3rd space is a platform created to help foster an open and accessible creative environment for the people of Te Whanganui-a-Tara. Focusing on the music and arts scene, the name comes from the concept of third spaces which is a space outside of your work and home life.

The idea of this platform was born with a lunch break chat about how concentrated the creative scene in Poneke is. With many people having a creative outlet within the same scene. With this in mind they wanted to offer a financially viable space to share and enjoy art and music, with all the profits going back to the artists.

We are stoked to have 3rd space host a stage takeover at this upcoming Twisted. What can you expect from their takeover you ask? Well here’s our interview with them to give you an insight!

“For our takeover we have put together a very dynamic lineup of DJs and producers that will take you on a journey as we go into the first few hours of 2026, specifically selected to showcase the current Pōneke club and rave scene. You can expect a high level of selection, fast pace and dynamic genre exploration. 3-7am 1st of January @ the chillery.”

Lineup:

e-boy: 3-4am

Mon-Day: 4-5am

CC:ME: 5-6am

Swimcap b2b Lakeboon: 6-7am

What kaupapa guides what you do as a collective?

One thing that has helped guide us is the transparency and non profit agenda we hold around any money made. If it’s not going into paying the artist, venue or techs we are always putting it towards the next event. And as we have continued to uphold that, we have helped form a wonderful community of likeminded people.

How do you balance showcasing emerging talent with established artists?

For the most part, we have prioritised platforming emerging artists which we have done by continuing to keep it all very local. With that in mind, creating hype around a gig or event is always beneficial to book established names that people recognise to then allow the newcomers to get seen more and therefore grow their name.

How do you see 3rd Space evolving after Twisted?

We hope that we can continue to do what we have been doing as we go into next year, finding new avenues for the creative scene to flourish in Pōneke. And we hope that if we move on from the city and 3rd Space itself that we can find some suitable people to take it over and continue doing the fun mahi for years to come.

Big ups to 3rd Space! Being able to provide another platform for grassroots collectives that share the same kaupapa is a dream. Keep doing what you’re doing. To all the festival goers, check out the stage takeover on the 1st of January from 3am–7am, there’s bound to be some good kanikani there.