Kia ora {{first_name | Westie}},
Far out, what a weekend! Auckland is painted black and blue after Auckland FC took out their very first A-League championship. Epic effort, and there's definitely more to come!
Here’s what’s happening around our backyard this week:
The Stats: NZ’s population is still growing, despite record-low birth rates.
Housing: Auckland Council approved a major funding boost for Māori housing.
Matariki 2026: The official festival lineup is out.
Transport: Local board backs adding new rail corridor.
Community: Rānui and Henderson storm recovery is shifting from cleanup to community renewal.
A local playground upgrade is getting a new flying fox and mega swing!
Last chance to vote: What’s the true Kiwi Smoko king? Meat pies or Sausage Rolls? One is winning by a landslide of over 70%—can you guess which?
Let’s get stuck in.
In today's issue:
40+ Events this week!
- Adrian Domingo | Publisher
Holidays: Kings Birthday 1 June
National & City Digest
⚽ Auckland FC wins the A-League championship in their second season. Read more (RNZ)
👶 NZ's population grows despite record-low birth rates. Read more (1News)
🏠 Auckland Council approves funding boost for Māori housing. Read more (OurAuckland)
✨ Matariki 2026 festival lineup announced. Full events list out in June. Read more (OurAuckland)
Avondale to Southdown
Local Digest
🚧 Last chance to give feedback on Western Line train crossing upgrades. Read more (Auckland Transport)
🛤️ Local board backs Avondale to Southdown rail link corridor. Read more (OurAuckland)
🌱 Rānui and Henderson storm recovery moves from cleanup to community renewal. Read more (OurAuckland)
🛝 Swanson Station Reserve playground upgrade gets underway with a new flying fox and mega swing. Read more (Waitākere Ranges Local Board)
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What’s the TRUE Kiwi smoko king?
🚧 Road and Rail Closures
Sponsored section below. Each click helps the newsletter. Thanks!
Exciting Events this week
Hot Events
Weekdays
😂 Comedy On The Rocks! Stars of the NZ Comedy Fest! | Fri 7-9pm ($)
📍 The Original Kaipara Tavern, Helensville | Learn more
A night of big laughs featuring a stellar lineup of top-tier up-and-coming and pro-comedians.
🎤 FREDDIE MERCURY TRIBUTE By Paul Madsen and Band | Fri 7:30pm
📍 Te Atatu Boating Club | Learn more
A high-energy musical homage to the legendary rock frontman of Queen.
Saturday
🛍️ Blockhouse Bay Community Market | 8am-12:30pm
📍 Blockhouse Bay Community Centre | Learn more
A community market offering quality second-hand bargains alongside a wide variety of unique, hand-crafted goods.
♻️ Gently Loved Markets: Curvy | 10am-1pm
📍 Western Springs Garden Community Hall | Learn more
An inclusive, pre-loved plus-size thrift market celebrating sustainable fashion.
🔊 AFTERMATH! - Drum N' Bass | 2pm
📍 The Hangar, Henderson | Learn more
A massive day-to-night heavy bass takeover featuring live DJ sets and a strobe-lit party.
🔊 MAYHEM CHALLENGER | AUCKLAND | 4pm
📍 The Trusts Arena, Henderson | Learn more
A massive audio-visual festival featuring international Drum & Bass powerhouses like Kings of the Rollers and Skepsis.
🍲 Anand Melawa - Marathi Food Festival | 5pm
📍 Te Atatū Peninsula Community Centre | Learn more
A cultural festival of traditional Marathi cuisine and authentic Indian street food stalls.
🎸 R3PLAY at The Taphouse! | 7pm
📍 The Taphouse, Avondale | Learn more
A nostalgic night of live music Brings you back to the absolute best hits of the 1980s.
Sunday
🎸 Viva Fair: Brazilian Market | 11am-3pm
📍 Massey | Learn more
A vibrant day full of Brazilian flavours, culture, and good vibes.
Events
Wed 27 May
🌱 Native Seedling Sessions | 10am-12pm
📍 New Lynn | Learn more
Volunteer session helping to grow and care for native plant seedlings.
🔨 Make a wooden house sign: Power Tools 101 | 11am-2pm ($)
📍 Point Chevalier | Learn more
Learn to use power tools to build a custom wooden house sign.
🥔 Free Community Lunch | 12-3pm
📍 Green Bay | Learn more
A free community lunch featuring a delicious baked potato bar.
🍲 Together We Eat: Community Kai @ Parrs Park | 4pm
📍 Glen Eden | Learn More
Community led kai for everybody. Koha welcome!
