Regardless of whether your old man is a nature lover, an art buff, or just a simple dinner-and-drinks type of guy, there’s plenty you can do to celebrate Father’s Day. From indulgent experiences to memorable outings, we’ve rounded up ideas to make this Father’s Day one he won’t forget, so all that’s left to do is sit back and let the brownie points roll in.
Feed Him
A meal out isn’t exactly a groundbreaking concept, but a great meal without a family-sized bill at the end is a foolproof Father’s Day formula. Our Father’s Day Dining Guide has you covered with all of the the best spots for a meal that’s well worth leaving the house for.
Pamper Him
More than just a gift for mums, a luxurious spa treatment of some sort is a perfect present for dad too (and likely something he won’t buy himself). Across the city, there are a suite of relaxing and invigorating options available, from East Day Spa’s extensive Father’s Day offering to Spring Spa’s delightful pamper packages. Consult our edit of the city’s best massage therapists for a comprehensive guide, here.
Get Behind the Wheel
If Dad’s the type who lives life in the fast lane, line up an adrenaline hit. At Hampton Downs, he can experience the Ultimate Combo Track Drive, where he can get behind the wheel of four supercars, from a Ferrari to a Lamborghini, an Aston Martin, and a Lotus, before finishing with a hot lap in a Mitsubishi EvoX.
Get Outdoors
Carve out some time to connect with Dad over a hike. From beachside strolls to bush treks, there’s plenty of beautiful local walks and hikes across Auckland to choose from. Fresh air and quality time — what more could he want?
Charter a Yacht
If Dad happens to be in your good books this year, go a little bigger and charter a yacht for a day out on the water. LussoMare launched last year and offer a range of bespoke charters from Auckland, while 37 South has a fleet of exceptional yachts on hand up and down the country, with the season starting soon.
Peruse a Gallery
Get a well-deserved dose of culture by visiting one of Auckland’s excellent art galleries. We recommend Auckland Art Gallery’s exhibition A Century of Modern Art which offers a sweeping survey of the visionary painters who transformed modern art, featuring the likes of van Gogh, Picasso, Renoir and more. And, if you’ve forgotten a gift, nip to the thoughtfully curated gift shop.
Schedule a Tasting
If Dad appreciates the finer things in life, celebrate this Father’s Day by booking in for a wine tasting at The Wine Room, or secure a spot to one of the upcoming events taking place in September — from wine clubs to dinners and hosted tastings.
Or, Just Buy a Gift
If time pressure or distance has disrupted best-laid plans, never fear, there’s always the option of a great gift. From simple tokens of love to sublime gestures, our Father’s Day Gift Guide is sure to inspire the perfect present for your dad.
Spring has sprung, and with it comes an exceptional line-up of cultural events inspiring you to get out and about. From theatrical events to exhibitions you won’t want to miss, our September Culture Guide is filled with everything you need to keep you happily busy this month.
When & Where: Now until Wednesday 17th September, ASB Waterfront Theatre
Step inside the storm-soaked night that birthed a legend. From playwright Jess Sayer and director Oliver Driver comes Mary: The Birth of Frankenstein — a blood-soaked, fever-dream reimagining of Mary Shelley’s infamous creation. Gothic horror collides with raw ambition and creative obsession in this unflinching and unmissable world premiere.
When & Where: Now until Sunday 14th September, Sanderson
This month, Sanderson presents Diurnus, a mesmerising new exhibition by Liam Gerrard. Drawing on the overlooked beauty of the natural world, Gerrard’s detailed works transform suburban gardens into intimate still lifes, where moths flutter, cats doze, and flowers bloom — a contemplative reflection on life’s fleeting moments of wonder.
Hot off its critically-acclaimed run on Broadway, Mother Play is Paula Vogel’s searing take on family, identity, and the American dream unravelling. From 1950s denial to 1980s defiance, it’s a time-warping, gin-soaked rollercoaster with a whole lot of heart.
When & Where: Saturday 27th September, Auckland Town Hall
Jonathan Van Ness’ Hot & Healed is an unfiltered, high-energy comedy celebration packed with laughs, self-love, and surprises. Showcasing dazzling new sides of the Emmy-winning star, this wildly entertaining performance blends wit, joy, and iconic JVN flair into one unforgettable night.
