Hi Westie,
I hope we get a few dry weekends soon.
School holidays are done, and it’s back to the usual routine. Expect the standard morning traffic to kick in again.
ANZAC Day is coming up. We’ve got an article on ANZAC Day 2026, along with a list of ANZAC events happening around West Auckland.
Let’s get into it.
In today’s edition:
40+ Events this week!
— Adrian Domingo | Publisher
Holidays ANZAC Day observed holiday April 27th
News
ANZAC Day 2026
ANZAC Day remains a key national day of remembrance, honouring courage, sacrifice, and all New Zealanders who have served in military operations and peacekeeping missions.
Auckland Council and the RSA are inviting communities across Tāmaki Makaurau to attend over 80 dawn services, parades, and commemorations this year, with a strong focus on reflection, service, and shared history. The national theme is Pasifika, recognising the contribution of Pasifika service members.
Key moments:
6am Dawn Service at the Auckland War Memorial Museum
Vector Lights on the Auckland Harbour Bridge (16–25 April)
NZ Warbirds flypast over Auckland from around 10:30am on ANZAC Day, weather permitting.
For those unable to attend, the Dawn Service will be livestreamed via MĀORI+.
Anzac events in West Auckland are listed at the top of the events section.
Public holiday is observed Monday 27 April for many workers.
Pay rules
Mon–Fri workers → holiday on Monday
Saturday workers → holiday on Saturday
Work both → counted once (Saturday)
Irregular hours → chat with your with employer, Check your contract
Rules apply Saturday 25 April (not Monday). Most retail closed until 1pm.
Who can open: Cafés, restaurants, bars, takeaways. Some may open later or stay closed.
Surcharges: Allowed on public holiday, Must be clearly shown, Can apply Saturday and/or Monday.
Sponsor Ad Below. Each click helps the newsletter:
New Owners at Pooks Road Bakery – Worth a Visit
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If you’re local and haven’t checked it since the changeover, worth a look.
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City News
New AI Tool to Report Issues in Auckland
Auckland Council’s rolled out a new AI assistant called Ask Auckland Council to make reporting issues way easier.
You can use it to report things like graffiti, roaming dogs, illegal dumping, missed bins, and party noise, all from your phone or computer. You can even upload a photo instead of trying to explain it.
It’s not just a basic chatbot either. It understands everyday language (including te reo Māori), asks follow-up questions, and helps make sure reports are accurate.
Early testing shows it’s a big step up. About 80% of users found it easy to use compared to older systems.
More features are coming, and the goal is to speed up how fast issues actually get sorted too.
If you’ve ever been put off reporting something because it was a hassle, this should make it a lot simpler.
Click here: To read more
🚧 Road Closures
Cartwright Road (Kelston) – 24-hour closure – Mar 23–May 25
Dunlop Road (Westgate) – 24-hour closure – Dec 15–Jun 20
Keikei Street (Westgate) – 7am–7pm – Feb 20–Aug 20
Portage Road (New Lynn) – 8pm–5am – Apr 13–26
Suncrest Drive (West Harbour) – 24-hour closure – Apr 12–May 3
Tanekaha Road (Titirangi) – 9am–6pm – Jan 5–Apr 30
Tarapuka Road (Westgate) – 24-hour closure – Jan 12–Jul 1
Victory Road (Laingholm) – 24-hour closure – Mar 9–Jun 30
Exciting Events this week: April 22-28
Events marked with ($) require a ticket in advance. Please click on the Learn more links to check them out before going. If at an event and anyone asks, please let them know that you found the event in the West Auckland Digest newsletter. It helps get the word out. You are awesome! Thanks!
ANZAC DAY West Auckland Sat 25 Apr
🇳🇿 New Lynn RSA Anzac Day Parade and Service | 8:45–9:30am+
Parade assembles 8:45am at Memorial Square (behind McDonald’s), steps off 9am via McRae Way → Great North Rd → Memorial Drive → Totara Ave to RSA. Service 9:30am at 2 Veronica St. Road closures in place. Morning tea provided; restaurant open lunch/dinner.
Contact: Dale Mays, 09 827 3411, [email protected]
🇳🇿 Titirangi RSA Parade and Service | 10:10–10:30am+
Parade assembles 10:10am near Hardware Café, marches 10:15am to Titirangi Primary. Service 10:30am at 221 Atkinson Rd. Road closures 10–10:45am. Lunch/refreshments at RSA; sausage sizzle for kids.
Contact: Laura, 021 022 17327, [email protected]
🇳🇿 Henderson RSA Parade and Service | 11–11:30am+
Parade assembles 11am at Fire Station (Railside Ave), marches 11:15am to RSA. Service 11:30am outside 64–74 Railside Ave. Multiple road closures. Lunch from 1pm, live entertainment from 2pm.
