Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

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Celebrated, octopus-styled artwork Te Wheke-a-Muturangi by acclaimed artist Lisa Reihana floats on Tāmaki Makaurau waters for the first time – through to 14 May.

Presented by Viaduct Harbour Holdings Ltd and Gallery Sally Dan-Cuthbert, with the support of Auckland Council and the city centre targeted rate, Te Wheke-a-Muturangi is set to deliver a major moment in Viaduct Harbour’s presentation of the Aotearoa Art Fair Sculpture Trail.

It kicks off an overflowing season of arts in the city centre. Read more below.

Deputy Mayor of Auckland Desley Simpson says it’s thrilling to see Te Wheke-a-Muturangi arrive in our waters.

“Lisa Reihana has consistently wowed global audiences with her stunning art, grounded in Māori and Pacific cultural knowledge. So we’re lucky to see this epic masterpiece in the Viaduct Harbour as we usher in a packed season of the arts in Auckland.

“Interactive art, comedy, opera, cabaret, street culture and Matariki celebrations – we have it all in the city centre this winter season,” she says. 

Te Wheke-a-Muturangi

This mesmerising installation invites audiences to reflect on ancient stories beneath the surface of the ocean, animated by light, movement and memory.

A revered artist whose work has been shown globally – from the Venice Biennale to major presentations in Australia and Singapore – Reihana’s Te Wheke-a-Muturangi anchors the art trail with powerful storytelling drawn from Māori cosmology.

Part of Reihana’s Kura Moana Series, originally commissioned for the Aotearoa New Zealand Festival of Arts 2022, the majestic 15-metre-wide floating cephalopod draws from the powerful Māori pūrākau / story of the giant female octopus Te-Wheke-a-Muturangi, who is pursued across the Pacific and ultimately slain by the legendary Polynesian navigator, Kupe.

The artwork is hand-painted by Reihana in maze-like lines inspired by Reihana’s contemporary Māori weaving patterns, with vivid reds symbolising the blood spilled when the creature was defeated.

Visitors can scan an on-site QR code to see an augmented reality pūrākau (legend), where Te-Wheke-a Muturangi hovers above Waitematā Harbour and speaks about being a goddess while taking selfies. Scan the QR code on site or visit Viaduct.co.nz/ArtFair

Alongside Lisa Reihana’s installation, eight other large-scale works by leading contemporary artists from across Aotearoa will be on display for the Aotearoa Art Fair Sculpture Trail, placed throughout the Viaduct Harbour. 

For information on Aotearoa Art Fair and full event programme and maps visit ArtFair.co.nz

Packed arts season

Starting with the appearance of Te Wheke-a-Muturangi, an abundant season of arts and cultural experiences is coming to the city centre this autumn / winter, drawing crowds and adding vibrancy.

Annie Dundas, Director Destination at Tātaki Auckland Unlimited says, “Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland’s city centre free and paid arts events provide an amazing autumn and winter experience, no matter what the weather’s doing.

“The Aotearoa Art Fair from 1-4 May is sure to be a highlight of the season – it’s the biggest fair yet with 49 galleries from New Zealand and Australia showing work from emerging and established artists, plus a sculpture trail for everyone to enjoy.

“Auckland Live also has an exciting programme of more than 140 shows and performances scheduled across April, May and June. As the temperature cools down, our arts programme ramps up, so it’s the perfect time of year to experience this thriving side to our region.”

Supported by the Auckland Council group and presented at city centre venues, the next six months include:

Visit Discover Auckland for the full line-up, and to search events by date.

Investment

Auckland Council’s contribution of $10,000 towards the installation of artwork Te Wheke-a-Muturangi at Viaduct Harbour was funded from the city centre targeted rate.

Photo credit: all photos taken by Jay Farnworth, Auckland Council

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It’s New Zealand Music Month in May and people will flood into midtown’s streets, lanes and public spaces, further cementing our place in the world as a UNESCO City of Music.

They will hear the diverse and unique sounds of Tāmaki Makaurau, as Auckland Council hosts a free public programme of music, supported by the city centre targeted rate.

The season opens with Opera in the Strand on Thursday 1 May at 6pm. After a successful debut in 2024, Opera in the Strand returns in all its glorious colour, costumery and melody.

Listen and watch highlights from the 2024 event on YouTube here.

