Clubs, sports and recreation
Play indoors, outdoors, enjoy culture, music, sport, animals, join a club - Whangārei is a wonderful place for the whole family.
All year round
Whangārei’s subtropical climate makes it really easy to enjoy the outdoors. Whether that means playing a sport, gardening, enjoying beaches, getting in the water, taking a walk, riding a bike or attending events – if you choose to, you can be out there all year round.
Groups and clubs
Groups and clubs abound in Whangārei - kite clubs, martial arts groups, photography clubs, Cubs, Scouts, and Girl Guides, bee keeping, genealogy and many more. Craft, book and hobby groups meet at the Whangārei Library. Also check out the local community paper or search on the Clubs at the Citizens Advice Bureau.
Gardening
Keen gardeners revel in the subtropical climate and good clean fun all year round – there’s no snow here! Many gardeners are able to supply their kitchen with fresh fruit and vegetables all year round. And there is a healthy number of garden clubs where many a seed or cutting is swapped with like-minded individuals. Kamo Club has a Gardening Section and you could also volunteer at the Whangārei Quarry Gardens; join the core group of dedicated locals who meet at the Gardens every Wednesday at 9am.
Golf
Have the game of your life on one of the nine great golf courses in incredible seaside or rural locations with spectacular views and park-like greens, throughout the District. It’s guaranteed that one will become your favourite.
Walks
The Whangārei District has some of the best walks you’ll ever do. Choose from rural, coastal or forest walks, an easy stroll or a heart-pumping workout.
Sport
Rugby, netball, football, waka ama, cricket, touch rugby, squash, table tennis, badminton – and that’s just for starters. Check out the many sporting codes represented in Whangārei at Sport Northland.
Dogs & horses
...and other four legged friends. The equestrian scene is strong with regular pony clubs and gymkhanas, show jumping, dressage, events and hunting. Canine clubs meet and compete regularly and there are all sorts of other passionate people with all manner of four (or two!) legged friends.
The Whangārei Public Dog Park at Pohe Island is fully fenced with shelters, ramps and agility equipment that your dog will love. You're sure to meet kindred spirits.
Find out where you can exercise your dog and ride horses on the beach.
Theatre and performing arts
Enjoy performance art with the Whangārei Theatre Company, Octagon Theatre and the Northland Youth Theatre. ONEONESIX is a community space for original, innovative and unique forms of performance art.
The Whangārei Harmony Chorus sing four part harmony known as acappella or barbershop singing. Opera North showcases opera, classical and musical theatre.
Some Whangārei dance groups include the Whangārei Academy of Dance & Performing Arts, Northland Ballet & Dance, In Step Dance Studio and Whangārei Latino.
To find out more about education and our community, see below.