{"id":474507,"date":"2026-06-12T23:39:11","date_gmt":"2026-06-12T23:39:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/474507\/"},"modified":"2026-06-12T23:39:11","modified_gmt":"2026-06-12T23:39:11","slug":"whats-on-in-auckland-this-weekend-beauty-art-wine-and-more","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/474507\/","title":{"rendered":"What\u2019s on in Auckland this weekend: Beauty, art, wine and more"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><img  alt=\" Mecca has unveiled an elevated new store in the heart of Ponsonby.\" class=\"article-media__image responsively-lazy\" data-test-ui=\"article-media__image\"\/> Mecca has unveiled an elevated new store in the heart of Ponsonby.<img  alt=\" The new MECCA in Posonby Rd.\" class=\"article-media__image responsively-lazy\" data-test-ui=\"article-media__image\"\/> The new MECCA in Posonby Rd.<\/p>\n<p class=\"xRCtHSZoMFoDBmw\" style=\"display:none\">Beauty juggernaut <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mecca.com\/en-nz\/\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" title=\"https:\/\/www.mecca.com\/en-nz\/\">Mecca<\/a> has unveiled an elevated new store in the heart of Ponsonby, marking the next chapter of the brand\u2019s nearly two-decade operation in Aotearoa. Spanning an amazing 323sq m and sitting elegantly within a beautifully restored heritage building, it is celebrating the new opening with a series of meaningful moments, premium customer experiences and exclusive offers across this weekend, such as free pastries from Daily Bread, exclusive opening offers, complimentary fragrance engraving and gifts with purchase that include a very cute, limited-edition Mecca Ponsonby keyring. Customers will also have access to bookable launch services available over the opening weekend, such as a Charlotte Tilbury Express Makeup Application and Express Emma Lewisham Facial, further fuelling the fervour for beauty fans of all ages. Mecca Ponsonby is located at 286-306 Ponsonby Rd. <\/p>\n<p>3) Auckland Art Gallery open late <\/p>\n<p><img  alt=\" Xin Jin and Tony Guo. Photo \/ Jiaqi Tang\" class=\"article-media__image responsively-lazy\" data-test-ui=\"article-media__image\"\/> Xin Jin and Tony Guo. Photo \/ Jiaqi Tang<\/p>\n<p class=\"xRCtHSZoMFoDBmw\" style=\"display:none\">Auckland Art Gallery\u2019s free after-dark event series, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.aucklandartgallery.com\/visit\/events\/open-late\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" title=\"https:\/\/www.aucklandartgallery.com\/visit\/events\/open-late\">Open Late<\/a>\u202finvites audiences to experience the gallery through art, music, performance, food and creative surprises that aim to inspire and delight. This Thursday\u2019s outing celebrates the gallery\u2019s current exhibition,\u202f<a href=\"https:\/\/www.aucklandartgallery.com\/visit\/exhibitions\/forever-tomorrow-chinese-art-now\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Forever Tomorrow: Chinese Art Now<\/a> and includes poetry readings from Jiaqiao Liu and Zephyr Zhang and a specially created contemporary performance from artist Xin Ji and painter Tony Guo,\u202fSPACE DRAG,\u202finspired by the exhibition. There will also be live music, with food and drinks available from local favourites Sumthin Dumplin and Lucky Mate, and the entire gallery will be open so visitors can enjoy special late-night access to\u202fForever Tomorrow at $20 for adults and $15 for concession visitors. Doors open at 5.30pm. <\/p>\n<p>4) In the company of giants <\/p>\n<p><img  alt=\" The Blue Guy from A Vaudeville of Flowers. Photo \/ Nimmy\" class=\"article-media__image responsively-lazy\" data-test-ui=\"article-media__image\"\/> The Blue Guy from A Vaudeville of Flowers. Photo \/ Nimmy<\/p>\n<p class=\"xRCtHSZoMFoDBmw\" style=\"display:none\">The tradition of family acting troupes that span generations is alive and well, and will be on show when Whang\u0101rei\u2019s Company of Giants bring their award-winning production <a href=\"https:\/\/pumphouse.co.nz\/whats-on\/show\/a-vaudeville-of-flowers\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">A Vaudeville of Flowers<\/a> to Auckland\u2019s PumpHouse Theatre from Tuesday for a limited run.