Events at Waima Reserve, Auckland

About Waima Reserve

Waima Reserve is a small community park in the Waima suburb of Titirangi, West Auckland. It isn’t a stadium but a neighbourhood green space – essentially the “hub” of the local Waima community (everything.explained.today). The reserve features a flat sports field (often used for informal soccer or rugby), a children’s playground, a basketball hoop, and public restrooms (everything.explained.today). Nestled in the forested Waitākere Ranges area, it offers a leafy backdrop rather than grand architecture. Historically, the land was part of an early 20th-century orchard owned by the McEldowney family (everything.explained.today), and over time it evolved into the reserve enjoyed by families today. While it may not be as famous as big city venues, Waima Reserve matters locally as a rare bit of open space for recreation and community gatherings in Titirangi.

Events and Programming

Waima Reserve is primarily a public park, so it doesn’t have a tightly scheduled concert lineup like a city theatre. However, it occasionally hosts community events and outdoor festivals. The most notable is The Last Stand Music Festival, a boutique one-day indie music festival held in autumn. The inaugural Last Stand took place on 2 April 2023 (with free or donation entry) (www.undertheradar.co.nz), and a follow-up festival was held 6 April 2025 with ticketed entry (www.eventfinda.co.nz) (www.undertheradar.co.nz). These events feature a mix of emerging and established NZ acts in a family-friendly open-air concert format. Aside from that, locals may use the field for casual sports games or gatherings, but formal events are rare. When events occur, they are typically annual and local – for example, the 2025 festival charged a general admission ticket (around $27.50 plus fees) with free entry for children under 12 (www.undertheradar.co.nz) (www.eventfinda.co.nz). Otherwise, no daily programming or box-office shows are held; people mainly come for sports, picnics, playground time or the odd community festival.

Tickets and Booking

Most of the time, visiting Waima Reserve is free – there’s no gate or entry fee to the park itself. Events that do charge (like the Last Stand festival) sell tickets online through local events sites, not through an on-site box office. For instance, tickets to the 2025 music festival were sold via online ticketing pages (Ticket Fairy/Eventfinda) with GA prices around $27.50 (www.eventfinda.co.nz). Any ticketed event should announce sales dates; typically tickets go on sale a few weeks before the event and are available through official channels (event promoters or community pages). Because the reserve isn’t an owned venue with its own box office, always check the event’s official website or social media for booking info. For pop-up or charity events, some may even use a “koha” (donation) basis or free entry as in 2023 (www.undertheradar.co.nz). In short: the reserve itself has no tickets, and any event tickets must be booked externally ahead of time.

Seating and Layout

The reserve is essentially an open grassy field with no fixed seating. There are no tiered stands or reserved rows – for any event or pickup game you simply position yourself on the lawn. If a stage or equipment is set up (for example, during the Last Stand festival), it’s usually at one end of the field facing the open area. Visitors bring folding chairs, picnic blankets or just sit on the grass. For a concert, the best viewing is near the front of the field facing the stage; sound carries across the flat field, so crowds tend to spread out. Avoid standing right up against any speaker stacks or lighting towers for safety. Outside of events, parents might park strollers beside the playground or benches near the edge of the field. Because it’s outdoors, weather plays a big role: there is no covered seating, so for sun protection bring hats/umbrella (or a portable canopy on non-windy days), and if rain’s expected note that the field can get muddy. Acoustics are simply “open air” – no trick echoing or resonance, just direct sound from amplifiers. In summary, think casual: ideal spots are on the flat grass, facing activities, and you often want to claim a shady patch under trees if sunny.

Getting There and Parking

Waima Reserve is located at Waima Crescent in Titirangi, Auckland (postcode 0604) (www.trip.com). By car, the park is about a 5–10 minute drive southwest from Henderson or Glen Eden. There isn’t a formal large carpark, but you can park along Waima Crescent and the surrounding residential streets (street parking is generally free). The reserve entrance typically opens into Waima Crescent – just look for the playground structure. On busy event days parking may fill up, so arriving early in the afternoon is wise or carpooling with others.

For public transport, Auckland Transit bus routes serve the area. According to transit trip planners, buses 170, 171 and 172 run through Waima/Titirangi (moovitapp.com). For example, Route 171 stops at Waima Crescent (near the reserve) (busmaps.com). To get there, a convenient route is to take a train (Western Line) to New Lynn Station, then transfer to bus 170/171/172 heading west into Titirangi. From downtown Auckland, common options include catching a New Lynn bus (like 18 or 139) to Avondale/New Lynn and switching there. There’s no ferry or rail station at Waima, so buses and cars are the practical ways. For ride-sharing or taxis, you can be dropped off right at Waima Reserve’s entrance. In short, if you’re not driving, take a westbound train or bus to New Lynn and then a local Titirangi bus – the stop at Waima Crescent is just a short walk into the park.

