Thursday 5 December
Summer Sustainability: A free composting and septic strategies double workshop at 6pm at the Ōmiha Memorial Hall. Be green and save money by looking after your septic system and compost. Contact info@wrt.org.nz to register
Hekate Book Launch: Celebrate the launch of Leila Lees’ new book Hekate at 6pm at the Waiheke Community Art Gallery/Te Whare Taonga o Waiheke.
Pottery Open Studio: Local potter Sophie Perkins opens her studio at 50 Calais Terrace, Ostend from 5pm-7pm. Cash and internet banking available.
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.
Free tech help: Free help with tech issues – hardware or software, phone apps, email etc. Clinic is by 30-minute appointment, first Thursday of the month from 12.30pm– 2.30pm. A partnership between CAB and Island Tech. Phone 09 372 8460 or drop in to CAB in Oneroa.
Bike Hub: Assistance with bike repairs and maintenance Thursdays to Sundays, midday–4pm on Mako Street, Oneroa. Closed for holiday season on 23 December and reopens on Saturday 11 January 2025.
Friday 6 December
Waiheke Community Art Gallery: The Walker & Hall Waiheke Art Award exhibition and Standing Place by Leila Lees run until 8 December at the Waiheke Community Art Gallery/Te Whare Taonga o Waiheke. The gallery is open every day, from 10am–4pm at 2 Korora Road, Oneroa.
Last Kai Conscious Café of 2024: Delicious kai made from rescued ingredients from 11am to 1pm, followed by a community lunch at 1pm. First one back in the new year will be Friday 17 January. Help or koha appreciated. Waiheke Sustainability Centre, 1 Mako Street, Oneroa.
Saturday 7 December
Wine and Vibes: Batch Winery presents Wine and Vibes with DJs Sgt Slick, Marjorie Sinclair, Massive Attack founder Grant Marshall and more from 3pm on Saturday 7 December. An R18 event. Tickets from www.ticketfairy.com/event/wine-vibes-vol-iv
Ceramics exhibition: Coral Pearson Revel and Penny Ericson open their studios, galleries and gardens at 38 and 51 Great Barrier Road, Enclosure Bay, from 10am–4pm on Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 December. All welcome.
Disco at the RSA: Disco the night away with Nooroa. From 7pm at the RSA, Ostend
The Red Shed: The Palm Beach gallery is open weekends, 10am–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–1pm. Phone Jill on 021 068 6603.
Write a personal submission to the Treaty Principles Bill: Get support to write a personal submission to the Treaty Principles Bill. Saturday 8 December, 9am-12.00pm, Labour Party Stall, Saturday Market, Ostend.
2024 Summer Wine Series: Discover hidden gems from Waiheke’s off the beaten track vineyards. Pop in to taste and buy wines from Jasper Ridge, Māwhitipana, Stormwood and Woodside Hill vineyards. Learn more at jasperridge.co.nz/summerwine. From Midday-6pm every Saturday and Sunday till 22 December at Waiheke Real Estate, 33 Waikare Road, Oneroa.
Sunday 8 December
Joy to the World: The Waiheke Choral Society presents Christmas songs from around the world at 2pm at St Peter’s Church, 197 Ocean View Road. Christmas choral classics and carols singalong. Entry by koha, proceeds to Waiheke Budgeting Services.
18th Annual Round Rangihoua Mountain Bike Event: 4-hour Mountain Bike relay around stunning Te Putiki o Kahu, Rangihoua Hill. Whether you’re an experienced rider or just starting out, this is a fun-filled day for everyone. From 10am at Onetangi Sports Park. Register at www.wmbc.co.nz
The Last Sky – film screening: A documentary by Australian-Lebanese lawyer Nicholas Hanna exploring the little-known situation of Palestinian refugees in Lebanon, the war on Gaza and the escalating war in Lebanon. Screening at 5pm at the Waiheke Community Cinema, Oneroa. Book tickets at www.waihekecinema.co.nz
Aperol Arvo: Sam Jones, aka ‘DJ Goldman Sax’, offers a unique blend of DJ mixing and live music performance including saxophone, flute and keys at The Heke from 3pm–6.30pm. Book at theheke.co.nz
Christmas Wreath Making Workshop: Come along to the museum and learn how to make traditional decorative wreaths for Christmas. Materials will be provided and entry is by donation. Midday-2pm. Museum & Historic Village open Wednesday, Saturday, Sunday and public holidays, 11am– 3pm at 165 Onetangi Road.
