What’s on
Hand-maintained. We update when locals tell us. Recurring events are flagged; if something looks like it might be off-season, check with the venue.
Market
weeklyEvery Saturday · 9am–noon · Village
Weekly producer market in the village green. Coffee, baking, eggs, ceramics, jam.
The reliable rhythm of the local week. Eight to twelve stalls in summer, fewer in winter. Bring a tote and cash for the older sellers.
Art
monthlyLast Thursday of the month · 6–8pm · Village
Monthly opening at The Thursday Gallery — one new artist's show, glass of wine, talk.
Casual community-curated openings. The featured artist gives a fifteen-minute talk; the rest is mingling, wine, looking at things. Free, walk-in.
Food
weekly (summer only)Every Friday in summer · from 5pm · Heads
Outdoor music + extended fish-shed hours every summer Friday — locals' send-off to the week.
Through January–March. Live music on the boardwalk, the fish shed stays open till 9pm, sometimes a friend's-friend brings a portable smoker. Family-friendly until 8.
Community
Saturday 14 March · 8am start · Heads
Annual 12km clifftop charity walk fundraising for Mangawhai Surf Lifesaving Club.
From the surf club, north along the cliffs and back through Tara Iti — about 12km, 4 hours. $25 entry, sausage at the finish, all proceeds to the surf club's beach-patrol budget.
Art
Easter weekend · 10am–4pm Sat & Sun · Village
Self-guided trail through 18 Mangawhai-based artists' studios. Easter weekend annual.
A printed map (free at the gallery) leads you to 18 working studios across the Heads, Village and Tara. Most artists are happy to talk; some are selling, some are showing process. Park-and-walk through the village; drive between the rural ones.
Community
Sunday 21 June · 9am · Te Arai
Mid-winter half-marathon and 10k through Te Arai forest. Mud guaranteed.
Half-marathon and 10k options. Mostly forest trail, a beach section in the middle, finishes at the southern carpark with a soup tent. Modest entry, growing field, locally-loved.