Onehunga Festival - a roaring success

On the last Saturday in February Onehunga Bay Reserve came alive to the sound of the annual community festival. 

Organised by the Onehunga Business Association, with the support of the Onehunga Community Patrol and the Onehunga Community News, the festival celebrates summer in our central Auckland community. Highlights of the day included the inaugural Cardboard Boat Race, amusements such as Old Macdonalds Farm, climbing wall, jump slide and other fun activities like face painting and balloon twisting and it's all free thanks to generous grants and corporate sponsors.

Onehunga Festival attracts up to 5,000 people over the day to come and visit retail, community & food stalls. A mix from across the community visit during the day to enjoy the family-friendly atmosphere.

The festival also has a stage with performances throughout the day including community performers like Onehunga Primary's Kapa Haka group, local zumba group Jazam and rangitane from Potter House church group plus also professionals from Cook Island group Ananua, singer and performer Josh Leys and young jazz group Auckland City Scoundrels. 

In 2021 the Onehunga Business Association also worked with seven local food providers to deliver Onehunga Bites with youth from The 312 Hub. A food tent, visitors buy $6 tokens and can chose from a great variety of food from across the town centre.

Feedback from the 2021 event has included:

I would like to congratulate you on the successful Festival on Saturday. I have attended every Festival held since 2010 and I truly believe that this was one of the best we have had to date.
Don Allen, Community Constable and Local Board member

Kia ora all, I've been coming to the Onehunga Festivals since they started and I thought this was one of the biggest and best festivals, the crowd were awesome and engaged and there was a strong sense of community there.
Josephine Bartley, Auckland Councillor and Event MC