<\/p>\n<p class=\"xRCtHSZoMFoDBmw\" style=\"display:none\">A whimsical collection of acts celebrating the extraordinary and the ordinary in our backyards, the visually rich theatre experience is designed to delight audiences of all ages, with a troupe of puppets, animals, clowns and flowers bringing a garden of characters to life. It also features the return of veteran actor Stuart Devenie to the stage, performing alongside his granddaughter Lyra (7), while his daughter, director Laurel Devenie, leads the production. Kelly Johnson \u2013 aka Gerry \u201cBlondini\u201d Austin from iconic Kiwi film Goodbye Pork Pie \u2013 also appears as part of the exuberant ensemble. <\/p>\n<p>5) Cassia pops up in Grey Lynn <\/p>\n<p><img  alt=\" Ketan Joshi, Sid Sahrawat and Karol Troncoso. Photo \/ Sahil Patel\" class=\"article-media__image responsively-lazy\" data-test-ui=\"article-media__image\"\/> Ketan Joshi, Sid Sahrawat and Karol Troncoso. Photo \/ Sahil Patel<\/p>\n<p class=\"xRCtHSZoMFoDBmw\" style=\"display:none\">Modern Indian restaurant Cassia has a new Grey Lynn residency opening this week while the team prepare for a move to a permanent new home in Auckland\u2019s CBD later this year. From Wednesday, diners will be able to experience Cassia within Ozone Coffee in Grey Lynn, where on select evenings the team will be offering guests a refined, contemporary take on Indian cuisine while the restaurant\u2019s future flagship site is completed. It will be a full-circle moment for Ozone\u2019s head chef Karol Troncoso, who previously worked at Cassia and talks about the time as one of the most important chapters of her career. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cassiarestaurant.co.nz\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Cassia at Ozone<\/a> will be open Wednesday to Sunday, from 5pm until late. <\/p>\n<p>6) Dine with the winemakers <\/p>\n<p><img  alt=\" Queens Rooftop's chef Maia Atvars.\" class=\"article-media__image responsively-lazy\" data-test-ui=\"article-media__image\"\/> Queens Rooftop&#8217;s chef Maia Atvars.<\/p>\n<p class=\"xRCtHSZoMFoDBmw\" style=\"display:none\">Following the launch of its Winter Winemakers\u2019 Dinner Series with Champagne Laurent-Perrier, Auckland CBD hotspot-with-a-view <a href=\"https:\/\/www.queensrooftop.co.nz\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Queens Rooftop<\/a> has announced three further evenings happening in June and July \u2013 each one an intimate, 30-seat dinner designed around the wines of a single celebrated producer. As with the opening dinner, each evening will feature a bespoke menu crafted by head chef Maia Atvars to complement the wines being poured that night. As each wine is poured, the evening\u2019s winery representative will share the story behind the vintage, the philosophy of the estate and what makes each bottle a perfect match for the food on the table, with Paritua head winemaker Jason Stent introducing some of the best from the renowned Hawke\u2019s Bay vineyard this Wednesday night. To secure a spot, email\u202f<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nzherald.co.nz\/lifestyle\/whats-on-in-auckland-this-weekend-beauty-art-wine-and-more\/YFJZ76UA3BCJZELHC3U23RLWKY\/mailto:hello@queensrooftop.co.nz\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">hello@queensrooftop.co.nz<\/a>. <\/p>\n<p>7) Celebrating the beauty of Brahms<\/p>\n<p><img  alt=\" Bach Musica NZ returns to the stage with\u202fSongs of Destiny, which celebrates Johannes Brahms.\" class=\"article-media__image responsively-lazy\" data-test-ui=\"article-media__image\"\/> Bach Musica NZ returns to the stage with\u202fSongs of Destiny, which celebrates Johannes Brahms.