🎩 Comedian Magician LIVE with Jarred Fell | 7-10pm
📍 Henderson | Learn more
A night of adult magic and edgy comedy.Thu 28 May
Thu 28 May
🌱 Bishop Stream Planting at Ceramco Park | 9:15am-12:15pm
📍 Glen Eden | Learn more
Community planting day to help restore native stream habitats.
Fri 29 May
🎨 Impressionism Workshop with Patricia Brickell | 11am-3pm ($)
📍 Helensville | Learn more
Full-day Impressionist art workshop focusing on expressive techniques.
🎸 Arboretum + Bobby Mouldy + Dolmacher | 8pm ($)
📍 New Lynn | Learn more
A unique gig featuring punk, indie, and dark pop bands.
🎬 Backrooms | 8-9:45pm ($)
📍 Hollywood Avondale | Learn more
Screening of the found-footage horror film Backrooms.
🎸 The Trusts Live at Corban Estate | 7:00pm
📍 Corban Estate Arts Centre, Henderson | Learn more
Homegrown local talent to support youth music programs.
Sat 30 May
🌱 Sunnyvale Stream Care Session | 9am-12:30pm
📍 Sunnyvale | Learn more
Help clean up weeds and rubbish to restore the local stream.
👗 Food For Fashion | 10am-12pm
📍 Massey Community Hub | Learn more
Swap clothing for food!
🔌 FREE E-day - Hub West | 10:30am-2pm
📍 Hub West, Henderson | Learn more
Drive-thru event to drop off unwanted electronic waste for recycling.
🌀 Beyblade Landscape X 3on3 Ranked May Tournament 2026 | 10am-5pm ($)
📍 Henderson | Learn more
Monthly ranked 3on3 Beyblade tournament for all skill levels.
🛍️ Collectors & Crafters De-stash Market | 10am-3pm
📍 Western Springs | Learn more
🎵 NZ NZ Music Month: Make Your Own Musical Instruments | 10:30-11:30am
📍 Blockhouse Bay | Learn more
🎵 Spellodies - NZ Music Month | 11am-2pm
📍 Avondale | Learn more
A fun, high-energy live concert for families and kids.
🥂 Drag Me to Brunch! | 12-3pm ($)
📍 The Hangar, Henderson | Learn more
Bottomless brunch with entertainment from Miss Trinity Ice.
🎤 Voice Activation | Liberated Frequency | 12-4pm ($)
📍 Waiatarua | Learn more
A two-day vocal immersion to reclaim your authentic voice.
🪡 Social Sewing - Local Fibre | 1-4pm
📍 Titirangi | Learn more
🎬 The Weed Eaters | 3-4:20pm ($)
📍 Hollywood Avondale | Learn more
💃 Sacred Cacao Trance Dance Ritual, Auckland | 7-10pm ($)
📍 Blockhouse Bay Boat Club | Learn more
Sun 31 May
🌭 Friends of Arataki - Monthly fundraising BBQ's! | 11am-2pm ($)
📍 Oratia | Learn more
🎺 Library Live: Auckland City Brass Band | 11:15am-12pm
📍 New Lynn | Learn more
🔫 NZAPSC Masterclass APSC Training | 12-5pm ($)
📍 Glendene | Learn more
Intensive masterclass for competitive IPSC ActionAir shooting.
🪴 Indoor Plant Workshop | 12:30-2pm
📍 New Lynn | Learn more
Interactive indoor plant care workshop led by an industry expert.
🧘 Dance Meditation Masterclass | 2-4pm ($)
📍 Waimauku | Learn more
A guided movement and meditation masterclass in a forest retreat.
🎬 Once Upon a Time in America | 2-6:15pm ($)
📍 Hollywood Avondale | Learn more
A screening of the epic crime drama Once Upon a Time in America.
🏒 Avondale Scrimmage | 8:45-10:15pm ($)
📍 Avondale | Learn more
A medium-to-high skill level ice hockey scrimmage for ages 16+.
Mon 1 Jun
🎈 Wild Streets Festival of PLAY | 10am-2pm
📍 Western Springs | Learn more
A free day of indoor games and activities for all ages.
🎬 Despicable Me 4 | 10am
📍 Waitākere Central Library | Learn more
Tue 2 Jun
🛠️ Build a Wood Organiser Caddy: Power Tools 101 | 10am-1pm
📍 Massey | Learn more
Learn how to use power tools while building a wooden organiser.
🎭 A Man for All Seasons By Robert Bolt | 8pm 2-13 June ($)
📍 Titirangi Theatre | Learn more
A tense, intelligent historical drama following the true story of Sir Thomas More's stand against King Henry VIII.
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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