Kia ora neighbours

Following an action-packed SailGP weekend, summer events on and around te Waitematā continue. There’s so much going on and lots more to come – get out there and continue to enjoy all that our waterfront has to offer.

Our collaboration with the Aotearoa Bombing Association to host manu training sessions at Karanga Plaza Harbour Pool was a great success with rangatahi from across the motu coming to our city centre to participate.

The training was a good opportunity to support safety messaging discouraging people from jumping from sites such as the Wynyard Crossing Bridge and was an attraction for tourists – an international guest staying at the Park Hyatt even hired a trainer for a private lesson! Read more about the upcoming Z Manu World Champs below.

Lifeguards have now finished up for the season at the Karanga Plaza Harbour Pool. Please always be extra careful and vigilant in and around the water.

Ngā manaakitanga,

The Waterfront Team

Manu training at the Karanga Plaza Harbour Pool has been a blast

Welcome to a new neighbour on the North Wharf - El Origen

“North Wharf is not just our location; it is part of our story, our present, and our daily inspiration.” Maria, El Origen

El Origen was born from a deeply personal story: the nostalgia for the flavours of Chile, respect for the land and a desire to share Chile’s cultural richness with Auckland. Maria says that choosing the waterfront was a natural and deeply meaningful decision for the El Origen team.

“The sea is our identity, both as a country and as a family. Just as Chile is shaped by its coastline, we felt our restaurant should reflect that same spirit,” explains Maria.

“The North Wharf on the waterfront offers something invaluable: connection to the ocean, the sea breeze, the movement of the city, and the energy of the people who walk, talk, and share moments around us.”

“Here, by the water, El Origen finds its perfect place; every sunset is a reminder of why we began this journey. You’re invited to sit at a table, look out to the sea, and be part of the story we continue writing together — plate by plate, story by story.”

Bienvenidos, @el.origen.nz, www.elorigen.co.nz, +649 300 3096

When: Wednesday, salsa class from 7:30 pm

Thursday, Chilean sushi from 5 pm

Friday and Saturday, live music and DJ from 7 pm.

Where: 1A Jellicoe Street

Sunrise Yoga

Two more sessions to come. You need to book for tthis very popular waterfront activity - get your free ticket here. 

When: Wednesdays 25 February and 4 March, 7:00am – 8:15am

Where: Queens Wharf

Karaoke on Queens Wharf

Karaoke is hosted by Auckland-based entertainer Hazaduz, a host known for high-energy nights and crowd engagement.

Book your spot here or just turn up on Saturday evening.

When: Saturday 21 February, 6pm – 8pm

Where: Queens Wharf

PRIDE Festival

Are you getting out and showing your PRIDE? There are some really fun waterfront activities happening this weekend. See the full programme here.

Pride Bike Rave

An easy, flat, 8km, social ride along the waterfront followed by a party at Silo Park (finishing at 10pm). Read more about this event here.

When: Friday 20 February, 7pm onwards

Where: The Bike Hub on Queens Wharf

Follow @queerbikepals for updates

Outrunnerz Pride Run

Flood the waterfront with Pride and stick around for a party to celebrate inclusion, wellbeing and connection. This is a free event, but tickets are required. Click here for more information and to get your ticket.

When: Saturday 21 February, 7.30am

Where: Hobson Wharf

Fins, flipper, pincers and tails – costume workshop

Get your Mermaid Parade costume organised at this weekend’s workshop and then join the Mermaid Parade next weekend. All materials provided to create your costume.

When: Saturday 21 February, 11am – 3pm

Where: workshop at Silo 6

Moana Auckland, New Zealand’s Ocean Festival is back. Bringing a fun, ocean-inspired celebration to our waterfront over three weekends. A unique line-up of events from 28 February to 15 March capturing the spirit of summer, the power of the ocean and the cultural heartbeat of Tāmaki Makaurau.

Tātaki Auckland Unlimited

Tātaki Auckland Unlimited (on behalf of Auckland Council Events) manage the Moana Auckland festival. They will have an operations centre on Halsey Wharf East from 28 February –15 March and their team is responsible for health and safety, waste management, medical and security. Tātaki Auckland Unlimited will be working to maintain access to local businesses throughout the festival period.

