What to do this weekend in Auckland: Burgers, bagels, books, art rock and more

Back for its third year and impeccably timed to coincide with International Burger Day on May 28, PonsonBurger is bringing together 38 eateries from across the foodie strip for a two-week celebration of the neighbourhood’s diverse and ever-evolving food scene. With so many stellar eateries serving up burgers in their signature style, it will be a burger bonanza, with something to suit every palate. From Farina’s signature pizza bun stuffed with juicy lamb and salsa verde mayo, to a sweet sensation in the form of the Miann ultimate dessert burger, satisfaction is guaranteed.

To celebrate 30 years of Zealong Tea Estate, the team is inviting the public to jump on the Waikato Expressway and head to Gordonton today for an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at New Zealand’s only commercial tea estate. Open from 9am-4pm, you can wander through lush organic tea fields, step inside the factory where the magic happens, and immerse yourself in the sights, aromas and craftsmanship of tea production. You will also get to meet the people behind the leaves, who will be on hand, sharing stories, knowledge and the passion that has shaped Zealong over three decades. Tickets start at $28-$38 per person with a picnic box, or indulge in high tea served at Zealong’s onsite Tea House for $110.

FujiFilm’s House of Photography has opened its doors and is already shaping up to be an exciting addition to the city’s creative scene with a series of events and conversations rolling out from its Rosedale location. On Friday from noon-3pm in collaboration with the Auckland Festival of Photography is Talking Culture, which brings together a group of internationally recognised photography voices for a personal experience. Experts on hand include Te Papa curator and writer Lissa Mitchell, Shen Chao-Liang, a photojournalist and founder of Photo ONE Taipei, and Hideko Kataoka, a photo editor and curator as well as former Newsweek Japan director of photography. The session will include a meet-and-greet followed by a series of portfolio reviews, giving emerging photographers and the wider creative community rare access to these leading international figures.

Books, Bagels & Banter is an annual community book fair and literary event held at St Andrew’s Church and Parish Centre in Epsom, featuring quality second-hand and new books, a programme of speaker events and freshly made bagels to surprise and delight. Happening all this weekend, it promises to be packed with a wide selection of quality second-hand and new books at great prices, and there is plenty of time to take a break from browsing to enjoy a freshly made bagel with a delicious range of toppings, whipped up in the on-site cafe throughout the weekend. All funds raised over the open days go towards supporting the Auckland City Mission and other community outreach initiatives, making for a worthy browse.

Legendary US art pop icons Sparks are in Aotearoa for the first time, performing live tonight at Tāmaki Makaurau’s Kiri Te Kanawa Theatre. Since storming into the British charts, minds and airwaves way in 1974 with This Town Ain’t Big Enough For Both of Us, the Californian act made up of brothers Ron and Russell Mael has been at the cutting edge of pop, creating new musical genres and inspiring generations of musicians. Often dubbed “your favourite band’s favourite band”, everyone from Joy Division and Squeeze to Depeche Mode, Bjork and Beck has called out their impact, so it might be time to get out there and see what the fuss is all about.

A road trip to Matakana is always fun, with Brick Bay Sculpture Trail a must-visit year-round. Now there is more reason to explore its sprawling grounds, with the fantastical winner of the 2026 Brick Bay Folly competition unveiled and ready to explore. Called Within the Wings of the Kāruhiruhi, it’s a sculptural installation inspired by the pied shag and fleeting rhythms of the natural world, and was designed and built by a team of recent University of Auckland architecture graduates: Nyle Macaranas, Sufyaan Chuttur, Naomi Felicia, Jasleen Basra and Rain Nario. The structure takes the form of two sweeping timber wings that welcome visitors into the landscape, and wrapped in woven fallen leaves stitched into coir netting, the folly has been intentionally designed to evolve. As the leaves weather, curl and gradually fall away, the timber structure beneath is slowly revealed.

Wellington is always a good idea, and when there’s the opportunity to see a work voted the “greatest opera of all time” by 172 of the world’s leading singers in a definitive BBC Music Magazine poll, it’s a no-brainer. The occasion is Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s masterpiece The Marriage of Figaro, which makes its long-awaited production debut in Te Whanganui-a-Tara this June, for a short season at the historic St James Theatre. A whirlwind tale of love, lies and glorious chaos, the production features a stellar cast of principal singers from across Aotearoa and Australia, with Orchestra Wellington joining in for the fun. Tickets are on sale now for the three-show season, so get in quick.