Age on the Go 2026 is a free expo bringing together local services, health providers, support organisations and community groups all under one roof, giving older people the chance to connect, discover local support, and learn what’s available across Horowhenua. This year’s event is on track for a record number of stallholders, covering everything from health and wellbeing to independence, recreation and community connection.

The expo is supported by the Older Persons’ Network, a group of representatives from organisations across the district dedicated to supporting older people to live well and age well.

With dozens of stalls, attendees will be able to see what clubs and hobbies are available locally, talk to health providers, get their blood pressure checked, understand all that the library team has on offer, connect with community services and meet new friends over a cup of tea and a game. Raewyn’s Cafe will also be setting up on-site for the day, so there’s plenty of reasons to stay a while. Best of all, entry is free and everyone is welcome, so bring your friends and whānau along.

Mayor Bernie Wanden, Chair of the Older Persons Network, says the expo is one of his favourite events on the calendar.

“I’ll admit I’m well into the demographic Age on the Go is aimed at these days, so I have a bit of a personal interest in making sure it’s a good one. It’s a fantastic chance to see the sheer range of support and services we have right here in Horowhenua, and a reminder of just how connected our community is.

“Whether you’re coming along for yourself or on behalf of a parent or grandparent, I’d encourage everyone to come and see what’s on offer.”

Age on the Go is part of Horowhenua District Council’s commitment to He Hapori Pakari – Strong Communities, our Community Wellbeing Strategy, where a Connected Community is one of our key priorities.

Event details

• Date: Friday 16 October 2026
• Time: 10am to 2pm
• Where: Horowhenua Events Centre, 33 Victoria Street, Levin
• Entry: Free

For more information, visit https://www.horowhenua.govt.nz/CommunityPlaces/Community-Services/Older-People/Age-on-the-Go-Expo

The first of these significant decisions saw Horowhenua District Council adopt the Levin Town Centre Retail Transformation Strategy and approve $200,000 in funding to begin delivering improvements and implementation of the Strategy.

The Retail Transformation Strategy provides a roadmap for strengthening our town centre over the next 10 to 15 years, with the goal of making it the place people from across Horowhenua choose to meet, eat, shop and spend time.

Councillor Clint Grimstone, Levin Ward Councillor and Council representative on the project’s Steering Group, says the decisions signal a shift from planning to action.

“We know the Taitoko, Levin town centre has huge potential, and these decisions give us a clear direction and some real momentum,” Councillor Grimstone says.

“Council’s aim is to create a town centre our community can feel proud of. By investing now, we can make improvements people will see and experience, while supporting local businesses and creating a town centre that works for everyone.

“A strategy sitting on a shelf won’t transform our town centre. By making $200,000 available from our existing Town Centre Activation budget, we can get moving now and deliver improvements our community can see and experience.”

The funding will support early initiatives such as improved street cleaning and gardens, better signage, enhanced public spaces, and work to improve access, safety and vibrancy.

Council will also establish a contestable fund to support town centre retailers and property owners to improve their shopfronts. Potential projects could include repainting, upgraded signage and lighting, façade improvements. The details and timing of the contestable fund will be finalised and communicated in the coming weeks.

The Strategy responds to feedback from residents, retailers and property owners, who highlighted the need for greater retail variety, a stronger hospitality offering, more activity and a refreshed town centre environment.

At the same meeting, Council made a second key decision confirming the pathway for the redevelopment opportunity associated with the six strategically located Council-owned properties on Oxford Street. Council chose to apply the intent of its First Right of Refusal to Iwi Policy by providing iwi and hapū with an exclusive opportunity to put forward redevelopment proposals through an Expression of Interest process before any opportunity is offered to the wider market.

“This is an opportunity to work in partnership with iwi and hapū and invite forward ideas that can deliver the outcomes we want for these important sites,” Councillor Grimstone says.

The opening of the Ōtaki to north of Levin expressway, currently expected in late 2029, will significantly change how traffic moves through Horowhenua. Councillor Grimstone says Council is determined to prepare early and make the most of the opportunities ahead.

“We’re not waiting for the expressway to open before thinking about what comes next,” he says. “This is our opportunity to make Taitoko, Levin town centre a destination in its own right, somewhere people choose to stop, spend time and return to, rather than simply pass through. With the direction set, funding behind it and key sites moving forward, now it’s time to get on with it. The redevelopment of these Oxford Street properties presents an opportunity to be a catalyst and transformative development in the heart of the Town Centre.”

