Silver Festival Whangārei

Promotional tile for “Silver Festival” with the tagline “Celebrate Age, Let’s Engage!” in large white text over a teal-blue sky. In the foreground, two older adults walk away from the camera along a sandy beach toward the ocean.

The Silver Festival is an annual series of events held across the Whangārei District to celebrate older adults and the important contribution they make.

The events offer older adults opportunities to connect, get active, learn something new, be creative and have plenty of fun.

The festival programme includes arts and crafts, garden and nursery tours, markets, morning and high teas, social gatherings, workshops, health and wellbeing activities, technology help, library events, exhibitions and more.

The Silver Festival is facilitated by Whangarei District Council and is a part of our wider commitment to being an Age Friendly Community.

It is supported by local community groups, clubs and businesses that register their events and help to bring the programme to life.

The 2026 festival was held from 1 to 14 October, however the festival booklet also contains recurring events that happen throughout the year (see pages 38 to 50):

Download the Silver Festival 2026 booklet(PDF, 13MB) (large file)

Older adults enjoying an art exhibition during Silver Festival. — Art exhibition

Central Library 10-dock Locky Dock station out of order

The Central Library 10-dock station is currently out of order. Please use the other 5-dock station at the library or the Lovers Lane dock station.

Temporary Closure

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Resource management changes

New resource management laws are now in place, but the transition to the new system will happen over several years. As the new system is introduced, some information, processes and requirements on this page may change.

Find out more about Resource Management Reform

Announcement

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New bylaws may affect new approvals

From Friday 25 September 2026, three new bylaws are now in force: Public Safety and Nuisance Bylaw; Public Trading, Events and Commercial Filming Bylaw; and Signs Bylaw. Existing permits and exemptions remain valid, but some new approvals may be affected.
We’re updating our website to reflect the new rules. If you have any questions, email: BylawEnforcement@wdc.govt.nz.

Public notice and bylaw links

Announcement

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Notice of temporary dog access rule

Under clause 10.1 of Whangarei District Council’s Dog Control Bylaw 2024, the area of Okara – former Old Boys rugby grounds playing fields is temporarily closed to the public, including for dog access, until further notice due to multiple safety hazards identified on site.

Read public notice

Temporary Closure

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Hātea walkway swing bridge temporarily closed

The Hātea walkway swing bridge on the walking trail from A H Reed Memorial Kauri Park to Whangārei Falls is closed following a failed safety inspection. We are working with specialist engineers and contractors to replace the bridge structure to ensure necessary stabilisation and safety improvements.

See the project page for details

Temporary Closure

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