Midtown Street Party
Midtown has become a little bit Karangahape Road, a little bit Dominion Road, but most of all this neighbourhood has a community vibe all its own. Midtown is throwing a party in the streets for everyone on the third Thursday of November. Bring your family and friends and join in for live performing arts, delicious eats and hidden retail gems!
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You’ll discover a Midtown you’ve never experienced before.
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Feel the beat at AfroSamba, a high-energy Midtown Street Party brought to you by ORIKoL Productions.
After packing out the streets in 2023, AfroSamba is back and bringing the heat as the days get longer and warmer!
Don’t miss live drumming and music, photo opportunities with roaming Brazilian Dancers, and arts & crafts pop-ups from the African diaspora and beyond - all set to a soundtrack of Afrobeat, DJs and global grooves.
Culture, rhythm, and serious street party vibes, right in the heart of Midtown.
Free, all ages, all welcome. Proudly supported by the city centre targeted rate.
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PROGRAMME:
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Corner of Queen Street and Victoria Street:
5 – 5:10pm Yaw Asumadu & Drummers
Elliott Street
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5 - 6pm Mangaliso
6:05 - 6:10pm Brazilian Divas
6:15 - 6:55pm AFRoMAURICE
7 - 7:35pm Yaw Asumadu & Drummers
7:40 - 8pm Unidos de Aotearoa drummers + Brazilian Divas
The Strand Arcade, 227 Queen Street
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5 - 6pm Kryztian Mendoza
6 - 6:10pm Yaw Asumadu & Drummers
6:10 - 6:30m Kryztian Mendoza
6:30 - 8pm THUNDERBOY
About the artists:
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Yaw Asumadu & Drummers
Yaw Asumadu & Drummers are a vibrant drumming ensemble that brings energy, rhythm and cultural flair to every performance. Blending African traditional, Latin, and Western traditional rhythms with modern creativity. The group creates an uplifting and powerful sound that connects with audiences of all ages, whether on stage at festivals, community events or private functions.
Brazilian Divas
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Bringing the magic of Brazil to New Zealand for over 19 years, Brazilian Divas are the country’s original samba entertainers. Based in Auckland, our vibrant dancers light up events with authentic costumes, energy and spectacle, from major festivals to community celebrations
Unidos de Aotearoa
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Founded in 2019, Unidos de Aotearoa brings the vibrant spirit of Brazilian Carnival to New Zealand. Our samba school unites Brazilians and local communities through the powerful rhythm of samba. They train weekly as a bateria (drum ensemble), supporting singers, musicians, and dancers in both stage and parade performances. From the streets to the stage, our shows deliver the authentic sights, sounds, and energy of Brazil—right here in Aotearoa.
AFRoMaurice
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A vibrant collective of talented Sega dancers and skilled musicians in New Zealand weaving together the rich cultural heritage of Mauritius.
Kryztian Mendoza | DJ
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Based in Auckland, Kryztian Mendoza mixes smooth energy and creative flair both on and off the decks. A photographer, videographer, and DJ, he’s all about creating moments that move people — visually and musically.
THUNDERBOY | DJ
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THUNDERBOY is a New Zealand DJ and producer fusing funk house, Hip-Hop, and R&B into high-energy sets. With performances at Baydreams, Soundsplash, and JBL Your Shot, THUNDERBOY brings a bold and dynamic sound built to move crowds.
Mangaliso | DJ
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One of Auckland city’s finest known for bringing sounds of Africa with a little twist.
Arts & crafts stalls popping up in The Strand Arcade including:
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AlMala Collections:
AlMala Collections celebrates culture, creativity, and craftsmanship through a curated range of Afro-inspired art, home décor, and handmade pieces. Each item tells a story — connecting heritage and modern elegance. Rooted in a passion for community and cultural expression, AlMala Collections brings together beauty and meaning, offering timeless pieces that uplift spaces and honour identity.
Aura & Essence Store is an exquisite boutique luxury, gift and wellbeing shop located in the charming town of Cambridge. The shop is a treasure trove, perfect for those seeking unique and high-quality items and customize gifts.
