The Pupuke Birdsong Project will host its Discover Pupukemoana event at Killarney Park on Saturday 21 March 2026. The free environmental education day focuses on the ecology and biological threats facing Lake Pupuke in Takapuna. Activities run from 9.30am to 3pm near the Pumphouse Theatre. Organisers say the event is designed to educate residents through hands-on participation and physical activity. The schedule includes guided kayaking and snorkelling tours of the lake. These sessions allow participants to observe the underwater environment of the volcanic heart-shaped lake first-hand. The event arrives as part of a wider push for regional engagement with the outdoors this autumn. It joins a calendar of events including the Auckland Wooden Boat Festival and various council-led conservation initiatives. Local officials say these programmes are necessary to address the specific environmental pressures on urban waterways.
Guided tours and environmental activities
Lake Pupuke is a freshwater-filled volcanic crater that serves as a significant recreational and ecological site on the North Shore. However, the lake faces ongoing challenges from invasive species and urban runoff. The Discover Pupukemoana event aims to highlight these issues through interactive workshops and guided walks of Killarney Park. Registration is required for the most popular segments of the day. This includes the guided kayak and snorkel tours, which are managed by the Mountains to Sea Conservation Trust. The trust operates the Experiencing Marine Reserves and Whitebait Connection programmes across New Zealand to improve public understanding of aquatic life. Participants can also take part in raranga (weaving) workshops. These sessions connect traditional Māori craft with the natural resources found within the park. Harko Brown will lead mahi tākaro sessions, which use traditional games to share cultural knowledge and encourage low-impact physical activity.
Resources for the next generation
Youth education is a primary focus of the 2026 programme. Noughty Wasters will provide "Noughty Boxes," allowing children to build large-scale structures from recycled cardboard. This activity aims to teach the principles of a circular economy and waste reduction in a practical setting. A seed-sowing station will also be on-site. Visitors can pot their own plants and herbs to take home. This initiative mirrors similar urban greening efforts seen in other regions, such as when Kitchener seeks public input on its own forest expansion. In Takapuna, the focus remains on personal contributions to local biodiversity. For those interested in the local arts and history, the Pumphouse Theatre will open its doors for guided tours. The theatre, a converted nineteenth-century pumping station, is a central part of the Killarney Park heritage precinct. These tours provide context on how the lake formerly supplied fresh water to the growing North Shore suburbs.
Council support and prizes
The event is supported by the Devonport-Takapuna Local Board and Auckland Council. Environmental Services at the council has sponsored a kayak package as a prize for attendees. This prize draw is intended to incentivise participation in the various educational stations throughout the park. Funding for such events has been a point of discussion for local boards. The 2026 festival season in Auckland is expected to be busy, with the World of Cultures festival also scheduled to return. Maintaining free access to environmental education remains a priority for the North Shore Ward, according to council documentation. Other local partners include the Fantail & Turtle and the Pumphouse Theatre. Organisers have noted that while the event is free to attend, space for the guided tours is strictly limited. They recommend early booking to avoid missing out on the water-based activities. Discover Pupukemoana starts at 9.30am on 21 March at 38B Killarney Street. Those wishing to attend the guided tours or the mahi tākaro sessions can book their spots through the Humanitix platform. More information is available on the Pupuke Birdsong Project website.
