Latest Events in Auckland(January Updated)

The Robertson Gift: Paths through Modernity celebrates the monumental gift of significant artworks from the collection of New York philanthropists Julian (1932–2022) and Josie Robertson (1943–2010) to the Gallery. The donation comprises 15 works by influential modern European artists, including Pierre Bonnard, Georges Braque, Paul Cezanne, Salvador Dalí, André Derain, Henri Fantin-Latour, Paul Gauguin, Fernand Léger, Henri Matisse, Piet Mondrian and Pablo Picasso. Beginning with the suggestive nude bodies of the late 19th century and ending with a monumental colour-field painting from the 1960s, The Robertson Gift: Paths through Modernity takes visitors on a journey through the major art movements of the modern era, including Impressionism, Post-Impressionism, Fauvism, Cubism, Surrealism, and post-war abstraction. Featuring 49 paintings, prints, drawings and sculpture, the exhibition also includes visitor favourites from the permanent collection as well as loans and other important recent acquisitions, offering a broad survey of the best of late-19th- and early-to-mid 20th-century international art.

Jenny Holzer’s text works, called Truisms, were first executed as pithy and sometimes provocative slogans on the streets of New York in the late 1970s and early 1980s as stickers, t-shirts and posters, with the intention of taking art out of the museum and into public life. Holzer quickly converted these statements to the media of advertising and public communication with a series of pivotal LED signs, most famously in New York’s Times Square. Holzer’s use of electronic technology is, she says, motivated by ‘needing to be where people look’. Hanging suspended from the ceiling of the Gallery’s South Atrium, in STATEMENT – Truisms +, 2015 iconic statements like ‘ABUSE OF POWER COMES AS NO SURPRISE’ and ‘ENSURE THAT YOUR LIFE STAYS IN FLUX’ cascade and flash in speech-like pulsating rhythms and rainbow spectrums of colour, seemingly with a life of their own.

Taimoana | Coastlines explores the art of Aotearoa New Zealand, locating it within Te Moana-nui-a-Kiwa, the wider Pacific region. Taking the concept of the coast, or shoreline, as a starting point, the exhibition navigates a sea of ideas, offering multiple perspectives on New Zealand art through a selection of works from the collection of Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki. The coast is central to the way of life of many in Aotearoa New Zealand and it has been throughout our entire history. Integral to te ao Māori, the Māori world, the interconnectedness of land and sea is reflected in cultural narratives and practices. The coast is at times a source of sustenance and employment, at others a route for travel, a space of recreation, conflict, well-being or inspiration, but also, as the climate continues to change, at the frontline of danger. The coast is a threshold, an in-between zone, a perpetually shifting meeting point of land and sea that prompts us to examine our relationships with both. In this exhibition, artists from the 18th century to today ride the oceans’ currents, traversing themes from the enormity of the Pacific to the vessels that have crossed its expanse and plied Aotearoa’s coasts, and exploring their personal responses to the shore as well as the legacies of colonial encounters and conflict.

Safety in Numbers: Colin McCahon’s Dark Equations draws from Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki’s extensive holdings to explore a selection of the artist’s mysterious number paintings made between 1975 and 1976. Numbers first surfaced in McCahon’s work in the late 1950s and would become the primary subject of his art by the mid-1970s in the Teaching aids, Clouds, Noughts and crosses, and Rocks in the sky series. Within these works, Arabic and Roman numerals hover in darkness, appear at once tabulated and like geological strata, or recall complex mathematical equations on a school blackboard. The number paintings also refer to The Stations of the Cross, and communicate themes of life and death, as well as redemption and salvation. Safety in Numbers presents a puzzling yet visually unified chapter of the artist’s practice. While the stark block printing may appear straightforward, the works provide a profound reflection on art’s ability to communicate existential concerns, drawing viewers into a dialogue with McCahon’s coded symbolism. Beyond this, the exhibition also prompts a questioning of art’s role as a space for teaching and learning, and the challenges that come with interpretation.

Information Source: The Guilde of Sainte Marie | eventbrite

Ed Sheeran Auckland promises to be an unforgettable evening of music and emotion, as the renowned singer-songwriter graces the stage at GoMedia Stadium in Auckland, New Zealand. Scheduled for January 16, 2026, at 7:30 PM, this highly anticipated event is set to captivate fans with Ed Sheeran's signature blend of heartfelt lyrics and melodic genius. Known for his chart-topping hits and charismatic performances, Ed Sheeran's Auckland concert will undoubtedly draw music enthusiasts from near and far. With the picturesque city of Auckland serving as the backdrop, attendees can expect a night filled with soul-stirring tunes and an electric atmosphere. As anticipation builds, securing tickets to Ed Sheeran Auckland becomes a priority for those eager to witness a live performance by one of the world's most beloved artists.

Information Source: Kinect M1 | eventbrite

The Auckland International Buskers Festival returns for its anniversary weekend, January 20-23, 2026. A vibrant and creative annual event, the festival brings together street artists and performers from around the world. Visitors can enjoy a variety of street art, including acrobatics, music, magic, theatre, and dance. Held at various outdoor venues throughout Auckland's city center, the event provides a unique cultural experience and entertainment for residents and visitors alike. The festival showcases the diversity and innovation of street art, provides a platform for performers to showcase their talents, and fosters cultural exchange and interaction within the community.

Information Source: I Am Phab Wirral | eventbrite