Aotea Great Barrier Island

Growers and Makers Market
2023-04-01 10:00 - 14:00 (Pacific/Auckland) | Claris Conference Centre

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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 😍

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

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

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!

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 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.

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

Look Up and Get Lost Stargazing Experience
2023-12-29 21:30 - 23:00
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.

New Years Eve with a sparkle - Stargazing Experience with Good Heavens
2023-12-31 09:30 - 23:00
Lean back comfortably in a moon chair to look up and see the thousands of stars visible in a Dark Sky Sanctuary. Aotea’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.
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 a planet. Spot a satellite, a meteor or a distant galaxy. Marvel at the stars with us. There is so much to see!
New Years Eve is a great time for a different perspective on our place in the Universe.
Subject to limited availability of 12 stargazers.

Rise Up Aotea @ Barrier Social Club - New Years Eve Party
2023-12-31 18:30 - 2024-01-01 00:00 | Barrier Social Club

New Years Eve Dinner
2023-12-31 20:00 - 2024-01-01 20:00 | The Currach Irish Pub, 78 Blackwell Drive, Great Barrier Island, 0991, New Zealand
Come and ring in the New Year with us and the magical duo that make up Celtic Connections, a truly fabulous evening of entertainment, fine food and Ri Ra agus Ruaille Buaille. Very limited seats left

Yoga for presence - Every Tuesday 5:30pm
2024-01-02 17:30 - 19:00 | Aotea Arts & History Village, 80 Hector Sanderson Road, Claris, 0991
Yoga for presence with local yoga teacher Lucia, every Tuesday 5.30pm at the Claris art gallery. 90mim duration.
Everyone welcome

Stargazing Experience with Good Heavens – For a stellar start to 2024
2024-01-02 21:30 - 23:00
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.
Have a look at our closest neighbour planets and stars and the oldest object you will ever see. (Never mind the Antiques Roadshow). You may even gain a different perspective on our universe and your space within.
Our small groups of up to twelve participants ensure a personalised experience.
An overnight stay on Aotea Great Barrier Island is required to come stargazing with us.
Subject to availability with a maximum of 12 stargazers.

Medlands Sandcastle Competition
2024-01-05 09:00 - 12:00 | Medlands Beach, Oruawharo Bay, 0991, New Zealand
The Medlands Sandcastle Competition is on Friday January 5th 2024, start building at 9am.
Get there a bit early to register and find your perfect spot.
There are awesome prizes up for grabs, anyone can enter and there are adult prizes as well as kids prizes.
Please remember to bring back the trophy if you have one to pass on to this years winners.
Get amongst it people, this is always a fun event!

The Wingman Festival
2024-01-06 13:00 - 23:30 | Claris Sports Club, 19 Whangaparapara Road, Claris, Great Barrier Island, New Zealand
The Wingman Festival was born from the love and loss of our brother Shane ‘Wingman’ Billingham. Shane, tragically passed away at the age of 33 while at Burning Man Festival 19 in Nevada U.S.
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Shane had a larger-than-life soul, was easy-going, with a world-famous smile. He loved everything good in this world; most of all music, whanau, and his home – Aotea/Great Barrier.
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Music is what Shane lived for, starting as a youngster in his family home alongside his big brother and little sister. Shane advanced musically to be a founding member and kick-arse drummer of Solomon Jamski, creating their very own album. In his mid-twenties he put the drumsticks aside and picked up a djembe drum and started traveling the world, playing at some incredible festivals alongside the likes of Rueben Stone, Grouch, Issac Chambers…….
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Shane loved the traveling musician lifestyle but his heart and home was always on Aotea/Great Barrier. He dreamed of bringing music and his worldly experiences to the island in the form of a festival.
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In 2020, a year after Shane’s passing the Aotea Wingman Festival Trust was created. Friends and family came together, with the support of the community, to see his dream come alive. The Wingman Festival is a not-for-profit event with money raised going to fund the tamariki’s own music and arts journeys as well as keeping the festival alive.

Stargazing Experience with Good Heavens - For a stellar start to 2024
2024-01-07 21:30 - 23:00
Start the year with a Stargazing Experience on Aotea Great Barrier Island
All Good Heavens’ experiences take place in beautiful spots. Our group experience at Medlands Beach is on a sand dune. This means you’ll hear the waves lapping on the beach while looking up and getting lost in the stars.
The island’s Dark Sky Sanctuary status means that our skies are wonderfully dark and our guides are looking forward to showing you some of the best stellar objects in the Milky Way, and even some outside! The subtropical climate on Aotea Great Barrier Island allows for a warmer stargazing experience than many other New Zealand places, too. So you can just relax in comfort with your feet in the sand and a blanket over your lap.
Availability is limited to 12 stargazers.

Stargazing Experience with Good Heavens - Clear skies this week!
2024-01-08 21:30 - 23:00
Great Barrier Island is a Dark Sky Sanctuary, and while we have clear skies and the Moon is in the day time sky, now is a perfect time to enjoy a stargazing experience with the Good Heavens team.

Yoga for presence - Every Tuesday
2024-01-09 17:30 - 19:00

Live music with Al Fleming
2024-01-10 18:00 - 21:00 | The Currach Irish Pub, 78 Blackwell Drive, Great Barrier Island, 0991, New Zealand
Visiting artist Al Fleming joins us for the first time, a fabulous old time cruiser, we can’t wait !

Growers & Makers Market
2024-01-13 10:00 - 13:00 | Claris Conference Centre