Totally free and with no tickets needed, people will simply walk up and hear New Zealand’s finest young opera singers in full voice. Curated by the New Zealand Opera School, the artists sing from the tiled arcade floor and high on the bridges above midtown’s historic Strand Arcade, built 125 years ago.

Councillor Desley Simpson is thrilled to see Opera in the Strand back by popular demand.

“As this exciting new neighbourhood takes shape around Te Waihorotiu Station, our teams are working hard to attract people back to midtown and support businesses impacted by construction, through events like this.

“Music is always in the mix and there’s nothing like opera, brought to one of our historic city centre jewels, to lift spirits,” she says.

NZ Opera School Trustee Jack Bourke, an Aotea Arts Quarter advocate and co-curator of Opera in the Strand, explains the significance of Opera in the Strand further: “The importance of music in building place is undeniable. The importance of music in building community, and the arts quarter at the heart of our regenerating midtown, is immeasurable.”

Visit Our Auckland for 2025’s full New Zealand Music Month line-up. It’s an experience not to be missed.

Read about the opera stars and pianists you will hear sing and play in our historic Strand Arcade on 1 May:  

Emma Jones – Soprano

Emma Jones completed her Bachelor of Music with First Class Honours as a Sir Edmund Hillary Scholar at the University of Waikato. This year she is studying towards her Masters of Music under the tutelage of Emma Pearson. 

Emma was recently awarded the Merle Higgie Opera Prize of Potential at the New Zealand Opera School and the prize for Most Potential at the Nicholas Tarling Aria Competition. In 2024 she debuted in the role of Iphis in Handel’s Jephtha and made her Auckland Town Hall debut as the Soprano 2 soloist in Bach Musica NZ’s performance of Mendelssohn’s Symphony No.2 (Hymn of Praise).  Emma has also received Music Blues Awards for four consecutive years and the 2024 Creative and Performing Arts Person of the Year. NZOS Alumna 2024.

Olivia Forbes – Soprano

Olivia Forbes performing at Strand Arcade.

Olivia Forbes is a 23-year-old soprano from Auckland. Having completed her undergraduate conjoint in Voice and Italian from Auckland University, she has recently completed her honours degree in Classical Voice with first class under the tutelage of Dr. Morag Atchison. In 2019, she played the role of Flora in New Zealand Opera’s production of The Turn of the Screw by Benjamin Britten and has been a student at the New Zealand Opera School in Whanganui where she was awarded the 2025 Dame Sister Mary Leo award for dedication to the craft of Opera.

Recently, Olivia placed third in the Beacroft Aria Finals and was a finalist in the 2024 New Zealand Aria competition where she performed as a soloist with the Auckland Philharmonic Orchestra. At the 2025 Nicholas Tarling aria finals she was awarded the inaugural Sally Stone award for most outstanding talent. She is passionate about sharing the beauty of classical music with audiences and looks forward to expanding her horizons internationally later this year as she embarks to London to pursue a Master of Performance at the Royal College of Music. NZOS Alumna 2023/2024.

Sarah Mileham – Soprano

Sarah Mileham is a 22-year-old Soprano from Tauranga and now based in Hamilton. In 2023, she finished her Bachelor of Music in Classical Performance at the New Zealand School of Music, Victoria University of Wellington under the tuition of Jenny Wollerman. She has just completed her Bachelor of Music with Honours at Waikato University with Soprano Anna Leese. She is now an artist with Te Pae Kōkako The Aotearoa New Zealand Opera Studio (TANZOS).

In 2024, Sarah made her debut with NZ Opera singing ‘Maria Bertram’, a principal role, in Mansfield Park by Jonathan Dove and ‘Countess Ceprano’ in Verdi’s Rigoletto. She also sang the role of Adina in Donizetti’s The Elixir of Love NZO Schools Tour, which travelled Aotearoa. She has been awarded first at the 2024 Nicholas Tarling Aria Competition, the DMMF Waikato Aria Competition, the Norah Howell Recital Class, and Te Awamutu Aria. She has also been a finalist in the Lockwood NZ Aria (2023), Runner up in Christchurch (2023,2024) and Wellington Aria Finals (2023), and received the Merle Higgie Opera Prize for Potential at her first New Zealand Opera School in 2023. Sarah is excited to grow her professional career and is looking forward to future further studies overseas. NZOS Alumna 2023/2024.

