For the ninth year running, Funfest has once again delighted tens of thousands of festivalgoers, welcoming families through the gates of one of the Southern Hemisphere’s largest free family festivals. Held over four days in January, the event drew people of all ages to the Due Drop Events Centre in Manukau.
Festival founder Rob Blake says feedback from this year’s event has been overwhelmingly positive, with many parents grateful for the chance to treat their children to experiences that would normally be prohibitively expensive.
“It’s cool to be able to do something for the community so people don’t need to pay crazy prices for family entertainment,” Rob says.
Funfest 2026 ran from 15–18 January, offering free entry, free rides and free parking, making the festival accessible to everyone.
Across the four days, families enjoyed outdoor carnival rides and games, alongside a wide range of indoor attractions including creative zones, performances and interactive activities.
The event included kai stalls, face painting, live stage shows, MCs and DJs, adding to the vibrant atmosphere, while the Tūhono South Auckland Careers Expo ran alongside the festival. This gave whānau the opportunity to connect with education, training and employment providers, adding further value to the event.
Wiri Licensing Trust was the principal sponsor of the festival. Manager Kim Green says it was a privilege to support the Funfest team to deliver such an important event for the local community.
“This time of year is expensive for families who have barely finished paying for Christmas before back-to-school costs kick in. Funfest gives them the chance to enjoy a family day out during the school holidays without adding financial stress.”
Rob Blake launched Funfest 22 years ago. After several years at Alexandra Park, the festival moved to South Auckland—a decision he wishes he had made sooner.
“The South Auckland community are incredibly enthusiastic supporters. I barely have to advertise,” he says. “Kids here have grown up with Funfest, and word of mouth, along with strong support from local schools, has been incredibly powerful.”
Before the festival opens to the public, a special invite-only VIP Day is held for families, caregivers and organisations supporting people with special needs. This allows them to enjoy everything Funfest has to offer without the pressure of large crowds.
Rob says this is one of the most meaningful aspects of the festival. “It really highlights the importance of creating spaces where families with special needs children feel supported and included.”
During the event, Rob keeps a low profile, preferring to walk the grounds, ensure everything is running smoothly and connect with families.
“The feedback I get is amazing,” he says. “Some of the letters we receive are real tear-jerkers.”
Funfest is made possible through a close-knit group of loyal suppliers who understand the community-focused nature of the festival and help keep costs low, ensuring long-term sustainability.
Funding support from Wiri Licensing Trust, in partnership with Trillian Trust, has been vital.
“Their support is a blessing,” says Rob. “They see the value of the event and what it means to the community. Without them, Funfest simply wouldn’t be possible.”
This support also allows families to keep costs down. “We do have food stalls,” Rob says, “but people are welcome to bring their own food and drink so they don’t have to spend anything if they don’t want to.”
Rob is already planning for next year’s event and says he and his team of volunteers are excited about providing another fabulous day out for the community at the 2027 festival, which marks 10 years of Funfest in South Auckland.
“We plan to make Funfest 2027 the biggest celebration yet.”
Wiri Licensing Trust wants to connect with local community groups and organisations that are doing great work in our hood to understand how we can better support you – email us at info@wiritrust.org.nz.
