What do witnessing live indie pop-rock at an Irish pub, choosing the perfect fishing lure and publicly humiliating your best friend at Connect Four all have in common?

You can tick off all three before it even hits Friday.

Here's what's on in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland this week, as well as what's just around the corner. And, like usual, if you're otherwise preoccupied for these first five days, then check out what’s on this weekend with my bona fide way to make the most of your weekend.

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Jump to: 

• Don't Miss
• Free And Budget-Friendly Events
• Food And Drink Events
• Arts And Culture 
• Gigs & Live Music
• Rainy Day Activities 
• Coming Soon

Don’t Miss

Laneway Lineup Drop & Ticket Release

18 September | Online | $$$

Image credit: Laneway | Chontalle Musson

Heard the news? The big one is back. St Jerome's Laneway Festival will once again be packing the grass of Western Springs for what some might consider the flagship event of Aotearoa's gig calendar. Lineup drop and ticket release are due in two shakes of a lamb's tail, so I guess, for now, we wait...

ITM New Zealand Sail Grand Prix Auckland Ticket Release

From 17 Wednesday | Online | $$$

Image credit: Sail GP | Supplied

With 2025's Grand Prix blowing fans out of the water, including a sold-out Super Sunday, I feel it's very prudent that I inform you all, ITM New Zealand Sail Grand Prix Auckland tickets are going on sale this week. Keen? Jump onto Sail GP this Wednesday to score a ticket, and hopefully, get so close you can feel the salt spray from these boat cowboys. Yeeeehaw.

Free & Budget-Friendly Events

The Ultimate Lure Fishing Seminar

18 September | Westgate Hunting & Fishing | Free

Image credit: Trophy Technology

Okay, this one might be a bit niche, but who doesn't love a good fish? And with fishing weather just around the corner, I think The Ultimate Lure Fishing Seminar out at Westgate Hunting & Fishing could be very useful to attend. In addition to all the tips, tricks, and techniques on offer, there'll be a few giveaways up for grabs and guest speakers covering everything from lure selection to mastering the perfect cast. Tickets are free, but they're being snapped up quicker than you're soon-to-be-perfect lures this summer.

Face Your Debt-Fueled Fears At This Spooky Pop-Up

19-21 September | 9/11 Durham Lane, Auckland CBD | Free

Miss me with the SAW movies, the real horror out there is the big old D. Debt. Well, credit card debt, to be more specific. Westpac seem to agree, as they're unveiling their House of Credit Card Fears in Auckland's CBD this weekend with the help of veteran fear-masters Spooker. It's a fully immersive, walk-through experience that brings to life the most common credit card anxieties that Kiwis face, especially among young people, but it's not just there to frighten you, it's designed to help and educate, culminating in the ‘Room of Reflection’, where you'll get practical tips and tricks to help with your credit card anxiety. It's completely free too, you just need to register!

Karangahape Returns

'Til 20 September | 490 Karangahape Road | Free

Image Credit: K Road | Supplied

Forget cash, ditch your card—your crumpled K Road receipts are about to become the hottest currency in town. From Thursday 11 September, Karangahape Returns is popping up at 490 Karangahape Road with a world-first neighbourhood loyalty scheme where you can swap proof of local spend for one-of-a-kind treasures.

We’re talking 17 items on offer, such as Vegas Girl key rings for just three receipts, a Mercury Plaza 1000-piece memorial puzzle for 33, a ‘KRO4D’ number plate for 200, and even a month’s lease if you can pull together 583. Other cultural gems on offer include vintage Leo O’Malley suits, Fiona Clark’s iconic GoGirls prints, Anne Shelton’s Red Eye book, and contemporary pieces like a Fort Greene sourdough starter, a stencil from tattoo artist Thom Hinton, or a USB filled with field recordings from the street itself.

