Ed Sheeran is officially on his way back to Aotearoa, and ahead of his return, he joined Ash London for a chat about everything from his big Kiwi love, a chocolate confession, and even the ultimate boy band fantasy lineup.
How long is he sticking around?
Great news for Kiwi fans - Ed’s not just popping in and out. He confirmed he’ll be spending a solid chunk of time in in the country next year.
“We are gonna be there more than a week and a half,” he revealed. “I think we’re gonna be trying to be there for about a month… I love being there so much.”
He also hinted at something else he’s quietly working on while stopping in NZ for his ‘Loop Tour’ in February.
“There’s also something else I’m working on down there that requires me to be there for a little bit more time…”
Any guesses as to what this could be?!
A Kiwi collab in the making?
As a new local herself, Ash had a strong suggestion for Ed when it comes to future collabs in New Zealand: the incredibly talented Marlon Williams.
“If you’re looking for some great Kiwi music to be inspired from… I’m gonna suggest Marlon Williams,” she told Ed. “He just put out his first Te Reo Māori album. You’ll like.”
Ed scribbled it down immediately: “I’m gonna write it down… Marlon Williams?”
Ash replied: “He’s a really, really special artist and I think you’ll really love his music.”
The great chocolate comeback
If you remember Ed’s infamous 2015 comments about New Zealand chocolate, you’ll know he copped a lot of flack for it. And it even made the news.
“I bagged it out in 2015 and I’ve never lived it down,” Ed laughed. “I will say, whenever I go there now I get free Whitaker’s chucked at me.”
Inside Ed’s ideal boy band
Boy bands are having a moment again, and Ed’s totally on board. When asked who he’d recruit for a dream lineup, his picks were top tier.
“I’d probably say Capaldi… and then probably James Blunt,” he said without hesitation.
Ash cracked up, they were exactly the two she had in mind.
Watch the full chat to hear more about Ed’s reflective new music era, why he only tours on weekends now, and his love for Indian culture and sound.
Ed Sheeran returns to New Zealand in early 2026, and by the sounds of it, he’s making himself right at home.