Waiheke Island Dirt Track: Preparation starting at 8am, racing until 3.50pm.
Tuesday 10 December
Walsh Antiques at RSA: Don’t miss a unique opportunity to meet Hamish Walsh from television shows like Auction House and Going, Going, Gone to appraise/buy your antiques. From 10am–3pm today and again on 12 December, at the Waiheke RSA, Belgium Street, Ostend.
Wednesday 11 December
Club Waiheke: Karaoke with No’oroa on Wednesdays at 7pm at Waiheke Bowling Club, Surfdale.
Thursday 12 December
Walsh Antiques at RSA: Hamish Walsh from popular television shows like Auction House and Going, Going, Gone will be at the Waiheke RSA in Ostend from 10am–3pm to appraise/buy your antiques.
Coming events
A Cacophony of Christmas Comedy Fundraiser: Hear carols as you’ve never heard them before, groan at some Christmas cracker humour and play Jingle Bells Bingo. Friday 13 December at 7.30pm. Tickets from musicalmuseum.org.nz
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. Runs from 13 December to 5 January at Waiheke Community Art Gallery/Te Whare Taonga o Waiheke, with an artist talk on 15 December, followed by a screening of Alyx’s award-winning film The Red House.
3 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. To reserve a space email Kylee on kylee.matthews@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz
Dirt Track Fundraiser: A night of rockin’ music from garage rock to post punk with a bit of electronica and blues to spice it up, it promises to be an exhilarating fun night for locals and visitors alike. Full bar and food available, with all proceeds going to the Waiheke Dirt Track. Saturday 14 December at The Woolshed, O’Brien Road. Doors 6pm. Tickets $20 on the door and through Under the Radar.
The Heart of Christmas: A community Christmas celebration in the Artworks Theatre and courtyard. Santa’s story stage, Christmas concert, karaoke, market, workshops and delicious food. Saturday 14 December from 2pm–6pm.
Waiheke Orchestra open rehearsal: Sunday 15 December at 4 pm at Waiheke Musical Museum. All welcome.
Santa Claus is coming to Waiheke: Meet Santa Claus as he swaps his boots for jandals to bring Kiwi Christmas stories to life on the island. Followed by Christmas arts and crafts. 3.30pm-5pm on Thursday 19 December at the Waiheke Library.
Whisky Club at The Heke: Port and sherry casks, their influence on the final spirit, why some people love a sherry-bomb, and do any of them really taste like Christmas Cake? Friday 20 December. Tickets $45. Email bookings@theheke.co.nz
Radio Rebelde: The Latin Ska band returns to Artworks Theatre for the last show of the year. Tickets on sale shortly from artworkstheatre.org.nz
Christmas Eve Banquet: Enjoy a sumptuous two course Christmas Eve banquet for $35 per head. Tuesday 24 December from 5pm at the RSA, Ostend. Music from The Shenanigans. Bookings essential. Phone 021 143 6734 or email babickastablersa@yahoo.com
The Lawn Summer Session at Tantalus Estate: The Lawn Summer Sessions kick off on Sunday 29 December, with DJ Alisha spinning live sets on the lawn and full menu and drink specials to keep the fun flowing. Entry is free, so gather your crew and enjoy an unforgettable afternoon. From 5pm – sunset.
Highlife New Year’s Eve: From 3pm 31 December to 1am 1 January 2025 at Wild Estate. R23+ (nearly sold out)
New Year’s Eve Hawaiian Lū’au: Come in and get lei’d at Charlie Farley’s this New Year’s Eve. Live music from Aaron Carpenter, Dave Alley and DJ Juice. 8pm till late. Tickets on sale now.
