Interesting Things Aotearoa

26/05/2024

As a part of the Mermaid Parade, together with the Moana Festival, we cooked up an epic lineup of performers and talent. Starting with a Mermaidification Station at Queens Wharf, the Mermaid Parade shimmied, sashayed, and paraded across the waterfront, ending up at Te Wero Island, which came alive with colour, scales, barnacles, and tridents.

Auckland's own Anita Wigl’it dazzled the crowd in a sparkly, fishy gown, welcoming the parade to the Moana Mainstage and presiding over the costume contest - celebrating all the hard-working mer-crafters and inviting them to show off their home-made looks 🎤🧜‍♀️

Following an epic dance-off, the grand prize went to one of our tiniest Mer-folk, who sat atop a silver throne, holding her trident of glory. Then came whimsical acts from The Dust Palace, and lively sets from Fathe and the Sweetos, Mermaid Bait, Wellington Sea Shanty Society, and DJ Matthew Crawley.
It was a rainbow of humans - we couldn’t have asked for a more vibrant gathering! 🌈🏝️

The Mermaid Parade was a part of the annual Summer on Queens Wharf programme, made possible thanks to Eke Panuku Development Auckland and Moana Auckland.

24/05/2024

We were so chuffed to wrap up the 2023-2024 Queens Wharf season with a bang, hosting the first-ever Tāmaki Makaurau Mermaid Parade—a celebration of self-expression and our beautiful Moana🧜‍♀️🎉

It was a whole day of programming that is too epic to cover in one post, so we’ll dive into the nautical wonderland of activities that kicked off the day on Queens Wharf.

BODY FX brought their epic "Mermaidification Station" with talented artists, The Re-Creators ran a craft station for mermaid costumes, and Sustainable Coastlines had educational games. Plus, we had a coral reef photo booth where guests could show off their handmade costumes, and our intrepid jellyfish-king DJ Matthew Crawley on DJ-duties, keeping the mood festive.

Just before 2pm, over 200 merfolk and ocean creatures gathered behind Saxobros for the parade - a brass band playing covers of Aotearoa classics. Parade captains and mermaids from the Dust Palace on Segways joined the fun, leading our massive school of mermaids and sea creatures from Queens Wharf to Te
Komititanga and down Quay Street, arriving at the Moana stage at Te Wero Island for an evening of epic programming.
It was a total splash! 💦

The Mermaid Parade was a part of the annual Summer on Queens Wharf programme, made possible thanks to Eke Panuku Development Auckland and Moana Auckland.

22/05/2024

Returning for the second year, our tie-dye workshop was a big hit that saw us twist, dye and craft over 200 second-hand t-shirts.

We worked with our friends at The Recreators, who arrived with heaps of upcycled shirts to dye (giving any op shop a run for its money), and guests got to pick their dye color and get creative with the art of rubber band placement for the designs. 🎨👕

Each shirt ended up with its own, unique, character, and there's nothing like the thrill of unwrapping a freshly dyed tee to reveal the magic inside.

This event was a hit, fitting right in with the playful and creative mood of the summer holidays.

The tie-dye workshop was a part of the annual Summer on Queens Wharf programme, made possible thanks to Eke Panuku Development Auckland

20/05/2024

The Sewing Repair Cafe was back for its second year with the Summer on Queens Wharf events series. Teaming up once again with the talented crew from the Thread Room, we helped people breathe new life into garments in need of repair, or take on a simple sewing project to learn the basics. 👗🧵

From fixing hems to zips, clasps, and even tricky techniques like reviving elastic shirring, the workshop had all the gear for the job. Plus, folks could pick up sewing machine skills to whip up small bags and scrunchies.

Sewing's a super handy skill, and there's something extra special about learning it in the fresh air of Queens Wharf Village. 🌟

The sewing repair workshop was a part of the annual Summer on Queens Wharf programme, made possible thanks to Eke Panuku Development Auckland

14/05/2024

The Ice Cream Making workshop was a first-of-its-kind pilot for Summer on Queens Wharf series. With a little help from The Open Fort crew, we whipped up some special contraptions to shake up a mix of cream, vanilla, and sugar in a salted ice bucket, then topped it off with sprinkles in a cone for that extra flair. 🍦✨
This was our most delicious and colourful workshop, with illustrations by artist Logan Ware splashed across the area in vibrant, larger-than-life backdrops.
The turnout was epic, and everyone was delighted to share the simple joy of homemade ice cream!