Dear Betty Collection
I’m Betty — a mother, fashion designer, and believer in God. My journey began when I started sewing clothes that made me feel free and confident after becoming a mum. Today, I design empowering, free-flowing pieces for women and girls, blending African fabrics with modern comfort to bring African style and spirit to New Zealand.
Evelirne Culture Limited is a West African, New Zealand fashion designer. Ready to wear African label with a vision to put African on the globe.
PAMBI Collective
PAMBI — derived from the Zulu word PAMBILIE, meaning to push forward or to journey onward — embodies progression, unity, and creative evolution.
We are a collective of visionary creatives rooted in Africa but inspired by the world. Our focus lies in crafting timeless design and sound — art that transcends trends and connects cultures.
Our community is our strength. From the streets to the main stages, PAMBI has had a presence at every major festival, expanding its influence beyond borders. With global recognition and co-signs from cultural icons such as Israel Adesanya, Burna Boy, Freddie Gibbs, Denzel Curry, and others, our movement continues to grow worldwide.
Our ethos is African at heart, but our village knows no colour — we represent unity through creativity, rhythm, and style.
VIVA PAMBILIE.
Velvet Skin NZ
Handmade & Handselected: All items in our luxury gift box are hand selected by our product chef, Riyana.
Care From Head to Toe: Natural skin care for everyone and everywhere.
Originally developed by Riyana to heal her eczema, rosacea and psoriasis. Come have a chat about your skin needs from most sensitive to just wanting a bit of a pamper.
Sufi Fragrances
Wonderful minds smell nice. We bring the ancient art of Attar-making to the modern world. Discover the scent of enchantment. Oil based perfumes, made from flowers extract.
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Thursday 20 November 2025
5pm-8pm
Cost----Free
Free Food / Drink Entertainment Community Craft / Hobby Cultural Exhibition Kids / Family Markets / Trade Music=======================================================
Poll: Should we be giving the green light to new mining projects? 💰🌲
The Environmental Protection Authority announced this week that a proposed mine in Central Otago (near Cromwell) is about to enter its fast-track assessment process. A final decision could come within six months, and if it’s approved, construction might start as early as mid-2026.
We want to know: Should mining projects like this move ahead?
Keen to dig deeper? Mike White has the scoop.
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53.2% Yes
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46.8% No
Aucklanders, we want to know: How are you feeling about the current property market?
New Zealand homeowners are now more likely to sell at a loss than at any time since 2013, and if you’re in Auckland or Wellington, the odds are even higher.
But there is a silver lining: buyers are still in a strong position when it comes to negotiating prices.
So we’re curious…
How are you feeling about the current property market?
If you’re keen to dive into the details, Deborah Morris breaks down all the latest insights.
‘Tis the season to not get scammed ...
As Christmas gift shopping moves increasingly online, scammers are ramping up their activity across the country.
Dunedin’s Investigation Support Unit is seeing more and more people fall victim to scams and other fraudulent activity, particularly on Facebook Marketplace.
There are a few ways to avoid the scams and keep yourself safe doing online trades this holiday season, says Southern District Service Delivery Manager Senior Sergeant Dalton.
🔒 “A good first step when looking to purchase something on Marketplace is to check when the seller’s Facebook profile was created. If it’s very recent, there is a higher risk that they have just created this account for a one-off fake item.”
🔒 Another important step is to make sure the seller’s profile name and bank account name match up. “We’re seeing a lot of scammers claiming their bank account name is different because it belongs to their partner or family member - that’s a huge red flag."
🔒 “When you’re selling, never trust a screenshot anyone sends you showing that payment has been made. Check your own bank account to make sure a payment has gone through."
🔒 “Quite frankly, it’s best for all parties to agree to pay, or be paid, for items in cash and in-person. Ideally in a public place with CCTV coverage."
🔒 "If you’re buying a car, check Carjam.co.nz to see if it’s stolen or if there’s money owed on it.”
A reminder: Suspicious activity can be reported on 105
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