Ridge Ponini – Tenor

Ridge Ponini performing at Strand Arcade.

Proud Cook Island tenor, Ridge Ponini completed his Honours degree in Music at the University of Otago, majoring in classical voice performance and is a 2024 Artist with Te Pae Kokako – The Aotearoa New Zealand Opera Studio (TANZOS). In 2017 Ridge was named the Most Promising Singer and received the Judges Choice Award in the Dame Malvina Major Foundation Aria award, and in the same competition placed second in 2018. In 2021 Ridge was awarded the Enari Iosefa Opera Award from Creative New Zealand and in 2022 was a semi finalist for the Lexus Song Quest. Ridge was a studio artist with New Zealand Opera in 2023 and winner of the Dame Sister Mary Leo Award (runner up) at the 2024 NZ Opera School. NZOS Alumnus 2020/2021/2023/2024.

Edward Laurenson – Baritone

Former NZ Opera Emerging Artist and Circle 100 Scholar, Edward Laurenson was the winner of the Guildhall Prize at the 2013 IFAC Australian Singing Competition and graduate of the Guildhall School of Music & Drama Master of Performance in London and the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, studying under Yvonne Kenny and Cesar Ulloa. Following his residency at Opera Colorado and the Merola Opera Programme, Edward has performed operatic roles worldwide. Supported by Dame Kiri Te Kanawa and the Kiri Te Kanawa Foundation he returned to NZ in 2022 to perform the role of Anatoly in Chess the Musical in Auckland. NZOS Alumnus 2013/2014.

Alfred Fonoti-Fuimaono – Baritone

Alfred Fonoti-Fuimaono is a Samoan baritone from Flaxmere, Hastings. His interest in classical music flourished through his involvement with the youth initiative, ‘Project Prima Volta’ – a music programme based in Hawke’s Bay that empowers youth through classical music. He completed a Master in Advanced Opera Studies through The Aotearoa New Zealand Opera Studio (TANZOS) at the University of Waikato under the tutelage of Kristin Darragh, and continued his development as a Freemasons New Zealand Opera Company Artist for 2024 under the tutelage of Nikki-Li Hartliep.  Alfred is a five time attendee of the NZ Opera School where he was awarded the Dame Malvina Major Foundation Award in 2024.

Francis Cowan – Pianist

Francis Cowan was appointed as full time Head of Collaborative Piano at the University of Waikato in 2015. He enjoys a busy schedule of coaching and accompaniment for voice and instrumental students and is a regular pianist and organist for the New Zealand Opera School.

David Kelly, pianist

David is based in Auckland and is a repetiteur and coach for New Zealand Opera, Te Pae K ō kako (University of Waikato) and the New Zealand Opera School. He collaborates frequently with the Auckland Philharmonia , Auckland Chamber Orchestra, Voices New Zealand, and the Universities of Auckland and Waikato. With flutist Luca Manghi he has recorded a critically applauded recital disc Quays (Atoll Records, ACD 882), and is a member of the Donizetti Trio, which undertook national tours in 2014 and 2019 for Chamber Music New Zealand. David studied at the University of Canterbury with Diedre Irons and Maurice Till and is a graduate of the Australian Opera Studio.

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April’s midtown street party on Thursday 17 April is packed full of art, music, food, live painting and stories. It will also celebrate street culture now, and from decades past.

Midtown’s monthly street parties are enabled by Auckland Council to build vibrancy and support local businesses in the newly-emerging neighbourhood around Te Waihorotiu Station, with funds from the city centre targeted rate.

But there’s a unique, exciting and mysterious layer added to April’s party line-up.

On the way to or from the street party on 17 April, Aucklanders are encouraged to stroll to Durham Lane West and Airedale Street to witness street art they might never have noticed before.

Auckland Council Head of City Centre Programmes Jenny Larking is thrilled to be throwing light on a hidden collection of art history in these little-known locations.

“Standing in one single spot it’s possible to take in the city’s oldest existing piece of graffiti culture, a mid-1990s view of place, and a contemporary portrayal of what our feet stand on beneath the central city.

“Some of these artworks are a celebration of Te Waihorotiu stream, which flows underground, a treasured stream that’s also honoured in the name of the new station taking shape in the area,” she says.  

Etched into the walls of our city, street culture never grows old. Here’s more about this unique urban experience:

Durham Lane West

Lane Change by John Radford 1995 – in Durham Lane West.

