Dave Armstrong (Photo: Supplied)
The award-winning playwright, with a new political satire out next month, shares his hot takes about the world.
For how many only-in-New Zealand, completely ridiculous political scandals there are, it’s a surprise this country doesn’t have much in the way of political satire. There are written columns, yes, but only the occasional long-form or serial offering that skews our country and politics. Someone who is no stranger to the genre is award-winning playwright Dave Armstrong.
Originally training, and performing, as a classical musician, Armstrong has spent the better part of three decades reflecting New Zealand back on itself through TV and theatre, always with a glint. The early 2000s had Spin Doctors, a rare TV political satire, written and shot each week – in order to keep the topics as timely as possible – and set in a high-flying PR firm. Armstrong wrote the show alongside the likes of Tom Scott, Roger Hall and James Griffin, responding to scandals of the time like new National Party leader Bill English needing an image revamp.
In 2004, Armstrong teamed up with Oscar Kightley to write the play Niu Sila, about two childhood friends – one Polynesian, one Palagi – whose lives intertwine over 40 years in Auckland. The pair took home Best New New Zealand Play at the 2004 Chapman Tripp Theatre Awards, and collaborated again on bro’Town, where Armstrong served as script editor. In 2005, Armstrong went back-to-back, winning Best New New Zealand Play again with The Tutor
Now, Armstrong is back to politics with The Surprise Party, a political comedy about an incompetent political party hoping to survive another election. The stage play “takes a swipe” at uncompromising and idealistic political parties, timed perfectly with an upcoming election. Below, Armstrong shares his best (and worst) life advice.
What bothers you most about the world right now?
Where do I start? Europe is burning, America’s gone crazy and people are yelling at each other here. As a playwright who says he’s interested in bringing different people together, I’ve certainly got my work cut out.
What sort of people do you avoid?
I try not to avoid anyone. As a playwright, even the most insufferable person can make a great character in a play. It’s actually nice, reasonable, considerate people who aren’t much use. I sometimes find myself talking to people thinking, “my God this person is insufferable, but I can’t wait to put them in a play”.
What makes you want to get up in the morning?
Coffee, morning paper, writing – usually in that order. After the recent opening night in Wellington of my play Local Library, I got up early the next morning and started work on the next one. That’s never ever happened before but hopefully is a good sign that I’m not quite past it yet.
How do you hold onto hope in these crazy times?
A politician once said to me, “just as I’m really hating this country, something wonderful happens. Half of a town forms a human chain around a public hospital or something…” While I’m often dismayed by what goes on, I’m also impressed by ordinary people who are just living their lives and sometimes doing amazing things. And kids always give me hope. Despite the best efforts to make them conform and be boring, many have a fierce spirt of independence.
What is the single best quality a human can have?
It’s a tie between tolerance and a wicked sense of humour.
What’s over-rated?
The latest thing. Beware of fashion. I love the diversity and the different forms of contemporary theatre that are emerging, but we should break rules to make things more interesting, not for the sake of it. Hopefully there’s still a place for well-made plays and good old-fashioned political satire.
What’s under-rated?
The incredible taonga that is the people of New Zealand. As a writer, I’m never short of interesting people to talk to, amazing stories to hear, fantastically interesting places to visit. A bus stop in my suburb is actually an amphitheatre full of the most amazing people and conversations. There was a time when creatives in New Zealand would nip off to England to “make it”. I feel that era has well and truly passed.
If you could have a do-over, what would you change?
I’ve had the same haircut for over two decades, my wife buys all my clothes except my soccer boots, so if someone offered me a full make-over I’d say, “just a trim, please”. I have no regrets although I wish I’d started learning foreign languages earlier, learned Te Reo at school, and not misbehaved so much during third form French.
What brings you joy?
Music. Great literature. The little guy winning. Dogs. Family. Kids who haven’t been cowed by authority and are allowed to be original. My wife has a great saying about what makes great theatre – “beauty and joy”.
What’s the best advice you’ve ever been given?
An American screenwriter whose name I forget once said “there is nothing more useless than an unfinished script”. Finish the bloody thing. The other advice which I pass onto students when writing first drafts is “fast and bad”. After a while it turns into fast and good.
What advice do you wish you’d never followed?
“It’ll be a boring function but useful for networking.” “This is must-see theatre.” “Reportage is the enemy of drama.”
Tell us about a controversial opinion you hold.
I strongly support housing intensification but I also love old buidings. YIMBYs call me a NIMBY and NIMBYs call me a YIMBY. The obvious answer is for me to be the only person in the country who is allowed to decide whether a building has heritage value or not.
When you’re feeling low, what helps?
When our beloved 17-year-old fox terrier Jolene finally went to sleep we went for a long drive around Wellington’s beautiful southern coast. When I play soccer I never think about work or any problems. I’m too busy regaining my breath and yelling at younger, fitter players with more talent to get into position. A mountain bike ride in native bush with my brothers does wonders for the soul.
In what ways is public-facing Dave Armstrong different to private Dave Armstrong?
His public views are a little sanitised. The private Dave Armstrong can be way ruder, grumpier, nastier, outrageous and defamatory. I think he likes writing plays because he can say things through his characters that he’s way too polite (and scared) to say in public.
Don’t study something because someone says it’s “useful”, follow your interest. If you treat writing as a job not a love one day it might become a job you love. If your parents speak a language that is not English, don’t be ashamed. Learn it, become fluent, it will help you greatly one day. Don’t take yourself too seriously.
The Surprise Party is on at The PumpHouse Theatre in Takapuna, October 8-18, 2026 . Book tickets here.