The Lower North Island Boys Tier 4 secondary school hockey tournament runs from Monday, August 31 until Friday, September 4.

Hockey New Zealand lists Horowhenua Hockey Association as the host of the tournament, with matches being played at the hockey facilities at 41 Adkin Ave, in Levin.

The competition is part of Hockey New Zealand’s national secondary schools tournament programme and brings Lower North Island boys’ teams together for five days of competition.

Levin is also hosting the North Island Secondary Schools Hurricanes Under-15 Girls Rugby 15s tournament.

School Sport New Zealand lists the rugby tournament as running in Levin on August 31 and September 1, with New Zealand Rugby organising the event.

The two competitions mean Levin will be a centre for secondary school sport throughout the opening days of September, with players, coaches and supporters travelling to the town for hockey and rugby.

The hockey tournament continues through to Friday, while the Hurricanes Under-15 girls competition concludes on Tuesday.

Alongside her journey is Peyton, who is coming to understand what a Tangata Tiriti partnership is and Grayson, a young Māori lawyer navigating his role in the system.

Performed by an ensemble cast, including well known rangatahi Hariata and Tamati Moriarty, the play is presented in Te Rākau’s unique Theatre Marae framework, creating space for collective reflection and shared experience.

Te Rākau is the longest running Māori theatre company in Aotearoa founded in 1989.

Recommended age 12+ contains swearing and depicts some violence. Children under 12 can accompany for free with a paying adult.

Friday 31 July, 6:30pm – 8:20pm

Horowhenua College, Levin

https://www.eventfinda.co.nz/2026/waenga/levin/tickets

Thursday 30 July, 6:30pm – 8:20pm

Ōtaki College, Ōtaki

https://www.eventfinda.co.nz/2026/waenga/otaki/tickets

Saturday 1 August, 6:30pm – 8:20pm

Te Raukura ki Kāpiti, Coastlands Theatre, Paraparaumu

https://www.eventfinda.co.nz/2026/waenga/paraparaumu/tickets

Since launching earlier this year, the show has featured local musicians, business owners, students, creators, community leaders, and other inspiring guests, covering everything from careers and mental health to local events and issues affecting young people.

The Social Link airs every Wednesday at 6pm, with a replay on Saturdays at 2pm, and is also available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and iHeartRadio.

Link to the show: https://www.coastaccessradio.org.nz/Programmes/Details.aspx?PID=d29b544d-0d1a-453a-b468-c32f55a67a07

Maxine (AKA) Max has over 25 years experience in the travel industry and the show will see her interviewing a wide variety of guests, including Airline Pilots, Ship Captains, those vital folks at the check-ins.

“The show will be fun and informative. We will uncover the people, stories, and secrets behind travel.

Maxine says Beyond the Boarding Pass will be a casual, informal interview format.

The 30 minute show broadcast live on Wednesday afternoons at 4.30pm at Coast Access Radio, will also be available as a podcast.

​With experience as a tour leader and expertise in both leisure and corporate travel, Maxine knows what it takes to make a trip truly memorable. From scenic river cruises and rail journeys to thrilling sporting events and rich cultural escapes, she brings practical knowledge, meticulous attention to detail, and a warm personal touch to every itinerary.

Coast Access programme manager Zane Milligan ​says Beyond the Boarding Pass will take listeners behind the scenes of travel. “From tour operators and cruise captains to travel experts, destination specialists, and industry insiders, each episode uncovers the stories behind the journeys we all love. Discover insider tips, fascinating travel tales, industry secrets, and moments travellers never get to see. Whether you’re planning your next adventure, a seasoned globetrotter, or simply love exploring the world, Beyond the Boarding Pass is your invitation to discover what really lies beyond the boarding pass.”

What: Beyond the Boarding Pass

Who: Maxine Laws

Where: Coast Access Radio 104.7FM

When: Every Wednesday 4.30pm

Horowhenua is set to mark the Māori New Year with a vibrant programme of events bringing together reflection, remembrance and community connection.  

A series of free events will take place across the district, delivered by Horowhenua District Council in partnership with local iwi and hapū, offering opportunities for people to come together in ways that are meaningful to them.  

Mayor Bernie Wanden says the season is an important time for communities across the district.  

“Matariki and Puanga give us a chance to pause and reflect – to remember those who have passed, spend time with whānau and look ahead with a sense of hope. In Horowhenua, we are fortunate to be able to work closely with our iwi and hapū partners across the district to deliver a programme that brings people together in many different ways, from quiet moments of reflection through to shared celebrations.”  

