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Here are 19 epic things to do in Auckland this weekend on Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and all weekend.
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Friday 23 May
In Focus – The Unseen Journey of Compassion, Commitment and Care
‘Til 1 June | Mataira Gallery, Waiheke Island | Free
Image credit: Orna McGinn | Instagram
Now, if that Armageddon Expo I mentioned is the chance to see the capes and undies type of superheroes galavant around, then Rachel Mataira’s stunning new exhibition ‘In Focus’ is where you witness the real deals. Through her award-winning lens, Mataira reveals intimate portraits and stories of islanders who’ve had their lives transformed by local healthcare heroes, and brings them beautifully in focus for all to see. Featuring impactful imagery and personal kōrero from patients and staff receiving and delivering care on beautiful Waiheke, it’s a bit of a must-visit if you plan on taking the ferry over this weekend.
Saturday 24 May
Lose Your Mind Inside A 40-Foot Shipping Container
Friday 6-9.30pm, Saturday 2-9.30pm, Sunday 2-8pm | Aotea Square, Auckland Central | $
“The darkness surrounds you. You are completely alone, together, as a strange new world unfolds around you. Welcome to DARKFIELD…” Sound like fun?
A boundary-pushing, sensory expedition—DARKFIELD made its awaited debut last week in Aotea Square. Set inside custom-built, pitch-black shipping containers utilising 360-degree binaural sound with special effects, SÉANCE and FLIGHT are two mind-bending, immersive experiences that will challenge your senses, exploring the depths of human psychology and perception. Each trip lasts 20-25 minutes. There’ll be staggered starts. And you can move between the two while experiencing a delightful evening in our city’s arts quarter. Sweeeet.
Sunday 25 May
Babylone Store's 'At The Potting Bench': Terrarium & Kokedama
Torrarium & Kokedama Classes 25 May | Babylone Store | $$
Image credit: Babylon Store | Instagram
When Auckland's skies inevitably turn to a drizzle, there's simply nothing I'd rather imagine doing than a wee bit of potting, and Babylone Store wholeheartedly agrees. Throughout late May and June you can whip up terrariums that won't judge your plant-parenting skills (happening this Sunday), channel your inner Michelangelo when sculpting some succulent bowls, master the art of kokedama (aka the sexiest way to hang plants and also happening this Sunday), and cast silver rings that'll have everyone asking "where'd you get that?". Yes, yes, yes, and yes.
General Collective Lifestyle & Design Market – Autumn Edition
25 May | Auckland Showgrounds | $
Image credit: General Collective | supplied
It’s a bad, bad day to be my bank account when General Collective rolls into town. So when I heard about their flagship Autumn Edition returning to Auckland Showgrounds this Sunday, my wallet was swiftly placed in the safe, and the key practically launched into oblivion. Drastic, you say? Well, there’ over 140 handpicked reasons that say otherwise, with every single one of those boutique stores helping showcase the country's most exciting designers and creative entrepreneurs—all under one big ol’ roof. This ain't your nana's standard craft market; it's a carefully curated wonderland of design-led homewares, modern fashion, and artisan skincare that'll have you convincing yourself that yes, you absolutely need that handcrafted ceramic butter dish. And while your wallet might protest, the mere $5 entry fee (and free admission for children under 12) makes a visit practically unavoidable.
Enamoured Events: Quiet Nights & Pages Of Passion
25 May & 3 June Weekly Therafter | Enamoured Books | Free/$
Image credit: Enamoured Books | Instagram
Auckland’s first romance-only bookstore, Enamoured Books, is a wordy haven in Remuera where owner Ruby Wallace has curated every trope your heart desires. Following that special opening day in April (iykyk), Ruby is now introducing ‘Enamoured Events’, with this Sunday's "Beasts of Briar" Author Event featuring Elizabeth Helen (RSVP essential), the first of three chapter series. Come swoon collectively in their cozy reading nooks as you celebrate all things romantic literature—and if cosy nooks are in fact your vibe, then starting 3 June, their new ‘Quiet Nights’ series lets you curl up with fellow romance enthusiasts every Tuesday evening. Both dates worthy of a bookmark—no dog-earing required.
All Weekend
Chorus Internet Café of Now – A FREE Immersive Internet Experience
23-25 May | 242 Broadway, Newmarket | Free
I'm old enough to remember when the internet sounded like R2-D2 and WALL-E getting it on. Now Chorus is taking us all from dial-up nostalgia into a fibre-powered future at their pop-up Internet Café of Now. You'll be front and centre for gaming showdowns with the E Blacks, a live podcast recording from Bri Barrett of Her Hustle and content creation masterclasses from the likes of Nicola Chan of @chancaneat. Binge out on a retro webcam booth and gaming consoles, create a custom emoji tote, and slurp down some free coffee—cause how can you even begin to burn bandwidth without dangerous levels of caffeine?
Find Your Next Favourite Band Behind A Dumpster
Various Show Times | Across Auckland Central | Free
Image credit: Music Photography Award 2024 Winner: Brenna Gotje | OurAuckland website
NZ Music Month is turning the many streets and lanes of midtown and beyond into a symphony of chaos—and we’re here for it. From opera echoing throughout the Strand Arcade to jazz jamming in Vulcan Lane’s cobblestone corridors, and the pulse of the haka reverberating throughout the waterfront—this isn’t just background music—it’s a full-volume love letter to Tāmaki Makaurau’s UNESCO City of Music status.
Laugh Your Ass Off All Weekend
Various Show Times | Various Locations | Various Pricing
Image credit: Joanna Cosgrove | supplied
Sponsored by a jar of mayo and back every year to remind us what life's all about, the NZ International Comedy Festival 2025 has launched, and we don’t know if our ribs can take it. It's three weeks of soaked tissues for all the right reasons—and we've got it sussed. Definitely one of our favourite Auckland events this month.
Bring The Heat In A Cosy Kinda Way
‘Til 31 July, Drop-Offs ‘Til 24 June | Any The Warehouse Store, Nationwide | $, Free
Image credit: Kindness Collective | supplied
While some of us cosy up by the fire in our waffle duvets and quadruple oversized hoodies, a staggering 156,000 Kiwi kids are facing bedtime without basic warmth—that's 10,000 more children than last year shivering through the night. But check this—The Kindness Collective's PJ Project is bringing the heat with their fifth annual pyjama drive—donate just 10 bucks to sponsor a new pair of jammies, or call by any Warehouse to drop off a new pair yourself.
And Do The Same All Again
‘Til 23 May | Turua Gallery | Free
And in a similar effort, St Heliers' chicest art space is temporarily trading landscapes for layers as Turua Gallery transforms into warmth central for their ‘Fill the Truck Challenge’—an annual winter donation drive in support of Give a Kid a Blanket (the grassroots charity founded by artists Bernie Harfleet and Donna Turtle Sarten). Donate those blankets, PJs and winter woollies by 23 May, then join the grand finale celebration the next day, complete with live music and sausage sizzle—because nothing says community spirit quite like a cheeky carpark snag.
All that weekend planning left you hangry? Check out The Feed.
Main image credit: NZ Opera | Supplied.
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