Artist John Radford’s Lane Change, on the wall of an underpass off Durham Lane West, remembers a slice of Auckland’s history. The artwork cements a replica façade of an 1880s building, which was in Shortland Street, into the wall.

Directly opposite Lane Change is a John Radford mural ‘…that was then, and that was then…’ completed in 1994 in this backstreet shrine to street culture.

This artwork also explores themes of buildings past. Both artworks were funded from a donation by a property development company responsible for a large development in the area at the time, part of Auckland City Council’s incentive scheme for the creation of public art and public spaces by private companies.

In ‘…that was then, and that was then…’ words and phrases overlap and intersect to represent the passage of time. The words draw from Auckland’s history and include the names of Māori pā sites, natural features, and local businesses that have been built over and around in the landscape of Tāmaki Makaurau.

In 2010 an unknown contractor inadvertently painted over the mural. The artist, John Radford, restored the work leaving some of the grey paint to add to the evolution and meaning of the artwork.

“I think it adds to the look of the work. There are now more traces of layers on the wall,” the artist told The Aucklander at the time.

Queen Street City Beat 1986 by Opto & Dick Clique (Otis and Dick Frizzell).

Walk further into the underpass and discover the Queen Street City Beat mural created in 1986 by Opto & Dick Clique (Otis and Dick Frizzell).   

In 1986, 15-year-old Otis Frizzell recruited his well-known artist father as free labour to help him with this historic graffiti mural painted in the alleyway. Otis recalls the council of the time wanted to brighten up the inner city and he was commissioned to create the mural.   

The only real graffiti art reference available at the time was the movie Beat Street, so the artist wrote QUEEN STREET CITY BEAT. The mural depicts a characterisation of Queen Street at the time featuring recognisable buildings – the Classic Cinema, Auckland Town Hall, Keans Jeans, the neon cowboy and McDonalds. 

Otis Frizzell says: “I’m stoked to get a chance to breathe some new life into this old mural. Of course when I painted this with my Dad back in ’86 I had no idea it would last so long, and eventually become one of the oldest existing Street Art pieces in Aotearoa.”

Opposite the Frizzell work is Holly Mafaufau’s Tāmaki Makaurau completed in 2024.

Holly enjoys the conceptual, problem-solving aspect of design and takes a similar approach to the walls she paints. She says that words are weapons, and public walls are an opportunity to speak to people.

“This artwork acknowledges the historic bodies of water of the area and their importance in the provision of kai (food). It was created with the intention to soften a hard urban space while contributing to the collection of existing artworks in this space,” Holly says.   

Airedale Street  

Artist Poi Ngawati.

Exciting new artworks curated by Ross Liew for Auckland Council have transformed the Airedale Street steps, a popular pathway between Auckland University of Technology and Queen Street.

A mural has been created by artist Poi Ngawati (Waikato Tainui, Ngāti Patupo, Ngāti Whawhaki, Ngāti Mahuta, Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Hine). 

Titled Te Huinga Tai – The gathering of tides, this vibrant piece of street art talks about the meeting of tides from all around the world. Depicted via a modern Māori stylised pūhoro design, the work reflects five key values; people first, pursue excellence, embrace change, act with integrity and serve our world. 

The north facing walls are painted in shades of violet purple and the south facing walls shades of teal. This colour combination speaks of day and night, light and dark, and how the waters of Te Waihorotiu continue to flow beneath the streets.

Accompanying the mural is a new collaborative light work suspended in the tree above, created by Poi Ngawati and Angus Muir to complete the transformation of this space. The design speaks to the connection between the stars, ocean, and iwi guiding our journeys and shaping our stories.

The flowing forms represent rain, linking Ranginui and Papatūānuku. By day, it moves with the environment; by night, it connects to the stars above. 

Read about the full midtown street party programme at OurAuckland.

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Amy Malcolm has been appointed to the role of Head of the Vice-Chancellor’s Office and will join the whānau at the end of June 2022.

Amy is currently Manager, Strategic Relations in the Office of DVC, Strategic Engagement at the University of Auckland. In a career at the University spanning 20 years, Amy has made significant contributions across a range of functions, including student recruitment, marketing, student life, fundraising, and strategic engagement.

Amy also serves on several boards, including Auckland City Centre Advisory Board, The Big Idea, and Create Auckland 2030.