Di Rump, Chief Executive for Muaūpoko Tribal Authority, says “For Muaūpoko, Matariki is deeply connected to our whenua and our people. “Matariki hunga nui” Matariki of many people. It’s a time to honour those connections and to come together as a community, sharing in reflection, remembrance and renewal.”   

Shane Royal, Chair of Te Tūmatakahuki, reflects on the significance of Matariki as a sacred time that weaves together whakapapa, memory, and aspiration. “Ka rere a Matariki, ka rere anō ā tātou wawata mō te tau e tū mai nei” speaks to the rising of the Matariki cluster as a tohu that calls us to pause, to remember, and to realign ourselves. It is a time to honour those who have journeyed beyond the veil, acknowledging their enduring presence within our whakapapa, while also giving space to collective dreaming and intention-setting for the future. In this way, Matariki embodies a distinctly Māori worldview, one where the rhythms of the natural world are inseparable from human experience. The movement of the stars is not distant or abstract; it is intimately connected to our identity, our responsibilities, and our hopes. Through Matariki, we are reminded that looking to the past and planning for the future are not separate acts, but part of a continuous, intergenerational flow that binds people, whenua, and the cosmos together.”  

Robert Ketu, spokesperson for Ngāti Whakatere, comments “As we welcome the tohu of Puanga Matariki, all creation is influenced by the patterns of the seasons. From the tuna migrations in Autumn to the time when the whenua sleeps during the Winter, it then greets the Spring with new growth and replenishment. Ka hoki mai ki tuturu. We invite you to join us for Matariki Ki Otāuru: A day of culture, celebration, kai, and whakawhanaungatanga. Local performances, kids entertainment, food stalls and craft stalls.”  

This year’s programme includes a mix of cultural, community and whānau-friendly events across the district.  

Highlights include:  

• Kapahaka Hapori Kai Night | Wednesday 1 July, 5pm to 7pm, Waiopehu College Auditorium
  A celebration of kapahaka in Taitoko, featuring local tamariki and rangatahi, and in honour of Matariki, kai will be available to take home following the performances.   
• Lights over Te Awahou | Saturday 4 July, 5pm to 8pm, Te Awahou Riverside Cultural Park
  An evening of lights, music and kai celebrating the arrival of Puanga.   
• Puna Kaukau – Mid-Winter River Swim | Sunday 5 July, from 5.45am, Gladstone Reserve
  A chance to honour the awa and welcome the new year.   
• Matariki Kaumātua Day Out | Wednesday 8 July, 10am to 2pm
  A day of connection and celebration for older members of the community.   
• Te Putanga mai o Matariki – Hautapu Ceremony | Thursday 9 July, 5.30am
  Kohuturoa Marae A dawn ceremony led by Muaūpoko, grounded in remembrance and renewal.   
• Matariki ki Otāuru | Friday 10 July, 10am to 2pm, Te Maire Park, Shannon
  Mark the Matariki public holiday in Otāuru and celebrate the Māori New Year with Ngāti Whakatere.  
• Taitoko Night Market | Saturday 11 July, 3pm to 7pm, Te Takeretanga o Kura-hau-pō and Levin Mall carpark
  A vibrant night market celebrating food, culture and community.   

Mayor Wanden says the programme reflects strong partnerships across the district.  “Alongside our iwi and hapū partners, I’d also like to acknowledge Electra for helping to make this year’s event possible. These celebrations are grounded in Te Ao Māori and brought to life through collaboration with iwi, hapū and our wider community.  We encourage everyone to take part, learn something new, and connect in a way that feels meaningful to them.”  

For the full programme and event details, visit: https://www.horowhenua.govt.nz/News-Events/Events/Matariki

Once each season, Levin’s historic Uniting Church is transformed into an intimate, immersive concert space glowing with hundreds of flickering candles, where music, mood, and connection come together in a truly unique live experience.

📍 Venue
Levin Uniting Church
87 Oxford Street, Levin

📅 Friday 26 June
🚪 Doors open: 7.00pm
🎶 Concert begins: 7.30pm
⚠️ Please note: Doors close promptly at 7.35pm

🍷 Included in your ticket
• Complimentary New Zealand wine (or non-alcoholic option)
• Dessert nibbles
• Immersive candlelit concert experience

💛 Music That Feels Good and Does Good
Every ticket supports Levin Uniting Church & Community Centre and the free programmes, support services, and community initiatives we provide for local whānau, including those experiencing hardship, isolation, or vulnerability.

