Upcoming Events
A welcoming, beautiful community place for uplifting experiences or simply for time out.
A place for all kinds of music.
Missed out on an event? Please join us (free) to receive invitations to the wonderful events and projects happening at Kāhui St David’s.
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Art of Remembrance 2026
We will remember them at the Art of Remembrance 2026, the annual musical night of remembrance in the Great Hall of Kāhui St David’s, Auckland’s living memorial. On Friday 24 April, join veterans, whānau, and the wider community for an unforgettable evening honouring all members and veterans of the New Zealand Defence Force.
The night features a rich musical and storytelling programme. Unsung Heroes perform original songs and readings from wartime letters, including Cameron Bennett, veteran foreign correspondent, with “Letter to Darkie”, recounting a letter sent to his grandfather from the Western Front. Chris Priestley presents “3 Telegrams (Dad’s Song)”, introduced by Peter Elliott ONZM, TV star and percussionist, telling his father’s story of the battle at Takrouna Hill in Tunisia.
Hear David Harvey on Scottish bagpipes, pūoro by Riki Bennett, University of Auckland Student Choir, join in singing hymns led by soprano Michelle Thorne-McHugh, the Off Broadway Big Band and Helen Lukman-Fox on the great pipe organ.
The night will begin with a parade of veterans into the Great Hall. It will include the Last Post, Minute of Silence, and The Rouse and the ceremonial relighting of the Lamp of Remembrance for the year ahead. We will also hear from members of the New Zealand Defence Force.
Join us afterwards for hospitality, and to take a moment to thank our veterans.
Pay-what-you-can. All welcome.
Event partners
The Art of Remembrance is made possible thanks to the support of the Uptown Business Association, Waitematā Local Board, The Ranfurly Veterans’ Trust, Angus Muir Design, Jessica Chloe Photography.
Partners
We thank Sir Stephen & Lady Tindall, The Sir William and Lady Manchester Charitable Trust, Awhero Nui Charitable Trust, and all the friends and volunteers who sustain Kāhui St David’s.
VETERANS - special note
Please email contact@KahuiStDavids.nz to let us know you are coming. You can be part of the military and veterans' parade into the Great Hall, and for this, we need to reserve your seats (for you, and your guests).
Wreaths
If you are bringing a wreath, please let us know in advance so we can ensure there is room for it. Thank you!
Mondrian Ensemble with Stephen de Pledge, Bridget Douglas & Dylan Lardelli
Mondrian Ensemble (Switzerland) with Stephen de Pledge, Bridget Douglas & Dylan Lardelli play new chamber music from Aotearoa and beyond.
With many thanks to Lewis Eady Steinway New Zealand for the loan of the grand piano.
Mondrian Ensemble and Stephen de Pledge Play Feldman and Holloway
Mondrian Ensemble (Switzerland) and Stephen De Pledge play Morton Feldman “Piano, Violin, Viola, Cello” and Samuel Holloway “Matter” and “Soft Logic”.
With many thanks to Lewis Eady Steinway New Zealand for the loan of the grand piano.
String Together 2026
STRING TOGETHER 2026
Hear NZTrio & Young Friends Live
After three days of workshops, NZTrio takes the stage alongside the next generation of New Zealand string players in a vibrant finale concert.
Highlights: Mozart Piano Quartet, Bach Cello Suite No. 2, Samoan Song Medley, and a thrilling Play-In Finale with 30+ musicians from NZTrio, University of Auckland, Sistema Aotearoa and Tironui Music Trust.
Sunday 22 March | 3pm
Kāhui St David’s, Grafton, Auckland
Experience the power and beauty of live strings.
Children up to 18 free – adults flexi price (pay what you can afford)
Aumārire_Harmony
An evening for all the family and friends to celebrate Christmas, art and music. The theme is Aumārire - Harmony......
Set in the glorious Great Hall of Kāhui St David's centre for music:
Experience the music of singer songwriter HINA including her own composition on the theme of Aumārire_Harmony. HINA will also sing Pokarekare Ana
Christmas carols lead by a choir and accompanied by Helen Lukman-Fox on the superb, restored 1905 Croft Pipe Organ - all sing!
The evening will also unveil Aumārire_Harmony, the art of celebrated, contemporary artist, Peata Larkin. These artworks on brass adorn the interior of this historic heritage place, inspiration while we sing! The Art of Remembrance project began in 2015 with the art of Max Gimblett ONZM to save this historic heritage place. The theme in 2025 is harmony & peace for all.
Followed by Christmas mince tarts, strawberries, tea coffee and milo (included in the ticket price)
Whatever your cultural background, however you identify, you are welcome at Kāhui St David's. The Trust is not a religious entity - but we are upholding some beautiful traditions, and Christmas is one of them! So please join us.
Your presence supports keeping the doors of Kāhui St David's open - for good.
An historic, celebratory and heart-warming night for you!
Green Doors Open
Like the churches of old, Kāhui St David’s doors – Auckland’s newest centre for music and community, in the historic heritage St David’s – are now open, free to the public on Wednesdays 12 – 1pm.