Inside the Venue

Entering Waima Reserve is straightforward – it is open to visitors at all times (no gates or ticket checks unless an event is on). On arrival you’ll step right onto the grass field or paved paths around the playground. There are public toilets on site near the playground (everything.explained.today) and a small covered picnic table. Visitors often describe the atmosphere as relaxed and family-friendly. At any organized event, there may be roped-off areas (for example, a fenced concert lawn or a first-aid tent), but otherwise people roam freely. The park surface is mostly mown grass with some hardcourts for basketball.

For amenities: the kids’ playground is a key feature, and there’s also a single basketball hoop without seating (everything.explained.today). If an event is running, vendors might bring food trucks or stalls, but on regular days there are no shops on site. You should plan ahead for water/snacks (though a drinking fountain has been proposed for future upgrades (akhaveyoursay.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz)). Technical features like lighting or sound rigs are only brought in temporarily for concerts – there are no built-in speakers or spotlights. Connectivity (phone signal) is generally OK given it’s still urban Auckland, but there’s no Wi-Fi or charging stations. If the weather turns bad, note that the park has no indoor shelter beyond a small canopy, so events are typically rain-or-shine. Overall, expect a casual outdoor vibe: people spread out on blankets, kiddos playing on the equipment, and minimal infrastructure aside from restrooms and that single court. Visitors should bring what they need (sunscreen, insect repellent, chairs/blankets) since services inside are minimal.

Nearby Amenities

While Waima Reserve itself has no cafes or stores, Titirangi Village is just a short drive or ~20-minute walk away and offers many amenities. On Titirangi Road (the main strip) you’ll find boutique cafes, coffee shops and eateries. Popular spots include places like Aroha Eats or the Cuban Café for a casual meal, and iTi Garden Lounge for craft beers and snacks. There’s also a supermarket corner shop (the Waima Superette) less than 1 km from the park (everything.explained.today), which is handy for grabbing drinks, snacks or ice. For a pub meal or drinks, old-style taverns or breweries are in the area (e.g. breweries in nearby Glen Eden or Henderson). If you need supper before or after an event, many Auckland chains are in New Lynn (5 km east) or Henderson (6 km north), including pizzerias, fish & chip shops and Asian cuisine.

In terms of lodging, Titirangi and Waima have few hotels of their own (mostly private homes and B&Bs). Visitors usually stay in West Auckland (Glen Eden, Henderson) or central Auckland hotels. There are some boutique B&Bs and airbnbs around Titirangi if you want a local experience. For outdoor attractions after the show, the Arataki Visitor Centre (in the Waitākere Ranges Regional Park) is about 4 km away – it has walking tracks and a café with views. Late-night travel: Auckland’s late buses (after midnight) are limited, so many guests catch rideshares or plan stay-over nearby if finishing late.

What Makes This Venue Special

Waima Reserve may not be large, but it’s treasured as a true community green space. Unlike commercial venues, its charm is in being a neighbourly park where local kids learn to kick a ball and families picnic. Culturally, it’s unique for its ties to the area’s history: the land was once a fruit orchard owned by Irish settlers, and even featured in local lore like the 1940s film Rewi’s Last Stand, which was partly shot in Waima (www.undertheradar.co.nz). That cinematic link inspired the name of the music festival held here. Another special aspect is the park’s role in conservation; profits from the Last Stand festival support the Titirangi Protection Group and native forest projects, showing the community’s care for its natural surroundings (www.undertheradar.co.nz). Architecturally and scenically, Waima Reserve offers a peaceful bush-green setting typical of the Waitākere Ranges, making concerts feel intimate under the trees. In short, both artists and audiences appreciate Waima Reserve for its relaxed, woodsy vibe and for being a grassroots venue where neighbours literally bring picnic rugs instead of using the usual city concert halls.

Visitor Tips and Information

Plan to arrive early for any busy event to secure good parking or good spots on the lawn. Wear casual outdoors-friendly clothing and sturdy shoes (the field can be uneven or muddy after rain). If visiting in summer, bring sun protection and insect repellent – the Western Auckland bush can have sandflies at dusk. Check the weather: since Waima Reserve is all outdoors, events proceed rain or shine, so bring rain jackets or ponchos if needed. Pack any snacks or water you’ll need, as on-site options are limited. Please observe park rules: it's a family-friendly space, so no fireworks, and keep the volume reasonable outside concert times. Dogs are typically allowed but should be on a leash (there’s no off-leash dog park area within the reserve). Leave no trace – carry out your litter. If accessibility is a concern, know that paths are mostly flat and the playground is being upgraded for accessibility (akhaveyoursay.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz) (akhaveyoursay.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz). During events, family areas are often provided, and kids under 12 have been admitted free at past festivals (www.undertheradar.co.nz). Finally, check the event or council website for any specific venue rules or updates before you go (for example, recent park notices or temporary closures). With these preparations, your visit should be smooth – just enjoy the local character that Waima Reserve offers!