Let your kids’ creative side shine through the launch of We The Young. Photo \/ 123rf<\/p>\n
Check out Australasia\u2019s largest lightwall<\/p>\n
Auckland\u2019s waterfront will glow once again as The Lightship, Australasia\u2019s largest lightwall, launches its 2025-26 season this September. Stretching 110 metres across Bledisloe Wharf and powered by 8500 programmable LEDs, the installation transforms a working port into a dazzling public art canvas, free for all to enjoy.<\/p>\n
This year\u2019s programme, titled \u201cThresholds and Crossings\u201d, curated by Simon Bowerbank of Whang\u0101rei Art Museum, brings together six bold artists from Aotearoa and Australia. The works explore the tension and beauty between land and sea, offering an evolving journey from Esther Stewart\u2019s crisp geometric visions to the immersive worlds of Jess Johnson and Simon Ward, and beyond. thelightship.co.nz<\/a><\/p>\n Eat your way down memory lane<\/p>\n Hilton Auckland\u2019s Bellini Bar is serving up nostalgia with a refined twist through The Kiwi Icons, a modern afternoon tea that celebrates Aotearoa\u2019s most beloved flavours. Curated by Pastry Chef Hiranya Ratnayake, the experience reimagines Kiwi classics with native ingredients and elegant technique, turning familiar favourites into something extraordinary.<\/p>\n From Ginger Crunch with strawberry cr\u00e9meux to Lolly Cake reworked with vanilla cheesecake, each sweet treat pays homage to childhood memories, while savoury creations like roast lamb and k\u016bmara wraps, Southland sushi, and golden par\u0101oa parai (M\u0101ori fried bread) showcase the depth of local cuisine. Served against panoramic harbour views and complemented by artisan teas, The Kiwi Icons is more than an afternoon tea. bellini.co.nz\/the-kiwi-icons<\/a><\/p>\n Wine, stories and Hans Herzog<\/p>\n Esther\u2019s dinner series is uncorking the secrets of New Zealand\u2019s vineyards, blending bold winemakers with Mediterranean-inspired cuisine for nights of storytelling, flavour and surprise. Each event pairs a three-course menu by chef Sean Connolly with boutique bottles and cellar exclusives, creating evenings where mystery pours meet vinous tales. Guests can expect rare vintages, playful palate challenges and a keepsake postcard to recreate the food and wine journey at home.<\/p>\n This September, the series spotlights Hans Herzog, one of New Zealand\u2019s most respected winemakers. On September 18, Connolly\u2019s dishes will meet Herzog\u2019s uncompromising Marlborough wines, crafted with Swiss precision and local terroir. The evening begins with a welcome glass of Hans\u2019 favourite drop before guests test their palate in the Mystery Pour Challenge, with the chance to win a bottle of Herzog\u2019s finest. estherrestaurant.com\/specials\/crushed-grapes-herzog-wines<\/a><\/p>\nThe Lightship returns this September to illuminate Auckland\u2019s waterfront with its 2025-26 season. Photo \/ Thresholds & Crossings<\/p>\n
Get a taste of Kiwi classics in your afternoon tea session. Photo \/ Bellini Bar at Hilton Auckland<\/p>\n
Esther\u2019s dinner series is uncorking the secrets of New Zealand\u2019s vineyards. Photo \/ Esther<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Auckland is about to come alive with the launch of We The Young, the city\u2019s first-ever arts, imagination…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":20544,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[836,21530,21531,433,18086,5831,95,21519,3390,21525,21527,9063,1853,5162,4915,8615,21537,10797,6309,21534,8231,3685,2109,21526,564,71,21520,78,21535,5983,4960,21524,157,117,111,43,139,69,8617,21523,21518,21521,21522,10010,21529,21528,21532,21533,1072,21536,6921,1355,12825,6035,1961,61,274,21539,21538,14905,1533,1754,18991,102,80],"class_list":["post-20543","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-new-zealand","tag-836","tag-22km","tag-adrenaline","tag-adventure","tag-alerts","tag-alive","tag-and","tag-bannockburn","tag-best","tag-biking","tag-carrick","tag-celebration","tag-central","tag-chasing","tag-classic","tag-come","tag-courses","tag-cycle","tag-do","tag-enjoying","tag-event","tag-events","tag-family","tag-finishing","tag-food","tag-from","tag-hills","tag-in","tag-leisurely","tag-levels","tag-live","tag-mountain","tag-music","tag-new","tag-new-zealand","tag-news","tag-newzealand","tag-nz","tag-offers","tag-oneday","tag-otagos","tag-pedal","tag-pour","tag-promise","tag-ride","tag-rides","tag-rush","tag-simply","tag-social","tag-spin","tag-spring","tag-starting","tag-stunning","tag-things","tag-this","tag-to","tag-travel","tag-views","tag-vineyard","tag-whether","tag-will","tag-wine","tag-winery","tag-with","tag-zealand"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20543","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=20543"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20543\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/20544"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=20543"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=20543"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=20543"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}