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- ๐ Wellington's Waterfront Erupts in Fire & Light This Matariki
๐ Wellington's Waterfront Erupts in Fire & Light This Matariki
Plus All Blacks v Italy, Peter Hook live, Grafix, LEGO Star Wars, ice skating and a whole Matariki long weekend to fill. Rug up, Welly! ๐
Kirstie and Steve
July 09, 2026
WellyBuzz ๐
Your Wellington Weekend Sorted
Wellington's Waterfront Erupts in Fire & Light This Matariki
Plus All Blacks v Italy, Peter Hook live, Grafix, LEGO Star Wars, ice skating and a whole Matariki long weekend to fill. Rug up, Welly! ๐
๐ Welcome
Kia ora Wellington! โ๏ธ
Matariki lands this weekend and the whole region is glowing. The waterfront comes alive with fire, light and remembrance at Matariki Ahi Kฤ, the All Blacks take on Italy at Hnry Stadium (earlier 5:10pm kickoff!), post-punk legend Peter Hook plays the Opera House, and Greytown turns on the midwinter Christmas magic. Friday is a public holiday and it's school holidays too, so there's heaps on for the whฤnau to enjoy. Rug up and let's get buzzing! ๐
๐ฅ Quick Picks
๐ฅ Matariki Ahi Kฤ (Fri-Sun) - The waterfront glows with fire, light and a nightly remembrance ceremony. Free.
๐ฎ NZ Festival of Christmas (Fri-Sun) - Greytown's nightly illuminated Cobblestones walk, plus Main Street snowfall (Fri & Sat) and the Kotuku choir (Sat).
๐ธ Peter Hook & The Light (Fri) - The Joy Division and New Order legend plays the Opera House.
โธ๏ธ Wellington Ice Rink (Fri-Sun) - The pop-up waterfront ice rink is open daily these school holidays.
๐ญ Gryphon Theatre Double (Fri) - Noรซl Coward's comedy Hay Fever at night, plus kids' show Mrs Llama the Very Kiwi Farmer by day.
๐ Creepy Cute Market (Sat) - Spooky-cute makers market at Thistle Hall. Free entry.
๐ All Blacks v Italy (Sat) - First-ever Wellington clash, family friendly 5:10pm kickoff. Plus a free All Blacks meet & greet at Rebel Sport (Fri).
๐๏ธ Love Local Expo (Sat) - Porirua's big expo of local products, services and community. Free.
๐จ Tamariki Takeover (Sat) - Wellington Museum hands the day to the kids with crafts and Matariki fun. Free.
๐ School Holiday Steam (Sun) - Ride a heritage steam train between Paekฤkฤriki and Porirua.
๐งฑ LEGO Star Wars: The Exhibition (Sun) - Over 8 million bricks bring the galaxy to life at Tฤkina.
๐ Wellington Saints v Canterbury Rams (Sun) - The Saints host the Rams in Sal's NBL basketball, 3pm tip-off at TSB Arena.
๐ฐ๏ธ Welly's Time Machine
๐ท Colin Totara / Old Wellington Facebook Group
Blast from the past! A few old Wellington haunts from decades gone by - Homestead, Kenny's Cafe, Rick's Open Warehouse and more. How many do you remember?
๐ฝ๏ธ Food & Drink
Uncle Leo's Bakery, Hataitai
You voted, we listened! Uncle Leo's took the crown as your favourite Wellington cafe in our recent social media poll - and with a near-perfect 4.9 from hundreds of reviews, it's easy to see why.
This little French bakery on Evans Bay Parade turns out artisan bread, barista coffee and a cabinet full of viennoiserie. The almond croissant gets called the best in Wellington, and the pies (cauliflower cheese, mince and cheese, and a steak and cheese that reviewers reckon is the best they've ever had) are the stuff of local legend.
Dog-friendly, free roadside parking, and open both weekend days 8am-4pm. Find them at 305 Evans Bay Parade, Hataitai. uncleleos.co.nz
๐ Events - What's On This Weekend
๐
Friday 10 July - Matariki Public Holiday ๐
๐ฅ Matariki Ahi Kฤ
The waterfront transforms into an immersive trail of fire, light and projection, with performances and a nightly remembrance ceremony.
๐ Wellington Waterfront | ๐ Fri-Sun 6pm-9pm nightly | ๐ฐ Free | ๐ All ages
Free whฤnau-friendly workshops and activities - face paint, Pacific star navigation, a taonga trail and more. New Zealand Sign Language interpreted.