Artland: An Installation by Do Ho Suh and children
When & Where: Saturday 20th September — Sunday 19th July 2026, Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki
Step into a world of wonder at Artland, the Auckland Art Gallery’s playful new installation by renowned Korean artist Do Ho Suh and his young daughters. Crafted from colourful modelling clay, this evolving, hands-on experience invites families to shape their own fantastical landscapes.
When & Where: Now until Sunday 28th September, Auckland Art Gallery Toi O Tāmaki
September is the final chance to view Auckland Art Gallery’s A Century of Modern Art — a landmark exhibition of visionary painting. On loan from the internationally-renowned Toledo Museum of Art, the exhibition features 57 masterworks by 53 groundbreaking artists — including Monet, van Gogh, Cezanne, Picasso, and Frankenthaler — charting the evolution of modern art from Impressionism to Abstract Expressionism.
When & Where: Thursday 18th September — Sunday 5th October, TSB Arena, Wellington
Imagination becomes reality in the 2024 WOW show: Rise. Explore an unforgettable experience where the boundaries of arena spectacle, live music, dance, aerial choreography, and world-class wearable art are pushed to the extreme. Every night of the show season is a visual feast, offering a theatrical spectacle unmatched in both scale and impact.
When & Where: Now until Sunday 19th October, Auckland Museum
Direct from London’s V&A and showing exclusively at Auckland Museum, DIVA is a glittering tribute to the performers who’ve defined — and defied — culture. With over 280 iconic pieces spanning fashion, film, music and more, this landmark exhibition showcases the ambition, power, and legacy of stars from Maria Callas to Madonna, Cher to Rihanna. An unmissable celebration of the diva in all her forms — flamboyant, fabulous, and forever fascinating.
Returning to Commercial Bay this September, Solstice is a four-day celebration of fashion, music, and dining that captures the energy of spring’s arrival. Inspired by the power and renewal of the summer solstice, the precinct-wide event invites you to embrace bold style, indulge in vibrant flavours, and step into the new season. From exclusive shopping offers to live entertainment, curated dining experiences, and more, Solstice transforms Commercial Bay into the city’s ultimate stage — an unmissable fashion and lifestyle event to welcome longer days and brighter wardrobes.
When & Where: Friday 5th — Saturday 20th September, various locations country-wide
Presented by New Zealand Opera with the country’s leading orchestras and directed by Anapela Polata’ivao ONZM, The Monster in the Maze reimagines the myth of the Minotaur as a story of resistance, justice, and collective power. Young and community singers join professional performers in a groundbreaking, community-driven opera where every voice is essential — a bold, immersive celebration of courage, hope, and the transformative power of music.
Following its sold-out debut earlier this year, this September, Darklight: The Edge of Light transforms Auckland’s historic Okahu Bay Wharf into a glowing stage where art, light, and history converge. Over 100 metres of illumination, immersive installations, and collaborative works from Aotearoa’s leading artists create a sensory journey that moves from intimacy to scale. On Friday, 5th September, Darklight will close with Resonate, a one-night music experience which extends the sensory journey into sound.
When & Where: Saturday 6th September, Freida Margolis, Auckland
Kickstart your weekend at the lively Freida Market, held on the first Saturday of every month at Freida Margolis in Grey Lynn. Discover a curated selection of pre-loved and vintage clothes, unique finds, freshly baked goods, seasonal flowers, vinyl, handmade crafts, and more. Enjoy tasty bites as vinyl spins in true Freida’s style, adding to the warm, community feel.
When & Where: Now until Sunday 14th September, Sanderson
At Sanderson this month, Peita Waikano has a stunning exhibition of watercolours exploring Aotearoa’s seasonal landscapes. Through intricate grids and careful study of flora and fauna, Tootill blends indigenous knowledge, lunar cycles, and contemporary art, capturing the subtle colours, rhythms, and beauty of the natural world across the year.
From the remote East Cape comes Te Ihi, a brand setting a new benchmark in wellness. Born in Te Araroa, on Ngāti Porou land where the first light touches Aotearoa, Te Ihi embodies vitality, resilience, and connection to nature. More than a product line, it represents a legacy, distilling ancestral knowledge into high-performance wellness essentials, crafted with respect for both and and community.