You can contact the Moana Auckland event team by email at MajorEvents@aucklandnz.com  or by calling the Auckland Council Customer Service Centre on (09)3010101.

Check out some of the many Moana festival events below and dive into all the activities at Moana Auckland by visiting www.aucklandnz.com/moana

Calling all merfolk and sea creatures - the Mermaid Parade is back 

An all-ages celebration of imagination, community and our connection to the moana. We warmly invite fish-folk, merpeople, sea creatures and salty dreamers of all ages to take over the waterfront in a joyful procession of ocean-inspired creativity.

When: Saturday 28 February

1:30pm: Arrive at Queens Wharf, dressed and ready to parade

2:30pm: Costume contest at Silo Park. Prizes awarded for the supreme merperson (16+), the supreme merchild (under 16) and the fishiest whānau

3:00pm – 4:30pm – Live music, DJs, games and whānau-friendly fun at Silo Park

Where: Queens Wharf to Silo Park

Shoreline Social

A free relaxed weekend event of family-friendly fun. Come and enjoy food trucks, live music, kai moana, kina tasting sessions, artisan markets and hands-on activities.

When: Saturday 28 February 10am – 8 pm

           Sunday 1 March, 10am - 4pm

Where: Eastern Viaduct

Wharf 2 Wharf live art trail

This summer, the ‘Meet the Artists Collective’ will transform the waterfront into a live, open-air art trail with painters, sculptors and muralists creating art in real time across iconic city locations. Wander the trail, watch artists at work, soak up the harbour vibes and make a day of it!

For more information, check out Heart of the City here.

When: LIVE Art Trail - Saturdays 21 February to 7 March 2026

            LIVE Open Studio at Silo 6, 10 - 21 March, 11am – 3pm daily

            Exhibition and art auction at Silo 6, Saturday 21 March, 6 – 9pm

Where: Seven Art Zones - Silo Park, Viaduct Harbour, Te Komititanga and Queens Wharf

Z Manu World Champs

A crowd favourite returns to make a bigger splash than ever! Moana Auckland is hosting this year’s two epic super qualifiers and the grand final promising massive manus and unmatched energy.

When: Saturday 28 February, 10am - 8pm

            Sunday 1 March, 10am - 5pm

Finals: Friday 13 March, 3pm - 8pm

            Saturday 14 March, 8:30am - 7pm

Where: Eastern Viaduct, Karanga Plaza Harbour Pool.

The Auckland Boat Show celebrates 25 years

New Zealand’s largest on-water boat show docks in the heart of Jellicoe Harbour this year. From sailing yachts to superyachts, amphibious vessels and cutting-edge marine tech, this is an unmissable event for all marine enthusiasts and lifestyle seekers.

Head to the Auckland Boat Show website for more information.

When: Thursday to Saturday, 5 – 7 March, 10am – 6pm

              Sunday, 8 March, 10am – 5pm

Where: Viaduct Events Centre, Jellicoe Harbour, and Wynyard Wharf

Silo Cinema - Ocean with David Attenborough

Silo Cinema, supported by Moana Auckland, is proud to present the first of three free movies at Silo Park - the amazing documentary ‘Ocean with David Attenborough.’ (Rated PG).

There’ll be food trucks onsite, a DJ cutting some fine pre film tunes, and the ‘Gently Loved Market’ with a great selection of preloved goodness!

Silo Park activities are weather dependent, check out the website or Facebook page for updates and more information. The next Silo Cinema session is on 27 March, more information in next month’s newsletter.

Where: Silo Park

When: Friday 13 March, get your spot from 5pm  onwards, movie starts at 8:30pm

Auckland Wooden Boat Festival

A stunning celebration of maritime heritage in partnership with the New Zealand Maritime Museum and Tino Rawa Trust. With more than 200 heritage boats, models and memorabilia on show, this festival connects the voyaging stories of Aotearoa and the rich history of our classic boating culture. This is storytelling on the waterfront!

When: Friday 13 March, 4 -8pm

           Saturday 14 March, 10am – 6pm

           Sunday 15 March, 10am – 5pm

Where: Viaduct Events Centre, Jellicoe Harbour, the New Zealand Maritime Museum and the Percy Vos Heritage Boat Shed.

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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