<\/p>\n<p class=\"xRCtHSZoMFoDBmw\" style=\"display:none\">Bach Musica NZ, New Zealand\u2019s leading combined choir and orchestra, returns to the stage this Sunday with\u202f<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ticketmaster.co.nz\/bach-musica-nz-tickets\/artist\/1955588\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" title=\"https:\/\/www.ticketmaster.co.nz\/bach-musica-nz-tickets\/artist\/1955588\">Songs of Destiny<\/a>, celebrating the choral brilliance of Johannes Brahms. Happening from 5pm at Auckland Town Hall, the performance will be led by guest conductor\u202fJos\u00e9 Aparicio, a native of Spain with an inspiring presence as a conductor and a musical style influenced by his experience in opera and orchestral ensembles across Europe and New Zealand. The beautiful Brahms repertoire will be complemented by the unique and seldom-performed Siegfried Idyll, as well as the song cycle from Manuel de Falla\u2019s El amor brujo, performed by Anna Pierard. It has been stated that \u201cpeople should perform more Brahms\u201d, and Bach Musica NZ would love to take us all along for the ride. <\/p>\n<p>8) Let\u2019s wear yellow for Harold <\/p>\n<p><img  alt=\" Harold the Giraffe, beloved mascot of the Life Education Trust.\" class=\"article-media__image responsively-lazy\" data-test-ui=\"article-media__image\"\/> Harold the Giraffe, beloved mascot of the Life Education Trust.<\/p>\n<p class=\"xRCtHSZoMFoDBmw\" style=\"display:none\">Who doesn\u2019t appreciate the work of Harold the Giraffe, the beloved mascot of the Life Education Trust, New Zealand\u2019s largest health and wellbeing provider for primary and intermediate schools. With continuing this important mahi in mind, this Friday, Aotearoa is encouraged to go yellow for Harold with schools, workplaces and communities invited to dress in yellow or giraffe-themed outfits for Life Education\u2019s national fundraising day. Held close to World Giraffe Day, Wear Yellow for Harold is a fun, feel-good way to support tamariki and rangatahi, whether it\u2019s via a gold-coin dress-up day, yellow bake sale, workplace morning tea or community activity. All funds raised help Life Education deliver health and wellbeing programmes in schools nationwide, with all donations to be kindly uploaded directly to the Life Education <a href=\"https:\/\/givealittle.co.nz\/cause\/wear-yellow-for-harold\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Givealittle<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Coming up<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.frenchfilmfestival.co.nz\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">The French Film Festival<\/a>, until June 28, nationwide <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nzherald.co.nz\/lifestyle\/whats-on-in-auckland-this-weekend-beauty-art-wine-and-more\/YFJZ76UA3BCJZELHC3U23RLWKY\/about:blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">L\u014demis Festival<\/a>, until June 21, across Wellington <a href=\"http:\/\/nzopera.com\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">The Marriage of Figaro<\/a>, June 17, 19 and 21, St James Theatre, Wellington<a href=\"https:\/\/www.aucklandlive.co.nz\/news\/step-into-a-world-within-a-world-at-the-auckland-live-cabaret-festival-this-winter\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Auckland Live Cabaret Festival<\/a>, June 24 \u2013 July 5, The Civic, Auckland <a href=\"https:\/\/url.au.m.mimecastprotect.com\/s\/CCuSCr8DyZcQPznpTzh3T4uOJA?domain=docedge.nz\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Doc Edge\u202fFestival 2026<\/a>, June 24 \u2013 July 26, nationwide <a href=\"https:\/\/docedge.nz\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">World Press Photo &amp; Doc Edge Immersive Exhibition 2026<\/a>, June 24 &#8211; July 12, Smith &amp; Caughey Building, Auckland <a href=\"https:\/\/basementtheatre.co.nz\/blogs\/whats-on\/firing-the-canon-act-two\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Firing the Canon Act Two<\/a>, June 25-27, Basement Theatre, Auckland <a href=\"https:\/\/13thfloor.co.nz\/banished-music-presents-the-veils-fragile-world-aotearoa-new-zealand-tour-2026\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">The Veils Fragile World Tour<\/a>, June 25- July 11, nationwide <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nzherald.co.nz\/lifestyle\/whats-on-in-auckland-this-weekend-beauty-art-wine-and-more\/YFJZ76UA3BCJZELHC3U23RLWKY\/about:blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Gil Shaham Plays Beethoven with the Auckland Philharmonia<\/a>, June 27, Auckland Town Hall<a href=\"https:\/\/www.aucklandoperastudio.co.nz\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">The Auckland