The Ice Cream Making workshop was a part of the annual Summer on Queens Wharf programme, made possible thanks to Eke Panuku Development Auckland

14/05/2024

The Summer on Queens Wharf season kicked off creatively, with our favourite Wax Wraps workshop making a comeback, just in time for the holidays. 🐝

We had heaps of vibrant recycled fabrics and all the items folks needed to whip up a beautiful, eco-friendly alternative to disposable food storage.

With a little preparation, they're a breeze to make, the workshop left everyone with a handy piece of hand-crafted art they can proudly use over and over again. 🌟

Wax Wraps are a part of the annual Summer on Queens Wharf programme, made possible thanks to Eke Panuku Development Auckland

09/05/2024

A returning fave on the Summer on Queens Wharf lineup, this year we hosted six rounds of Sunrise Yoga by The Cloud. Teaming up once again with WE-AR Yoga, they brought in some top-notch instructors for our early sessions. 🧘‍♂️🌅
Each teacher brought their own unique style, and we had a mix of familiar faces and newcomers joining us to greet the dawn. This was a magical summer as we were blessed with stunning weather and vibes to boot. ☀️✨

Sunrise Yoga is a part of the annual Summer on Queens Wharf programme, made possible thanks to Eke Panuku Development Auckland

09/05/2024

Looking back on an awesome Summer at Queens Wharf during the 2023 - 2024 season, it's been a real treat revisiting such a diverse range of workshops and events (some old faves and some fresh experiences!). We’ve grown to love our container in Queens Wharf Village - a home for community and creativity. Over the next few weeks, we'll be sharing our top memories from the summer, hoping to get you envigorated for all the ongoing fun and fantastic public happenings in Tamaki Makaurau! Watch this space to see what Interesting Things has brewing for the Fall and Winter season! 🌞🎉

The Summer on Queens Wharf happens each year thanks to the support of Eke Panuku Development Auckland.

31/03/2023

A sewing repair workshop, a second-hand tie-dye t-shirt workshop, a wax wraps workshop, a bike maintenance workshop and adventure yoga for kids - the Summer on Queens Wharf programme had a little something for everyone this year.

Thanks to everyone that joined us for the workshops, the workshop facilitators and Eke Panuku Development Auckland for making it possible!

31/03/2023

Morning dance next to the sea? Yes please! We worked with our friends at Morning People to run an early morning party on Queens Wharf as a part of the Summer on Queens Wharf Programme.

Thanks to everyone that made it happen - Eke Panuku Development Auckland, Morning People, Club Mate, Altezano Brothers, All Good, and Nic Timms for the tunes! 🔥

31/03/2023

Over summer we partnered with WE-AR and Eke Panuku Development to run six free Sunrise Yoga sessions next to the Waitematā.

Stretching with the community next to the sea at sunrise - who could ask for more!?

Thanks to everyone that made Sunrise Yoga possible - Eke Panuku Development Auckland, WE-AR and the six world-class teachers, namaste! 🙏

22/03/2023

Third time lucky! After two false starts navigating flooding and a cyclone we finally got to party next to the majestic Ōrākei Basin with Dan Aux for the Bike Rave Ōrākei Basin Edition.

Thanks to everyone that came out to party with us, to Dan Aux for the tunes, and to our partners in rave that made it happen - Auckland Transport, Bike Auckland and Club Mate.

Vibey pics thanks to Matt Crawford Photography.

03/03/2023

The countdown is on for the Bike Rave Ōrākei Basin Edition feat. Dan Aux, happening TOMORROW, Saturday 4th March.