Come to hear music, or just have some peace.
Bring your lunch to have in the Vestibule, and a cup of tea or coffee.
Made possible thanks to volunteers, and Uptown Business Association. See you here!
Winter Working Bee
Kāhui St David’s is hosting a wedding on the 5th, and the bride and groom have kindly offered to come the weekend prior to do a working bee.
11am - 12.30pm
Pull some weeds, trim a hedge, sweep the drive, clean the glass doors or bring some home baking. Whatever your skill and level of dexterity you’ll be welcome.
Green Doors Open
Like the churches of old, Kāhui St David’s doors – Auckland’s newest centre for music and community, in the historic heritage St David’s – are now open, free to the public on Wednesdays 12 – 1pm.
Come to hear music, or just have some peace.
Bring your lunch to have in the Vestibule, and a cup of tea or coffee.
Made possible thanks to volunteers, and Uptown Business Association. See you here!
Green Doors Open
Like the churches of old, Kāhui St David’s doors – Auckland’s newest centre for music and community, in the historic heritage St David’s – are now open, free to the public on Wednesdays 12 – 1pm.
Come to hear music, or just have some peace.
Bring your lunch to have in the Vestibule, and a cup of tea or coffee.
Made possible thanks to volunteers, and Uptown Business Association. See you here!
PAPA
PAPA is a vibrant fusion of performance, music, weaving and fashion, brought to life by the talented weavers’ collective, Te Puāwai Raranga. Showcasing the work of both emerging and experienced weavers, the red carpet of Kāhui St David’s Great Hall becomes the ultimate fashion runway for models to parade their wearable artworks.
This FREE Matariki event is hosted in partnership between Te Puāwai Raranga and Kāhui St David’s Centre for Music and the Performing Arts.
New, and the most experienced, weavers share their creations, exploring traditional, plant-based practices and up-cycled materials including plastic blinds, cable ties, fast-fashion and recycled garments, to celebrate Māori art and culture and to raise awareness of the need for environmental change.
The name PAPA comes from Papatuanūku (Earth Mother) and Whakapapa (genealogy), which are interconnected. Te Whaea Witika, Te Puāwai kaitārai, says “PAPA is designed to inspire our younger and future generations to nurture our environment and to motivate them to keep up the practice of the old ways of using natural resources”.
Witika says the group has to travel outside Tāmaki to gather the natural resources for weaving. “Climate change is affecting where we can harvest our resources and now we have to whakawhanaungatanga with other iwi to source the material for our work”.
This event is now at capacity. Please join our Mailing List if you’d like to know about future events.
Green Doors Open
Like the churches of old, Kāhui St David’s doors – Auckland’s newest centre for music and community, in the historic heritage St David’s – are now open, free to the public on Wednesdays 12 – 1pm.
Come to hear music, or just have some peace.
Bring your lunch to have in the Vestibule, and a cup of tea or coffee.
Made possible thanks to volunteers, and Uptown Business Association. See you here!
Anzac Day Exhibition
Come on Anzac Day any time between 11am – 2pm to see the newly restored St David’s Memorial Church building, now home to Kāhui St David’s centre for music and community, and special displays.
Evening of Remembrance
UPDATE - THIS EVENT IS FULLY SUBSCRIBED - NO MORE TICKETS AVAILABLE. Please join us on Anzac Day to view the exhibitions instead.
An evening of inspiring music, moving image and warm hospitality in the company of very special guests - an historical event. A plaque to honour the Royal NZ Nursing Corps will be unveiled.
String Together
A three-day musical project that brings professionals together with our musicians of the future to connect, learn, and inspire. Kāhui St David’s, together with NZTrio, University of Auckland School of Music, Tironui Music Trust and Sistema Aotearoa, launch this music project for strings including piano, the start of an on-going process of collaboration.
PAPA - Wearable Arts
Celebrate Matariki at Kāhui St David’s with the Ōrākei Marae Weavers Group.
Inspired by the model of our nationally-renowned World of Wearable Arts event, PAPA will showcase the cultural craft making and creativity of whānau and weavers.
MusicBox
MusicBox presents an opportunity to experience being inside a musical instrument... the Great Hall of Kāhui St David's. Hear the stunning 1905 Croft pipe organ played by the brilliant and charming Helen Lukman-Fox. Diverse pieces, that Helen will perform with friends to transport you on a Sunday afternoon.
Ka Mua Ka Muri - Live at Kāhui StDavids
Ka Mua Ka Muri" is a music program that was established in 2022 to showcase emerging Auckland musical talent through online platforms. During NZ Music Month, for the very first time, you will be able to experience it live. Join us on Saturday, May 25th, for "Ka Mua Ka Muri Live" at Kāhui St David's, featuring emerging artists from across Tāmaki Makaurau.
Auckland Heritage Festival Tour
The Friends of St David’s Trust Kāhui Rangi Pūpū invites you in for a sneak preview of what's going on behind the scenes of its major restoration project.
