Well, 2026 has started with a bang and Auckland has wasted no time proving why summer
in Tāmaki Makaurau is truly sizzling! The year opened with world-class action at the ASB Classic, drawing tennis fans from across the globe and setting the scene for a month packed with events. Excitingly, Tātaki Auckland Unlimited announced the final $5 million of funding needed for the Tennis Auckland Roof Project, meaning this long-awaited upgrade will now go ahead. This will ensure we can continue to host major international tournaments like the ASB Classic well into the future, whatever the weather.
Auckland Council Events have also been powering the city’s summer buzz. Across our neighbourhoods, Music in the Parks has been filling greenspaces with free concerts and local talent as Aucklanders make the most of the long, warm evenings. Go Media Stadium hosted not one but two massive Ed Sheeran concerts, as well as the Auckland FC’s high‑energy showdown with the Central Coast Mariners, drawing football fans out in force.
Out on the Waitematā, the 186th Auckland Anniversary Regatta delivered its traditional spectacle, with tugboats, keelboats, paddlers and classic vessels racing across the harbour in the world’s biggest one-day regatta and New Zealand's oldest sporting event.
Eden Park also welcomed thousands of international delegates for the Special Convention of Jehovah’s Witnesses, filling 38 of our city centre hotels and bringing in around $20 million in economic benefits.
And that’s just a snapshot. Across the board, January saw Auckland humming with sport, music, culture and celebration inviting locals and visitors to soak up our summer spirit.
Looking ahead, February continues the momentum with a vibrant mix of events keeping the city lively, including free community focused activities that draw people together. One to watch out for is Moana Auckland, New Zealand’s Ocean Festival, which gets underway from 28 February, bringing three weekends of ocean-inspired events like the Z-Manu World Champs and the Auckland Wooden Boat Festival.
Aucklanders and visitors can also celebrate the Lunar New Year in the city centre throughout the month with free events, installations and cultural experiences across Aotea Square, Lorne Street, libraries and Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki, before celebrations conclude with the BNZ Auckland Lantern Festival in Manukau from 26 February to 1 March. Keep an eye on Discover Auckland for all the latest events information.
As vibrant as the year already feels, the most transformative moments are still ahead with major infrastructure openings in 2026.
The New Zealand International Convention Centre formally opens on 16 February, marking a major milestone for Auckland. As one of the largest and most advanced convention facilities in the country, the NZICC will attract major international conferences, exhibitions and business events that previously would have skipped New Zealand altogether. Its impact will be felt across the economy – boosting visitor spending, supporting local hospitality and accommodation providers, creating jobs and strengthening Auckland’s position as a gateway for global business.
The Central Interceptor will open – one of the most significant infrastructure upgrades Auckland has ever undertaken. This massive underground tunnel will dramatically reduce wastewater overflows, increase capacity for our growing population and help protect our harbours and beaches for future generations. By capturing and redirecting stormwater and wastewater during heavy rain, it will also reduce flooding and improve resilience during extreme weather events. It’s a transformational project that will future‑proof Auckland’s wastewater network for decades to come.
The end is finally in sight for the City Rail Link, the largest transport infrastructure project in New Zealand’s history. Once open, it will transform the way people move through Auckland, giving us faster, more frequent and more reliable travel options. For thousands who struggle daily to get in and out of our city, the CRL will offer an alternative to sitting in traffic and will ease pressure on the road network. The benefits will also be felt above ground. Business owners who endured years of CRL construction will soon reap the rewards as the streets are set to become some of the busiest pedestrian zones in the country. With the rail network’s total capacity set to increase by around 50 per cent, Auckland will finally have a rapid transit system that stands alongside global cities such as Sydney and London.
Auckland is already buzzing and, with so much still to come, 2026 is shaping up to be a defining year for Tāmaki Makaurau. I look forward to staying connected with you all over the coming months.
Desley Simpson, Deputy Mayor of Auckland