The event had sold out, but a handful have tickets have just become available from people that can no longer make it. Nab a FREE ticket now if you want to join us - there are only 15 left!

https://bit.ly/Bike-Rave-Orakei-Basin-2023

Rave times look like this:



6:45pm: Meet at Sunhill Carpark, 317 St Johns Road, St Heliers
7:00pm: Ride briefing
7:15pm Sharp: The rolling rave departs
7:30pm / 7:45pm: Party arrives at Ōrākei Basin, party with Dan Aux
9:00pm: Party ends

Bike Rave Ōrākei Basin Edition is made possible thanks to Auckland Transport, Bike Auckland and Interesting Things with help from Club-Mate NZ

21/02/2023

NEW DATE! Following the postponement of the Bike Rave Ōrākei Basin edition due to Cyclone Gabrielle, we're pleased to announce we'll be partying on Saturday 4th March, same time, same place.

The event has sold out, so if you have a ticket and you can't make the new date, please cancel it through Eventbrite so someone else can use it.

Thanks for your patience and see you next week! 🙌

16/02/2023

FREE Bike Maintenance workshop, THIS SATURDAY! Get your bike out the shed and join us on Queens Wharf for a Bike Maintenance 101.

Learn from an expert so you can get the most out of your ride and start using it on the daily!

Run by Richard Barter from Roskill Bike Kitchen, you'll come away with handy tips and tricks to keep your ride in tip top shape.

There are two hour-long sessions - one at 11:00am and one at 1:00pm.

Registration is not necessary - just turn up at the Queens Wharf Hub (the container opposite the Bike Hub) and upskill, easy!

The Bike Maintenance 101 is brought to you by Eke Panuku Development Auckland with help from Yours Truly

31/01/2023

POSTPONED: Due to the flooding in Tāmaki Makaurau, Bike Rave Ōrākei Basin Edition has been postponed, and will now take place on Saturday 11th February.

If you have a ticket and you're not able to make the new date please cancel your ticket through Eventbrite so someone else can use it - the event has nearly sold out, so it will go to a good home!

If you haven't got a ticket yet and you'd like to join the fun - nab a FREE ticket before they disappear at: https://bit.ly/Bike-Rave-Orakei-Basin-2023

We hope you haven't been too impacted by the flooding, stay safe and we look forward to partying with you next week!

31/01/2023

POSTPONED: Due to the state of emergency in Tāmaki Makaurau tomorrow's scheduled Sunrise Yoga session on Queens Wharf has been postponed, and will now take place on Friday 10th March.

Tickets are valid for the new date, however if you have a ticket and are no longer able to make it, please be sure to cancel it through Eventbrite so someone else can use it.

Updated session dates are as follows:

Wednesday 8th February
Wednesday 15th February
Wednesday 22nd February
Friday 10th March (rescheduled from Wednesday 1st February)

FREE tickets are still available for all remaining Sunrise Yoga sessions, but are disappearing fast - grab one now if you're keen to join us.

We hope you haven't been too badly impacted by the flooding, look forward to getting stretchy on the wharf soon!

28/01/2023

Tires pumped? Gears greased? Lights, colour?

Ready your ride for next Saturday’s Bike Rave at Ōrākei Basin, featuring Dan Aux!

Prepare for an evening of adventure, dance and music. Tickets are disappearing FAST, so if you're keen to join the fun, nab a FREE ticket now at https://bit.ly/Bike-Rave-Orakei-Basin-2023 🎟

Bike Rave Ōrākei Basin Edition is made possible by Auckland Transport, Bike Auckland and Interesting Things Aotearoa with support from the lovelies at Club-Mate NZ

***

Bike Rave Ōrākei Basin Edition
Featuring Dan Aux
Saturday 4th February (rain date Saturday 11th February)
6:45pm - 9:00pm
Registration at Sunhill Carpark, 317 St Johns Road, St Heliers

***

27/01/2023

⚠️ POSTPONED: Due to the flooding in Auckland, our scheduled Bike Maintenance Workshop for today has been postponed to Saturday, February 18th.

Workshop session times will remain the same - 11:00am and 1:00pm.

Stay safe out there and see you on the 18th

27/01/2023

FREE Bike Maintenance workshop, THIS SATURDAY! Get your bike out the shed and join us on Queens Wharf for a Bike Maintenance 101.