Contact: Tony Atkinson, 021 927 552, [email protected]
🇳🇿 Te Atatū Memorial RSA Anzac Service | 9:45–10am+
Parade 9:45am from Kaumatua Reserve via Te Atatū Rd and Pringle Rd. Service 10am at Community Centre. Food and refreshments afterwards at RSA.
Contact: Jenny Jones, 09 834 3698, [email protected]
🇳🇿 Laingholm Community Commemoration | 10:30–11:30am
Service 10:30am at community flagpole (Victory Rd & Laingholm Dr). Refreshments in hall after.
Contact: Graeme Booth, 09 834 3698, [email protected]
🇳🇿 Avondale RSA Service | 10–11:30am
Service 10am at 48 Rosebank Rd. Refreshments at RSA clubrooms; St Ninians also open for tea after.
Contact: Bernie Thomsen, 021 061 3080, [email protected]
🇳🇿 Waitākere RSA Parade and Service | 10:40–11:10am+
Parade assembles 10:40am at 29 Township Rd, marches 10:50am from Fire Station to RSA. Service 11:10am outside 39 Township Rd. Road closed 10–11:30am.
Contact: Jane Martens, 09 810 9856
🇳🇿 Swanson RSA Anzac Day Parade and Service | 8:45–9:15am
Parade assembles 8:45am at Swanson School, marches 9am to RSA. Service 9:15am at 663 Swanson Rd. Road closure in place.
Contact: Swanson RSA, 09 833 9013, [email protected]
🇳🇿 Waikūmete Cemetery Dawn Service | 5:45–5:55am+
Parade 5:45am, dawn service 5:55am at Auckland Provincial Memorial, 4128 Great North Rd. Cannon salute, rifle party, NZSL interpreters. No dogs permitted. No Civic Service this year.
Contact: Auckland Council, 09 301 0101, [email protected]
🇳🇿 Hobsonville Anzac Day March | 10:15–11am+
Parade assembles 10:15am at Hobsonville School, marches 10:30am to RSA. Service 11am at 114 Hobsonville Rd. Road closure in place. Food and drinks after.
Contact: [email protected], [email protected]
🇳🇿 Piha Anzac Day Commemorative Service | 1:30–2pm+
Parade assembles 1:30pm at RSA Club Rooms, marches 1:50pm to Lion Rock. Service 2pm at War Memorial Reserve. One-lane road closure 1:30–3:30pm. Refreshments and afternoon tea after.
Contact: [email protected]
Hot Events
WEEKDAYS
Avondale: See It / Try It at the 3M Safety Roadshow | Thu, 23 Apr at 08:00 📍 559 Rosebank Rd, Avondale, Auckland 1026, New Zealand | Learn more
NZ COMEDY FEST PRESENTS: THE WEED EATERS 4D Experience | Fri, 24 Apr at 18:30 📍 Hollywood Avondale | Learn more
SIKA Sound Journey | Fri, 24 Apr at 19:30 📍 Laingholm Village Hall, 69 Victory Road, Laingholm, Auckland 0604 | Learn more
SATURDAY 18th
Bethells Cafe Last Big Summer Saturday | Sat, 25 Apr at 15:00 📍 Bethells beach cafe - official | Learn more
Sacred Cacao Trance Dance Ritual | Sat, 25 Apr at 19:00 📍 Blockhouse Bay Boat Club | Learn more
SUNDAY 19th
FIGHT CLUB (1999) | Sun, 26 Apr at 18:00 📍 Hollywood Avondale | Learn more
Events
Wed 22 Apr
🌿 Native Seedling Sessions | 10am-12pm
📍 New Lynn | Learn more
Help care for native seedlings at the community nursery.
🧵 Sew a Tote Bag, The ReCreators Green Space | 10am-1pm
📍 Massey | Learn more
DIY workshop making tote bags from reclaimed upholstery fabrics.
👗 Bupa Glenburn Retirement Village - Fashion Show | 10:30am-1:30pm
📍 New Lynn | Learn more
Fashion show event held at Bupa Glenburn retirement village.
📱 Nature Photography App Workshop: From Park to Phone: Discover Local Nature | 1-4pm
📍 Avondale | Learn more
Learn to identify nature using the iNaturalist app.
🎮 Minecraft Mayhem | 4-6pm ($)
📍 Te Atatu Peninsula | Learn more
Drop-in Minecraft sessions for kids in a safe environment.
🧠 Quizz Night at the Churlys Rise | 6-8pm
📍 Titirangi | Learn more
Put your trivia skills to the test at the local quiz night.
