What’s been cancelled, postponed or closed in Auckland for Kids due to COVID-19
Published on 17 March 2020 and last updated on 20 March 2020 at 5:00pm by Auckland for Kids
The latest measures introduced by the New Zealand government on 19 March 2020 to contain the spread of COVID-19 was that public events or mass gatherings where 500 or more people are together in one place outdoors or 100 people or more indoors, should be cancelled. Many upcoming events in Auckland and New Zealand for kids and families are being cancelled or postponed to protect the wellbeing of our community.
With continued vigilance the Ministry of Health website states that the “chance of widespread community outbreak is expected to remain low“. For the Minstry of Health’s latest updates, information and advice on COVID-19 please refer to their announcements here: www.health.govt.nz/our-work/diseases-and-conditions/covid-19-novel-coronavirus
New border measures were also put in place in New Zealand. From 19 March 2020 only New Zealand residents and citizens (and their children and partners) are permitted to enter New Zealand. Travellers who have arrived in New Zealand within the last 14 days are required to self isolate for 14 days – check the Ministry of Health’s information for travellers arriving to New Zealand to find out more.
What places are closed temporarily in Auckland, New Zealand to visitors due to COVID-19?
Places that are temporarily closed due to constrain the spread of COVID-19 in Auckland that kids and families visit will be updated in the list below:
Rainbow’s End is temporarily closed from 17 March 2020 for the safety and wellbeing of the community and their team until they await further instruction from the Ministry of Health. Find out more here: https://rainbowsend.co.nz/health-safety
Auckland Libraries will close temporarily for two weeks from 20 March 2020. This applies to all 55 public libraries in Auckland.
Auckland Council Swimming Pools and Leisure Centres will close temporarily for two weeks initally from 20 March 2020.
Auckland Museum will close temporarily for two weeks initally on 21 March 2020.
New Zealand Maritime Museum will close temporarily for two weeks initially from 20 March 2020.
MOTAT will close on 20 March 2020 until further notice. While MOTAT’s doors will be closed for a while, their collection and the inspirational stories it contains are open online to discover at collection.motat.org.nz
Stardome will close on 21 March 2020 for two weeks initially.
Auckland Art Gallery will close temporarily for two weeks initially from 20 March 2020. The Creative Learning Centre Sara Hughes: All My Favourite Shapes exhibition at the art gallery is temporarily closed until further notice. In the meantime, you can enjoy exploring their collection online.
Auckland Council’s outdoor pools will close for the summer season on 20 March 2020 and will reopen next summer.
Spookers is temporarily closed from 17 March 2020.
Cancelled and postponed Auckland events for kids and families
Here are some of the main events that have been cancelled and postponed and businesses that are temporarily or partially closed in Auckland for Kids. See Auckland for Kids What’s On Calendar, which has been updated for all events that have been cancelled or postponed as soon as the event organisers and business hosting the event informs us that their events will not be going ahead.
Pasifika Festival – 14 March and 15 March 2020 – cancelled
Pasifika Vibes @MOTAT – 14 March to 15 March 2020 – cancelled
ASB Polyfest – 18 March to 21 March 2020 – cancelled
Wolfgang’s Magical Musical Circus Auckland Arts Festival – 20 March to 22 March 2020 – cancelled
Dig It! @MOTAT – 20 March to 22 March 2020 – cancelled
EcoHub Market Day 21 March 2020 – postponed
General Collective Lifestyle and Design Market – 22 March 2020 – postponed
Science STEM Fair @MOTAT – 5 April 2020 – cancelled
Auckland Council’s Movies in Parks series: including The Secret Life of Pets 2 on 20 March 2020, Toy Story 4 on 21 March 2020, Spider-Man: Far From Home on 27 March 2020, Abdominable on 28 March 2020, Poi-E on 3 April 2020, ET the Extra-Terrestial on 9 April 2020 , Dumbo on 17 April 2020 – cancelled
Auckland Council’s Music in Parks series – now to 11 April 2020 – cancelled
Auckland Transport’s Kids Learn to Ride series – cancelled until further notice.
Auckland Council’s Out & About activities – suspended until further notice.
Night Rides at Rainbow’s End event – 21 March 2020 – cancelled
Toi Tūilo Takeover at Silo Park – 22 March 2020 – cancelled
Eye on Nature Family Day event – 28 March 2020 – cancelled
Run Rewa on 28 March 2020 – cancelled
Te Whau Day Out | EcoFest West – 28 March 2020 – cancelled
Cornwall Park Life event – 29 March 2020 – cancelled
Circolombia – Acéléré Auckland Arts Festival – 26 March to 29 March 2020 – cancelled
Royal Easter Show – 1 April to 5 April 2020 – cancelled
Magical Weekend at Eden Garden – 4 April 2020 – postponed
Stadium Stomp Eden Park – 4 April 2020 – postponed
Nepal Day – 4 April 2020 – postponed (proposed new date 21 November 2020 )
Auckland International Cultural Festival – 5 April 2020 – cancelled
Dig for Dinosaurs at Auckland Museum – 4 April to 23 May 2020 – suspended temporarily
The Giant Easter Walk in the Woods at Spookers – 10 to 13 April 2020 – cancelled
Easter Eggstravaganza at Howick Historical Village – 12 April 2020 – cancelled
Anzac Day Services – 25 April 2020 – cancelled
New Zealand Comedy Fest – 30 April to 24 May 2020 – cancelled
Auckland Writers Festival, including the Family Day – 12 May to 17 May 2020 – cancelled
How does COVID-19 spread?
The Ministry of Health’s website states that “Like the flu, COVID-19 can be transmitted from person to person. The scientific evidence confirms that COVID-19 is spread by droplets. This means that when an infected person coughs, sneezes or talks, they may generate droplets containing the virus. These droplets are too large to stay in the air for long, so they quickly settle on surrounding surfaces.
Droplet-spread diseases can be spread by: coughing and sneezing, close personal contact and contact with an object or surface with viral particles on it and then touching your mouth, nose or eyes.
That’s why it’s really important to practice good hygiene, regularly wash and thoroughly dry your hands and practice good cough etiquette.”
How can you protect yourself and others from COVID-19
The Ministry of Health recommends that you should practice good hygiene by:
covering coughs and sneezes with disposable tissues or coughing/sneezing into your elbow
disposing of used tissues appropriately in a bin
avoiding touching your eyes, nose or mouth if your hands are not clean
washing hands for at least 20 seconds with water and soap and drying them thoroughly, or use hand sanitiser:
before eating or handling food
after using the toilet
after coughing, sneezing, blowing your nose or wiping children’s noses
after caring for sick people.
keep 1 meter away from other people.
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