As Head of the Vice-Chancellor’s Office, Amy will support university strategy, the office’s day-to-day operations, and manage strategic relationships.

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Inside a decade, Northcote has become a residential community that exemplifies smart growth, in line with Auckland Council’s long-term vision for Tāmaki Makaurau.

The ongoing renewal of Northcote is enabled by the Auckland Unitary Plan, boosting housing capacity and delivering more choices including apartments and townhouses near public transport hubs and town centres.

This proximity is giving Aucklanders easier access to jobs, parks and schools, and Northcote is becoming a model of the vision in the Plan.

A network of rebuilt streets now flourishes with landscaped terrace housing and apartment buildings, a partly daylighted Awataha Stream sees the sun, and tuna (eel) and kaka have returned – indicators of the stream’s growing good health.

Locals stroll along walkways lined with foliage, children play on new playgrounds, mana whenua expression is woven throughout, a market garden has been re-born and local schools are thriving.

North Shore Councillor Richard Hills says the transformation of Northcote has been many years in the making, with much more to come as well.

“Growth needed to be masterplanned and supported by our investment in quality infrastructure, including flood mitigation, new parks and community facilities. We’ve increased services on popular bus routes too.

“The council wants excellent growth in Auckland. Growth for the greater good. And that’s what we’re seeing in Northcote.

“As housing choices expand, communities are more connected, transport links are more seamless, people are healthier as warm, dry housing becomes the norm, and walking is increasingly the way families get around.

“Northcote is growing for all generations, with younger families moving in and more homes coming for our older residents.

Northcote new housing complex.

“We want to lock in these benefits for many more Auckland suburbs across the region, so more people can experience the same,” Councillor Hills says.

Auckland Council Chief Economist Gary Blick says the Northcote redesign illustrates how the Auckland Unitary Plan has enabled more efficient use of urban land.

“The Terrace Housing and Apartment Buildings Zone is allowing for more households to live near a town centre and access its amenities,” he says.

Read about Auckland’s improving affordability trends on OurAuckland.

Northcote, the new norm

It will be another decade before the upgrade of Northcote will be fully delivered including Auckland Council’s regeneration of the Northcote town centre, but the community is embracing the change they’re seeing already and giving it life.

One of the people whose work has been instrumental in helping Northcote flourish is the Principal of Northcote Intermediate School Phil Muir.

“We have healthy confident children here now. The kids and some of our teachers are able to walk a short distance to school. Not only are we seeing regenerated housing we are also seeing a regenerated community and school.

“Our neighbourhood is reflective of a modern city. It respects traditions, remembers where we are and looks to a positive future. Sometimes we feel like we are flying a 70-year-old DC3 while turning it into a Dreamliner! Our beautiful new school building has come about because of roll growth,” Mr Muir says.

The growth of the school roll reflects not only the school’s strong leadership but also the broader impact of the community’s renewal, with more families having the opportunity to live closer to the school, thanks to new housing choices.

“The change in the health of our children is like chalk and cheese. They used to live in dusty old wooden houses. Their new housing is sustainable, warm and dry now and the children are sick less often. Attendance is now over 90%.

“We are the most multi-cultural school on the shore. It’s a harmonious place to be. The students are accepting of all of our ethnicities and gender diversity. It’s a privilege to lead a diverse community and see our kids thriving,” Mr Muir says.

Phil Muir, Principal of Northcote Intermediate School.

Principal Phil Muir speaks with gratitude to the Auckland Council group for the ongoing work to daylight the stream, the shared Te Ara Awataha greenway and restored environment. The area is used as an outdoor classroom and a pleasant walk to school, away from dense traffic along Lake Road.

Northcote intermediate students in Te Ara Awataha greenway play.

He speaks also about the reduction in crime recorded in the area, a by-product of the new compact, quality housing and restored natural environment. The change has enabled the school to remove the bars from school windows.

The ongoing transformation of Northcote highlights how well-designed, well-planned, higher density housing can build a strong sense of belonging in the community, especially when it is located close to jobs, transport, schools, improved parks, playgrounds and public spaces – many of the things they value most.

Northcote Intermediate students with their chicken coop.

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An established writer with an affinity for the ocean is thrilled to have the opportunity to live at the idyllic seaside Barr Cottage in Huia, as Auckland Council’s regional parks’ artist in residence for 2025. 

