Aotea Great Barrier Island

Look Up and Get Lost Stargazing Experience
2023-12-29 21:30 - 23:00 (Pacific/Auckland)
Your Good Heavens’ group stargazing experience takes place in a beautiful location under the pristine skies of Dark Sky Sanctuary Aotea Great Barrier Island.
During your stargazing experience, you will hear the waves lapping on the beach below while you look up and get lost in the stars. One of our passionate Good Heavens guides will illuminate you on this magical display, while you familiarise yourself with the night sky, and gain astronomical knowledge.
Lean back comfortably in a moon chair to look up and see the thousands of stars visible in a Dark Sky Sanctuary. The island’s Sanctuary status means that our dark sky is certified magnificent. Plus, Aotea is warmer than many other New Zealand stargazing places, too.
Our guide will draw constellations and tell a range of multicultural stories and interesting astronomical facts. So enjoy a cup of hot chocolate or herbal tea, while you memorise what’s in the sky in a light-hearted and fun way. At the moment, Matariki is in the evening sky, as well as Jupiter and Saturn.
Stargazing does not get more enjoyable than this!
Use our telescope to look at special stars and deep sky objects. Many of these are unique to the Southern Hemisphere. And they look truly dazzling in our super dark sky. A great opportunity to take a closer look at the Milky Way, or maybe a planet or our crescent moon. Spot a satellite, a meteor or a distant galaxy. Marvel at the stars with us. There is so much to see!
Make the most of your time on our beautiful island, by adding on this activity after dark. Our guides love the excitement they feel when we look up and get lost in the stars. They are looking forward to sharing this feeling with you.
Subject to availability. Limited to 12 stargazers.

Gerry O'Neill - Live at the Currach
2023-12-29 19:00 - 23:00 | The Currach Irish Pub, 78 Blackwell Drive, Great Barrier Island, 0991, New Zealand
Live music with poster boy Gerry O’Neill. Gerry has an amazing repertoire of music , endlessly talented

Good Heavens Moon Walk Stargazing Experience
2023-12-26 21:30 - 23:00
For around a week each month, the moon shines brightly in the evening sky. It the perfect time to meet us at a beautiful, white sand beach for a moon- and stargazing group experience. If the tide is low enough we may go for a stroll on the moon lit beach. And we’ll definitely gaze at the moon’s features up close and hear her stories. Be prepared for moonlight shimmering on the waves. A stunning sight.
During your stargazing experience, from the top of the dunes, we will look through our 8” Dobsonian Telescope to get close and personal with the brightest stars and celestial objects. Many are unique to the Southern Hemisphere. At the moment, both Jupiter and Saturn are in our evening sky, an extra treat.
Relax in a comfy moon chair, while you look up and enjoy our stunning moonlit sky as you hear the waves lap against the shore and see the moon light play on the ocean. Have constellations drawn in the sky, while you enjoy a cup of hot chocolate or herbal tea. Moongazing does not get more enjoyable than this!
Subject to availability, 12 places.
Good Heavens’ group location on Great Barrier Island, at Medlands Beach is easily accessible, even for the less sure-footed. It is only 50 meters from the car park. If you like some visibility in the dark, than a Moon Walk is the experience for you.

Aotea Boardriders Club Grommie Surf Competition
2023-12-26 - 2023-12-31 | Medlands Beach, Oruawharo Bay, 0991, New Zealand
Surf competition for junior surfers.
Three age sections:
Super groms – young surfers with assistance from someone in the water.
15 and under
16-18
Fundraising BBQ and drinks
SURF CONDITIONS AND WEATHER DEPENDANT
Date to be confirmed for the week between Christmas and New Years
Medlands Beach