Part art installation, part economic experiment, and part souvenir shop, this one’s as Karangahape as it gets. Receipts must be from purchases made in the Karangahape neighbourhood after 11 September (so yes, you’ll need to get your shopping, dining, or coffee runs in locally).

Food And Drink Events

Board Games, Burgers & Beers

17 September | Malt Public House | Free To Patrons

King of the wing night and just all-around legendary watering hole, Malt Public House (AKA Malt Bar) is collaborating once again with Gamesphere for their monthly Board Games, Burgers & Beers night. One for the seasoned strategists, semi-amateurs and greenhorn Garys alike, there'll be a game for everyone, whatever your fancy, and, of course, good food and cold beer. In fact, a burger and a beer are just $15, and you can enjoy that deal along with your game of choice in the comfort of Malt's cosy courtyard area, parked up next to a roaring fire and listening to some grooving tunes. Just be careful—neither party takes responsibility for potential friendship-fallouts. You’ve been warned.

Crushed Grapes: Hans Herzog

18 September | QT Auckland | $$$

Image credit: QT Auckland | Supplied

‘Vinous mischief’ is something I’d never heard of until now, but I definitely want to be a part of it. And it’s exactly what will be in store at QT Auckland next week, well, at least for the attendees of their latest instalment of Crushed Grapes: a night with one of New Zealand’s most revered winemakers, Hans Herzog and renowned chef, Sean Connolly. 

Begin with a glass of Hans' favourite drop and a signature ‘Mystery Pour Challenge’, where you’re challenged to guess what’s in the glass for a $50 Esther voucher (Hans has planted 26 different grape varieties on his riverbank playground, so good luck). Connolly will then weave into the affair a specially curated feast, which, of course, is perfectly paired with Hans' vintages. A delicious event complete with tales from both craftsmen and a room of like-minded folk, simply sit back and sip away an “evening uncorked”.

Fatima's x Wild Wheat Bday Cellebratory Collab

'Til 21 September Multiple Locations | $

Image credit: Fatima’s | Supplied (@markbysouthnz)

Fatima’s is partying it up like it’s 1995 with month-long celebrations ahead of their cookbook release this October (you can pre-order online)—and with allll the birthday snacks. This O.G. institution in Tāmaki Makaurau is turning the big 3-0 and they’ve teamed up with local bread legends over at Wild Wheat with limited edition doughnut—a date, orange, cinnamon and caramel number, for the next two weeks (September 8th-21st). Swing by the shops (Ponsonby, Commercial Bay and Takapuna) and check out the rest of their bday month offers. - Vicki Young

The Great Westie Burger Battle

All September | The Wild West | Free To Vote

Here’s some good great news amongst the ocean of negativity that threatens to wash over us every damn day there: The Great Westie Burger Battle is Back! West Auckland’s very best burger vendors go head to head throughout September, with 14 grills battling it out for pattie supremacy of The West. Hit up The Trusts website to check out the contenders and to cast your vote via QR. P.S. Everyone who votes goes in the draw to win a Weber Baby Q BBQ or one of three smash burger kits. And just in time for summer. How good great.

Arts And Culture

We The Young

16-28 September | Auckland Central | Free/$

Image credit: We The Young | Supplied

We The Young—an inaugural youth arts festival for the city—is debuting this week and will run 'til 28 September, showcasing feature performances, workshops, interactive art experiences and outdoor fun. Auckland Town Hall, Herald Theatre, The Civic—this isn't any old song and dance, it's an inclusive exposé of art, imagination and adventure with 19 shows taking over some of the city's most iconic venues, more than half of which are completely free. Check out the programme here.

Art In The Park


18-21 September | Eden Park | $-$$

Image credit: Art in the Park | Supplied

Back this Thursday and bigger than ever before, Art In The Park is once again transforming our national stadium into an extraordinary gallery. Four days, over 100 artists, and works across an array of mediums from painting to sculpture, photography, prints and even immersive digital pieces, this year’s event is going a step further and, for the first time ever, the sculpture walk will take visitors pitch side to experience larger than life works right on the turf. It’ll be absolutely surreal—so ya better grab a ticket.

