Free family fun in Manukau Diversity Festival 2025

11 February 2025

  • Manukau
  • News
  • Urban regeneration

The Diversity Festival will return in 2025 to a new venue with even more attractions. It promises to be an action-packed day of fun, food, and festivities - and its free.

This will be one of this year's best ways to experience diverse cultures, tasty cuisines, and live local performances. The event is brought to you by Ōtara-Papatoetoe Local Board and supported by Eke Panuku Development Auckland and Westfield Manukau.

Bigger, bolder, and better than ever!

OP Diversity Fest (1)

With an exciting new location and a lineup packed with even more attractions, this year’s Diversity Festival, on Saturday 1 March, is set to be an unmissable celebration.

The event is the work of the Ōtara-Papatoetoe Local Board, with assistance from Eke Panuku Development Auckland and Westfield Manukau.

The Diversity Festival, now in its seventh year, is a popular, free, and whānau-friendly celebration that showcases the harmony and diversity of South Auckland’s multicultural community.

Diversity Manukau Map

Previously hosted at Hayman Park, this year’s event will now be held at 1 Leyton Way, Westfield Manukau — the car park just outside the food court area and closest to Rainbows End.

The range of kai, live performances, art, activities and craft exhibitions have been curated to showcase, celebrate and involve the communities that make up Ōtara-Papatoetoe.

“Our Ōtara-Papatoetoe local board area is home to a beautiful mix of cultures, built on the foundation of tangata whenua, our Mana Whenua hapū and Iwi, and a Pākehā community with a history stretching back over 150 years.


We’re proud of our strong Pasifika whānau, and we also welcome our newer communities of south Asians from Fiji and the Indian subcontinent. From Assyrian to Cambodian, Filipino to African, each community brings something special to Ōtara-Papatoetoe, making it the lively, inclusive place it is today. Our Diversity Festival is our way of celebrating this rich multicultural spirit, and thanks to Eke Panuku Development Auckland and Westfield Manukau for supporting our kaupapa.”

Ōtara-Papatoetoe Local Board Chair
Apulu Reece Autagavaia
OP Diversity Fest (005)

Eke Panuku Development Auckland's Priority Location Director, Richard Davison says that Eke Panuku is delighted to work with the  local board to support this event. With responsibility for leading urban regeneration on behalf of Auckland Council, Eke Panuku has been given a central role in shaping the future of southern locations including Manukau and Old  Papatoetoe.

Davison says “Eke Panuku is proud to support Diversity Festival 2025 – an exciting opportunity to celebrate South Auckland’s incredible cultures and vibrant communities as part of our Transform Manukau vision.  Events like this bring people together, showcase the energy and diversity that makes Manukau special, and highlights our ongoing investment in its future. We look forward to a fantastic, family-friendly celebration and can’t wait to see a big turnout on the day.”

This year marks the first time the board is partnering with Westfield Manukau, who have provided the site for venue. Their support brings this celebration to an ideal location in the heart of Manukau, making the event more visible and accessible to the community.

Westfield Manukau Centre Manager, Katie Chrisp comments, “Our Westfield destinations across New Zealand create meaningful human connections every day. Westfield Manukau is thrilled to support the Diversity Festival, celebrating the many vibrant cultures that make South Auckland a unique and diverse community.”

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