Good Heavens Moon Walk
2023-12-22 21:30 - 23:00
For around a week each month, the moon shines brightly in the evening sky. It the perfect time to meet us at a beautiful, white sand beach for a moon- and stargazing group experience. If the tide is low enough we may go for a stroll on the moon lit beach. And we’ll definitely gaze at the moon’s features up close and hear her stories. Be prepared for moonlight shimmering on the waves. A stunning sight.
Your Good Heavens’ group stargazing experience takes place in a beautiful location on pristine Aotea Great Barrier Island a scenic 90kms, 4.5 hours by ferry from Central Auckland or half an hour by plane from Auckland Domestic Airport.
During your stargazing experience, from the top of the dunes, we will look through our 8” Dobsonian Telescope to get close and personal with the brightest stars and celestial objects. Many are unique to the Southern Hemisphere.
Relax in a comfy moon chair, while you look up and enjoy our stunning moonlit sky as you hear the waves lap against the shore and see the moon light play on the ocean. Have constellations drawn in the sky, while you enjoy a cup of hot chocolate or herbal tea. Moongazing does not get more enjoyable than this!
Good Heavens’ group location on Great Barrier Island, at Medlands Beach is easily accessible, even for the less sure-footed. It is only 50 meters from the car park. If you like some visibility in the dark, than a Moon Walk is the experience for you.
Currently large gas planets Jupiter and Saturn are in clear sight. A great time to come planetgazing!

Barrier Social Club - Beer Release!
2023-12-22 18:00 - 23:30 | Barrier Social Club

Island Screens - Past Lives
2023-12-18 19:00 - 21:00 | Barrier Social Club
Two deeply connected childhood friends are separated when Nora’s family emigrates from South Korea. Twenty years later they are reunited for one fateful week as they confront notions of love and destiny..
Genre: Drama, Romance. Rating M (offensive language)
Island Screens is our island movie club. Screening at the Barrier Social Club in Tryphena. Everyone is welcome. $10/ticket
Reviews:
https://www.theguardian.com/film/2023/sep/06/past-lives-review-a-must-see-story-of-lost-loves-childhood-crushes-and-changing-identities?fbclid=IwAR0lUfqF4aTwkvjUVFEFkyVblqK30OZdYQZApmU7RfL3DoI_OvpeMm86W_k
Trailer:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0GcoZTOs4X4&fbclid=IwAR2ujZnaS20yX5pFAuxZhkIEofncPp_ZzZMchnnAyA4yuR7xaSNlkFlyLTQ

Slow Sunday afternoon
2023-12-17 14:00 - 17:00 | The Currach Irish Pub, 78 Blackwell Drive, Great Barrier Island, 0991, New Zealand
Cruisy music on the back deck on Sunday afternoon from 2pm onwards. Pizza oven firing and cool vibes happening with Shaun and Z 😍

Growers & Makers Market
2023-12-16 10:00 - 14:00 | Claris Conference Centre
These markets are held on a monthly basis.

Live music with Tommy Pickett
2023-12-15 19:00 - 22:00 | The Currach Irish Pub, 78 Blackwell Drive, Great Barrier Island, 0991, New Zealand
One of our all time favourite performers. Tommy’s gigs are always superb. Don’t miss it.

Thursday Jam night at the Currach
2023-12-14 19:00 - 2023-12-15 01:00 | The Currach Irish Pub, 78 Blackwell Drive, Great Barrier Island, 0991, New Zealand
Fabulous live music every Thursday night

Aotea Arts & Heritage Village - Exhibition - Art for Gifting
2023-12-14 16:00 - 2024-01-31 17:00 | Aotea Arts & History Village, 80 Hector Sanderson Road, Claris, 0991

Show me shorts - Short film festival night
2023-10-16 18:00 - 21:00 | Barrier Social Club
We will show THE SAMPLER. Enjoy some of the top short films from this year’s Show Me Shorts Film Festival. The collection is designed to entertain, delight and show off rising talent in the filmmaking scene from Aotearoa and abroad. The films include 7 Minutes directed by Ricky Gervais with his trademark awkwardness. Three homegrown shorts from rising stars of the local filmmaking scene also make their world premieres: Just Kidding, I Actually Love You directed by Anna Rose Duckworth, Stella directed by Alison Titulaer, and Ministry of Jingle by Maddie Dai. Enjoy uncovering the full box of cinematic delights. RATING : M

Finding our voice - A festival of island-inspired story telling
2023-10-06 19:00 - 2023-10-08 15:30
Small Island Big Ideas – Home