🍷 Paint and Wine Night in Titirangi, Auckland - Peony Bouquet | 7-9pm ($)
📍 Titirangi | Learn more
A casual, guided social painting session with drinks.
⛸️ Avondale Stick n Puck | 10:15-11:15pm ($)
📍 Avondale | Learn more
Late night ice skating session for all ages.
Thu 23 Apr
🧶 Caffeine & Craft | 9:30am-12:30pm
📍 Te Atatu | Learn more
Bring your creative projects and meet fellow crafters.
🏡 EcoFest: Healthier Homes Workshop with EcoMatters | 4-7pm
📍 Rānui | Learn more
Learn practical tips to make your home warmer and cheaper to run.
🎞️ THE LONG GOODBYE (1973) | 7:30-9:15pm ($)
📍 Avondale | Learn more
Screening of the 1973 classic noir film The Long Goodbye.
Fri 24 Apr
🌻 Organic Gardening Sessions | 11am-2pm
📍 New Lynn | Learn more
Get your hands dirty and learn about organic gardening.
🎶 Ukulele Jam | 4-5pm
📍 New Lynn | Learn more
Beginner-friendly ukulele sing-along group.
Sat 25 Apr
🥕 Saturday Farmers' Market at The Shed Collective Venue | 8:30am-12pm
📍 Oratia | Learn more
Weekly farmers' market featuring fresh produce, food, and music.
💥 Fight For Camera - Beginners Stunt Workshop, Auckland | 9am-5pm ($)
📍 Hobsonville | Learn more
A 2-day workshop covering basic stunt fighting techniques.
🌀 Beyblade Landscape X 3on3 Ranked April Tournament 2026 | 10am-5pm ($)
📍 Henderson | Learn more
Competitive ranked Beyblade tournament for enthusiasts.
🌿 Autumn dried wreath workshop | 11am-1:30pm ($)
📍 Waimauku | Learn more
Create a beautiful autumn dried wreath at this relaxing workshop.
🔧 DEANZ Repair Café - New Lynn | 11am-2pm
📍 New Lynn | Learn more
Get your broken household items fixed for free by volunteers.
🏉 Kaipara Lancers Reunion | 4-7pm
📍 Helensville | Learn more
A reunion with food, drinks, footy, and music.
🎸 Saturday Sessions with Velvet Tux | 5-8pm
📍 Kelston | Learn more
Live rock music and drinks for a great Saturday night.
🏉 Warriors 2026 Games | 8:05-10:05pm
Greenfields, The Hangar, Taphouse & Workshop | Learn more
Live broadcast screening of the Warriors rugby match.
Sun 26 Apr
🙏 Anglican Service led by Rev. Vivienne Hill | 9:30-10:30am
📍 Oratia | Learn more
A community Anglican service.
🐱 Auckland Cat Club Cat Show | 10:30am-1:30pm ($)
📍 Kumeu | Learn more
Local cat club exhibition show.
🎤 Pop-Up Karaoke at Catherine Plaza | 11am-2pm
📍 Henderson | Learn more
Casual karaoke fun for all ages at Catherine Plaza.
🌭 Friends of Arataki - Monthly fundraising BBQ's! | 11am-2pm ($)
📍 Oratia | Learn more
Grab a sausage at the community fundraising BBQ.
🐝 Love Food Hate Waste Workshop – Beeswax Wraps at Rānui Library | 1-3pm
📍 Rānui | Learn more
Workshop on sustainable food storage and making beeswax wraps.
🎸 Tasman AZ live at the Huapai Tavern! | 3-6pm
📍 Huapai | Learn more
Live performance of classic Kiwi and Aussie rock hits.
🎸 Sunday (Anzac Weekend) @ The Huapai Tavern | 3-6pm
📍 Huapai | Learn more
Anzac weekend tribute concert featuring Aussie and Kiwi classics.
Mon 27 Apr
🌿 iNaturalist City Nature Challenge with the Biodiversity Guy! | 1-3pm
📍 Oratia | Learn more
Guided nature walks to participate in the iNaturalist challenge.
🎨 Te Atatū Art Club | 6:30-8:30pm
📍 Te Atatu | Learn more
Bring your art projects along and create in a friendly group.
Tue 28 Apr
🧱 Lego Build Sessions | 3:30pm-5pm
📍 New Lynn | Learn more
Lego building session for children ages 5 and older.
🎲 More April Tuesday Night Boardgames | 7-10pm ($)
📍 Western Springs Garden Community Hall | Learn more
A fun and friendly board game night for all skill levels.
If you want to collaborate or promote your business, please send me an email.
[email protected]
That’s it! Hope the events list got you sorted!
See you next week!
Adrian Domingo - Publisher | West Auckland Digest
Quack!