Learn from an expert so you can get the most out of your ride and start using it on the daily! Run by Josca Bike Repairs, a bike mechanic with nigh on 20 years experience, you'll come away with handy tips and tricks to keep your ride in tip top shape.

There are two hour-long sessions - one at 11:00am and one at 1:00pm. Registration is not necessary - just turn up and upskill, easy! Check out the Facebook event for more information.

The event will happen rain or shine (looking like rain at the moment!), there will be shelter, but we will be outdoors, so bring something warm, and perhaps a raincoat in case.

The Bike Maintenance 101 is brought to you by Eke Panuku Development Auckland with help from Josca Bike Repairs and Yours Truly

19/01/2023

FREE sewing workshop! This Saturday between 10:00am - 4:00pm Thread Room is taking up residence at the Queens Wharf Hub for a sewing repair workshop.

Bring in a garment in need of repair, or just turn up and make your own scrunchie or drawstring bag. Easy!

Suitable for all ages (people under 8 need parental supervision), and no registration required, just turn up and get crafty!

The sewing repair workshop is a part of the Summer on Queens Wharf programme, brought to you by Eke Panuku Development Auckland with help from Interesting Things Aotearoa.

07/12/2022

Soak in the sunshine this summer with the highly-anticipated return of Summer on Queens Wharf, a kete full of summery goodness with free workshops, activities and events for body, mind and planet.

The all-ages programme kicks off on Wednesday 14 December 2022 and runs through to 22 February 2023 with a vibrant mix of yoga, dance and a series of upbeat, sustainability-focused workshops.

This summer there are six chances to salute the sun with the ever-popular Sunrise Yoga series, an alchemy of community, sea breeze, ancient wisdom and spectacular views, guided by some of Aotearoa’s top yoga practitioners.

Another returning favourite is Morning People—a high energy outdoor dance floor for the early birds among us—complete with big-breakfast sized helpings of electronic music, fresh coffee, fruit and vibes for days.

New this season is a number of drop-in workshops, each highlighting the beautiful interplay between creativity and sustainability. Make your own wax wraps, breathe new life into preloved clothing at the sewing repairs and tie dye workshops, and learn how to care for your bike with essential bike maintenance skills.

Last, but certainly not least, a very special Adventure Yoga for Tamariki session will see children moving through storied yoga, letting imaginations run wild.

All activities are free with limited tickets available for Sunrise Yoga and Morning People via the Queens Wharf page.

We're lucky to partner with Eke Panuku Development Auckland to bring the Summer on Queens Wharf programme to life each year.

For more information and to register visit:

Soak in the sunshine this summer with the highly anticipated return of Summer on Queens Wharf, a kete full of summery goodness with free workshops, activities and events for body, mind and planet. The all-ages programme kicks off on Wednesday 14 December 2022 and runs through to 22 February 2023 wit...

09/11/2022

In June we ran Winter Best - a free music and arts festival that featured 30 acts playing across five stages at the majestic Corban Estate Arts Centre.

We’re working on making the festival annual, and as a part of this we’ve applied to the Ministry for Culture and Heritage Cultural Sector Regeneration Fund.

If you’d like to lend your support to the festival, feedback is open until 11:59pm this Sunday 13th November.

Public and sector feedback is an important part of the application, so if you’d like to see Winter Best return in 2023 and beyond, hop to it!

It’s a relatively short feedback form, and should take no longer than 10 minutes to complete.

The link to the form is here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Z6PKVFG



Arohanui,

Intesresting Things + The Winter Best team

09/11/2022

We joined forces with Bike Auckland and Crank to run Tāmaki Makaurau's first Kidical Mass.

Kidical Mass is a part of a worldwide movement that gives children a voice, creating a positive vision for the future, connecting the young and old across the cycling community.

The vision of Kidical Mass is that all children and young people can safely and independently use bikes as a mode of travel.

Thanks to Auckland Transport and Eke Panuku Development Auckland for their support of the event, and to all the parents and kids that came out in support of the event 🙌

03/10/2022

Alongside Bike Auckland, Crank, Eke Panuku Development Auckland, Auckland Transport, and as a part of the Auckland Climate Festival, we're pleased as punch to be a part of Kidical Mass FREE family bike ride.

