Che Fu Celebrates 25 Years of ‘Navigator’ with Nationwide Tour

One of Aotearoa’s most influential voices, Che Fu, will celebrate the 25th anniversary of his landmark album Navigator with a special nationwide tour this October.

An Evening with Che Fu & The Kratez will see the pioneering artist perform Navigator, alongside a career-spanning selection of favourites, joined by his powerhouse live band The Kratez and special guests Aaradhna, Betty-Anne and King Kapisi.

The tour will stretch the length of the country hitting both main centres and more regional spots. Beginning in Invercargill, with dates in Dunedin, Christchurch, Nelson, Wellington and Palmerston North, Napier, Auckland, Rotorua the tour wraps up in Hamilton at the newly opened BNZ Theatre.

With fully reserved seating, the shows will be in two halves including an intermission. This theatre style show is reflected in the venues chosen for the tour including The Civic in Auckland, Christchurch’s Town Hall and the Municipal Theatre in Napier.

Released in 2001, Navigator debuted at No.1 on the New Zealand Albums Chart before going on to achieve multi-platinum status, cementing its place as one of the most important albums in New Zealand music history.

A fearless blend of soul, reggae, hip hop, rock and Pacific influences, Navigator captured the voice of a generation. From the soaring optimism of Misty Frequencies and the timeless groove of Fade Away to the unmistakable Waka, the album became a defining soundtrack for Aotearoa, earning widespread acclaim while helping shape the future of New Zealand music.

Twenty-five years on, its themes of identity, resilience, unity and hope remain as relevant as ever.

Inducted into the New Zealand Music Hall of Fame earlier this year, few artists have had the cultural impact of Che Fu. Throughout a career spanning more than three decades, he has consistently broken new ground, using music as a vehicle for storytelling, social commentary and celebration. His distinctive voice, thoughtful songwriting and genre-defying sound have inspired generations of artists and helped redefine what New Zealand music could be.

For this anniversary tour, audiences can expect far more than a retrospective.

Backed by The Kratez, Che Fu’s longstanding band, they will bring Navigator to life in full celebrating both the album’s enduring legacy and the remarkable catalogue that followed. Joining him are three of Aotearoa’s most revered artists. Soul powerhouse Aaradhna, whose unmistakable voice and award-winning catalogue have made her one of New Zealand’s most celebrated contemporary artists, brings her signature blend of soul, R&B and pacific storytelling. Betty-Anne, the legendary vocalist who rose to prominence with iconic Kiwi band Ardijah, has been a defining voice in New Zealand music for more than four decades, renowned for her vocals and enduring influence on Polynesian soul. Completing the line-up is hip hop pioneer King Kapisi, one of the country’s most respected MCs and cultural trailblazers, whose groundbreaking career helped shape New Zealand hip hop and Pacific music.

An Evening with Che Fu & The Kratez is a celebration of one of the greatest albums ever made in Aotearoa by an artist whose music has become woven into the fabric of New Zealand culture. Don’t miss your chance to experience Navigator live, 25 years on.

AN EVENING WITH CHE FU & THE KRATEZ

Celebrating 25 years of Navigator
with special guests Aaradhna, Betty-Anne and King Kapisi
October 2026
Presented by Eccles Entertainment

Tickets on sale 12pm Monday 3 August
 

WED 7 OCT
Civic Theatre | Invercargill
Tickets

THU 8 OCT
Town Hall | Dunedin
Tickets

FRI 9 OCT
Town Hall | Christchurch
Tickets

SAT 10 OCT
Trafalgar Centre | Nelson
Tickets

SUN 11 OCT
Michael Fowler Centre | Wellington
Tickets

TUE 13 OCT
Regent on Broadway Theatre | Palmerston North
Tickets

WED 14 OCT
Municipal Theatre | Napier
Tickets

FRI 16 OCT
The Civic | Auckland
Tickets

SAT 17 OCT
Sir Howard Morrison Theatre | Rotorua
Tickets

SUN 18 OCT
BNZ Theatre | Hamilton
Tickets