Welcome to our autumn events programme for March to May 2026

This season, we're enjoying autumn in all its splendour with our events programme inspired by the natural wonders of the park.

Dust off your gumboots because the country is coming to the city. We're celebrating the farm from Saturday 14 - Sunday 22nd March 2026 with a week of baaa-rilliant events. Find out more about Farm Week. 

Some of our events require registration or the purchase of tickets. All the links are provided below but contact us in you need help email info@cornwallpark.co.nz or give us a call on 09 630 8485.

All season

Seasonal Scavenger Hunt: Autumn

Collect a scavenger hunt from Huia Lodge or print one at home. Use it to explore the park and discover autumn delights

This self-led activity is suitable for the young and young at heart. Take your time and find something new each time you visit the park or race your friends and whānau to see who can find them all the fastest.

The clues will lead you all around the park to different accessible locations. You will need to bring your own pen or pencil.

March

Free tai chi for adults and young people who are blind/have low vision

Free, accessible tai chi sessions for adults and young people who are blind/have low vision and who want to be more active.

Tai chi is gentle on your joints and is designed to improve balance, mobility, strength and fitness.

Ideal for beginners. An accompanying support person is also welcome to attend.

The sessions are taught by Jocelyn Watkin of Kia Ora Tai Chi, an experienced instructor with specialist skills in teaching anyone who is blind/has low-vision.

Bring your water bottle and a sun hat/sunblock. Wear comfy clothing and footwear. Registrations are not required, just show up 10 minutes before each session starts.

Date and time: Sunday mornings, 10.15 – 11am on 8th, 15th, 22nd and 29th March. (Weather permitting)

Location: to the left of the Cornwall Park Cafe.

Cancellation: In the event of bad weather please check our Facebook event page or phone/text on 027 493 9851

Tai Chi
All welcome for our popular tai chi sessions. Enjoy the park as a natural playground and escape from the hustle and bustle.

The class is suitable for all skill levels, especially beginners! It’s fun, free, family-friendly and you don’t need special clothes or equipment.

Bring your water bottle, and a sun hat/sunblock plus wear comfy clothing and footwear. Registrations are not required, just show up 10 minutes before class starts!

Every Sunday morning, 9-10am, and Tuesday evening, 6-7pm until Tuesday 31st March.

Location: Half-way up Pōhutukawa Drive on the left when entering from Green Lane West (look for the signs).

In the event of bad weather please check our Facebook event for cancellation notices.

Guided Walk: Food Forest

We've planted a food forest at the Belvedere Garden and the horticulture team would love to take you on a tour.

Bring your curiosity and questions along to discover this unique and sustainable gardening technique including how you can start your own food forest.

Don't forget your sunscreen, raincoat and water bottle. Suitable clothing and footwear are necessary. This walk goes ahead rain or shine. We will cancel the event via email on Monday morning if the weather is extreme.

Registration is essential and numbers are limited. To register for this event please click here or email info@cornwallpark.co.nz. Please let us know if you have any accessibility requirements.

Wednesday 25th March
10am - 11am
Location: Huia Lodge Discovery Hub next to the Cornwall Park Bistro. Vehicle access from Green Lane West.

Dancing under the trees

Feel the beat, share the joy and dance under the trees of Cornwall Park.

Gather your friends and whānau, it’s time to move, groove, and discover dances from around the globe!
From the passion of Bachata to the vibrance of Bollywood, the beats of K-pop to the swing of Lindy Hop, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

No experience needed, just bring your enthusiasm. Perfect for beginners and all ages.

Step into the rhythm of the world:
When: Saturday 28 March, 12pm–2pm, with a new class every hour
Where: Under the trees on the big lawn by the Native Arboretum or under the trees behind the iconic Band Rotunda
What’s on: Four unique dance classes across two locations, pop in for one or dance the afternoon away.
What to bring:
Comfy clothes to move in
Sun protection
A water bottle to keep hydrated

No registration required, just turn up and join the fun.

Rain date: Sunday 29 March

April

Exhibition: Pollination

Flit between the flowers and discover how pollination works in Cornwall Park's ecosystem in our latest exhibition. 