๐ Te Papa, 55 Cable Street, Te Aro | ๐ Fri 10am-2pm | ๐ฐ Free | ๐ All ages
Get up close with rugby greatness - meet some of your favourite All Blacks, snap a photo and grab an autograph. Free and open to all fans.
๐ Rebel Sport, James Smith's Corner, cnr Cuba & Manners Streets, Te Aro | ๐ฅ Fri 10:30am-11:30am | ๐ฐ Free | ๐ All ages
The Joy Division and New Order co-founder performs New Order's album Get Ready in full, plus a set of Joy Division and New Order classics.
๐ Opera House, 111-113 Manners Street, Te Aro | ๐ข Fri 7:45pm | ๐ฐ From $103.35 (+ fees) | ๐ See ticket link
A theatrical drag concert honouring wฤhine as part of Matariki, with a shared supper after the show.
๐ Circa Theatre, 1 Taranaki Street, Te Aro | ๐ Fri 7pm | ๐ฐ $75 / $65 concession (incl. supper) | ๐ All ages (some coarse language)
๐ญ Hay Fever
Wellington Repertory Theatre presents Noรซl Coward's sparkling comedy of manners - the eccentric Bliss family invite guests for a country-house weekend, and glorious chaos ensues. Also playing Saturday.
๐ Gryphon Theatre, 22 Ghuznee Street, Te Aro | ๐ข Fri 7:30pm | ๐ฐ $19.90-$29.90 | ๐ All ages
An intimate Kelburn house concert of 60s and 70s covers and originals. Gates 6:30pm.
๐ Hilltop, 17 Upland Road, Kelburn | ๐ Fri 7pm (gates 6:30pm) | ๐ฐ $34.05 (incl. fees) | ๐ All ages
A stand-up showcase headlined by two of the country's best-loved comedians.
๐ The Fringe Bar, 26 Allen Street, Te Aro | ๐ Fri 8pm | ๐ฐ $31.49 concession, $36.61 GA (incl. fees) | ๐ R18
A free walk-through outdoor light display along the Porirua waterfront, with food trucks on hand.
๐ Porirua Harbour, 2 Wi Neera Drive, Porirua | ๐ Thu-Sun 5:30pm-9pm | ๐ฐ Free | ๐ All ages
UK drum-and-bass innovator Grafix brings his high-energy album tour to Meow.
๐ Meow, 9 Edward Street, Te Aro | ๐ฅ Fri 10pm-3am | ๐ฐ From $29 + fees | ๐ R18
๐ฝ AREA:51
An immersive warehouse drum-and-bass takeover of Shed 6.
๐ Shed 6, Queens Wharf, Wellington Central | ๐ Fri 5pm-late | ๐ฐ Final release (early bird sold out) | ๐ R18
The acclaimed New Zealand singer-songwriter tours his 11th album out on the Kฤpiti Coast.
๐ St Peter's Village Hall, cnr Beach Road & Ames Street, Paekฤkฤriki | ๐ข Fri 7:30pm | ๐ฐ See ticket link | ๐ R18
Mark Matariki with a community beach clean-up. Bags and grabbers supplied, bring gardening gloves. Dog friendly, all ages.
๐ Honiana Te Puni Reserve carpark, western Petone Beach | ๐ Fri 9am-10:30am | ๐ฐ Free | ๐ All ages
Fake snowfall every half hour outside the Town Hall, with food trucks, for the NZ Festival of Christmas.
๐ Greytown Town Hall, 89 Main Street, Greytown | ๐ Fri 6pm-8pm | ๐ฐ Free | ๐ All ages
An interactive light-show walk through the heritage village for the NZ Festival of Christmas.
๐ Cobblestones Heritage Village, 169 Main Street, Greytown | ๐ Sessions from 5:30pm | ๐ฐ Adult $22.90, Child $14.90 | ๐ All ages
โธ๏ธ Wellington Ice Rink
The pop-up waterfront ice rink is back and open daily through the school holidays. Lace up and glide!
๐ Queens Wharf, Wellington | ๐ Daily 10am-10pm through the school holidays | ๐ฐ Adult $26, Child (5-12) $21, 3-4yr $16, Family $70 | ๐ Min age 3, helmet or approved headband required
On her lively New Zealand farm, Mrs Llama wrangles pesky rabbits and a cast of animal characters into hilarious chaos. A feel-good show for young audiences and the young at heart.
