Indigenous festival hits Auckland
Landing in the heart of Tāmaki Makaurau, Te Ao Pūtahi Festival transforms Aotea Square into a living Indigenous village from Sunday 16 to Thursday 20 November 2025.
Open to all, it’s a vibrant, FREE to enter experience, alive with the sights, sounds, tastes, and wairua of te ao Māori and Indigenous cultures from across the globe.
Te Ao Pūtahi Festival is the festival expression of WIPCE 2025 (the World Indigenous Peoples' Conference on Education) - hosted and organised by AUT, in partnership with iwi manaaki Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei and the WIPCE International Council.
Whether you’ve registered for WIPCE 2025 or not, Te Ao Pūtahi is open to all. This vibrant experience will be alive with the sights, sounds, tastes, and wairua of Te Ao Māori and Indigenous cultures.
The festival opens on Sunday with a star-packed concert featuring some of Aotearoa and the Pacific’s best. Jackson Owens, Betty-Anne Monga, Seth Haapu, Naia Awatea and more set the tone on Sunday, while artists like Maisey Rika and Adeaze bring it home later in the week.
As you wander through the marketplace square, you’ll find yourself in Te Ao Hokohoko - the world of trade - where every stall tells a story. Handcrafted taonga, bold Indigenous fashion, artworks and treasures from home and abroad fill the space with colour and life. Get amongst Te Ao Kai - smells of soul food and great vibes. The kai is made with aroha and the flavours of Aotearoa and the Pacific pair perfectly with live haka, waiata, and performances from Indigenous artists.
Chill out in Te Ao Rongoā - the world of healing. Practitioners from across the Indigenous world share their knowledge through mirimiri, lomilomi, and other traditional practices. Take a stroll into Te Ao Toi - the world of art and witness the living legacies of whakairo (Māori carving), raranga (Māori weaving), poi making and Niuean Hiapo.
Bring the tamariki on Sunday for Te Ao Whānui – full of activities just for our little ones. Kuia and koroua are warmly welcomed into their own space.
For adults, a licensed R18 area offers a relaxed spot for a drink with your mates.
Whether you're here for the kai, the kōrero, or the entertainment, Te Ao Pūtahi is your place to celebrate Indigenous excellence with our visitors from across the globe.
So, bring your curiosity, your appetite, and your whānau – and be part of something unforgettable.
Public transport-friendly, open daily, full festival maps and programmes available on-site.
An event listing for Te Ao Pūtahi Festival is on Facebook here. Share and like!