Wednesday 1st April to Sunday 31st May

Huia Lodge Discovery Hub
10am-4pm Thursday to Tuesday
12-4pm Wednesdays

Guided Walk: Ecology ID
Explore the ecology of Cornwall Park and become your own nature guide with our Huia Lodge Discovery Hub Team. We'll show you how to use resources like field guides, apps, and keys to identify plants and animals so you can teach yourself about nature everywhere you go.

This walk is suitable for older kids interested in nature and adults who want to be able to better understand and connect to nature.

We'll also explore the amazing tools available on your phone. Closer to the event we'll follow up with an email including all the details on the apps we plan to use so you can download them if you would like to bring your own device.

Don't forget your sunscreen, raincoat and water bottle. Suitable clothing and footwear are necessary. This walk goes ahead rain or shine. We will cancel the event via email on Sunday morning if the weather is extreme.

Registration is essential and numbers are limited. To register for this event please click here or email info@cornwallpark.co.nz. Let us know if you have any accessibility requirements.

Sunday 5th April
10am-12pm

Location: Start from Huia Lodge Discovery Hub (next to the Cornwall Park Bistro).Vehicle access from Green Lane West.

Citizen Science: Cornwall Park Bird Survey

Would you like to participate in some citizen science? Drop by Huia Lodge Discovery Hub from the 2nd to 19th of April to collect a Cornwall Park bird survey, and count our bird life for one hour.

Return your survey by Sunday 26 April 2026 to Huia Lodge and enter the draw to win a birds prize pack.

This activity is suitable for all ages, though younger children may need assistance from an adult.

Together we can build a record of the birdlife in the park and use this information as an indicator to see how the whole ecosystem is doing.

Survey and a 'how to' guide provided.

Thursday 2nd to Sunday 19th April

Collect your survey from Huia Lodge Discovery Hub (next to the Cornwall Park Bistro) or download it from our website and print it at home.

Workshop: meet the bees

Buzz into Huia Lodge and meet the beerilliant Bee Lady Sara and her amazzzing bees.

Learn how these incredible pollinators contribute to our ecosystem and work together to create delicious and useful products like honey and beeswax.

Then make a beeswax candle* to take home.

This is a free drop in workshop suitable for kids ages 4+, grown up participation is encouraged and required.

Thursday 9th April 
10.30am to 12.30pm
Location: Huia Lodge Discovery Hub (next to the Cornwall Park Bistro).Vehicle access from Green Lane West.

About the Bee Lady
Sara Russ is a beekeeper and early childhood teacher who has been sharing her love of bees with tamariki across Tāmaki Makaurau until she became famous as the ""Bee Lady"".

*Available until materials run out"

iNaturalist Project: Cornwall Park's Stone Wall Ecosystem

Discover the hidden life in Cornwall Park’s stone walls!

Join us at Huia Lodge for our new iNaturalist citizen science project. Whether you’re a seasoned observer or a curious beginner, you’ll learn how to use iNaturalist and help identify the plants and creatures living in our historic stone walls.

Download the iNaturalist app before you arrive, as cell phone and Wi-Fi coverage in the park is limited. Instructions will be sent to participants.

Registration is essential and numbers are limited. To register for this event please click here.  or email info@cornwallpark.co.nz. Let us know if you have any accessibility requirements. 

Saturday 11 April
10am-12pm
Free event, no experience needed.
Location: Huia Lodge Discovery Hub (next to the Cornwall Park Bistro).Vehicle access from Green Lane West.

Guided Walk: Birds for Kids

Gather your flock (whānau) and join experts from Birds New Zealand to learn about birds on a fun kids guided walk.

Cornwall Park is a favourite spot for many different species of endemic, native and introduced birds, all with their own unique song and personality.

This guided walk will provide an introduction to many of the birds that can be seen in the park, their origins and information on how to best identify them.

Suitable for those aged 6 years + The walk will go off road so is not suitable for prams and dogs are not permitted.

This walk is held outdoors so suitable clothing and footwear are necessary, don't forget your sunscreen, raincoat and water bottle. This walk goes ahead rain or shine. We will cancel the event via email on Monday morning if the weather is extreme.

Registration is essential and numbers are limited. To register for this event please click here or email info@cornwallpark.co.nz. Let us know if you have any accessibility requirements.