Michelle Elvy’s preoccupation with the sea and coastal places is clear in both her fiction and non-fiction writing. Author Witi Ihimaera considers her a “creature of the sea… a blue-water person” and indeed, her focus on exploring the sea, harbours and shorelines has taken her on long sailing journeys across oceans before landing in New Zealand by sailboat in 2008.  

Michelle says the opportunity to live right on the southern coastline of the Waitākere Ranges Regional Park for the eight weeks of her residency aligns perfectly with her interests, instincts and goals.  

“For me, the close view of nature afforded by this residency is a special opportunity. My project is focused on the intersection of what is naturally here, what we create from it, and how we preserve it,” she says. “I am grateful for the chance to work and produce new creative material about the park.”

From October 2025, Michelle will move into Barr Cottage to start writing from a desk overlooking the everchanging seascape. She says she can’t wait to immerse herself in the Little Huia lifestyle and small coastal community. 

Regional Parks Manager Scott De Silva says the residency programme gives Aucklanders the chance to view specific regional parks through a creative lens.

“Our artists experience and reveal aspects of our parks that are unique. The works that have emerged from each park stay provide a rich and valued tapestry of perceptions on nature that visitors can enjoy for years to come. I look forward to reading Michelle’s wordsmithing once she’s completed her stay,” says Scott.

Michelle has already written work about a sea-facing place in the South Island and hopes during this residency to write a companion story, showcasing the Waitākere Ranges Regional Park cottage and its outlook over the Manukau Harbour.  

She’s particularly interested in the juxtaposition of a park as a wild place, yet a space which is managed and has maintained edges; ‘a place that holds nature at its centre, yet a place that is curated, a place for community’.

Aucklanders will be able to read her poetry at Barr Cottage during the Waitākere Open Studios event in November 2025, and later at Arataki Visitor Centre.

To celebrate the natural beauty of Auckland’s expansive regional parks, the council has been offering the Artist in Residence programme to one lucky artist each year since 2008.  

If you would like to learn more…

• See what previous artists in residence have created during their park stays

• Read Michelle Elvy’s published books and poetry, like the other side of better, or the everrumble.

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Music and the arts continue to be a beacon of light in the regeneration of Auckland’s midtown, and that leading role is ever-present this NZ Music Month across the city centre.

Kicking off with Opera in the Strand on 1 May, a month-long festival of music will see people dancing or at least tapping their toes in streets, squares and lanes. Every tune, beat, pulse and rhythm will imprint our place in the world as a UNESCO City of Music.

Auckland Council is hosting this free public programme of music for NZ Music Month, supported by the city centre targeted rate.

You’ll hear a live rendition of Whakaaria Mai in the purest of opera voices from the bridges of Strand Arcade and a debut screening of acclaimed jazz pianist Joe Kaptein, soul/ funk grooves of Romi Wrights and hip hop lyricist Idol Essence at Academy Theatre for Auckland Council’s 2025 edition of Ka Mua Ka Muri Te Iho Ahau.

Fruju Peak to play in Vulcan Lane

Fruju Peak will rock experimental jazz in historic Vulcan Lane and the pulse of haka, the call of ancient Māori instruments, and the rhythm of poi will surround waterfront kiosk Te Wharekura.

And with Mighty a 10-foot container hosting top musicians at Te Komititanga, music in photo form adorning the walls of Ellen Melville Centre and street-side light boxes, a music-filled midtown street party and live bands at iconic music stores, audiences will hear the diverse and unique sounds of Tāmaki Makaurau.

Deputy Mayor Desley Simpson understands the importance of music in building community and celebrating diversity in a city.

“This programme is so extensive we won’t need to walk far to hear live music – from opera in Strand Arcade to jazz in Vulcan Lane and the sound of ancient Māori instruments on the waterfront,” Councillor Simpson says.

“I’m proud to see the city continuing to stamp its mark as a UNESCO City of Music and amplify the uniqueness of our place in the world through music,” she says.  

A handful of highlights:

Music in the city centre

Rumpus Machine play in Music in the city centre

Local talent is taking to the streets with live performances every Wednesday and Friday afternoon in the city. Catch rock classics from Rumpus Machine outside JB Hi-Fi and avant jazz tones from Joe Kaptein. Liven up your afternoons with George Villa and Lucian Rice at Real Groovy and local singer-songwriters cropping up across Elliott Street, Wellesley Street, Queen Street and more.

