A BLUEGRASS LIFE –NAT TORKINGTON
Photos Ebony Lamb
Ti Point local Nat Torkington has spent decades championing bluegrass music in New Zealand, both on stage and behind the scenes, fostering a community of players and fans that spans generations.
Bluegrass pioneer Bill Monroe once said that “bluegrass has brought more people together and made more friends than any music in the world.” This idea is reflected in the life of Nat Torkington, who is one of the strongest supporters of bluegrass in New Zealand and is known by friends and colleagues as a natural connector.
Nat began playing the banjo at the age of 16, inspired by his father, Barry Torkington. During Nat’s childhood, Barry would time his cowshed milking to match 1YA radio broadcasts that played two tracks from the only bluegrass records they had. Barry became hooked on the sound of the banjo, and by the time Nat was a teenager, the instrument only came out a couple of times a year. It was on one of those occasions that Nat was captivated. He describes the banjo as a “happy instrument,” saying it is impossible to feel sad while playing it.
Today, Nat and Barry perform together in The Pipi Pickers, alongside Nat’s wife Jenine on double bass and mandolin player Gary Bigwood. The band regularly performs at the Matakana Markets and has toured Australia, playing at festivals across the folk circuit. Inspired by these experiences, Nat and Jenine have worked to encourage bluegrass jam sessions at events in New Zealand. At the Auckland Folk Festival, the Pipi Picking Parlour marquee stands as a testament to their efforts. Nat believes that bluegrass is a form of folk music made by real people, and that jamming is an essential part of it, encouraging everyone to play the music they love.
Nat, Jenine, and Barry also host the Whangateau Folk Club on the last Monday of each month at Whangateau Hall, where they welcome both local musicians and touring performers. They launched Kiwigrass, New Zealand’s only festival dedicated to bluegrass, although its annual run was interrupted by Covid after three years. Nat hopes to revive the festival and continue providing a space where international musicians can jam with local players and share the stage.
Among those local musicians are brothers Sam and Laurence Frangos-Rhodes from Ngāruawahia, who have been jamming with Nat since their teenage years. When they formed the progressive bluegrass band You, Me, Everybody, Nat joined them on banjo. The group also includes Rob Henderson on bass and vocalist Kim Bonnington.
Seven years later, You, Me, Everybody has achieved notable success, including featuring on Netflix’s Sweet Tooth, becoming finalists for Best Folk Artist at the Aotearoa Music Awards, and touring Australia and New Zealand. Their album Midnight, released on 30 January 2026, debuted at number two on the Aotearoa Album Charts. The album was crowdfunded through Kickstarter with support from around the world, recorded in Wellington with producer Rachel Baiman, and mixed by Grammy-winning engineer Sean Sullivan. Nat explains that the album expands the bluegrass genre by incorporating powerful songs about New Zealand people and experiences.
Today, Midnight is available on streaming platforms and through the band’s website. Throughout his journey, Nat has remained at the heart of the Kiwi bluegrass scene, using his music to connect people and share the joy of bluegrass wherever he goes.