The Monster in the Maze

19-20 September | Kiri Te Kanawa Theatre | $$

Image credit: NZ Opera/The Monster In The Maze | Ticketmaster

This week, NZ Opera is performing Jonathan Dove's The Monster in the Maze—a banger that's been slaying audiences worldwide and a fresh take on the classic Minotaur myth, a story as old as storytelling itself. This latest iteration explores resistance, justice, and why the collective is everything, and with acclaimed director Anapela Polataivao ONZM (Tīna, Red White and Brass, Wild Dogs Under My Skirt) teaming up with creative titan Stacey Leilua to bring together seasoned pros with local legends supported by Auckland Philharmonia, there’s no doubt it’ll be nothing but brilliance.

Mother Play

‘TIl 20 September | Q Theatre, Rangatira |
 $$

Image credit: Mother Play/Q Theatre | Supplied

Described quite subtly as a “gin-soaked martini of memory, glamour, and Mommie Dearest theatrics”, Mother Play is the latest production from the immensely talented Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Paula Vogel. Fresh from Broadway, gloriously unhinged and directed by Sophie Roberts, don’t be fooled, this is not a gentle homage to motherhood; it's a work of high style for all of those who’ve looked their dear mothers dead in the eye and seen both the angel and the evil… and it’s now showing.

The Lightship

September Through April | Port of Auckland | Free

Image credit: The Lightship | Supplied

The Lightship is here for a new summer season, and it's bigger and brighter than ever. Australasia's largest lightwall—this behemoth of a light installation stretches 110 metres along Auckland’s waterfront, transforming a working port building into an illuminated canvas every single night. 8,500 LED lights, large-scale digital works from six artists across Aotearoa and Australia, free from dusk 'til dawn, the first gargantuan creation is courtesy of Melbourne-based painter Esther Stewart.

Gigs & Live Music

Wunderhorse

17 September | The Powerstation | $$

Image credit: Gabe Drechsler | Instagram

Organic and unpolished, visceral and raucous, no frills, pure unfiltered Cornish rock'n'roll. That's what's coming to the only venue that could possibly match that type of energy this week. It's Wunderhorse at The Powerstation and it's this Wednesday. That's right. Rock on a school night.

Massive Crush And Miles Daisy

17 September | Claire Inn | Free To Patrons

Claire Inn is a good old Irish pub in the middle of Dominion Road. It's cosy, it's warm, and with its low ceilings and old-world charm, it's a pretty good spot to catch some live music. So what's the craic? Well, this Wednesday they're putting on a shindig—indie pop-rock group Massive Crush is up first at 8.30pm, followed by three-piece band Miles Daisy at 9.15pm. Grab a Guinness, sit back and enjoy what is a very Ideal humpday evening.

Get Dad Spaced Out To Pink Floyd

17 September | Stardome Observatory & Planetarium | $$

Image credit: Stardome Planetarium & Observatory

If you've ever lived with anyone north of sixty who enjoys their tunes (boomers, I'm looking at you), then you've probably witnessed an iconic rainbow prism vinyl jacket emerge in the hands of someone three-too-many-gins in and a few years your senior. And god help the neighbours. But if you've never had a psychedelic uncle, or didn't own a soundsystem worthy of cranking The Dark Side of the Moon—or maybe you're just tired of all the noise complaints—then visit Epsom's Stardome Observatory & Planetarium this Wednesday as they reboot their sonically infused journey through the stars.

