Set sail on the New Zealand Maritime Museum's heritage scow, TED ASHBY, for an hour-long cruise in Auckland's Harbour. See...
The waterfront is the place to be this summer with so many activities happening, there is truly something for everyone! Whether diving in the Z Manu World Champs is your cup of tea, or diving into the new Ernest Shackleton Exhibition at the New Zealand Maritime Museum is more your speed, the waterfront will be buzzing with activity this summer, from Sail GP to the Moana festival and so much more!
Moana Festival | 27 JAN - 9 MARCH 2025
The Moana 2025 Festival is back and making waves against the backdrop of Auckland’s spectacular Hauraki Gulf. Moana Auckland, New Zealand's Ocean Festival will bring together on and off water events that showcase New Zealand's love affair with the ocean, from 27 Jan to 9 Mar 2025.
With tons of events happening over the course of the festival, like Auckland Anniversary Regatta and Auckland Boat Show, this year's programme is already bursting with excitement and activity, before the full lineup has even been released!
Six60 Grassroots Tour: City Edition | 01 MAR 2025
Six60 fans rejoice! One of Aotearoa’s premier music acts, Six60 are taking their Grassroots Tour on the road for a city edition in 2025!
Following the success of their tour of New Zealand's small towns, Six60 are bringing their music to eight different cities across New Zealand and Australia, including Auckland, Dunedin, Brisbane and Sydney. Despite this time playing larger venues, the band are keen to bring the authentic Grassroots experience to audiences who may have missed out on tickets during their last tour.
The performance promises to be a highlight of the 2025 New Zealand music scene, with the concert starting at an earlier time of 4pm, to allow audiences to enjoy a Kiwi summer night out and make a day of it.
The band will perform at Base Spaces, Jellicoe Harbour, in Auckland’s Wynyard Quarter on March 1.
Into Ocean & Ice at New Zealand Maritime Museum | 29 NOV 2024 - 31 AUG 2025
This new exhibition at New Zealand Maritime Museum showcases the work of four emerging Aotearoa artists—Tegan Allpress (Rongowhakaata), Peregrin Hyde (Ngāti Maniapoto), Rose Lasham, and Charlie Thomas—who journeyed to South Georgia in 2023 with the Antarctic Heritage Trust's Inspiring Explorers Expedition, to honour the centenary year of Shackleton’s final polar expedition on which he died. Through photography, paintings, illustrations, ceramics and interactive elements, their artwork explores the immensity of this wildlife-rich gateway to Antarctica.
Meanwhile in another hemisphere, Italian painter Paola Folicaldi Suh found inspiration in photos by Frank Hurley, the photographer who documented Shackleton's Endurance voyage. In 1914, trapped in pack ice, the ship sank, yet Shackleton's heroic 36-hour trek over South Georgia’s glaciers ensured his crew’s survival. Folicaldi Suh’s large-scale paintings immerse viewers into Shackleton’s journey, offering a glimpse into this epic tale of survival.
Z Manu World Champs 2025 | 23 FEB - 09 MAR 2025
Make a splash this summer with a national competition that celebrates a beloved Kiwi pastime with the final in Auckland’s Viaduct Harbour from the 23 February - 09 March.
Everyone's favourite time of year, the Z Manu World Champs celebrates an iconic beloved kiwi pastime; the Manu. Perfected by enthusiasts at wharves, pools and secret spots throughout the country, no one Manus like Kiwis. After making their way around the country this summer, the qualifying rounds and finals are making a splash in Auckland’s Viaduct Harbour.
Registrations from Manu enthusiasts are invited from November 1. The qualifying rounds for the Z Manu World Champs will be held in Auckland from 23 – 25 February and 1 – 3 March. The final will be held on March 9, where the first-ever world champs will be crowned.
Sail GP | 18-19 Jan, 2025
The ITM New Zealand Sail Grand Prix will be happening right one the waterfront in Auckland harbour from the 18-19 January 2025!
The grandstand for race audiences will temporarily transform the City of Sails into the City of SailGP, offering world-class race viewing meters above the shore.
Fans will experience the global racing championship’s largest fleet to date, with 11 F50 catamarans flying at speeds upwards of 100 kilometres per hour, right in the heart of the inner Waitematā Harbour. With world-class race viewing close to shore, there will be plenty of action right in the city centre!
Scott’s Discovery Hut: Virtual Reality Experience | 13-15 DEC 2024 | 27-31 JAN 2025
This amazing experience in the New Zealand Maritime Museum allows you to explore Antarctica and visit Scott's Discovery Hut through the Antarctic Heritage Trust's immersive virtual reality experience!
Step inside Scott’s historic hut on Ross Island and interact with artefacts from legendary explorers like Scott, Shackleton, and Clarence Hare. Experience a hydrogen balloon ride, feed huskies and explore the Discovery ship.
This virtual reality experience lasts up to 30 minutes and is suitable for ages 11 and up.
