It’s the last long weekend of the season and if you’re in Auckland and looking for entertainment, we’ve done the legwork for you and rounded up our top picks for weekend activities. From markets to music to murder, there’s a wide range of events taking place – many of them
Things to do in Auckland this Waitangi weekend, from kites, bikes to theatre
Zanna Gillespie
NZ Herald·
9 mins to read
Subscribe to listen
Access to Herald Premium articles require a Premium subscription. Subscribe now to listen.
Already a subscriber?
Listening to articles is free for open-access content—explore other articles or learn more about text-to-speech.
If you’ve got a little one eager to ditch the training wheels, Auckland Transport’s Kids Learn to Ride session has got you covered.
AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.
AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.
Where: Freida Margolis, 440 Richmond Rd, Grey Lynn, Auckland.
Price: Free entry.
2) Pride fashion
It’s Auckland Pride Month and among the many colourful events happening around the city is one by the New Zealand Fashion Museum. Inside The Closet is a free outdoor exhibition in the Britomart district that explores the fashion of drag performers, honouring the artistry and creativity of the transformation. Within the exhibit are 13 life-size portraits of New Zealand drag icons like Buckwheat, Tess Tickle, Kita Mean and Anita Wigl’it. Other Auckland Pride events this weekend include the Drag King Megashow hosted by Hugo Grrrl at Tapac; Praise the Lord play reading at Basement Theatre; a free screening of Kiss of the Spiderwoman (1985) at Lopdell Precinct; Bear Week and lots more.
When: Now until February 28.
Where: Britomart - the Pavilions, Auckland Central.
AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.
Price: Free. (Inside the Closet). For information on all other Auckland Pride Month events, visit aucklandpride.com.
3) The Orient Express rolls back into town
Last year, ATC’s lavish production of Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express was such a runaway success that, even in the height of the cost-of-living crisis, it had a sold-out two-and-a-half-week run. It’s returning again tonight for an encore season, which sees the return of the luxurious set that was simply too good to stay in storage and several of the exceptionally talented original cast members. Starring Cameron Rhodes as the famed Detective Poirot with Brayden Cresswell, Jacque Drew, Jennifer Ludlam, Sophie Henderson and more, it’s a wonderfully dark, surprisingly funny and transporting – excuse the pun – show.
When: Tonight until February 22.
Where: ASB Waterfront Theatre,138 Halsey St, Auckland Central.
Price: Tickets start at $25 + booking fees from atc.co.nz.
4) Squaring up in Aotea Square
Auckland Live’s Summer in the Square series continues this weekend with something quite different from the usual concert or cultural festival. Rumble in the Square is a wrestling showdown by Impact Pro Wrestling. Throughout the day tomorrow, some of Auckland’s strongest, most skilled and most entertaining wrestlers will battle it out live in Aotea Square in 90-second stoushes, aiming to toss their opponent over the ropes. If the drama of physical combat isn’t really your bag, then you might try Somethin’ Else – an afternoon and evening of jazz, hip hop and house music featuring 30/70 Collective, Cian, The Circling Sun and more.
When: Today 3pm-10pm (Somethin’ Else) and tomorrow, 12pm-4pm.
Where: Aotea Square, Auckland Central.
Price: Free.
5) Old winery, new music
If you haven’t yet spent an afternoon wandering Corban Estate Arts Centre, then today’s Music in Parks is the perfect opportunity. Once a winery, now a hub of creativity, the centre will host a lineup of local funk, R&B and pop artists this evening including Rei, Huia, Swizl Jager – all of whom are reo rua/bilingual musicians – and eight-piece funk and soul band Big Tasty. It’s a great way to spend Waitangi weekend, honouring te reo Māori and listening to great music.
AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.
When: Today, 5pm-8.30pm.
Where: Corban Estate Arts Centre, 2 Mount Lebanon Lane, Henderson, Auckland.
Price: Free.
6) Go fly a kite
The West Auckland skyline is set to get a lot more colourful this Sunday as “Come Fly a Kite” comes to Te Atatū Peninsula. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or have never quite mastered the art of flying high, it’s bound to be a spectacle. If you don’t have your own equipment, don’t worry; there will be an onsite kite library doing loans. To keep the land-dwellers entertained, there will be face painting, a climbing wall, a vertical bungy and plenty of food trucks to fuel your afternoon. Pack a picnic blanket and bring the whole whānau. No kite’s too big, no kite’s too small.
When: Sunday, 11am-3pm.
Where: Harbourview-Orangihina Park, Te Atatū Peninsula, Auckland.
AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.
Price: Free.
7) Two wheels good
Learning to ride a bike is one of those quintessential childhood milestones, and being there to witness those first wobbly moments is something no parent forgets. If you’ve got a little one eager to ditch the training wheels, Auckland Transport’s Kids Learn to Ride session has got you covered. Designed for tamariki aged 2 to 13, these friendly drop-in sessions cater to everyone from balance-bike beginners to those ready to make the big transition to pedals. Highly qualified instructors will be on site to boost confidence and share handy tips you can practise at home. No need to book. Just look for the Auckland Transport flags on the school grounds and join in. If your child doesn’t have a bike yet, the good people at AT can loan them one. And if you never mastered the 10-speed back in the day, there’s a session for adults too (registration required).
