Image: The Hotel Britomart
Auckland’s waterfront is where the action happens as the weather warms up. From huge music gigs like Kings of Leon and Dua Lipa at Spark Arena, weekly happy hours, lunch offers and weekend markets at Britomart, Winetopia at Shed 10 on Queens Wharf in November, to live theatre show North by Northwest at the ASB Waterfront Theatre, there’s no shortage of things to do and see.
The Aotearoa Art Fair
From 16-20 November, art lovers descend on Auckland to take in the best of trans-Pacific art at the annual Aotearoa Art Fair at The Cloud on Queens Wharf. The 2022 Aotearoa Art Fair includes an outdoor Sculpture Space at the Waitematā Harbour end of The Cloud: expect sunshine, sculptures, cocktails, boats on the water and a place to soak in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland’s exceptional harbour views.
Across the road at Britomart, Aloma in Velvet (2022) by a r a p e t a is a special installation for the Aotearoa Art Fair featuring photographic prints of heru (the Māori word for comb) hand-carved by the artist in memory of their kuia (grandmother). These are displayed on the Pavilion Panels lining Te Ara Tahuhu, the plant-lined pedestrianised street at the heart of Britomart – and make a beautiful complement to the neighbourhood’s permanent public artworks, which include the intricately cut aluminium panels of Lonnie Hutchinson’s Aroha ki te Ora and Shane Cotton’s Maunga, a five-storey high mural on Galway Street.
Art at The Hotel Britomart
Britomart is a place where verdant streets are lined with world-leading restaurants, chic boutiques with world-renowned art at every corner. Standing proud on a corner facing sunny Takutai Square, The Hotel Britomart is just a short stroll from the Aotearoa Art Fair. During the art fair guests can enjoy accommodation at The Hotel Britomart with breakfast for two at kingi and two VIP Art Fair tickets. You will have first access to the VIP Preview of the Fair (from 11am on November 16), with return visits as often as you want, plus invitations to a programme of special art events in and around Auckland during the week.
The Britomart Saturday Markets
With old favourites, new stallholders and longer hours, Auckland’s favourite inner-city market brings some of the city’s best food, flowers, baking, drink and craft to the sunny spaces of Takutai Square from 8am-2pm every Saturday (except during the Christmas holidays). On Saturday 3 December, the Saturday Markets are complemented by the Makers Market, an occasional gathering of ceramicists and craftspeople curated by Yoko Shimoyama of Britomart emporium Wonder Journal. It’s the perfect opportunity to meet local makers while browsing their wares.
Whether it's fashion, food, shopping, a special event or just a fabulous night's sleep, Auckland's waterfront really blossoms when spring rolls into town.
