Auckland will host a diverse range of cultural, lifestyle and sporting events in the coming year, from the inaugural McKayson New Zealand Women’s Open featuring Lydia Ko to the award-winning Matilda The Musical and the Volvo Ocean Race Auckland Stopover.

Quick facts

• Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development (ATEED), on behalf of Auckland Council is sponsoring 26 events in 2017/2018.
• Since Auckland’s Major Events Strategy was approved by Auckland Council in 2011, ATEED-sponsored major events have contributed $247 million to the regional economy and 1,548,000 visitor nights.
• To keep up to date with major events, sign up to the OurAuckland e-news.
• ATEED is looking for volunteers keen to help out with its cultural festivals and fan events. Find out more about volunteering with ATEED.

Making Auckland an exciting place to live

Auckland Mayor Phil Goff says, “Major events make our city an exciting and interesting place to live. They bring in hundreds of thousands of visitor nights every year and boost the Auckland economy. There are some exciting events planned for Auckland including the Rugby League World Cup and the NZ Flower & Garden Show.”

Major events bring social and economic boost

ATEED Head of Major Events Charmaine Ngarimu says major events – defined by their scale and projected benefits – are recognised the world over as a way to deliver significant social and economic outcomes for cities and their populations.

“Auckland’s major events celebrate our local culture and creativity, entertain our people, attract new visitors, provide unique experiences and generate economic activity.”

“The World Masters Games 2017 and DHL New Zealand Lions Series are the most recent examples of how events can be used to promote what is special and unique about Auckland as an attractive place for talented people to live, visit, work, study and invest.”

Auckland’s 2017/2018 Major Events Portfolio includes:

• New Zealand International Film Festival
• Matilda The Musical
• New Zealand Fashion Week
• Auckland On Water Boat Show
• McKayson New Zealand Women’s Open
• Auckland Diwali Festival
• ASB Auckland Marathon
• Rugby League World Cup 2017
• ITM Auckland SuperSprint
• Taste of Auckland
• Women’s World League Final (Hockey)
• WWXL 2017
• Equitana
• Farmers Santa Parade
• NZ Flower & Garden Show
• ASB Classic
• Tāmaki Herenga Waka Festival
• Auckland Pride Parade
• Splore Music and Arts Festival
• Volvo Ocean Race Auckland Stopover
• Auckland Lantern Festival
• Pasifika Festival
• New Zealand International Comedy Festival
• Auckland Writers Festival