Friday 3 January
Cornucopia by Bronwynne Cornish: With a career spanning over 50 years, Bronwynne Cornish is one of New Zealand’s best-known ceramic artists with works held in major museums and galleries. Her work is on show at Waiheke Community Art Gallery / Te Whare Taonga o Waiheke till 5 January. The gallery is open every day from 10am to 4pm at 2 Korora Road, Oneroa.
A Poem a Day: Waiheke Library are encouraging budding poets to put pen to paper throughout December and January – and the best poem each week will be published in Gulf News. Get your entry to the Waiheke Library for the chance to see your poem in print.
Into Ocean and Ice: Waiheke’s Charlie Thomas, Tegan Allpress (Rongowhakaata), Peregrin Hyde (Ngāti Maniapoto), and Rose Lasham journeyed to South Georgia in 2023 with the Antarctic Heritage Trust to honour the centenary year of Shackleton’s final polar expedition. Their exhibition at the Maritime Museum in Auckland’s Viaduct Harbour explores the immensity of this wildlife-rich gateway to Antarctica until August 2025. Free for Auckland visitors.
Tasting in the Vines: A unique and rustic experience in the heart of our working vineyard, Jasper Ridge Estate, on the eastern end of Waiheke Island. If you haven’t got a car, jump on the new Eastern Explorer hop on hop off bus. Every day from 11am to 5pm. Find out more jasperridge.co.nz/tasting
Works from the Eden Arts Art Schools Award: Launched by the Eden Arts Trust in 2011, this annual award presents the very best student works from Elam, Unitec, AUT and Whitecliffe in a single exhibition, awarding prizes to selected students. Exhibition on at Waiheke Community Art Gallery / Te Whare Taonga o Waiheke till the 5 January. The gallery is open every day, from 10am to 4pm at 2 Korora Road, Oneroa
Waiheke Musical Museum: Amazing collection of musical instruments from around the world. Open Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 10.30am to 1.30pm. Entry by donation. Located at 2 Korora Road, Oneroa.
Saturday 4 January
Man O’ War Summer Series: Live music and DJ Sets daily from 12pm to 5.30pm till 5 January and then every Saturday and Sunday from 12pm to 5.30pm till 26 January. Artists include DJ Alisha, The Onternet and Marjorie Sinclair. Make a day of it and try the new Forest Flight zipline. For more information go to manowar.co.nz
The Red Shed: The Palm Beach gallery is open weekends, 10am to 4pm at 74a Palm Road.
Ostend Saturday Market: Rain or shine, with stalls both inside the Ostend War Memorial Hall and outside in the reserve from 8am to 1pm. Phone Jill on 021 068 6603.
The Sea Inside Her: An exhibition of paintings, poetry and short film. An immersive experience about the fragility of staying in control of oneself. Produced by Alyx Duncan and featuring a wide array of different artists, the exhibition runs until Sunday 5 January at Waiheke Community Art Gallery / Te Whare Taonga o Waiheke. The gallery is open every day, from 10am to 4pm at 2 Korora Road, Oneroa.
Sunday 5 January
Mr Bird at the Heke: Expect epic songs, guitar and a beautiful afternoon with singer songwriter Mr Bird. From 3pm to 6pm at The Heke, Onetangi. Book at theheke.co.nz/book-now or email bookings@theheke.co.nz
Raumati Reads: Sun, sand and the perfect book. Dive into Raumati Reads events and unleash your imagination, creativity and adventurous spirit. Runs until 2 February 2025 at Waiheke Library in Oneroa.
Museum and Historic Village: Open Wednesday, Saturday, Sunday and public holidays, 11am to 3pm at 165 Onetangi Road. Entry by donation.
Monday 6 January
One Beautiful Bengal Cat book launch: Join author Vyvean Anthea Oakley to discover the mischievous adventures that real-life animals get up to in her new children’s book. After will be a fun arts and crafts session themed around the animals we encountered in the story. From 2pm to 3.30pm at the Waiheke Library.