More detail and performance times for music in the city centre.

Music in pictures

A pop-up photographic exhibition will showcase the talent of music photographers across Aotearoa. Since its inception in 2021, the Aotearoa Music Photography Award has awarded over $8,000 in prizes, championing photographic excellence in capturing the vibrant energy of the music scene.

Explore compelling images from gigs, festivals, and community events, where artists and audiences connect through the lens of photography. The exhibition offers a diverse and inclusive platform for artistic expression and dialogue, highlighting photography as a cultural and creative art form. The Auckland Festival of Photography Trust presents this event as part of its annual city-wide celebration of photography and visual culture, championing emerging and established talent and promoting New Zealand’s photographic excellence.

More detail and dates at Our Auckland.

Music in the morning

Dance to the beat of a special NZ Music Month edition of Morning People, featuring Pixie Lane x Kazi Flip at Il Brutto, one of Auckland’s finest dance dens – all free.

Expect a high-energy morning rave with crisp sound, deep grooves, and a morning rave that’ll leave you buzzing. Plus, enjoy complimentary Altezano Brothers coffee, All Good bananas, and Karma Drinks to keep you fuelled.

More detail and dates at Our Auckland.

Music on the waterfront

Te Whare Karioi perform at Te Wharekura

Join Rhythm Nation with Te Whare Karioi every Saturday in May at Te Wharekura, historic kiosk turned environmental education space, at the western end of Te Wānanga in Quay Street. The group brings vibrant, interactive performances celebrating Māori music and movement as part of NZ Music Month.

These free, whānau-friendly events invite you to connect with the rich whakapapa of Tāmaki Makaurau through live performance and hands-on musical experiences.

More detail and dates at Our Auckland.

Music at Te Komititanga

Te Komititanga

This NZ Music Month, step into Mighty – a 10-foot container transformed into a micro theatre in the heart of Te Komititanga. With a ticket booth, red carpet, and velvet-draped interior, this pocket-sized venue sets the stage for unforgettable one-song performances.

The lineup is stacked with top musicians, but there’s a twist – you won’t know who you’re seeing until you step inside. With space for just a handful of people at a time, Mighty offers a rare, up-close encounter with live music in its most intimate form.

More detail and dates at Our Auckland.

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Aucklanders may have spotted new signs on catchpit trucks and CCTV vans across Tāmaki Makaurau—and for good reason.

These hardworking vehicles are the front line of a major initiative to boost flood resilience across the city, proudly displaying messages like “Clearing catchpits to prevent flooding” and “Keeping our stormwater pipes flowing.”

With over 120,000 catchpits across Auckland, these underground chambers are crucial for collecting stormwater runoff, debris, and litter. Keeping them clear is essential to prevent streets from flooding, especially during heavy rains. Now, thanks to Auckland Council’s Healthy Waters team and their contractor Intergroup Limited, these efforts are more visible than ever.

High-tech CCTV vans deployed across the city.

The work is part of Healthy Waters’ 10-year Making Space for Water programme, which focuses on strengthening the city’s stormwater network.

General Manager Healthy Waters, Craig Mcilroy, says the initiative is not just about innovation—it’s about reassurance.

“It’s vital Aucklanders know that their neighbourhoods are being looked after,” Mcilroy explains.

“Seeing the trucks and vans out there gives people confidence that we’re proactively servicing drains to reduce flood risk. The new technology, signage, and maintenance routines are all about creating a safer, more resilient Auckland.”

Innovation is a big part of the story. Alongside the catchpit trucks, three high-tech CCTV vans are now deployed across the city, particularly in vulnerable areas like Māngere, which was hard-hit during the 2023 storms. These smart vans are fitted with solar-powered cameras and AI technology, allowing contractors to detect and respond to blockages faster than ever.

Adding another layer of protection, three two-man ute teams are targeting streets known for heavy leaf fall. They clear grates, CCTV inspect catchpit leads and report any blockages for immediate flushing by combo trucks.

Together, these efforts spotlight the unsung heroes of Auckland’s stormwater system—teams working tirelessly, often in tough conditions, to keep Tāmaki Makaurau safe and dry. So next time you see a catchpit truck or CCTV van, give them a wave—they’re helping protect your community, one clear drain at a time.

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After 48 years and many career highlights, Auckland Council’s Manager of Auckland Botanic Gardens Jack Hobbs is stepping down.   