Monday 13th April
10am - 11am
Location: Start from Huia Lodge Discovery Hub (next to the Cornwall Park Bistro).Vehicle access from Green Lane West.

Forest Bathing

Relax with Benni Bonnin and experience forest bathing in Cornwall Park.

Take some time for yourself. Pause. Breathe. Connect with Nature. Simple, light and uplifting time – with guided meditation -in the good company of trees and birds.

Around me the trees stir in their leaves and call out, “Stay awhile”. Mary Oliver

Don't forget your sunscreen, raincoat and water bottle. Suitable clothing and footwear are necessary. This walk goes ahead rain or shine. We will cancel the event via email on Saturday morning if the weather is extreme.

Registration is essential and numbers are limited. To register for this event please click here or email info@cornwallpark.co.nz. Let us know if you have any accessibility requirements.

Saturday 18th April
10am - 12pm
Location: Start from Huia Lodge Discovery Hub (next to the Cornwall Park Bistro).Vehicle access from Green Lane West.

Guided Walk: Botany

Join botanist Ewen Cameron for a guided autumn walk exploring the fruits and seeds of Cornwall Park. Discover the dynamic ways plants disperse themselves through our ecosystem.

Don't forget your sunscreen, raincoat and water bottle. Suitable clothing and footwear are necessary. This walk goes ahead rain or shine. We will cancel the event via email on Sunday morning if the weather is extreme.

Registration is essential and numbers are limited. To register for this event please click here or email info@cornwallpark.co.nz. Please let us know if you have any accessibility requirements.

Sunday19th April
10am - 11am
Location: Huia Lodge Discovery Hub next to the Cornwall Park Bistro. Vehicle access from Green Lane West.

FREE EVENT

---Your guide---
Ewen Cameron is a recently ‘retired’ Auckland botanist, after working 32 years as curator of botany at the Auckland Museum. Over the last four decades he has authored/co-authored many articles and papers on aspects of botany, ecology and conservation of northern New Zealand’s flora involving both native and naturalised plant species. He is an active member of the Auckland Botanical Society, including as president for 20 years. He served two terms on the Auckland Conservation Board, one as chair, and was awarded the Departments of Conservation’s Loder Cup in 2005. 

Workshop: Archaeology with Trees

Start your journey toward becoming a master archaeologist and learn how the story of Cornwall Park is written in our trees.

Tree-ring dating (dendrochronology) is a tool used by archaeologists for dating and understanding changes in climate.

We will be using tree stumps from Cornwall Park trees to experiment with tree-ring dating and discover what we can learn from them about Cornwall Park.

No registration is required. Suitable for ages 8+, caregiver attendance is required. 

Sunday 26th April
10am - 12pm
Location: Huia Lodge Discovery Hub next to the Cornwall Park Bistro. Vehicle access from Green Lane West.

May

Guided Walk: Birds

Discover the unique song and personalities of our feathered residents and visitors. This guided walk will provide an introduction to many of the birds that can be seen in the park, their origins, and information on how to best identify them. Top tip: Bring a pair of binoculars if you have some!

You'll be guided by Ian McLean and his team from Birds New Zealand. www.birdsnz.org.nz

This walk is held outdoors so suitable clothing and footwear are necessary, don't forget your sunscreen, raincoat and water bottle. This walk goes ahead rain or shine, in the event of hazardous weather it will be cancelled on Sunday morning.

Registration is essential and numbers are limited. To register for this event please click here or email info@cornwallpark.co.nz. Let us know if you have any accessibility requirements.

Sunday 3rd May
10am - 12pm
Location: Start from Huia Lodge Discovery Hub (next to the Cornwall Park Bistro).Vehicle access from Green Lane West.

FREE EVENT

Guided Walk: Volcanoes

Join Dr Bruce Hayward for a guided walk and delve into his wealth of knowledge about Maungakiekie's deep volcanic past.

Calling all budding volcanologists! This guided walk will explain how the volcano erupted and how the landscapes and rocks were formed.You'll also learn more about Tāmaki Makaurau's volcanic field.