Opera Studio 2026 Gala<\/a>, June 28, Auckland Town Hall, Auckland<a href=\"https:\/\/www.aucklandlive.co.nz\/show\/engelbert-humperdinck-the-celebration-tour-2026\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Englebert Humperdinck: The Celebration Tour<\/a>, June 26-30, nationwide <a href=\"https:\/\/aucklandphil.nz\/concert\/matariki-waiata-anthems\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Matariki: Waiata Anthems in Concert<\/a>, July 9, Auckland Town Hall <a href=\"https:\/\/postmodernjukebox.com\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Postmodern Jukebox<\/a>, July 11, Wellington Opera House <a href=\"http:\/\/www.ticketmaster.co.nz\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Exploding Rainbow Orchestra\u2019s The Jukebox of Joy<\/a>, July 12, Aotea Centre, Auckland <a href=\"https:\/\/www.aucklandlive.co.nz\/show\/dog-man-the-musical\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Dog Man: The Musical<\/a>, July 14-18, Bruce Mason Theatre, Auckland <a href=\"https:\/\/www.harlemglobetrotters.com\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">The Harlem Globetrotters 100 Year Tour<\/a>, July 14-19, nationwide <a href=\"http:\/\/fane.com.au\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Amanda Nguyen Live<\/a>, July 21, Bruce Mason Centre, Auckland <a href=\"https:\/\/nz.patronbase.com\/_TePou\/Productions\/MTHM\/Performances\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Massive Theatre Company\u2019s Home Made<\/a>, July 22-25, Te Pou Theatre, Auckland<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nzherald.co.nz\/lifestyle\/whats-on-in-auckland-this-weekend-beauty-art-wine-and-more\/YFJZ76UA3BCJZELHC3U23RLWKY\/about:blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Sheku Plays Elgar with the Auckland Philharmonia<\/a>, August 13, Auckland Town Hall <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nzfashionweek.com\/tickets\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">New Zealand Fashion Week<\/a>, August 17-20, Shed 10, Auckland<a href=\"https:\/\/teglive.com.au\/live_tour\/jason-derulo\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Jason Derulo Last Dance World Tour<\/a>, September 27, Spark Arena, Auckland <a href=\"https:\/\/thewiggles.com\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">The Wiggles Live In Concert Tour<\/a>, October 10-14, nationwide <\/p>\n<p class=\"xRCtHSZoMFoDBmw\" style=\"display:none\">Email canvasplanner@nzherald.co.nz with brief details of your upcoming event, including dates\/times, location and website.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Mecca has unveiled an elevated new store in the heart of Ponsonby. The new MECCA in Posonby Rd.&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":474508,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[8],"tags":[95,1228,51,53893,1244,239196,4731,156,26095,6043,5504,31872,239195,71,78,302,10005,6048,3388,130,97763,157,111,139,69,13692,90,15403,25259,19098,3621,544,4525,1361,7069,6035,1961,6047,158584,4767,14605,14905,1754,23644,1959],"class_list":["post-474507","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-entertainment","tag-and","tag-art","tag-auckland","tag-bag","tag-beauty","tag-brahms","tag-days","tag-entertainment","tag-everyone","tag-exploring","tag-following","tag-fragrance","tag-freaks","tag-from","tag-in","tag-its","tag-list","tag-makaurau","tag-makeup","tag-more","tag-multigenerational","tag-music","tag-new-zealand","tag-newzealand","tag-nz","tag-offer","tag-on","tag-read","tag-rolls","tag-safe","tag-skincare","tag-some","tag-something","tag-that","tag-theatre","tag-things","tag-this","tag-tmaki","tag-todo","tag-weekend","tag-whats","tag-whether","tag-wine","tag-winter","tag-your"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/474507","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=474507"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/474507\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/474508"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=474507"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=474507"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=474507"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}