Coming Soon

Sky Fan Zone Debut: All Blacks vs Wallabies @ Eden Park

27 September | Eden Park | Free With Match Ticket

How many test matches have you headed over to old mate’s for only to end up with either the most uncomfortable seat in the house, or even worse, a sh*t spot on the floor? Too often. You’ve probably sat there with your butt aching and thought, Why the hell didn’t I just go to the game? Well, with the launch of the Sky Fan Zone, there's now one more reason to get yourself down there. Actually two, as the exclusive space will be fizzing both before and after we take on the Wallabies come 27 September. And don’t forget, it’s a whanau-friendly 5.05pm kick off for that clash. Talk about an arvo.

Winetopia

3-4 October | Viaduct Events Centre | $$

Top-shelf wines without the pomp and elitism? I'm sick to death of bending down to the bottom shelves of the supermarket wine section for $11 worth of cat p*ss. It hurts my back, my taste buds and my pride. That's why I'm very much fizzed for this year's Winetopia, celebrating a decade of providing exactly what the first sentence asks for. It ain't 'til October, but securing tickets for the big ten-oh is essential.

Morepork BBQ Presents: Oktoberfest 2025

4 October, Tickets On Sale Now | Kumeu Showgrounds | $$

Image credit: Morepork BBQ | Supplied

It's now September, which means, of course, to all you learned people out there, that October is next up. Which means, of course, to all us less learned people, in case we didn't know, lederhosen and frothy steins. And if these frothy images flood to mind but you don't have the spare euros for a trip to Bavaria, why not cruise out to Kumeu instead? That's what Morepork BBQ reckon as they prepare to celebrate the famous beer-quenched festival in next-level fashion. So while they polish their steins and get the smoker cranking, you should get over to their website to snag a ticket.

BNZ Auckland Diwali Festival 

11 & 12 October | Auckland Central | Free

Image credit: BNZ Auckland Diwali Festival | Supplied

Back for a bang in typical kaleidoscopic fashion, the BNZ Auckland Diwali Festival is here next month to turn Aotea Square, Queen Street and Rutland Street into a bona fide extravaganza. Saturday 11 and Sunday 12 October are the days you’ll want to be in town for one of the most important festivals on the Hindu calendar. From 12-9pm, you’ll witness modern and traditional Indian cultural performances, theatre, music, dance, exhibitions, art installations, light projections, gorge on sweet and savoury vegetarian food, enjoy arts and crafts, activities and workshops, yoga classes, Bollywood movies, annnddddd a fireworks show. Sheesh. Oh, it’s free too.

Cirque du Soleil: Corteo

30 October-9 November | Spark Arena | $$$

Image credit: Cirque du Soleil | Aldo Arguello

Cirque du Soleil is returning to Aotearoa this October, with the Auckland debut of Corteo. Directed by Daniele Finzi Pasca, Corteo is a festive parade imagined from a clown’s perspective, set on a double-sided stage. Expect grace, power, and comedy played out in a liminal space between heaven and earth. Tickets are live.

TIRI: TE ARAROA WOMAN FAR WALKING

4-23 Nov | ASB Waterfront Theatre, Parnell Village | $$

Closing out the 2025 season is TIRI: TE ARAROA WOMAN FAR WALKING, a groundbreaking adaptation of Witi Ihimaera’s epic tale. For the very first time, the play will be performed in both English and te reo Māori. Directed by Katie Wolfe and starring Miriama McDowell, this two-part production follows Tiri Mahana, a 185-year-old matriarch, from the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi to modern-day Aotearoa.

RÜFÜS DU SOL

29 November | The Outer Fields, Western Springs | $$$

Image credit: RÜFÜS DU SOL | Instagram

The most mind-bending, dimension-transcending electro experience known to humankind—RÜFÜS DU SOL—will light up the expansive Outer Fields of Western Springs this November. The Australian purveyors of electronic music-meets-legendary-lights-extravaganza-times-unholy-soundscapes are just too good not to feature. So here's a very, very early heads up that they're coming to town.

Not in Auckland? Check out what's on in Christchurch, Wellington, and Queenstown this year.

Main image credit: Mother Play/Q Theatre | Supplied.

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