๐ Gryphon Theatre, 22 Ghuznee Street, Te Aro | ๐ Fri 11am | ๐ฐ $15 | ๐ All ages
Free toasted marshmallows all school holidays at the Akatarawa wildlife reserve.
๐ Staglands Wildlife Reserve, 2362 Akatarawa Road, Upper Hutt | ๐ค Daily 9:30am-5pm | ๐ฐ Adult $29, Child $12 | ๐ All ages
๐
Saturday 11 July
๐ All Blacks v Italy
The All Blacks return to the capital for their first-ever clash with Italy in Wellington. Note the earlier 5:10pm kickoff - perfect for the whole family.
๐ Hnry Stadium, 105 Waterloo Quay, Pipitea | ๐ Sat 5:10pm kickoff | ๐ฐ General public allocation exhausted (resale/hospitality only) | ๐ All ages
The New Zealand Symphony Orchestra backs the finest new opera voices as the Song Quest marks its 70th anniversary.
๐ Michael Fowler Centre, 111 Wakefield Street, Te Aro | ๐ข Sat 7:30pm | ๐ฐ $39-$109 | ๐ All ages
๐จ Tamariki Takeover
Wellington Museum hands the day to the kids with crafts, storytelling and Matariki activities.
๐ Wellington Museum, 3 Jervois Quay, Queens Wharf | ๐ Sat 10am-2pm | ๐ฐ Free | ๐ All ages
๐ต๐ญ NZ Filifest Cultural Concert
An evening of Filipino music and dance, fundraising for the performers' journey to the Philippines. Doors 5:30pm.
๐ St James' Anglican Church, 71 Woburn Road, Lower Hutt | ๐ Sat 6pm | ๐ฐ Adult $25, Child $15, Family $70 (+ fees) | ๐ All ages
๐ Creepy Cute Market
A spooky-cute makers market packed with local artists and oddities. Free to browse.
๐ Thistle Hall, 293 Cuba Street, Te Aro | ๐ค Sat 9:30am-2:30pm | ๐ฐ Free entry | ๐ All ages
The international troupe reworks modern pop hits into vintage jazz and swing stylings.
๐ Opera House, 111-113 Manners Street, Te Aro | ๐ข Sat 7:30pm | ๐ฐ From $122.82 (+ fees) | ๐ All ages
Australian drum-and-bass hitmaker Luude (Down Under, Big City Life) brings his high-energy show to Shed 6.
๐ Shed 6, Queens Wharf, Wellington Central | ๐ข Sat 7:30pm doors | ๐ฐ Allocation exhausted | ๐ R16
A takatฤpui drag celebration for Matariki, pay-what-you-can at the door.
๐ Ivy Bar & Cabaret, 63 Cuba Street, Te Aro | ๐ Sat 9pm | ๐ฐ Pay-what-you-can from $10.25 | ๐ R18
๐ญ Waenga
Powerful Mฤori theatre from Te Rฤkau for Matariki. Also playing Sunday at 1pm.
๐ Avalon Intermediate, 1041 High Street, Lower Hutt | ๐ก Sat 6:30pm (also Sun 1pm) | ๐ฐ From $10.25 student (incl. fees) | ๐ Recommended 12+
๐๏ธ Love Local Expo
Porirua's annual expo showcasing local products, services and community groups. Free family day out.
๐ Te Rauparaha Arena, 17 Parumoana Street, Porirua | ๐ Sat 10am-4pm | ๐ฐ Free | ๐ All ages
Go behind the scenes at a working animal rescue and meet the rescued residents - cats, dogs, ponies, pigs and more.
๐ HUHA Sanctuary, Haywards Hill, Upper Hutt | ๐ง Sat 12:30pm-2pm | ๐ฐ Adult $25, Child $15, Family $70 | ๐ All ages
Ride behind the miniature trains as the sun goes down and the railway lights up after dark.
๐ Hutt Valley Model Engineering Society, 6 Marine Parade, Petone | ๐ Sat 4pm-7:30pm | ๐ฐ $2 a ride or 6 for $10 | ๐ All ages
A long-weekend Nissan meet and cruise with merch, snacks and photographers on hand. Nissans only!
๐ 1 Gregory Street, Naenae, Lower Hutt | ๐ Sat 11am-1pm | ๐ฐ Free | ๐ All ages
The children's charity choir sings carols and a brand-new Song For Greytown just before the 6pm midwinter snowfall.
๐ Greytown Town Hall, 89 Main Street, Greytown | ๐ Sat 5:30pm | ๐ฐ Free | ๐ All ages
๐
Sunday 12 July
Over 8 million LEGO bricks bring the galaxy to life at Tฤkina, plus hands-on building activities for all ages. Timed sessions daily.
