A Fishy Parade

Celebrate your favourite marine creature and dive into the magic of the Whau awa and Waitematā harbour at the Whau Arts Festival Fishy Parade, a FREE event and a fun filled marine adventure! 

This parade is a celebration of the creatures small and large that make up our local  marine ecology. With fabulous marine puppets and sculptures brought to you by YOU! The parade promptly begins at 6:00 pm and winds its way along Archibald park. 

We want to see your orca, squid, sea urchins, crabs, kahawai and the list swims on! We even invite the mystical and the fantastic. We encourage you to get crafty, creative and resourceful, making your puppets and sculptures from found and recycled materials. 

Come to an advance making workshop at New Lynn Library and Blockhouse Bay community Centre or drop into our quick making stand at the Whau Arts Festival from 4 pm on the day

From little ones to pets to all generations, this immersive experience invites self-expression while highlighting the significance of our treasured marine ecosystems.

Event Schedule:

Tuesday 2 October 10 - 12 pm Making workshop New Lynn Library

Saturday 11 October 10 - 12 pm Making workshop Block House Bay Community Centre

Saturday 18 October:

4:00 pm: Drop into the Whau Arts Festival at Archibald Park and find the Fishy Parade Stall for crafty puppet making using found and recycled materials. 

5:30 pm: Paradees gather with their sculptures and puppets 

6:00 pm: PARADE BEGINS 

6:30 pm: Parade returns to wave off the waka

Whau Arts Festival 2025

Whau The People are proud to present the Whau Arts Festival 2025! This year invites you to tune in to the many voices of our community. Together we will reflect on what matters to us, honour stories of the past, celebrate the present, and imagine our emerging futures.

Across October, Te Whau will come alive with events, performances, and creative experiences shaped by local artists and communities. Stay tuned for our full programme coming soon.

A special thanks to the Whau Local Board for supporting this mahi and the creative force of the Whau community.

For more information visit: whauartsfestival.com

Host or Publisher Melissa Laing, Juliette Laird & Christina Houghton