Q&A Sam Trubridge

Director of The Performance Arcade 2021

What’s one place you’d take every visitor to in New Zealand, and why?

I love taking my friends to Elliott Beach in the Far North. It was a favourite swimming and shell-gathering spot for my brother and I when we lived in the Bay of Islands.

The long, sandy shore ends in a mermaid pool and hidden caves lead to a secret beach.

What’s your secret backyard favourite spot?

Opau Bay on the coast south of Ma¯ kara, on Wellington’s west coast. This remote place has a beautiful pebble beach and good diving.

The waters are full of butterfish, pa¯ ua and kina. It’s a great place to catch kaimoana to cook over a fire as the sun sets over the Marlborough Sounds.

What’s your favourite place for a pie/coffee?

My partner and I have been methodically sampling the custard squares around Aotearoa, weighing up the merits of each offering at petrol stations and bakeries across the motu. At the moment, my favourite has to be an outstanding offering from Wellington’s Cozy Cake Shop on Manners St.

What’s one New Zealand spot that’s on the top of your bucket list?

No matter how many times I go there, it will always be Te Rerenga Wairua/Cape Reinga.

I was lucky enough to return there in June last year, to catch both the sunset and sunrise. This place is full of such incredible beauty and spirit.

What if the City was a Theatre? is a free city-wide arts programme in Wellington this summer. It includes The Performance Arcade’s 10th annual edition on Wellington Waterfront from February 5 – March 28.