What’s on in Auckland this weekend: Matariki, Shakespeare, truffles and more

Te Rama Ika is a free immersive light and sound installation by Angus Muir and Graham Tipene.

It’s the last weekend to see the Viaduct Harbour come alive after dark with Te Rama Ika – a free immersive light and sound installation by acclaimed lighting designer Angus Muir in collaboration with Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei artist Graham Tipene. Tipene created Te Mata Topaki, the striking 30m-long public lookout pier that extends over the waters of the harbour, and this installation transforms the structure with towering beams of light, an atmospheric soundscape and illuminated pathways. Carefully woven lighting creates a constellation beneath visitors’ feet, encouraging us all to slow down and connect with the meaning of Matariki. Meaning “the fishing light”, Te Rama Ika draws inspiration from the traditional practice of fishing by torchlight and celebrates the connection between the harbour and the stars.

3) Imagination, Unleashed

Wētā Workshop Unleashed.

This school holidays at Wētā Workshop Unleashed, kids can let their creativity run wild at Monster Mischief Lab, a workshop inspired by the Minions movie. In the hands-on clay sculpting workshop, young creators can learn the real techniques creature designers use to build characters from scratch: shape, texture, exaggeration and pure creative chaos. Is your monster sneaky or powerful? Slimy or spiky? A shark-spider hybrid with a grudge? You decide! Guided by the Unleashed crew, young makers will sculpt their own original creature and discover that every epic monster starts with a great idea. Places in the 60-minute workshop are $29, and children must be accompanied by an adult. Parents and guardians are free.

4) Hamlet with a difference

The Tragedy of Hamlet featuring Eddie Izzard. Photo / Amanda Searle

This Wednesday to Saturday at Auckland’s Q Theatre sees Emmy Award-winning and Tony Award-nominated performer Eddie Izzard bring her acclaimed one-person performance of The Tragedy of Hamlet to the New Zealand stage. Akin to the original performances of Hamlet, Izzard will perform on the blank canvas of a bare stage, letting Shakespeare’s words take the spotlight. Adapted by Mark Izzard and directed by Selina Cadell, this production sees the star embody all 23 characters in the timeless tragedy, portraying men, women, ghosts, scholars, tyrants, courtiers, lovers, fools and poets.

5) Blue skies from now on

The Blue Sky Series is a new exhibition by Grace Bader. Photo / Grace Bader The Blue Sky Series. Photo / Grace Bader

On now at chic Ponsonby creative destination The Shelter is the Blue Sky Series, a new exhibition by multi-disciplinary artist, Grace Bader. Bader’s practice and body of work tell their own stories of emotional resonance, and a deep understanding of colour is crucial in her process. The Blue Sky Series drifts into the quiet chambers of the human psyche, exploring the tender weave of emotion and thought, and is inspired by the simple, profound act of looking up. At the core is the colour blue, and, in each piece, the elusive blue of the open sky is not just seen but felt, a collective invitation to pause and turn inwards – and skywards.

6) An explosion of fun

Exploding Rainbow Orchestra: The Jukebox of Joy. Photo / Connor Crawford

A new chapter in the Exploding Rainbow Orchestra story arrives this Sunday night in the form of its most ambitious production yet. Exploding Rainbow Orchestra: The Jukebox of Joy is a beautifully bombastic “jukebox musical” set to illuminate the stage of Aotea Centre’s Kiri Te Kanawa Theatre like never before, for a one-night-only outing led by conductor Joshua Worthington-Church. Featuring members of The Beths, Princess Chelsea, LEAO, Fazerdaze, and plenty more, the Exploding Rainbow Orchestra is a 40+ piece psychedelic and orchestral powerhouse, marrying classical instrumentation with rock and roll energy, and complete with choir, strings, horns, harp, and a full rhythm section. Each performance comes complete with a visual cacophony of lasers, lights, giant mirror balls, and more, and has to be seen to be believed.

7) Aotearoa’s black gold takes centre stage

The French Cafe pairs with Prophet’s Rock.

This winter, The French Cafe is celebrating one of the season’s most coveted ingredients with a limited-edition truffle menu special and exclusive one-night dining event. Lucky guests can experience the unmistakable aroma and flavour of freshly harvested New Zealand black truffles in a new winter dish: Celeriac Tagliatelle, Fresh Truffle, Chicken Crackling & Parmesan, available on the menu for a limited time, and for those looking to go deeper into the season’s finest, the elegant venue is also hosting Black Gold: A Truffle Dinner with Paul Pujol and Prophet’s Rock winery this Thursday evening. While you’re there, be sure to congratulate Matthew Aitchison, The French Cafe’s inimitable general manager and sommelier, who was awarded the Michelin Guide Sommelier Award for New Zealand.

8) Takapuna celebrates Matariki

Takapuna’s Matariki Mākete.

Takapuna’s fun-filled Matariki Mākete is back, happening from 9am to 2pm today and promising treats and beats all day long. Held in the centre of the beachside suburb on Waiwharariki Anzac Square and Hurstmere Rd, the market will be buzzing with some incredible local mahi toi (Māori arts and crafts) from a collective of artists, with incredible art, pounamu, ceramic and harakeke raranga on display. There will also be a local woodcarver, Uenuku Hawira, carving on site, plus traditional Māori foods and local North Shore musician and songwriter Maranda entertaining the crowds with some well-known waiata. Visitors can also try their hand at weaving or learn more about Matariki and what each star represents at free workshops, and the event is free for all to enjoy, learn and engage.

Coming up

Doc Edge Festival 2026, until July 26, nationwideWorld Press Photo & Doc Edge Immersive Exhibition 2026, until July 12, Smith & Caughey Building, Auckland Postmodern Jukebox, July 11, Wellington Opera HouseExploding Rainbow Orchestra’s The Jukebox of Joy, July 12, Aotea Centre, AucklandDog Man: The Musical, July 14-18, Bruce Mason Theatre, AucklandThe Harlem Globetrotters 100 Year Tour, July 14-19, nationwideThe Royal NZ Ballet Winter Season, July 16-18, St James Theatre, WellingtonAmanda Nguyen Live, July 21, Bruce Mason Centre, Auckland Massive Theatre Company’s Home Made, July 22-25, Te Pou Theatre, AucklandThe Food Show, July 23-26, Auckland ShowgroundsDoc Edge Christchurch Showcase, July 31 – August 2, Jack Mann Theatre at the University of Canterbury, Ōtautahi ChristchurchSheku Plays Elgar with the Auckland Philharmonia, August 13, Auckland Town Hall New Zealand Fashion Week, August 17-20, Shed 10,  AucklandCirque Alice, August 28 – September 6, The Civic, AucklandJason Derulo Last Dance World Tour, September 27, Spark Arena, AucklandDamon Hill & Tom Clarkson Live, October 2, Bruce Mason Centre, AucklandThe Wiggles Live In Concert Tour, October 10-14, nationwideMacy Gray Live, October 16-22, nationwideThe Rainbow Games, October 29-November 1, AucklandAn Evening With Mary Beard, November 19, Kiri Te Kanawa Theatre, Auckland

Email canvasplanner@nzherald.co.nz with brief details of your upcoming event, including dates/times, location and website.