At its core is mānuka honey — UMF-certified, sustainably harvested, and long celebrated for its healing power. Te Ihi reimagines this taonga (prized resource) for modern life, bringing both everyday nourishment and targeted care into one elevated range (with more products soon to be released). Here, we round up the products we’re weaving into our routines, from the raw honey itself to go-to wellness essentials.
The Te Ihi Range
UMF 5 Mānuka Honey
The daily ritual. Raw, unpasteurised, and rich in vitamins, minerals, and amino acids, UMF 5 is an everyday superfood to steady and strengthen overall wellbeing. Think of it as daily nourishment, straight from the hive.
Skin Heal
A nourishing beeswax-based cream infused with 20% medical-grade mānuka honey, zinc oxide, and native botanicals. Designed to restore balance, protect sensitive skin, and reinforce the natural barrier, it hydrates while offering breathable coverage for minor irritations. A daily defence against dryness and discomfort.
Oral Spray
A soothing mouth spray combining mānuka honey with peppermint, clove, aniseed, myrrh, and menthol. Designed for immediate support, it helps protect the mouth and throat while naturally freshening breath. Easy to carry, pleasant-tasting, and perfect for on-the-go relief.
UMF 15 Mānuka Honey
Valued for its distinctive properties, UMF 15 offers robust support for those seeking a premium boost to daily wellness. Raw, unpasteurised, and naturally nutrient-rich, it’s a superfood with serious staying power.
Mānuka Heal Gel
A wound care gel crafted with medical-grade mānuka honey, mānuka oil, and hydrocolloids. This formulation helps maintain a moist, protected environment for minor skin injuries, supporting the body’s natural healing process while delivering the antimicrobial benefits of mānuka. Ideal for everyday scrapes and grazes.
UMF 10 Mānuka Honey
A step deeper in potency. With higher concentrations of mānuka’s unique natural markers, UMF 10 supports resilience and immunity, making it the go-to for those who want more from their wellness routine.
Pet Heal
Because wellness extends to every member of the whānau, this gentle balm blends mānuka honey, mānuka oil, and hydrocolloids to help maintain moisture and protection around minor wounds and irritations on pets’ skin. Naturally soothing, safe, and effective, it’s formulated specifically for pets’ unique needs.
In the depths of winter, when immune systems falter, skin feels the cold, and throats grow dry, Te Ihi comes into its own. Setting a new standard in performance wellness, it carries the strength of the East Cape out into the world, setting a new standard in healing.
Van Cleef & Arpels’ Fleurs d’Hawaï collection sees the House return to one of its most enduring inspirations, the flower, in a vibrant reinterpretation of its 1938 Hawaii designs. Debuted at Scotland’s Dumfries House, the collection brings together the Maison’s historic love of nature with contemporary versatility and finesse.
At its core, the collection is an ode to colour. Five luminous stones — amethyst, aquamarine, rhodolite garnet, citrine, and peridot — are cut into petal-like forms, their pear-shaped geometry chosen to emphasise balance, harmony, and light. Each stone is meticulously selected by expert gemologists, with an emphasis on purity, evenness of tone, and the interplay between gem and gold.
The designs themselves feel refreshingly modern, despite their archival roots. Petals float around central diamond pistils, forming voluminous rings, pendants, earrings, and a standout secret watch. The latter, in particular, is a technical and aesthetic triumph: a mother-of-pearl dial surrounded by a ring of diamonds and citrine, rhodolite, or aquamarine petals, which can be detached and worn separately as a pendant or brooch.
Floral motifs have long been part of the Van Cleef & Arpels lexicon, from early 20th-century brooches to the iconic Frivole collection, but here, the palette is more spirited, and above all, effortlessly wearable. It’s also a quiet reflection of the Maison’s broader support for garden preservation, realised through its ongoing partnership with The King’s Foundation.
With Fleurs d’Hawaï, Van Cleef & Arpels cultivates a fresh chapter in its garden of craftsmanship —where every bloom tells a tale of the past, the present, and what the future may hold.
For more exclusive access to what the city has to offer, engaging content, excellent imagery and thought provoking commentary on the life that surrounds you, subscribe to Denizen magazine now.