When and where: Today, 9am-11am, Oratia District School, 1 Shaw Rd, Oratia.
When and where: Tomorrow, 10am-12pm. Panmure Bridge School, 76 Kings Rd, Panmure.
When: Adults: Tomorrow, 1pm, Panmure. For more information visit at.govt.nz.
Price: Free.
AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.
8) Plan ahead: Star-crossed lovers
This is your seven-day warning that next weekend is Valentine’s Day, and when Valentine’s Day falls on a Saturday, the stakes increase significantly. You need a plan and this could be it: Te Whatu Stardome is showing Written in the Stars. It’s a planetarium show that takes you on a journey through the cosmos “discovering enchanting tales of love woven across the night sky”. There are three evening sessions which will also feature live classical guitar and violin accompaniment by members of the Auckland Philharmonia Aspiring Musicians programme. Plus, the Food Truck Collective will be rolling in with their collection of delicious food vendors from 3pm to 7pm. Lay back, hold hands, and look at the stars together this Valentine’s Day.
When: February 14, 6pm, 7.30pm and 9pm.
Where: Te Whatu Stardome, 670 Manukau Rd, One Tree Hill Domain, Epsom.
Price: Tickets essential: $30 adult, $18 Stardome members from stardome.org.nz.
9) Plan ahead: Speedy sailing
Next weekend is a big one on the water, it’s the ITM New Zealand Sail Grand Prix. Arguably one of the most exciting boat races in the world, these teams reach speeds of up to 100km/h, all in F50 catamarans. Auckland is the second of 13 events in the 2026 series, which will end with a grand final in Abu Dhabi in November. The Waterfront Grandstands have been upgraded this year to accommodate up to 10,000 people and include hospitality options. It will be a premium viewing experience and the atmosphere will be buzzing, but if you’re on a tight budget, you can still get a pretty great view of the fleet races from places like North Head, or anywhere with a good view of the harbour. Go the Black Foils!
When: February 14-15.
AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.
Where: Wynyard Point Race Stadium, Auckland Central.
Price: Tickets from $199 from sailgp.com.
Coming up
- Kelmarna Community Farm Dinners: February 11 - 21, Kelmarna Community Farm, Auckland.
- Auckland Phil’s Gavrylyuk & Rach 3: February 12, Auckland Town Hall, Auckland.
- Milford New Zealand Polo Open: February 15, Clevedon.
- Potluck (drag show by Haute Dish): February 17 - 21, Basement Theatre, Auckland.
- Edinburgh Military Tattoo: February 19 - 21, Eden Park, Auckland.
- Auckland Phil’s Best of Brahms: February 19, Auckland Town Hall, Auckland.
- Splore Music and Arts Festival: February 20 - 22, Tapapakanga Reserve.
- Ayrburn Classic: February 20 - 22, Arrowtown.
- New Zealand International Convention Centre Public Open Day: February 21, Auckland.
- Auckland Rainbow Parade: February 21, Ponsonby, Auckland.
- ASB Classic, Centre Court Sounds: February 21, Manuka Doctor Arena.
- An Evening with Yotam Ottolenghi: February 21, Kiri Te Kanawa Theatre, Auckland.
- Splore 2026: February 20 - 22, Tāpapapakanga Regional Park, Auckland.
- BNZ Auckland Lantern Festival: February 26 - March 1, Manukau Sports Bowl, Auckland.
- Moana Auckland Ocean’s Festival: February 28 - March 15, Auckland’s Waterfront.
- NZ Theatre Company presents Prima Facie: February 27, ASB Waterfront Theatre, Auckland.
- The Rocky Horror Picture Show (West End touring cast): February 26 - March 8, The Civic, Auckland.
- Art Day for Gender Equality: March 1, Monte Cecilia Park, Auckland.
- Motion Sickness by a2 Company: March 3 - 6, Basement Theatre, Auckland.
- Wet: March 5 - 15, Te Pou Theatre, Auckland.
- Little Kai Festival: March 8, Kelmarna Community Farm, Auckland.
- Menopause the Musical: March 10 - 23, nationwide.
- The Auckland Wooden Boat Festival: March 13 - 15, Jellicoe Harbour, Auckland.
- Mairangi Bay Food and Wine Festival: March 14, Mairangi Bay, Auckland.
- Pasifika Festival: March 14-15, Western Springs, Auckland.
- Warbirds on Parade: March 15, Ardmore, Auckland
- Seed by Elisabeth Easther: March 17 - 28, Titirangi Theatre, Auckland.
Email canvas@nzherald.co.nz with brief details of your upcoming event, including dates/times, location and website.