Crafted for people who are new to the world of geology and volcanology. It is suitable for all ages who have the ability to walk up Maungakiekie using a mixture of dirt and gravel tracks and paved roads and walkways.

Note: the terrain is steep and uneven underfoot in some places where we will go off-road - prams and wheelchairs are not suitable for this walk. Children must be accompanied by caregivers and dogs are not permitted.

Don't forget your sunscreen, raincoat and water bottle. Suitable clothing and footwear are necessary. This walk goes ahead rain or shine. We will cancel the event via email on Sunday morning if the weather is extreme.

Registration is essential and numbers are limited. To register for this event please click here or email info@cornwallpark.co.nz. Let us know if you have any accessibility requirements.

Sunday 10th May
10am - 12.30pm
Location: Start from Huia Lodge Discovery Hub (next to the Cornwall Park Bistro).Vehicle access from Green Lane West.
--

Your guide:
Bruce Hayward is a semi-retired Auckland research geologist. He has authored/co-authored 25 books on aspects of New Zealand’s fossils, geology, marine ecology, conservation, archaeology and history including a field guide to Auckland and two books on Auckland’s volcanoes. He is a past President of the Geological Society of New Zealand, and a former member of the New Zealand Conservation Authority, the Auckland Conservation Board and the Auckland Institute and Museum Council. His studies and conservation advocacy have been recognised in Fellowship of the Royal Society of NZ and Member of the NZ Order of Merit. He has presented over 300 talks for the public and led over 400 field trips around Auckland and to all parts of New Zealand.

Tamariki Discover Autumn

Join us on an exploratory walk through Cornwall Park, collect fascinating facts and tremendous textures as you explore the history and ecology of the park with guides from Huia Lodge Discovery Hub.

Suitable for tamariki 8-12 years old. Caregivers must accompany children on the walk.

This walk is held outdoors so suitable clothing and footwear are necessary, don't forget your sunscreen, raincoat and water bottle. This walk goes ahead rain or shine, in the event of hazardous weather it will be cancelled on Sunday morning.

Registration is essential and numbers are limited. To register for this event please click here or email info@cornwallpark.co.nz. Let us know if you have any accessibility requirements.


Sunday 17 May
10am - 11am
Location: Start from Huia Lodge Discovery Hub (next to the Cornwall Park Bistro). Vehicle access from Green Lane West park gates. 

Guided Walk Landscape Heritage

Discover how past has shaped the park landscape we see today.

Join our Huia Lodge Discovery Hub team to explore some of the landscape icons of Cornwall Park.

This walk is held outdoors so suitable clothing and footwear are necessary, don't forget your sunscreen, raincoat and water bottle. This walk goes ahead rain or shine, in the event of extreme weather it will be cancelled by 8.30am on Sunday morning with notices posted on our website and the Facebook event.

No registration is required.

Please let us know if you have any accessibility requirements.

Sunday 31st May
10am - 11am
Location: Huia Lodge Discovery Hub next to the Cornwall Park Bistro. Vehicle access from Green Lane West.

Guided Walk: Poetry for Tamariki

Join Elena on a poetry hunt through Cornwall Park where we’ll follow our senses, stop along the way to get lost in our imaginations and, one line at a time, create our own nature-based poem. At the end of the walk, there’ll be an opportunity to read the poems we’ve made up to the group and any nearby trees who care to listen. Grown-up participation encouraged.

Suitable for tamariki 7+ and young-at-heart poetry lovers of all ages. Guardians must accompany children on the walk.

This walk is held outdoors so suitable clothing and footwear are necessary, don't forget your sunscreen, raincoat and water bottle. This walk goes ahead rain or shine. We will cancel the event via email on Sunday morning if the weather is extreme.

Registration is essential and numbers are limited. To register for this event please click here or email info@cornwallpark.co.nz. Let us know if you have any accessibility requirements.

Sunday 31st March
10am - 11am
Location: Start from Huia Lodge Discovery Hub (next to the Cornwall Park Bistro). Vehicle access from Green Lane West.

About your guide
Elena de Roo is an award winning children’s poet and writer. Her latest book, ‘Wizardry to Wētā Verse’ (illustrated by Juliet de Roo) contains 75 poems for children, many of which were made up while exploring Cornwall Park.