🎟️ Seats are strictly limited to 100 and this event is expected to sell out.

Book early to avoid disappointment and experience rock music reimagined by candlelight.

✨ What to Expect
Step inside a beautifully transformed heritage church lit by around 900 candles, creating a warm, atmospheric setting for an extraordinary evening of live music.

Arrive early, settle in, and enjoy the pre-show ambience with local hospitality, dessert nibbles, and gentle live music from a talented young local musician.

Then prepare for a powerful 75-minute concert featuring reimagined rock classics performed live in strings, blending intensity, beauty, and cinematic sound.

🎻 Special Guest Artists: The Family Lockdown Quartet

Born during the 2020 lockdown, this remarkable family ensemble began performing online and quickly evolved into a sought-after live act across Aotearoa, including performances at Te Papa, Rimufest (Tauranga), and Wellington’s Cuba Classics Series.

Rupa and Donald bring decades of professional musical experience, while Lucy and Gemma are emerging classical musicians studying at Victoria University and already performing professionally.

Together they transform iconic rock anthems into powerful, emotional string arrangements.

🔥 Programme highlights include:
• Sweet Dreams – Eurythmics
• Kashmir – Led Zeppelin
• Back in Black – AC/DC
• Paint It Black – The Rolling Stones
• Welcome to the Jungle – Guns N’ Roses
• Bohemian Rhapsody – Queen
• Dream On – Aerosmith
• Sweet Child O’ Mine – Guns N’ Roses
…plus more iconic favourites

🎷 Opening Performance
We are proud to showcase a talented young local rangatahi saxophonist performing live for the very first time – an inspiring opening to a night of music and connection.

To Book: https://events.humanitix.com/candlelit-concerts-rock-edition-it-s-a-night-out-that-feels-good-and-does-good/tickets?

Council’s Community Facilities and Services Manager Mark Hammond says, “Council knows there is never a good time to temporarily close a well-used facility, but the work is needed to keep the Aquatic Centre safe, reliable and fit for purpose for the community.” 

“We know this will be inconvenient for many people, especially regular users, families and those who rely on the different facilities or swim programmes.” 

“While disruption is not ideal, this is about Council investing in the long-term future of our community facilities so they can continue to support a thriving, connected Horowhenua,” Mayor Bernie Wanden adds.

The full Aquatic Centre closure will begin on Monday 13 April, with the facility planned to reopen on Monday 11 May.

Mark Hammond says, “Organising this kind of work is always challenging, and we do everything we can to reduce disruption to our swim school, fitness programme, and school holidays. It’s not easy, but that’s why we’ve chosen these dates.”

The Hydrotherapy Pool will close a week earlier from Monday 6 April, so ceiling tiles above the pool can be replaced before the full shutdown begins. This will also allow a new hydrotherapy pool liner to be installed.

During the closure, Foxton Pools will remain open, with additional classes and extended hours where possible. Swim lessons and some aquatic programmes will also continue at Foxton Pool where they can, and Swim School families will receive direct communication about any changes affecting them.

The work includes renewals to pool tanks, membranes, tiling, grouting and expansion joints, along with upgrades to circulating pumps, filtration and heating systems. Other work includes repairs to hardware, masonry, cladding, flooring, painting and replacement of the water supply on the eastern side of the facility, including hot water supply to the changing rooms.

While the closure will not be ideal for some, the work is necessary. Council appreciates the community’s patience while this work is completed and look forward to welcoming everyone back to a refreshed Levin Aquatic Centre.

We will continue to share updates on its website and Facebook pages as the project progresses.

For more information, visit the Levin Aquatic Centre Maintenance and Renewal Works project page

On Friday the Hutt Valley, Kāpiti and Johnsonville lines will be running with increased capacity added after the game and there will be extra services on these lines before and after Saturday’s match.

The Wairarapa Line will be running on its usual timetable – with Friday’s last service leaving Wellington Station at 10.25pm and Saturday’s last service at 6.55pm.

Core bus routes will have increased capacity, and the East-by-West ferry will be running at standard operating times. 

Metlink recommends using a Snapper card to tag on and off, instead of cash, to access discounted fares.  

Plan ahead and travel early on game day using the latest travel information on the Metlink app, website, or by calling 0800 801 700.