Filipino pop-rock band The Itchyworms are taking their music to New Zealand this September with the Akin Ka Na Lang New Zealand Tour, bringing their signature mix of catchy melodies, sharp lyrics, humor and heartbreak to four cities.
The band will headline shows in Auckland, Wellington, Queenstown, and Christchurch, giving Filipino communities in New Zealand an opportunity to reconnect with home through OPM while inviting Kiwi audiences to experience one of the Philippines' well-known pop-rock acts.
Where will The Itchyworms perform in New Zealand?
The Itchyworms will perform in four New Zealand cities throughout September 2026:
- Auckland: September 18 at Galatos
- Wellington: September 19 at Notre Dame Performing Arts Center
- Queenstown: September 25 at Queenstown Memorial Center
- Christchurch: September 26 at Christ's College Auditorium
Tickets are priced at NZ$99 for Standing VIP, which includes a photo opportunity, and NZ$69 for Standing General Admission.
Tickets are available through the tour's ticketing page.
The tour is more than a series of overseas performances for The Itchyworms. It also gives the band a chance to connect with Filipinos living in New Zealand and introduce OPM to friends and audiences from outside the Filipino community.
The Itchyworms bring a distinctly Filipino sound overseas
The Itchyworms have built their identity around songs that combine memorable pop-rock melodies with clever and often relatable storytelling.
For drummer and vocalist Jazz Nicolas, that combination is part of what makes the band's music accessible across generations and cultures. Their songs can tackle petty frustrations, heartbreak and difficult experiences while packaging those emotions in melodies that are easy to remember.
That balance of humor and emotion has become part of the band's appeal.
It also makes the New Zealand tour an opportunity to introduce international audiences to another side of Original Pilipino Music (OPM). Filipino music is not limited to one sound or genre, and bands such as The Itchyworms show how contemporary OPM can blend rock, pop and distinctly Filipino storytelling.
A chance to celebrate Filipino culture
For vocalist and guitarist Jugs Jugueta, the New Zealand shows are also about reconnecting with Filipino communities abroad.
Jugueta said the band is encouraged by the growing international interest in Filipino culture, including its music and artists. He also encouraged Filipinos attending the shows to bring their Kiwi friends and family.
That invitation reflects an important part of overseas Filipino concerts. These events can serve both as a gathering for Filipinos abroad and as an introduction to Filipino culture for international audiences.
For The Itchyworms, music becomes a way to share not only familiar songs but also the energy and humor associated with Filipino celebrations.
Four cities, one OPM experience
The New Zealand tour gives Filipino music fans across the country several opportunities to catch The Itchyworms live.
Auckland opens the tour on September 18, followed by Wellington the next day. After a short break, the band heads to Queenstown on September 25 before wrapping up the tour in Christchurch on September 26.
For Filipino fans who have been away from home, hearing familiar OPM songs performed live can offer a strong connection to the Philippines. For first-time listeners, meanwhile, the shows could provide a lively introduction to the songwriting and sound of The Itchyworms.
With four stops across New Zealand, The Itchyworms New Zealand Tour is set to bring a familiar Filipino sound to audiences far from home while giving OPM another opportunity to travel beyond Philippine shores.
For Filipino music fans in New Zealand, it is also a chance to sing along, reconnect and, as Jugueta puts it, show their Kiwi friends how Filipinos party.
