Auckland is alive with the arts as we celebrate Te Ahurei Toi o Tāmaki Auckland Arts Festival’s opening weekend this weekend. But, it’s not the only way to entertain yourself in the big smoke – there’s also Samoan fire dancing, the polo, the Auckland Boat Show, farmers’ markets, an urban
Things to do in Auckland this weekend: Arts festival, boats, polo and more
Zanna Gillespie
NZ Herald·
8 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.
Wet tells the story of Aroha, a māmā, divorcee and undercover "cliterature" author. Photo / Andi Crown
AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.
AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.
Where: Māngere Arts Centre, corner Bader Drive and Orly Ave, Māngere, Auckland.
Price: Free.
2) Auckland alive with arts
It’s often said that Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year, but for Auckland’s theatre and arts lovers, Te Ahurei Toi o Tāmaki Auckland Arts Festival takes the mantle. The 2026 festival kicked off this week and for the remaining 16 days of the festival there’s no reason to be bored. Some of the highlights of this year’s festival include ONO with Moana and the Tribe; La Ronde; NZ Opera’s Bluebeard’s Castle, RNZB’s Macbeth (final performance tonight) and Julia Bullock with Auckland Phil, along with several free events too. Peruse the programme this weekend if you haven’t already.
When: On now until March 22.
Where Various locations. Visit aaf.co.nz.
AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.
3) Shame and erotic fiction
An award-winning new play by Māori Tongan playwright Tūī Matelau, Wet, officially opened last night in Henderson. Described as being about “pleasure, power and the politics of being heard”, Wet tells the story of Aroha, a māmā, divorcee and undercover “cliterature” author, whose erotic fiction podcast outrages her family and forces her to confront “shame, sisterhood, and the fight for her voice”. It’s directed by Amber Curreen and stars award-winning actor Bronwyn Turei (Ngāti Porou) as Aroha. While Wet deals with some weighty issues, it’s also very funny.
When: On now until March 15.
Where: Te Pou Theatre, Corban Estate Arts Centre, Henderson, Tāmaki Makaurau.
Price: Early bird tickets from $33 from tepoutheatre.nz.
4) Theatre games
If you’ve ever played Werewolf (AKA Mafia), now’s your chance to see – and take part in – a staged production that takes its inspiration from the party game. The show assigns secret roles to audience members, allowing them to participate as much or as little as they like in this “immersive horror-comedy”. Werewolf is the creation of Wellington’s Binge Culture and is on a nationwide tour after a successful run at the Edinburgh Fringe in 2024. The Auckland season runs as part of the city’s arts festival and is guaranteed to be an evening of theatre-based shenanigans.
When: March 5-8.
Where: Q Theatre, Auckland Central.
5) Boats for days
With more than 200 boats on display, including 1.3km of boats on the water, the 25th edition of the Auckland Boat Show promises to once more be the place to go to sate your appetite for all things nautical. This year’s show features educational offerings and interactive activations, along with dedicated zones for sea trials, careers and high-end charters. If you have a boat, want a boat or just like to gaze longingly at boats, the Viaduct is the place to spend your weekend.
When: Today and tomorrow, 10am-5pm.
Where: Viaduct Events Centre, Halsey St, Auckland.
AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.
Price: Tickets $30 single day pass, $80 multi-day pass from auckland-boatshow.com. Kids under-16 free.
6) Polo in Parnell
Whether you’re wanting to get your schmooze on in a private marquee, chill on the Veuve Clicquot Solaire VIP Champagne Terrace or just hang on the polo lawn, the Lexus Urban Polo, which returns to Auckland Domain this weekend, is the place to do it. Make sure you bring a fashionable hat, sunnies, some suitable non-stiletto footwear and a love for high-paced equine action. For the first time this year, you’ll also have the opportunity to partake of Le Picnic: a French picnic-inspired experience with themed styling and luxury picnic hampers available. Be spontaneous, round-up some polo pals and head to the Domain today for the classiest of sports.
When: Today, noon-7.30pm.
Where: Auckland Domain, Parnell.
Price: Tickets start at $75 from urbanpolo.co.nz R18.
7) Romantic fire
If you have never been to a performance of the Manukau Symphony Orchestra, tonight’s celebration of romantic intensity is the perfect introduction. The programme includes Dvořák’s Carnival Overture, Saint-Saëns’ Cello Concerto No. 1 and closes with Tchaikovsky’s monumental Symphony No. 4. The orchestra has been performing in the heart of South Auckland for more than 30 years and is known for its special spirit, with 120 players a mix of professional tuakana mentors, youth and community musicians from age 10 to 80-plus.
AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.
When: Tonight, 7pm.
