Tamaki Herenga Waka Festival

Overview

Immerse yourself in the strong Māori culture of Tāmaki Makaurau with the return of the three-day sensory experience Tāmaki Herenga Waka.

Showcasing the talent and history of the 19 iwi across the region, you can expect to see a number of exciting visual performances including kapa haka, waka parades, Charlotte Graham's exhibition at the Auckland Art Gallery, Māori art and fashion installations at the Viaduct Events Centre and glorious kai.

To stimulate your ears, the musical lineup features a great range of contemporary Māori music, including Bella Kalolo, X Factor's Maaka Fiso, Majic Paora, Maimoa, Riqi Harawira, Kaaterama Pou, E Tu Whanau and Taisha.

For festival-goers who are visually impaired, on offer is a special audio commentary which will feature a detailed explanation of the events throughout the festival.

If you're after a bit of lunch, there will be plenty of tasty kai on offer. For a quick snack, don't miss the legendary whitebait fritters. For a main course, opt for the steamed mussel pots or hot hāngi, and for dessert, look out for the childhood favourite pineapple boat (hollowed out pineapple filled with a scoop of ice cream and chopped watermelon) or the fresh kawakawa sorbet.

The festival runs from Saturday 27 January to Monday 29 January over Auckland Anniversary Weekend so make sure you save the dates for a unique experience. Bookings for the audio tour are essential as there are limited spots.