Govt Targets Power Giants to Boost Competition | Meet Auckland’s New Transport Chief

Kia ora {{first_name | Westie}},

Hope you managed to get some rest over the long weekend, even if the weather was a bit of a mixed bag!

While we ease back into the short week, here is a quick look at what is making waves around our backyard:

A quick heads-up on a fresh format update!

To stop Gmail from clipping our emails, we are streamlining things. You’ll now get the Hot Events directly in your inbox, with the full, larger, more comprehensive list just one click away on our website. We can now list as many events as we want!

Let’s get stuck in.

A whopping 60+ Events this week!!

- Adrian Domingo | Publisher

📈 Auckland Rates Set to Climb Auckland Council has officially voted to raise rates by an average of 7.9%, a move necessary to fund the City Rail Link and essential infrastructure. RNZ

💰 Budget 2026: The Big Shake-up Finance Minister Nicola Willis has revealed a "back-to-basics" budget aimed at boosting health and transport while eyeing a return to surplus by 2029. RNZ

⚡ Power Play: Ending the Electricity Giants' Edge New government rules will force major power companies to play fair with smaller competitors, aiming to drive down prices and increase choice for households. 1News

🗓️ Planning for the Future: Auckland’s 2026/27 Roadmap Auckland Council has locked in its Annual Plan for the coming year, setting the strategy for city-wide projects and operational priorities. OurAuckland

🛡️ Stronger Together: Auckland’s Emergency Resilience Auckland Emergency Management has successfully rallied community leaders to refine the city’s safety plans and strengthen local emergency response. OurAuckland

🧒 Protecting Kids from Lottery Sales New legislative changes are closing a loophole to ensure children can no longer purchase lottery products, keeping gambling out of reach for minors. Beehive

🎮 Leveling Up: Auckland’s Indie Gaming Boom GridAKL is putting local talent on the map with a vibrant indie game showcase, cementing Auckland’s position as a rising force in the gaming industry. OurAuckland

🤝 Auckland Council is Pouring Millions Into Community-led Initiatives Supercharging local efforts in emergency readiness, sports upgrades, cultural events, and environmental restoration across Tāmaki Makaurau. OurAuckland

🚌 New Leadership for Auckland’s Transport Highly experienced transport and infrastructure expert Steve Mutton has been named the new Director of Transport and Infrastructure, stepping up to spearhead the council’s ambitious transport reform agenda. OurAuckland

🌿 New Era for the Waitākere Ranges A newly formed forum is bringing together iwi, council, and government partners to ensure long-term protection and collaborative planning for the Waitākere Ranges Heritage Area. OurAuckland

🚗 Te Rangi Hiroa Park Car Park Upgrade The Birdwood Road car park is closing for a four-month upgrade starting June 2 to improve safety, accessibility, and drainage; alternative parking is available at Glen Road. Henderson-Massey Local Board

🏀 New Basketball Court Coming to Collins Park Following a community-led push, a new basketball court is set to be built at Collins Park, with design work now underway to ensure it fits well for the local neighbourhood. Upper Harbour Local Board

Eden Noodles - is coming to New Lynn!
📍13A Totara Avenue, New Lynn

Fruity Fresh Te Atatū Peninsula - Has new owners. New range of products including cheeses and groceries. And a new checkout system.
📍82 Gunner Drive, Te Atatū Peninsula.

Swagat Supermarket - New indian grocery in New Lynn
📍3126 Great North Road, New Lynn

View all road closures | View all Rail closures

And there we have it! The meat pie is KING! Absolutely DESTROYING the sausage roll at 65%!

🚜 River Valley Farm Machinery Auction
📍 Helensville Showgrounds | Fri 12-2pm Learn more
Farm machinery auction at Helensville Showgrounds. Viewing opens June 5th. Auction on June 6th.

🌙 MOTAT After Dark
📍 MOTAT | Thu to Sat to 6-9pm ($) Learn more
From June 4–6, MOTAT After Dark offers torchlight tours, live music, exhibitions, and neon dancers. In partnership with Food Truck Collective, the event features local eats and an included bar drink. $10 for adults, $5 for kids, and free for MOTAT Mates.

🎧 Afro Jamz at Mr Illingsworth
📍 Te Atatū Peninsula | Fri 7-10pm Learn more
Experience a new flavor of Friday nights at Mr Illingsworth with DJ Leemz spinning Afro R&B Fusion. Enjoy great food and drink specials running all evening alongside trademark local vibes.

🎣 Lowrance Sounder Sessions - Burnsco Westgate
📍 Westgate | Sat 10am-2pm Learn more
Learn to read structure, adjust settings for local spots, and avoid common mistakes. Chat with a Lowrance expert, enter to win an upgraded C-MAP chart with purchase, and support the Hobsonville Yacht Club fundraising barbecue outside.

🦎 Tiny Titans of Aotearoa - Exhibition Opening
📍 Oratia | Sat 11am Learn more
Discover the intricate details and unexpected beauty of New Zealand's reptiles and invertebrates at the opening of this stunning macro photography exhibition. Created by herpetologist and wildlife photographer Dave Laux.

🎤 Ruff Copy at Greenfields
📍 Westgate | Sat 7-10pm Learn more
Catch Ruff Copy delivering an unforgettable night of live music, packing decades of party hits into their setlist. Expect tight harmonies and strong vocals covering everything from classic rock, blues, and funk to reggae and Kiwi favorites.

🎸 Dreams - Fleetwood Mac Tribute
📍 New Lynn | Sat 8-11pm ($) Learn more
Experience one of New Zealand's absolute best live acts with this premier Fleetwood Mac tribute show. Bringing the band's iconic catalog to life, the performance features incredible live music, fantastic entertainers, authentic costumes, and all the timeless hits you love.

🌙 Whau Eid Festival
📍 New Lynn | Sun 11am-2pm Learn more
Come together to celebrate community spirit and cultural diversity at this festive public Eid gathering. The vibrant event warmly welcomes everyone to share in the festivities, featuring a delightful array of ethnic foods, beautiful free Henna art, and fun face painting for all ages to enjoy.

💍 Kumeū Valley Estate - Open Day
📍 Waimauku | Sun 11am-2:30pm Learn more
Celebrate two decades of this beautiful venue at a fully styled open afternoon. Meet the hosts to chat about wedding plans, sample delicious cakes from Sweet Bites, and discover a special surprise on the day.

🌳 Food Forest Our Public Parks! A Community Design Workshop
📍 New Lynn | Sun 1-4pm Learn more
Explore the potential of transforming public parks into productive spaces at this two-part collaborative workshop. Learn the core principles of syntropic agroforestry and regenerative design during an insightful presentation, then team up for a hands-on design exercise focused on plant layering, edible species, and community engagement.

💜 Purple Rain (1984) on Prince's Birthday
📍 Hollywood Avondale | Sun 6:30-8:30pm Learn more
Celebrate the legacy and birthday of His Purple Majesty with a special screening of the iconic cinematic masterpiece, Purple Rain. Part rock-and-roll psychodrama and part high-energy nightclub dance party. Experience Prince at his peak.

That’s it! Hope the events list got you sorted!
See you next week!

Adrian Domingo - Publisher | West Auckland Digest [email protected]

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