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Daily, 05 - 27 Jul, 2025, @ 10am - 6pmFree - Tickets Required
By Lissy & Rudi Robinson-Cole
Wharenui Harikoa, the stunning large-scale crocheted wharenui (Māori meeting house) inspired by the joy, connection, and healing found in te ao Māori will grace Tāmaki Makaurau’s treasured theatre stage The Civic.
This immersive experience weaves together tukutuku panels, handcrafted pou, a sensory touch wall, and a mesmerising light and soundscape. Drawn from taonga tuku iho (ancestral treasures passed down), it invites you to take off your shoes, slow down, and enter a space for dreaming.
At its heart, Wharenui Harikoa is a refracting prism of tūpuna-inspired light — a vessel of aroha travelling across the world to ignite joy, one loop at a time.
Inspired by the stories of Matariki and Te Whānau Mārama (the celestial family), this is the first time the Wharenui will stand while Matariki is visible in the night sky — a powerful moment to honour the past, celebrate the present, and dream boldly for the future.
This project is proudly supported by Auckland Council and the city centre targeted rate.
We also extend our heartfelt thanks to Linda Herd for her generous support.
Poster design by Colenso BBDO.
Local tip
He tīwhiri mō te rohe
Make a night of it in the Aotea Arts Quarter. Aotea Square, Auckland Town Hall, Q Theatre and plenty of nearby dining options are all within a short walk of The Civic.
Getting there
Te huarahi ki reira
The Civic is on the corner of Queen and Wellesley Streets in the city centre. Te Waihorotiu Station is right nearby, making the train an easy option, while frequent bus services stop along Queen and Wellesley Streets. If driving, The Civic Car Park beneath Aotea Square is the closest parking option. For more transport information, check out our Getting Around page.
More info
He pārongo atu anō