Jack’s connection to the gardens goes right back to its beginning when, as a young recruit, he helped shape the Manurewa grounds into a public botanical garden for its official opening in 1982.

Director of Community Rachel Kelleher says that while many Aucklanders will certainly be sad to see Jack go, he has achieved the extraordinary vision of helping transform what was originally farmland into the beautiful gardens and thriving visitor attraction that it is today.

“Under Jack’s leadership, the gardens have grown into a world-leading showcase where the focus is not only on plants but also people, with its exceptional collections attracting more than 1 million visitors of all ages each year,” Rachel says.

“Jack is unique in his approach to horticulture because of his ability to connect with people and inspire them to learn more about why plants are so important. For as long as I can remember, he has worked hard to welcome new visitors into the gardens by making their experience more meaningful,” she says.

Manager of Visitor Services, Micheline Newton, says Jack’s departure will leave large shoes to fill for the Gardens’ team and for supporters like the Friends of Auckland Botanic Gardens.  

“Nobody knows the gardens as well as Jack does, and his vision and leadership are evident everywhere you go. We are all proud to have worked alongside him and learnt so much,” says Micheline.

“Though we can never replace the depth and breadth of Jack’s 48 years of experience, he leaves behind a team of passionate and skilled people who will continue his legacy and vision to connect Aucklanders to the wonderful world of plants.”

Mid-way through his career, Jack made the bold move of establishing sustainable horticultural practices at the gardens that reduced the need for spraying. This represented a major shift in direction at the time and kept the wellbeing of visitors and staff as a priority.

“I am proud of the work we achieved to stop the use of pesticides on our plants. It was controversial 25 years ago but thanks to the team’s commitment, it has now become almost mainstream,” Jack says.

A few years later, Jack advocated for an education centre to be built and fought hard to get the Huakaiwaka Visitor Centre and café across the line, which has become an incredibly popular destination for people to connect.

Similarly, he pushed to get the Potter Children’s Garden established, which now provides thousands of students with the opportunity to learn how humans, plants, animals and insects are inter-connected in our environment. 

Jack says the decision to leave a job he loves so much has been tough, but the timing feels right following another two major highlights of his career.

“It’s been such a privilege to be involved in the opportunity to acquire the Nathan property adjacent to the Botanic Gardens, followed by Rosemary Platt’s offer to donate her 14 acres of land in Greenhithe complete with the most significant collection of trees I have encountered,” he says.

Over the years, Jack has earned huge respect as a horticulturist internationally and won multiple awards for plant breeding, with his star performers from the Wiri species now established around the world.

He’s starred in various television gardening programmes and published books, sharing his extensive knowledge far and wide. He developed a pivotal connection with the Friends of the Botanic Gardens and ensured this relationship was prioritised by all staff.

In keeping with this approach, Jack is quick to acknowledge the many talented staff who have supported along the way.

“Most of all I am proud of the passionate and dedicated teams we have at the Botanic Gardens and the Domain who have a common vision to connect people with plants, and who work so hard to deliver great experiences for our visitors,” Jack says. “I feel privileged to have been part of such a great bunch.”

Source:

Lefaoali’i Dion Enari is a lecturer in sport leadership and recreation at AUT and also a PhD candidate exploring Fa’a Samoa (Samoan way) in the Faculty of Society and Design, Bond University, Australia.

We asked him five questions about his research and the importance of placing sustainability at the heart of research activity.

How did you come to a career in academia?

I was doing my PhD in Australia and I saw this awesome opportunity at AUT as a Research Active Lecturer, applied for it and the rest was history. I am home now.

Just how important is pursuing sustainability through research?

It is crucial, for we must ensure all the awesome work happening is not only done for us now, but future generations to come.

How do you incorporate sustainability into your research?

By ensuring my research is done by and with the people. Through ensuring my research is community based and centred, it allows for everyone to shape and position how we move forward, together.

What motivates you?

Seeing my students become social change advocates, expanding their thinking and challenging the status quo is what motivates me. Seeing the awesome work in our communities, and being able to collaborate with these people to make a better difference gives me the motivation to keep on pushing.

What advice would you give to new or aspiring researchers?

We are in a position of privilege. I pray that we may use these positions to be servants to our communities and future generations through our research. Use your research to make the world a better place. We can do it.