Where: Due Drop Events Centre, 770 Great South Rd, Manukau City, Auckland.
Price: Tickets from $15 (student/child) to $74.25 (premium adult) from manukausymphony.org.nz.
8) Kai at Kelmarna
For 45 years, Kelmarna Community Farm has been on a mission to transform our food system from a 1.8ha urban plot in deepest Ponsonby. Tomorrow, it hosts its annual family-friendly celebration of food, land and community: the Little Kai Festival. Featuring a bake sale, sausage sizzle, farm tours and activities for the kids, there’ll be something for young and old. Then, in two weeks, the farm will host its first Equinox Festival – an afternoon of live local music and laidback drinks in the garden to celebrate the autumn equinox and the end of summer. Both events offer a sliding scale for tickets, so those who can afford to support the work the farm is doing in regenerative and sustainable practices can do so with a bigger donation.
When: Tomorrow, 11am-4pm (Little Kai Festival) and March 21, 2pm-6pm.
Where: Kelmarna Community Farm, 12 Hukanui Cres, Parnell, Auckland.
AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.
Price: Tickets from humanitix.com or kelmarna.co.nz.
9) National farmers’ markets week
Farmers’ markets are far more than a chance to get some fancy cheeses and a couple of loaves of sourdough, they’re a place to connect with the people who have produced your food, and a way to support small local businesses and strengthen local communities. And prices are often cheaper than at the supermarkets, too. National Farmers’ Markets Week starts today and if you only shop at a farmers’ market once a year, this is the time to do it. Today, you could head to the Parnell or Matakana Farmers’ Markets and tomorrow try the Clevedon Village or Grey Lynn Farmers’ Markets. A leisurely stroll through a farmers’ market is a pretty dreamy way to spend a weekend morning.
When: Today until March 15.
Where: Various farmers’ markets nationwide. Visit farmersmarkets.org.nz for more information.
10) Plan ahead: Making a song and dance about hot flashes
Its creator says it was “inspired by a hot flash and a bottle of wine” and it has gone on to entertain more than 17 million people across the globe over the past 25 years. Menopause the Musical harnesses the power of music, comedy and some formidable theatre performers to tell the story of four women who meet in a department store and share their experiences of “The Change”. It opens in Hamilton on Tuesday, plays the Civic on Friday and is touring the country throughout March and into April, including additional Auckland performances at the Bruce Mason Centre this month. Expect much laughter, singing and dancing in the aisles, possibly followed by mood swings and night sweats.
When and where: March 10-12, BNZ Theatre, Hamilton.
AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.
When and where: March 13, 7.30pm, Civic Theatre, Queen St, Auckland.
When and where: March 24-25, 7.30pm. Bruce Mason Centre, Takapuna.
Price: Tickets from ticketmaster.co.nz.
Coming up
- Rediscover Parnell: March 12, Parnell Village, Auckland.
- Daughters of Donbas – Songs of Stolen Children: March 12, Auckland.
- The Auckland Wooden Boat Festival: March 13-15, Jellicoe Harbour, Auckland.
- Cornwall Park Farm Week: March 14-22, Cornwall Park, Auckland.
- Mairangi Bay Food and Wine Festival: March 14, Mairangi Bay, Auckland.
- Kumeū Show: March 14-15, Kumeū Showgrounds, Auckland.
- Pasifika Festival: March 14-15, Western Springs, Auckland.
- Roots Auckland Tattoo Convention: March 14-15, The Cloud, Auckland.
- Warbirds on Parade: March 15, Ardmore, Auckland
- Seed by Elisabeth Easther: March 17-28, Titirangi Theatre, Auckland.
- Linkin Park: March 18, Spark Arena, Auckland.
- My Name is Rachel Corrie: March 19-22, Te Pou Theatre, Auckland.
- EcoFest: March 22-April 22, Auckland.
- Waiheke On Stage presents Stones In His Pockets: March 26-28, Q Theatre, Auckland.
- Aspiring Conversations, Festival of Ideas and Kōrero: March 27-29, Wānaka.
- CubaDupa 2026: March 28-29, Wellington.
- MOTAT’s Stem Fair: March 28-29, MOTAT, Auckland.
- K-Pop Live: April 7-18, nationwide.
- Milli: April 7-11, Basement Theatre, Auckland.
- & Juliet: April 9-May 3, The Civic, Auckland.
- Auckland Phil’s Six-thirty Session, Tchaikovsky 4: April 9, Auckland Town Hall.
- NZSO Resonance featuring Jörgen van Rijen: April 10, Auckland Town Hall.
- Split Enz, Forever Enz Tour: May 6, Wellington and May 9, Auckland.
Email canvas@nzherald.co.nz with brief details of your upcoming event, including dates/times, location and website.