Waiheke NYE: Featuring Nathan Haines (DJ live set) with Jaimie Webster Haines and resident DJs Charlito and Finnbar, from 5pm–1am at Te Motu, 76 Onetangi Road. Tickets $150/person from www.temotu.co.nz
Sundance at Stonyridge: An incredible lineup across three stages with DJs and artists to keep you dancing from start to finish. From 2pm on Wednesday 1 January 2025. Tickets from ticketfairy.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.
Ongoing events
Citizens Advice Bureau: CAB Waiheke is open Monday to Friday with varying hours posted outside our door each week. Call us on 09 372 8640 or come in and meet our volunteers. Help with employment, tenancy and immigration issues along with a myriad of other topics.
Free legal clinic at CAB: Free half hour legal appointments fortnightly on Fridays at Waiheke CAB in Oneroa. Contact 372 8640.
Together Threads: A free community group nurturing connections, wellbeing and sharing heartwarming stories and camaraderie. All welcome, Wednesdays fortnightly at St John’s Hall behind the ambulance building, 5 Belgium Street, Ostend.
Catherine Mitchell Arts Centre: Enquiries to join can be made in-person during a group session at the centre, 32 Pūtiki Rd or you can get in touch via the website at catherinemitchellartscentre.wordpress.com Monday: Spinning and Weaving 9am, Toastmasters 6.30pm every second Monday; Life Drawing 6.30pm. Tuesday: Bridge 9.45am (Beginners Bridge 7pm), Pottery 9.30am. Wednesday: Life drawing 9.30am, Bridge 6.45pm, All Things Fabric 12.30pm. Thursday: Writers’ group 10am, Pottery 9.30am. Bridge 12.45pm. Friday: All Things Fabric 12.30am, Pub knitting 6pm first Friday of the month.
Otherworld Costume Hire: Amazing variety of costumes and accessories to hire. Open every Thursday from 12pm-5pm at Artworks Theatre.
Waiheke RSA: ‘Believe It Or Not’ Quiz Nights every Tuesday at 7pm, $5 per person; Cards (500, euchre) on Thursdays at 1.30pm; Darts Club every Thursday from 5.30pm, friendly crowd, no need to register; Club Night every Friday from 6pm; Indoor bowls from 1.30pm on Saturdays; Free pool Tuesday to Sunday at the RSA, 29 Belgium Street Ostend. All welcome.
2020 Waiheke Bridge Club: Mondays from 7pm–9pm, online in RealBridge, Thursdays 7pm–9pm, in person at Morra Hall. Casual players welcome. For further information contact 2020waihekebridgeclub.co.nz.
AA Driver and Vehicle Licensing Unit: First and third Wednesday of every month at Waiheke Adult Learning at the Artworks complex, 8.30am-4pm. No bookings required. Enquiries phone 0800 822 422.
Badminton at the recreation centre: Mondays from 7pm-9pm, $10 per session. Thursdays, 7.30pm-9pm, sessions $5. All welcome, under 14s with an adult, please. Rackets available or BYO; just turn up and play. Any questions, please text 027 910 4878.
Pickleball: Indoor at Waiheke Recreational Centre on Donald Bruce Road. Wednesdays and Fridays: 4.30-6pm; Saturdays: 3.30-5.30pm; Sundays: Women’s session 3-4pm, Open session 4-6pm. $5 per session. Equipment and instruction readily available, players of all abilities welcome. Outdoor schedule is kept using playtimescheduler.com. When you register on that free website, use either postal code 1971 or 1081 to enable notifications about games on Waiheke. Any questions, call Jeff on 027 501 9628.
Fossil Bay Babycircle: Each session provides a safe haven for mothers to connect, share experiences and navigate the journey of motherhood together. The group meets every Friday 11.45am–1pm in the Fossil Bay yurt for 10 weeks.
Thula Mama singing group: Singing group for pregnant mothers and mothers with young babies. We learn lullabies from around the world and meet to sing together in harmony each Tuesday morning from 9.30am–11am in the Fossil Bay Yurt. No experience needed, just a love of singing to your baby. Contact Fossil Bay info@fossilbay.co.nz
