Waiheke Events And Functions

Author - Justin Eichler / Updated - 15/02/2026

Waiheke Island has hosted many events and functions over the last 20+ years. Some of the previous event are beach races, fireworks displays, running events, sculpture on the Gulf, trolley races and demolition derby. It seems like recent 2019-2021 worldwide events were a excuse to cancel many of these events, but then many never came back.

Below we will list many of the historic events and link in some of the up and coming events for you to potentially check out.

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Wharf2Wharf (Cancelled)

The Wharf 2 Wharf is a family fun event that features many different length races and fun runs/walk. It was around for almost 30 years then was shutdown due to, too much red tape revolving health and safety concerns and traffic management.

Features

Wharf 2 Wharf was one of the top Waiheke events. With around 1000 people entering it when it was available. As the name suggests, the main event you run from Orapiu wharf to Matiatia wharf.

Seems like its too hard basket to shut down a few Waiheke roads for 1-2 hours, even with many of the roads having foot paths so they would not even need to be closed. One of the many events that has been suspended due to red tape. With running and walking proven to be good for health, these kind of events should be supported and pushed. Especially since most Waiheke roads are 30 km/h now, the runners would pretty much keep up with traffic. 🙂

Some good news it might be coming back in 2026, we will keep an eye on this and update as changes get published.

Dirt Track Fireworks (Active)

Dirt track fireworks has been a huge event on Waiheke over the last 30 years lighting up the night sky with a massive amount of colour and noise. The pre events of food and drink helped many of the local food venders. The event always started at about 3-6pm with plenty of fun activities, food, drink, glow sticks and more.

Many local Waiheke businesses donate towards the fireworks. Allowing it to be a large event held every year with $1000’s of dollars of fireworks. Some businesses also donate items for the pre event such as water/food/sweets.

Features

The reason is was shut down in 2025 was because Bruce ‘BJ’ Allan the lead pyrotechnician died earlier in the year, so no one was able to do the show safely. They also decided to save the fireworks for a massive 40th anniversary celebration for November 2026 instead.

Whakarite Halloween Show (Active)

Every Halloween on 31st of October the residents on Whakarite Road, set up their properties with lots of halloween decorations, smoke shows and spot prizes for the best costumes. It originally started with a few residential homes’ on Whakarite making halloween a safe and enjoyable place for children to trick or treat. It is now the biggest halloween event every year with dressed up children, teenagers and adults coming together. Being a charitable event locals either give money or bags of lollies to support this event even local volunteer firefighters join in and throw lollies out of their rigs. We have driven past this event a few times and its pretty crazy the amount of kids and adults that visit the event. I would say 500 kids and 500 Parents.

The Waiheke RSA throws an additional halloween spook fest with haunted gazebos, sausage sizzles and a dance.

Features

This is the main street on Waiheke that supports halloween, with Blackpool being a distant second. I am not even sure how this started. But at this stage it remains active and no red tape police or Kandy Karen’s have stopped the event yet. The road is hard to access on that evening so hopefully they do not shut the event down.

Waiheke Trolley Derby (Cancelled)

Waiheke Trolley Derby known as “The Great Gulf News Trolley Derby” was a popular, quirky community event where custom-built, non-motorized trolleys and race down Oneroa’s main street. The trolley had to have brakes, steering and 3 wheels on the ground at all times when I entered. The trolley derby was a great family event that involved team building and some racing. The racing either happened down the main road of Oneroa or past the BP station on Tui Street.

Features

The Trolley Derby no longer runs due to…. You guessed it. Red tape. Sadly I never see this even coming back because of health and safety. It was a good event for kiwi ingenuity and problem solving.

Onetangi Beach Races (Cancelled)

The annual Onetangi Beach Races is one of Waiheke’s most iconic events held every February. It’s a popular day for both locals and visitors to the island. The races always brought crowds of people to Onetangi. The event was free to attend, and provided good entertainment and a great day out for the families.

Features

As of 2026 the Onetangi Beach Races were cancelled, due to red tape yet again. They planned to run the races at the Waiheke dirt track on February 15th 2026. Due to many logistical reasons and locals complaining that it was not at Onetangi or at a beach organisers came to the decision to cancel the event. We will check back later this year if the event gets put back on for the public and update accordingly.

Perpetual Guardian Sculpture On The Gulf (Active)

Perpetual Guardian Sculpture on the Gulf will return in 2027, they hold this event Bi-annually so every two years. The event is a outdoor exhibition that showcases art and sculptures. Presented by Waiheke Art Gallery, the much-loved outdoor event will once again be nestled amidst the breath-taking backdrop of Matiatia Bay, on a 2.5 km coastal walkway.

Features

Perpetual Guardian Sculpture on the Gulf is a family event viewing large handmade interactive sculptures based on the coastline of Matiatia Bay. The majority of the art pieces are available to purchase.

The cost to do the walk is usually under $10 with a included pamphlet about each art piece and a map. We will update 2027 information closer to the event date.

The event is popular with locals and tourists due to the event being close to the fullers boat. You can walk off the boat across the paddock and be right at one end/start of the walk. Some of the sculptures can even be seen on the beach front of Matiatia or as you get off the boat.

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