Kidical Mass is a worldwide movement and its coming to Tāmaki Makaurau. Kidical Mass gives children a voice, creating a positive vision for the future, connecting the young and old across the cycling community. The vision of Kidical Mass is that all children and young people can safely and independently use bikes as a mode of travel.

Kidical Mass is a FREE group bike ride for tamariki and whānau from the fancy new bike hub on Queens Wharf to Silo Park, ending in a BYO group picnic.

Registration is free, but tickets are limited, so get in quick if you want to join the fun.

Nab tickets for you and your whānau at https://bit.ly/KidicalMassAKL2022_Tickets

Kidical Mass
Saturday 29 October (Rain date Saturday 5 November)
9:45am – 12:00pm
Meet at Queen’s Wharf, BYO picnic at Silo Park

Gather your whānau and get ready for Kidical Mass!

12/07/2022

Augmented Reality on Queens Wharf is NOW LIVE!

Dancing robots, a mindfulness session, and art exhibitions come alive in an augmented reality experience on Queens Wharf that people can discover using their smartphone.

A fresh, COVID-proof take on events, Augmented Reality on Queens Wharf overlays a stunning, historic setting with arts experiences that can be enjoyed at any time of the day or night.

Augmented Reality on Queens Wharf is made up of seven curious and creative activations which people can interact with by scanning decals and other visual cues or ‘triggers’ dotted around the wharf.

Expect to:

Drop into a world of dancing robots via three dance portals by glow dance group Vospertron.

Contemplate an exhibition by the Women’s Work Collective featuring photography by commercial female photographers.

Come face-to-face with the five types of marine litter most commonly found on beaches in Aotearoa in a 3D exhibition in association with Sustainable Coastlines.

Put on headphones, breathe in and bliss out with a fifteen minute guided meditation by the sea with Mindfulness Aotearoa.

Bop to original beats by acid lords Kédu Carlö spinning tracks from the servery window of a kitchen container, complete with starry hype bods, in an electronic music performance in association with Morning People.

Immerse in the wonder of nature with a painting exhibition by designer, artist and lover of the natural world, Paris Kirby.

Learn about the work of community-led, eco-preneurial social enterprise and Queens Wharf residents Te Whangai Trust.

Augmented Reality on Queens Wharf is made possible thanks to Eke Panuku Development, the Local Activation Fund Programme and Interesting Things. The Local Activation Programme is administered by Tātaki Auckland Unlimited on behalf of the New Zealand Government. The installation will be live from June 2022 - June 2023.

Augmented Reality on Queens Wharf is accessible via the Mish Mosh app which is free to download for both iOS and Android from www.mishmosh.world.

12/07/2022

In June 2022 we partnered with The Production Co. and Twice the Hype to present Winter Best - a free whānau-friendly music festival at the majestic Corban Estate Arts Centre.

30 of Tāmaki Makaurau's finest acts played over five stages, including a Whānau Zone with free activities for tāmariki and a kai village.

Thanks to Corban Estate Arts Centre for having us, and a massive thanks to Gen One, Standard Worksafe, Liquid Events and Sarin Moddle for your epic work on the festival!

Winter Best was supported by the Local Activation Fund Programme, administered by Tātaki Auckland Unlimited on behalf of the New Zealand Government. Ka pai!

12/07/2022

The Church at Winter Best featured intimate performances by some of Aotearoa’s finest songsmiths - Hopetoun Brown, Rewind Fields, Anna Coddington, Lips, Tiny Ruins (solo) and Finn Andrews (The Veils)

Photos thanks to Logan West Photographer

12/07/2022

Beats, basslines, brass and percussion, electro-world phenomena Weird Together closed the main stage, ending the night on a high 🙌

Photos thanks to Logan West Photographer

12/07/2022

Warehouses, industrial winemaking infrastructure, native timber buildings and a lovingly restored church - all corners of Corban Estate Arts Centre came alive for Winter Best.