World Wetlands Day Festival

Welcome to the World Wetlands Day Festival!

Celebrate World Wetland Day this year by visiting Tāmaki Makaurau’s largest mainland wetland!   

Matuku Link is holding our annual open day and wetland celebration on the 1st of February 2025.   

With two free family activities every hour including guided tours on bugs, birds, eels, and plants, and local conservation groups to chat to, you will have plenty to do all day. While you are here, look for our local pāteke (brown teal), spot a secretive spotless crake (pūweto), and keep an eye out for our cryptic namesake, the matuku-hūrepo (Australasian bittern). See how much Matuku Link has changed since its beginnings in 2016, with over fifteen thousand volunteer hours spent improving the place, accessible boardwalks, and a Wetland Education Centre.   

There will be an all-day market with gifts, food, art, crafts, information, and entertainment. 

Stallholders in 2025 include Forest & Bird Waitākere, Birds New Zealand, The Entomological Society, Whitebait Connection, Kauri Rescue, Auckland Council Biodiversity, Auckland Zoo, Pest Free Waitākere Ranges Alliance (PFWRA), and more.  

Enjoy homemade treats, BBQ (vegan and non-vegan), drinks including fresh coffee, all available for purchase. We’re proud to make this a low-waste event, using composting, recycling, and reusable items wherever possible.  

We would love you to join us on this special day. All free and all welcome.   

See you there for a fun filled family day!   

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Matuku Link Reserve, 111 Bethells Road, Auckland, New Zealand