Bluebell Summer Programme: Three weeks of crafting, art, baking, games, nature exploration and beach adventures. Running for three weeks from 8.45am to 3pm, Monday 6 January to Friday 24 January at The Spirit of Waiheke Cottage, 92 The Esplanade, Surfdale. Ages six to 11 (exceptions may be made). To book contact Isabella Simoni at bluebellchildrensprograms@gmail.com
Tuesday 7 January
Forest and Bird Twilight Rambles: Vanessa Reynolds from Ngāi Tai ki Tamaki is leading a walk with Dr Rose Gregersen, who specialises in freshwater ecology, along with the Kiwi Conservation Club. Meet at Puke Atua / Trig Hill Reserve at 6pm, walking down to the Cascades in Whakanewha Regional Park. Duration about 2.5 hours.
Coming events
Gulf News Thursday in Rocky Bay: Closed 26 December and 2 January but returning on Thursday 9 January. If you would like to meet your neighbours and make new friends, come along to our Gulf News Thursdays, so-called because the community paper helps to launch discussion. Come for a cuppa, cake and chat. Thursdays from 1pm to 4pm at Ōmiha Memorial Hall.
Gulf News Thursday in Surfdale: Hosted by Surfdale United Residents Forum. Create meaningful relationships and eliminate loneliness. Be engaged, research ideas and collaborate with community. Join us from 1pm to 3pm every Thursday starting 16 January.
Three Steps For Life: The Surfdale United Residents Foundation (SURF) are running a free one-hour training session offering lifesaving skills and confidence to help if someone has a cardiac arrest in your community, with the date to be confirmed. Date to be confirmed. To reserve a space email Kylee on kylee.matthews@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz
Evan Woodruffe – Organic Abstraction of the Landscape: This two-day workshop with internationally respected teacher, Evan Woodruffe, will use abstract painting approaches to produce an artwork with the feel of the landscape, rather than a literal description. Hosted at Waiheke Community Art Gallery / Te Whare Taonga o Waiheke from 10am to 3pm on Saturday 11 and Sunday 12 January. For more information and to book go to waihekeartgallery.org.nz
Music for flute and harp: An intimate concert at the Waiheke Musical Museum at 5pm on Sunday 12 January with flautist Karen Batten and harpist Ingrid Bauer. Tickets available from musicalmuseum.org.nz
Race Day: First race day of 2025 at the Waiheke Dirt Track. From 8am to 3.50pm on Sunday 12 January at The Dirt Track, 2 O’Briens Road, Rocky Bay.
Sun and Fun: An outdoor event for whānau this summer, filled with joy, laughter and unforgettable moments. Sponge water races, scavenger hunt, science experiment and games that promise fun for everyone in the family. From 2pm to 3.30pm on Tuesday 14 January at Alison Park in Oneroa.
Forest and Bird Twilight Rambles: Tuesday 14 January at 6pm, Twilight Ramblers will meet out at the Te Matuku stockyards, just past the pioneer settlers’ cemetery to explore the ecological landscape with Karen Denyer, wetland expert and Natasha Beletzky, chair of Hauraki Islands Forest and Bird. Duration about 2.5 hours.
Little Chefs – Cooking up Summer Delights: Experience the joy of being a young chef at this event by making refreshing and nutritious kai, perfect for a summer afternoon. From 2pm to 3.30pm on Thursday 16 January at Waiheke Library.
Forest and Bird Twilight Rambles: Tuesday 21 January, we have been granted access to privately owned whenua to Te Matuku Bay, home to the first marine reserve on the motu, to walk down through and out onto the sand spit to marvel at its quietness and serene beauty. Duration about 2.5 hours. Event will be limited to 25 people so booking before required. Email booking requests to the branch email haurakiislands.branch@forestandbird.org.nz
Rocky Bay Folk Club presents Rennie Pearson: Tunes, songs and stories from Ireland, Scotland and Maritime Canada played on the wooden flute, guitar, Irish tin whistles, bodhran, fiddle and voice. From 7.30pm to 9pm on Thursday 23 January at the Ōmiha Memorial Hall.
Sunset Sessions: Continuing from 2024, the Summer Sessions are back at Stonyridge Vineyard on Saturday 25 January. For more details visit stonyridge.com
Salmonella Dub at Wild: An afternoon of amazing music as Salmonella Dub Soundsystem return to Waiheke, featuring guests Nino Birch, Troy Kingi, Whirimako Black, The Mighty Asterix and Laughton Kora. 2pm–10pm, Sunday 26 January 2025 at Wild Estate. Visit wildestate.co.nz for more.
