This is a shared arts column put together by the Howick Historical Village, Te Tuhi, and Uxbridge Arts and Culture.

Events:

Friday 16 May – 27 June, 12pm: Fridays@Twelve series. Join us each week at the Uxbridge Arts and Culture Theatre to see local school talent perform. Enjoy an hour of captivating music with family and friends. 35 Uxbridge Road, Howick. Tickets via www.uxbridge.org.nz. $6/ticket.

Saturday workshops 17 May – 14 June: A range of fun workshops every Saturday at Uxbridge Arts and Culture. From fine arts and lifestyle to personal keepsake creations. 35 Uxbridge Road, Howick. Limited spaces available. Book via www.uxbridge.org.nz.

Friday 30 May, 10am-2pm: City Art Tour. Discover the artistic treasures of Auckland’s CBD on this exclusive guided tour with Uxbridge Arts and Culture director Paul Brobbel and art curator Zoë May. Limited spaces. Book via www.uxbridge.org.nz.

Saturday 14 June, 10am–3pm: Te Tuhi and Arts Out East present Matariki Hunga Nui, a celebration of the Māori New Year at Ō Wairoa Marae with family activities and an all-day BBQ. 35-37 Uxbridge Road, Howick, Free.

Saturday 14 June, 5pm-9pm: Howick Historical Village presents Midwinter Lights Festival. Sponsored by The Fairy Light Shop, experience the Village after dark with live music from soul and jazz band Big Tasty, food trucks, and more! 75 Bells Road, Lloyd Elsmore Park, Pakuranga. Tickets required: www.eventfinda.co.nz. Adult $20, child $10.

Wednesday 18 June, 10am-11.30am: Matariki Glow Show at the Uxbridge Arts and Culture Theatre. The Glow Show brings the beautiful myths of the Māori New Year to life with unique puppets. In te reo Māori and English, a truly memorable experience for tamariki! Book via www.eventfinda.co.nz.

Friday 20 June, 10am-4 pm: Join Howick Historical Village for a whānau-friendly celebration of Matariki. 75 Bells Road, Lloyd Elsmore Park, Pakuranga. General admission.

Ongoing:

Every Saturday, 10am–noon: Uxbridge Arts and Culture hosts The Art Cupboard, a casual drop-in art space for families. 35 Uxbridge Road, Howick. Gold coin donation.

Until 31 May: Arts Out East presents Listen Local by Seb Judd, a movable music box that celebrates local musicians. Te Taiwhanga Taiohi – East Auckland Youth Space, Botany Town Centre. Free.

Until 20 June: Arts Out East presents Neighbourhood Stories, an exhibition in the Howick Frames encouraging people to listen to a new podcast project by Anju Desai. 61 Picton Street, Howick. Free.

Until Saturday, 21 June: Uxbridge Arts and Culture presents Kotahitanga: Ō Wairoa Marae in the Garden of Memories. Explore the history and purpose of Ō Wairoa Marae in the Tainui Garden of Memories, a living taonga that amplifies togetherness and respect for all peoples – tuku aroha. The Malcolm Smith Gallery, 35 Uxbridge Road, Howick. Free.

Until Saturday, 5 July: Uxbridge Arts and Culture presents Joseph John Watson’s Reverie. Framed as a collection of daydreams. The Wall Gallery, 35 Uxbridge Road, Howick. Free.

Until Sunday, 6 July: Te Tuhi presents three exhibitions including work by artists such as Liu Chuang, Sean Hill, and Grant Priest. 21 William Roberts Road, Pakuranga. Free.

Until 21 December: celebrating its Golden Anniversary, Te Tuhi presents 50 Years On, an exhibition of ephemera from the gallery’s archive covering the period 1975–2025. 21 William Roberts Road, Pakuranga. Free.

Until December: Polish Heritage Trust Museum showcases Olga Boznanska, a key painter of the Young Poland period. 125 Elliot St, Howick. Casual entry by koha. Groups book via: phtmuseum@outlook.com (small fee applies).

Continuous:

Arts Out East presents Neighbourhood Stories, a podcast led by Anju Desai that shines a light on the contributions of east Auckland community members who are making a positive impact. Online. Free.

Arts Out East presents Speak Out East (Community Poetry), a project showcasing poetry by different community groups throughout Botany Town Centre. The second featured poem, Tōku Kuia- My Grandmother by Roimata Prendergast, Sally Ama, and Trina Lealavaa-Ama, is now published. Botany Town Centre. Free.