, driving at 81mph, which flew 25 metres before exploding into a ball of flames, it has been reported.

Outlander star Sam Heughan was back in the capital this week as he paid a visit to one of the city's top restaurants.

Kehlani has extended their ‘Blue Water Road Trip’ world tour to include dates in Australia and New Zealand.Celebrating the release of their latest album, ‘Blue Water Road’, the NME cover star will venture to the southern hemisphere next January. Kicking off their tour in Auckland, New Zealand, the R&B star will then head to Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth, wrapping up in the lattermost city on January 31.