What’s on in Auckland this weekend: NZ Fashion Week, Autaia, World Photography Day and more

The Viva Eclectika Intercultural Dance Challenge is happening today at Auckland’s Victory Convention Centre from 4pm, a free public event that brings some of our diverse ethnic communities together to create a hybrid dance incorporating styles from at least two different cultures. The event’s goal is to promote diversity, creativity, positivity, social cohesion and more, and there is a prize pool of $8600 up for grabs. Expect a bold fusion of music, storytelling, rhythm and more, as well as food stalls offering delicious eats from around the globe. Entry is free but needs to be secured in advance at www.nzaainc.com.

3) Grab your camera

Fujifilm is hosting a series of free community photo walks for World Photography Day. Photo / Dice SalesWorld Photography Day in Christchurch. Photo / Dice Sales

Today is officially World Photography Day, and to celebrate, Fujifilm is hosting a series of free community photo walks across New Zealand, led by local photographers in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, Rotorua and Queenstown. Each event will bring together photography enthusiasts to explore their local city, connect with fellow creatives and celebrate the art of photography. It promises to be a fun day whether you’re walking Wellington’s windy waterfront, strolling Auckland’s beautiful Botanic Gardens or navigating a path through Rotorua’s ubiquitous steam vents. Free tickets for the event can be found via the Fujifilm Eventbrite link.

4) Stay fresh

Tofiga Fepulea’i with his new show Fresh Since Ages Ago. Photo / Gareth Bradley

New Zealand-Samoan comedy icon Tofiga Fepulea’i is hitting the road this August with his new show Fresh Since Ages Ago, and brings his signature humour to Auckland’s Te Paepae Theatre at the New Zealand International Convention Centre tonight. Joined by rising online comedy star Laban Miller, Tofiga will reunite audiences with fan-favourite characters Aunty Tala, Uncle Sam and Master Tavita in what promises to be his biggest and funniest live show yet. First becoming famous as one half of duo The Laughing Samoans, the acclaimed comic talent has achieved national treasure status over the past few years, so miss this show at your peril.

5) Witness the future of haka

Autaia is back. Photo / Peter Jennings

Autaia returns for its sixth year to Aotea Centre’s Kiri Te Kanawa Theatre this Thursday and Friday, celebrating the next generation of haka theatre at its best. This year’s theme, Ka Ora Tonu, speaks to enduring resilience, and the two-night format features categories that will showcase high-impact performances by rangatahi from a number of kura. Each will present an original haka theatre piece, conceptualised, choreographed and performed by the students, supported by mentorship from industry professionals on a platform that allows them to refine their artistic talents, gain production skills and showcase their creativity on a professional stage.

6) The power of three

Catch the NZTrio in Auckland Town Hall’s Concert Chamber tomorrow. Photo / Jen Raoult

Tomorrow evening in Auckland Town Hall’s Concert Chamber, NZTrio will bring to life the dynamic energy of Fazıl Say’s Space Jump, vividly portraying a thrilling ascent and descent with vibrant rhythms and textures. Schumann’s Piano Trio No. 2 follows, showcasing lyrical warmth and expressive melodies with underlying jovial optimism, and the programme also features a new work for the always-popular trio by Keith Moss. Reena Esmail’s Piano Trio closes the evening, a fusion of Indian raags and Western classical traditions that creates a rich and evocative soundscape bridging diverse musical cultures. Catch the trio before they head south to Napier, Gisborne, Wellington and Greytown as part of their winter series.

7) Fashion, now

New Zealand Fashion Week Kahuria is back on show from Monday.

New Zealand Fashion Week Kahuria returns to Tāmaki Makaurau this coming week, with tickets still available for the impressive line-up of style and culture-focused activities rolling out at Shed 10 and elsewhere around the city. Check the schedule and jump into a week of runway shows, designer activations, industry events, panel talks and cultural moments that celebrate the creativity and direction of fashion in Aotearoa, with the event’s mission statement being “this is not fashion observed from a distance, it’s fashion lived”.

8) Behind the velvet curtains

The Civic tour guide James Manning. Discover the secrets of the beloved Civic Theatre.

From this Thursday for a limited time, you can step inside a world of theatrical and architectural wonder and discover the secrets of the beloved Civic Theatre via a series of behind-the-scenes tours. Happening on select Thursdays and Saturdays, The Civic Tours take visitors on a journey that spans almost 100 years, from the venue’s inception in the late 1920s and heyday in the 30s and 40s, through to the 90s, where its future lay in the balance before its glorious restoration. A group of entertaining and knowledgeable tour guides will take you on a journey through the last remaining “atmospheric” theatre in the southern hemisphere, letting you capture photographs and uncover the incredible history that brings this amazing venue to life.

Coming up

Emily Hartley-Skudder: CAMEO, August 22-July 4, 2027, Te Manawa Museum of Art, Science and Heritage, Palmerston NorthCirque Alice, August 28-September 6, The Civic, AucklandAuckland Horticultural Council Spring Vegetable Gardening Talk, August 29, 956 Great North Rd, Western Springs, AucklandJob, September 3-20, Q Theatre Loft, AucklandMel Parsons, September 4, Q Theatre, AucklandKōanga Festival, September 10-20, Te Pou Theatre, Auckland Auckland Horticultural Council Spring Flower Show, September 12, 956 Great North Rd, Western Springs, Auckland50th National Antique Collectables & Bottle Show, September 12-13, Claudelands Centre, HamiltonPork and Poll Taxes, September 16-19 Herald Theatre, AucklandCabaret: the musical at the Kit Kat Club, September 22-October 18, ASB Waterfront Theatre, Auckland NZ Opera’s The Pearl Fishers, September 23-27, Kiri Te Kanawa Theatre, AucklandVerb Readers & Writers Festival, September 25-27, WellingtonJason Derulo Last Dance World Tour, September 27, Spark Arena, AucklandWe The Young Festival, September 25-October 11, across AucklandThe Chocolate & Coffee Festival, September 26-27, Viaduct Events Centre The Wiggles Live In Concert Tour, October 10-14, nationwideNZ Opera’s The Pearl Fishers, October 14-18, Isaac Theatre Royal, ChristchurchMacy Gray Live, October 16-22, nationwideStan Walker – A Symphonic Experience, October 17, The Trusts Arena, AucklandJesus Christ Superstar, October 22 – November 15, The Civic, AucklandThe Rainbow Games, October 29-November 1, AucklandGreg Johnson 60, October 31, Holy Trinity, AucklandAn Evening With Mary Beard, November 19, Kiri Te Kanawa Theatre, AucklandLove Actually in Concert, December 14, The Civic, Auckland

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