๐ Tฤkina, 50 Cable Street, Te Aro | ๐ Sun timed sessions from 9am | ๐ฐ Adult $35, Child $22.50, Family $105 | ๐ All ages
Live Matariki star talks in the planetarium, kapa haka from Tฤซwhanawhana, a whฤnau craft activity and storytelling. Book ahead - limited tickets.
๐ Space Place at Carter Observatory, 40 Salamanca Road, Kelburn | ๐ Sun 10am-3pm | ๐ฐ Adult $10, Tamariki $5, under-5 free | ๐ All ages
Sal's National Basketball League action - the Saints host the Canterbury Rams.
๐ TSB Arena, 4 Queens Wharf, Wellington Central | ๐ Sun 3pm | ๐ฐ From $20.39 (+ fees) | ๐ All ages
๐ School Holiday Steam
Ride a heritage steam train on the scenic run between Paekฤkฤriki and Porirua. A holiday treat for train lovers.
๐ Departs Porirua & Paekฤkฤriki stations | ๐ค Sun departures 9:35am-4:05pm | ๐ฐ $29 (3+), Family $99 | ๐ All ages
A hands-on workshop where kids learn real leatherworking techniques from the Wฤtฤ Workshop costume crew.
๐ Wฤtฤ Workshop, 1 Weka Street, Miramar | ๐ Sun (daily to 19 July), 60 min sessions | ๐ฐ $32, caregiver free | ๐ Ages 6-11
New Zealand Symphony Orchestra players perform chamber music for flute and string quartet.
๐ St Andrew's on The Terrace, 30 The Terrace, Wellington Central | ๐ Sun 3pm-5pm | ๐ฐ $44.30, under-26 $10.25 (incl. fees) | ๐ All ages
A Mulled Wine Concerts afternoon of jazz led by Erna Ferry - the perfect cosy Sunday session.
๐ Paekฤkฤriki Memorial Hall, 98 The Parade, Paekฤkฤriki | ๐ Sun 2:30pm | ๐ฐ Adult $35, under-16 $15 | ๐ All ages
๐ Alice in Wonderland
The Pantoloons bring their family-friendly panto down the rabbit hole on the Kฤpiti Coast.
๐ Southward Theatre, Otaihanga Road, Otaihanga | ๐ Sun 1pm | ๐ฐ GA $19.65, Family $70.40 (incl. fees) | ๐ All ages
Help plant ngaio, tฤซ kouka, harakeke and other natives alongside the Wainuiomata River. Lunch provided - just register first.
๐ Baring Head / ลrua-pouanui (register online) | ๐ Sun 9am-2pm | ๐ฐ Free | ๐ Recommended 13+
๐ Bailamos Bachata
Wellington's favourite monthly Latin dance party, with a free beginners' lesson for newcomers.
๐ Southern Cross Garden Bar, 39 Abel Smith Street, Te Aro | ๐ Sun 6pm-9pm | ๐ฐ Free (support the bar) | ๐ All ages
๐ฅฌ ลtaki Market
An outdoor market with food trucks, crafts and fresh produce, across from New World.
๐ ลtaki Market, 58 Main Highway, ลtaki | ๐ Sun 10am-2pm | ๐ฐ Free | ๐ All ages
๐ฆ๏ธ Welly Weather Watch
๐ฆ๏ธ Friday 10 July: A few showers, strong southerlies easing in the afternoon. High 9ยฐC, low 6ยฐC
โ
Saturday 11 July: Partly cloudy with the chance of a shower until evening. High 10ยฐC, low 5ยฐC
โ๏ธ Sunday 12 July: Fine with light winds. High 11ยฐC, low 4ยฐC
Rug up for a showery, blustery Friday and a cooler Saturday, then enjoy a crisp, clear and calm Sunday.
๐ Extra Sprinkles - Charity of the Week
Partners Porirua is a locally based charitable trust helping rangatahi get ready for the working world - from free youth services to their Drive 4 Life mentoring programme that helps young people gain their driver licences. They run entirely on grants and donations. If you can help, get involved or donate via partnersporirua.org.nz.
Matariki is a time to gather, remember and look forward - we hope you get out among the lights and the whฤnau this long weekend. Manawatia a Matariki!
Ngฤ mihi nui,
Kirstie & Steve ๐
Ngฤ mihi nui,
Kirstie & Steve ๐
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