Kia ora koutou,
It has been great to see the waterfront teeming with activity this past month. The return of the annual Your Big Backyard event, the first public opening of Te Ara Tukutuku Project Hub, and the Porsche New Zealand 50th birthday celebration which saw more than 200 cars on display at the VEC, brought thousands of people in to enjoy the area.
Now with the long-awaited opening of the CRL complete, and the days starting to get longer and warmer (don’t forget daylight savings this Sunday), we’re looking forward to welcoming even more visitors to the waterfront.
This month, join artists Janine Williams, and Lissy and Rudi Robinson-Cole at Silo Park for a unique experience featuring glow in the dark pom poms, music, games and shared kai.
Or if you’re a theatre buff, you won’t want to miss out on your chance to see the eight-time Tony Award winning musical, Cabaret, which has been spectacularly remade for the ASB Waterfront Theatre and features some of Aotearoa’s best musical performers.
Last but by no means least, if you’d like to play a part in the regeneration of Wynyard Point, come along to the next Te Ara Tukutuku activation day on Saturday 3 October for your chance to learn about and grow some of the native plants that will one day be planted on site.
Ngā mihi nui,
Your Waterfront Team
Te Ara Tukutuku ground works on track for completion
Great news! Thanks to a run of unseasonably good weather, the Low Permeability Barrier works were completed in September, ahead of schedule. The 10.5m in-ground barrier is designed to prevent contaminated groundwater from leaching into the Waitematā Harbour and early monitoring has shown promising results so far.
Clay capping works are also nearly done. The capping prevents surface water from penetrating into the ground and carrying contaminants into the harbour, and this work will be completed by the end of the year.
The next activity you will see on site will be the planting of the exterior raised bunds with a mix of grass, wildflowers and native plants. As well as being lovely to look at, this will help stabilise the bunds, which are in place to help manage groundwater on the site.
Aerial view of Wynyard Point, which shows the extent of the ground works that are due to be completed on site by the end of the year
Get hands on and play a part in the regeneration of Wynyard Point
Earlier this month we welcomed the community into Te Ara Tukutuku Project Hub for the first time, and it was great to see and speak to so many people who were engaged with the project.
The next open day is planned for Saturday 3 October and our project partners Uru Whakaaro will be there to talk about the native plants that will be used in the regeneration project, why they were chosen and what they need to grow. They’ll also lead planting sessions, giving you the opportunity to plant and nurture the seeds that will grow into the very plants that will be used on site.
Our friends at Red Boat will be there, offering free trips around the headland so you can view the project from a new perspective, and as always there’ll be lots of whānau-friendly educational activities on offer, too.
When: Saturday 3 October, 10am-2pm
Where: Te Ara Tukutuku Project Hub, Base Spaces, Silo Park
Sprucing up Amey Daldy Park
At the end of August, we finished planting a range of native trees at Amey Daldy Park.
The planting, which was planned to replace failing trees in addition to increasing the overall numbers in the park, included a mature nikau palm as well as some smaller pūriri and pōhutukawa varieties.
A native tree ready for planting at Amey Daldy Park
Auckland Marathon Road Closures
More than 17,000 runners and walkers are expected to take part in the 35th annual Barfoot and Thompson Runaway Auckland Marathon, which takes place on Sunday 1 November.
As New Zealand’s biggest marathon running event - and one of the most scenic city marathons in the world - entrants can take on one of five distances, including a 5km route that starts at the Wynyard Quarter’s Karanga Plaza.
As with previous years, traffic management will be in place in and around the waterfront for the duration of the event.
Fanshawe Street will be closed to all traffic from 2am, with Beaumont Street, Westhaven Drive and Curran Street closed from 4am. Access for Westhaven / Pier Z tenants will be maintained via Beaumont Street until 6:15am. However, no traffic will be able to enter or exit Westhaven after this time.
At this stage, it is expected that the southern end of Beaumont Street, Westhaven Drive and Curran Street will reopen from 11am.
Further information, including maps, can be found here.
Whai, Whānau & Pompoms
In celebration of artist Janine William’s light-based artwork, Whai, join her and crochet extraordinaires Lissy and Rudi Robinson-Cole at Silo Park for a free afternoon and evening of creative making, games, music and shared kai these school holidays.
Inspired by the traditional Māori string game, Whai reflects the connection between ancient knowledge and contemporary innovation. Join the artists in making colourful pompoms using vibrant wool, then as darkness falls, see your creations transform under UV light.
As evening falls gather around the fire for music, storytelling, and conversation, and share in the spirit of manaakitanga with soup and fry bread. Feel free to bring a favourite dish of your own to contribute to the communal table.
To mark this special collaboration between artists and community, Whai will be transformed in Lissy & Rudi’s signature pink.
This unique event offers an opportunity to experience Whai in a new light while celebrating Māori culture, creativity, collaboration, and community.
Proudly presented by Auckland Urban Development Office in partnership with Auckland Council Public Art.
When: Wednesday 30 September from 4pm-8pm
Where: The Gantry, Silo Park
Cabaret comes to the Wynyard Quarter
In the twilight of the Jazz Age, nothing is taboo at the Kit Kat Club, where boys, girls and everyone in between are living each day as if it’s their last. Caught up in a hedonistic whirl of sex and booze, cabaret singer Sally Bowles is blind to the gathering storm, but even she can’t run from darkness.
The eight-time Tony Award-winning musical, Cabaret, returns to Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland in a sizzling new production spectacularly remade for the ASB Waterfront Theatre.
Don’t miss your chance to see Cabaret live at the Wynyard Quarter from 22 September to 25 October 2026. Book now using promocode HALSEYSTREET for 15 percent off*
*Applies to Adult or Senior tickets in A and B Reserve only. Discount applies at cart.
Midtown Bites: Walking Food Tours
With the opening of the CRL and updated bus links, it’s easier than ever to explore the city from the Wynyard Quarter. And if you like to explore with a side of eating, the monthly Midtown Bites Walking Food Tours might be right up your street.
Run by Chow Luck Club with the support of Auckland Council, the food tours are all about exploring the spots locals love – and may have missed.
Rediscover Auckland’s Midtown, meet the people behind the counters, hear the stories that shape the city – and of course, enjoy some tasty morsels.
Tour numbers are limited so it’s first come, first served, with priority given to City Centre, including Wynyard Quarter, residents.
The next tours are on Friday 16 and Saturday 17 October, from 10am to 3:30pm. Find out more information and register your interest here.
Women and Girls skate
Join the Wellness Riders for the next free Women and Girls skate lesson and jam session at Silo Park.
If you’ve always wanted to give skating a go but haven’t had the confidence to visit a traditional skate park, this could be for you. Open to all ages and abilities, these sessions are designed for wāhine to give skating a try in a welcoming and supportive environment.
Register at wellnessriders.com
When: Saturday 3 October from 2-4pm
Where: Base Spaces, Silo Park
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Auckland Urban Development Office
135 Albert Street, Auckland 1010
PO Box 90343, Victoria Street West,
Auckland 1142, New Zealand
Ph: 09 336 8820