Great Barrier Island Surfari Trip
2023-09-27 - 2023-10-01 | Great Barrier Island
The Best Auckland Water-sports Camp
Great Barrier Island – only a 30 minutes flight from Auckland, and still so hard to reach if you want to take all your toys.
Water Nomads will take the pain out of the plane and get you and your toys safely to the Barrier, show you all the great spots and will make your holiday one to treasure for the rest of your life.
Our Surfari trips are all inclusive, meaning you don’t need to do a thing except book the trip and turn up!
Bookings from NZD 1950.00 per person

Mulberry Grove School Art Auction
2023-04-09 16:00 - 21:00 | Mulberry Grove School, 271 Shoal Bay Road, 0991
Mulberry Grove Art Auction
Auction starts at 5:30pm. Doors open air 4pm.
Come and support a local school

Easter Market
2023-04-08 10:00 - 14:00 | Claris Sports Club, 19 Whangaparapara Road, Claris, Great Barrier Island, New Zealand

Growers and Makers Market
2023-04-01 10:00 - 14:00 | Claris Conference Centre

CENSUS
2023-03-07

Growers & Makers Market
2023-02-25 10:00 - 13:00 | Claris Conference Centre

Aotea Great Barrier Environmental Trust is 20!
2023-02-11 13:00 - 17:00 | Glenfern Sanctuary, Glenfern Road, Port Fitzroy, Auckland, 0963, New Zealand
Aotea Great Barrier Environmental Trust reached 20 years of operation last November, so it’s time to celecbrate! Join the Trust in celebrating this achievement on the 11th February at Glenfern Sanctuary. Pop in for an hour or two for music, food and more, or explore the Sanctuary. The Birds of Aotea Report will be launched at 2pm, by Dame Juliet Gerrard.
Minibus transport to/from Glenfern will be available from Claris, RSVP and book a space (by 6th February for catering purposes). RSVP to: contact.gbiet@gmail.com

Aotea Brewing - Summer Session - Band to be announced
2023-02-05 12:00 - 18:00 | Aotea Brewing – The Village, 50A Mason Road, 0991, New Zealand
We are really looking forward to welcoming everyone back for our 2023 Summer Sessions series at Aotea Brewing. We have some talented musicians coming over to the island to be part of these gigs so come on down to soak in some awesome live music, savour some locally crafted food and brews and while away an afternoon.
Check out the line-up:
Tuesday 3 Jan – Muroki
Sun 8 Jan – Kita
Sun 15 Jan – Black Comet
Sun 29 Jan – LatinAotearoa
Sun 5 Feb – To be announced soon
Follow us on Facebook or Instagram for up to date details on what’s happening each weekend.
Grab a ticket for one event or grab a Series ticket to get access to all five.
*This is a licensed event so all general ticket holders need to be 18 years old or over.
Under 18s are welcome but must remain supervised by their parent or guardian at all times.

Aotea Brewing Summer Sessions - LatinAotearoa
2023-01-29 12:00 - 18:00 | Aotea Brewing – The Village, 50A Mason Road, 0991, New Zealand

The Wingman Festival
2023-01-28 12:00 - 2023-01-29 01:00 | Claris Sports Club, 19 Whangaparapara Road, Claris, Great Barrier Island, New Zealand
Day and night music festival

Aotea Growers & Makers Market
2023-01-21 10:00 - 12:00, 2023-01-14 10:00 - 12:00 | Claris Conference Centre

Aotea Brewing Summer Session - Black Comet
2023-01-15 12:00 - 18:00 | Aotea Brewing – The Village, 50A Mason Road, 0991, New Zealand

Hawaiki "World Premiere"
2023-01-12 16:00 - 19:00 | Claris Sports Club, 19 Whangaparapara Road, Claris, Great Barrier Island, New Zealand
Hawaiki has been officially selected for Sundance Film Festival 2023.
This is a huge achievement and honour and we want to share the film with you before it premieres on the world stage in January.
Please join us in celebrating our motu, tāmariki and this huge moment for Aotea and everyone involved.
Doors at 4pm screening will begin at 4.30
Book your tickets

Aotea Brewing Summer Sessions - Kita
2023-01-08 12:00 - 18:00 | Aotea Brewing – The Village, 50A Mason Road, 0991, New Zealand

Port FitzRoy Boat Club Mussel Fest - 25th Anniversary
2023-01-07 | Port FitzRoy Boat Club
