Feast your eyes, feed your mind and fill your heart with kai, culture and korero. Elemental AKL is returning this July with a growing number of curated experiences celebrating the culture, cuisine and creativity of Auckland.

From 14 July to 1 August, revel in art, food, music, and activities as Elemental AKL events transform eateries and bars, theatres and public spaces across the city into hubs of exciting experiences.

Along with all the awesome events citywide, there are also six unique experiences to enjoy right here on the Matakana Coast.

If you want to see the best of the best of what Matakana has to offer, we suggest the Matakana Local Flavours tour with local and owner of Kiwiness Tours, Ness Ward on July 18th.

Join a sensory tour to experience some of the great flavours of Matakana, meeting the makers of some of our most sought-after tastes. Go behind the scenes at Sawmill Brewery, Matakana Olive Oil, Brick Bay Wines, and Matakana Coffee. 

And for dessert? Well, that's the best part! The tour will finish at famous chocolate maker, Honest Chocolate, where the chocolatiers will produce six different bonbons, each using these famous flavours of Matakana Region. 

As well as the Flavours of Matakana tour, there are plenty of other events that offer special experiences at our local eateries. 

Best Of Plume Degustation, 16th July

Experience the flavours of the Matakana Coast at this five-course degustation. Set amongst glorious gardens and overlooking the vines, fields and valleys of the Matakana Coast, Plume Restaurant is a destination of choice for decedent dining 

For this special Terroir To My Winter Table event, Head Chef Atesh has developed a menu entirely from Matakana produce. From the artisan breads made by Plume Bakery to the house-grown olive oil, sorrel and herbs from the restaurant's potager, lamb from Matakana Butchery and fish from Leigh Fisheries, everything is fresh, local and delicious.  

Sawmill Brewery Tour with Kirsty McKay, 18th July

The independent and locally owned Sawmill Brewery has been brewing beers from New Zealand hops and malted barley since 2004. They call it beer with roots. 

Join owner Kirsty McKay for an intimate, behind-the-scenes tour and tasting, and discover how craftsmanship, resourcefulness and a commitment to business as a force for good are all part of the philosophy at the Sawmill Brewery.

Stay and Taste Matakana Coast @ Matakana Estate Lodge, 23rd to 25th July

This is the ultimate food lovers’ retreat where eight special guests will be tempted with the finest food and beverages under the sun. 

The package includes two nights of private dining with acclaimed chef Cory Campbell and two dinner menus inspired by local ingredients and artisan producers from the Matakana Coast region. 

The Art of Degustation, 23rd July

Enjoy a five-course degustation at Rothko, where fine dining and art come together to unlock the imagination, fuel creativity and ignite the mind. 

Feel the warmth of the fire, taste the Sculptureum wines and prepare for a unique culinary experience. Five of Auckland's most celebrated chefs will create a course each inspired by a work of art at the Sculptureum. The stellar line-up includes Thibault Peniarbelle from Andiamo, Lesley Chandra from Sidart, Jason Kim from Gochu, Nico Bonnaud from Honest Chocolat, and Rothko's very own Josh Hazel. 

Brick Bay Harvest Feast, 28th July

As part of Terroir To My Winter Table, Brick Bay Wines is inviting guests to indulge in a four-course feast that will help them understand how terroir, a term used to describe environmental factors that can affect a harvest, is part of the ethos at Brick Bay. 

Take your seat at The Glass House cantilevered over a picturesque lake and enjoy the fresh food produced on the farm from vegetables and herbs to olive oil, honey, macadamia nuts, figs and lamb. You’ll find the food is as beautiful as the views.

For ticketing information on these events, visit https://www.aucklandnz.com/elementalfestival