Forest and Bird Twilight Rambles: The final ramble of the series. Meet at the bottom of the 48 hour car park at Matiatia, to walk Delamore Drive, promising panoramic views of Tīkapa Moana o Hauraki and down into Owhanake Bay, led by Forest and Bird ranger Lincoln Jackson. 6pm Tuesday 28 January. Duration about 2.5 hours.
Create your custom print with natural dyes: Learn how to design your own unique surface patterns and bring them to life with dyes made from flowers. From 10am to 1pm on Sunday 2 February at Nourish Gardens, 67 Korora Road, Owhanake Bay. $165 (includes all materials and morning tea). To book please email Lucila at littlebylittle.bylucila@gmail.com
East Meets West – Basant Madhur Ensemble with Monique Lapins: Inspired by the West Meets East musical collaboration between violinist Yehudi Menuhin and sitar virtuoso Ravi Shankar, who recorded three albums on this theme and won a Grammy Award for their work. Together, we perform music inspired by this beautiful fusion of violin, sitar and tabla, presenting a blend of traditional Indian classical and Western music. 5pm on Sunday 2 February at the Waiheke Musical Museum. To book go to musicalmuseum.org.nz
Flamingo Pier: Celebrating 10 years of magical dancefloor moments as Chicago disco legend Sadar Bahar, Amsterdam’s Dekmantel and Rush Hour favourite Kamma, and London’s Make A Dance join a stacked local lineup. From 3pm to 12am on Saturday 8 February at Ahipao, 10 Ocean View Road. Visit flamingopier.net/festival for info and tickets.
Rocky Bay Folk Club presents ANNA FÄLT: Nordic folk artist Anna Fält performs songs from the Scandinavian and Finno-Urgic traditions as well as her own material. BYO Event. 7.30pm-9.30pm on Saturday 15 February at the Ōmiha Memorial Hall. Email rbfcwaiheke@gmail.com for more info and to book.
NZ Trio – Groove Café: Immerse yourself in the enigmatic melancholy of Elena Kats-Chernin’s mysterious Intermezzo Days before frightening the demons away with Gareth Farr’s quirky Mondo Rondo and veering towards trance as Matthew Hindson’s Trio bursts with a fusion of styles and influences for the modern-day “epic diva”. 5pm on Saturday 22 February at Waiheke Musical Museum. For tickets go to musicalmuseum.org.nz
Waiheke Primary School Fundraiser: Summer Carnival: A fun-filled carnival for families and friends. All welcome. Funds raised will go towards the school arts and sports programmes. 10am to 4pm, Saturday 22 February.
Wonderful Waiheke House Tour: Visit stunning Waiheke homes on this popular biannual tour on Thursday 6 and Friday 7 March. One day tickets from $95: self-drive with options to add bus transport and or light lunch. All proceeds support Waiheke Community Art Gallery. For tickets and info visit waihekeartgallery.org.nz
Waiheke Walking Festival: Embrace your adventurous spirit and appreciate nature up close and personal at this year’s Waiheke Walking Festival from 21 March to 6 April. Offering an array of fabulous walks that showcase the stunning beauty of Waiheke Island while giving festival-goers opportunities to connect and explore, guided by our friendly volunteers. Approximately half of all walks are free. Bookings essential: waihekewalkingfestival.org
Ongoing events:
Bike Hub: Assistance with bike repairs and maintenance Thursdays to Sundays, midday to 4pm on Mako Street, Oneroa. Closed for holiday season on 23 December and reopens on Saturday 11 January 2025.
Waiheke Adult Learning: Short courses and workshops on a range of topics from watercolour painting to digital support. See their weekly advertisement for current courses and visit wai.org.nz or phone 09 372 9868.
Learn to play bridge: Beginner lessons at the Catherine Mitchell Arts Centre, Pūtiki Road. Enquiries to Christinesloan@gmail.com
2020 Waiheke Bridge Club: Mondays from 7pm to 9pm, online in RealBridge, Thursdays 7pm to 9pm, in person at Morra Hall. Casual players welcome. For further information go to 2020waihekebridgeclub.co.nz
