What’s on in Auckland this weekend: National Poetry Day, Teese on tour, Baby Show and more

2) Get wild

The Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition is on at Auckland War Memorial Museum Tāmaki Paenga Hira. Photo / Christopher Paetkau, Wildlife Photographer of the Year

It’s the last weekend to catch the incredible Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition at Auckland War Memorial Museum Tāmaki Paenga Hira, which is free with museum entry and packed with mesmerising images. Direct from the Natural History Museum, London, the world-renowned exhibition brings together 100 extraordinary photographs capturing hidden animal behaviour, spectacular species and the diversity of the natural world. The competition attracts the world’s most impressive nature photographers, showcasing a combination of skill, luck and above all the beauty of what lies beyond our four walls.

3) It’s time to raise the bar

Raising the Bar’s Dr Antje Fiedler. Professor Darren Svirskis.

The University of Auckland is celebrating 10 years of bringing big ideas to bars around the city through its popular Raising the Bar event, which is happening this year on Tuesday, August 25. Twenty leading academics will deliver fascinating talks at 10 inner-city bars, throwing around their thoughts on topics as diverse as Disney music and storytelling, growing 3D tumours to research cancer, adding insects to the global menu, how art changes the brain and more. The initiative was launched in New York in 2013 and has since gone worldwide, encouraging the university community and members of the public to engage with academic thought in a relaxed setting – and over a cold pint. Punters can move between bars in Wynyard Quarter, Victoria Park, Ponsonby and City Works Depot, and all talks are free to attend – but spaces are limited and registration is essential at www.rtbevent.com.

4) Poetry in motion

National Poetry Day 2026. Photo / Poetry and Pizza Night in Levin, 2025

National Poetry Day 2026 is happening this Friday, with poets, publishers, librarians, and community organisers across Aotearoa answering the call to celebrate poetry and keep the annual celebration thriving. Now in its 29th year, National Poetry Day involves readings, performances, workshops and competitions taking place across the motu, taking poetry into libraries, schools, bookshops and community spaces from Te Tai Tokerau to Murihiku. From Waimate’s poetry morning with local poet John Russell-Hodges to Devonport’s posse of poets and Kohukohu’s community competition, libraries are turning familiar spaces into stages for local voices, and beyond bibliotheca, the programme is packed with events that showcase poetry in unexpected and engaging ways.

5) Exploring gender and everyday ritual

Soak-and-splash from the exhibition CAMEO, by Emily Hartley-Skudder. Photo / Emily Hartley-Skudder

If you’re heading to Palmerston North any time soon, pop into Te Manawa Museum of Art, Science and Heritage to see a major new exhibition by leading contemporary Wellington artist Emily Hartley-Skudder titled CAMEO. Bringing together hyper-realistic paintings and immersive retro-inspired installations, the exhibition explores themes of gender, identity, architecture and everyday ritual with Hartley-Skudder’s signature blend of humour and social commentary. Free to visit, CAMEO is the inaugural exhibition of the $40,000 Fair Trust Art Prize – Aotearoa New Zealand’s most substantial new annual art prize – and you can enjoy a free floor talk with Hartley-Skudder and curator Sian van Dyk tomorrow at 11am.

6) All about babies

The Baby Show returns to Auckland Showgrounds this weekend. Photo / Stephen Barker, Barker Photography

Parents-to-be, new mums and dads, grandparents and anyone navigating the exciting world of babies and young children are invited to visit the Baby Show, which returns to Auckland Showgrounds this weekend. Bringing together the latest products, expert advice, hands-on experiences and family-friendly entertainment, the Baby Show is designed to help families make informed decisions during one of life’s biggest adventures, and one of this year’s highlights is beloved children’s entertainer Suzy Cato, who will be appearing live across the weekend, delighting young visitors and bringing smiles to those who have grown up with the verified national treasure. Also adding plenty of fun to the programme is the crowd-favourite Diaper Derby, where crawling babies race for glory, prizes and plenty of laughs.

7) Meet some prehistoric preschool pals

Auckland Phil’s Kiri and Lou in Concert.

Gather your mini music-lovers and preschool palaeontologists and head to Auckland Phil’s Kiri and Lou in Concert this afternoon, a fun-filled interactive show that brings award-winning New Zealand-made children’s TV series Kiri and Lou to the big screen with a live orchestra. With two performances in Takapuna’s Bruce Mason Theatre happening at 11am and 2pm today, it promises to be a dino-tastic gig the whole whānau will dig, with the orchestra performing a selection of songs written by Don McGlashan and Harry Sinclair, reimagined for orchestra, alongside stunning stop-motion visuals from the fun, animated show.

8) Teese on tour

Dita von Teese.

The ever-reigning queen of burlesque, Dita Von Teese brings her Nocturnelle show to Auckland’s Kiri Te Kanawa Theatre tomorrow night, part of an Australasian tour that in which her legions of fans have packed out many a sold-out performance. With Nocturnelle, the star unveils what has been dubbed quite the bewitching new vision – an exquisite blend of old-Hollywood allure, theatrical magic, and the high-art “Stripscapes” she is so well-known for. Inspired by the magicians of the 19th century, the production conjures a world of wonder where sensuality meets magic, and includes a hand-picked cast of celebrated neo-burlesque artists to help Von Teese bring the glamour and showmanship 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, AucklandAuckland 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 to 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, ChristchurchWellington Jazz Festival, October 14-18, various venues, WellingtonMacy Gray Live, October 16-22, nationwideStan Walker – A Symphonic Experience, October 17, The Trusts Arena, AucklandA Box of Memories, October 22-25, Q Theatre, 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.