Off The Rack

Kia ora, 你好, hello,

If I asked you to describe Auckland style, what comes to mind? 

Perhaps you’re imagining a harried yo-pro scurrying around the CBD in a pair of low-profile sneakers and a button-up. Or maybe you’re thinking of the sleek athleisure seen around Takapuna. What about the baggy street styles of our young people, or the all-black, heavy silver ensembles of the Karangahape crowd?  

More likely, it’s none of the above and you’re thinking: Style? Aucklanders don’t have style. 

It’s true. As a city, Tāmaki doesn’t have a distinct look the way that Wellington, or even Dunedin does. But if Auckland’s style is hard to characterise, it’s because our tastes are as varied as our diverse communities. Given the mish-mash of ethnicities, interests, influences, and lifestyles that exist here, it’s no surprise there isn’t a singular style that describes Auckland. Instead, we’re seeing something much more interesting in our largest city: fashion, clothing and style that reflects the negotiation and formation of new identities, perspectives and subcultures.

Growing up as one of the many second-gen migrants in Tāmaki, I’d always been fascinated by how clothing could say so much about us. But that wasn’t reflected in the fashion content I saw, which seemed more interested in telling me what to wear, how to wear it, and where to buy it from. It seemed that fashion was considered frivolous, surface-level, and therefore unworthy of further scrutiny and analysis. I knew that wasn’t true. 

As it turns out, I wasn’t the only one frustrated with what was on offer here in Aotearoa. So, in 2025, we launched FANG Magazine: a new publication dedicated to the intersection of fashion, art and culture. We debuted our first issue, WINTER 2025, at Auckland Zinefest.

Some thought we were crazy to publish a physical mag in the digital era, but we knew the tide was turning. Digital media is now ubiquitous, and increasingly disposable. Short-form videos are 10 seconds long and have about as much permanence as vape clouds. People are hungry for something tangible they can hold in their hands, and art they can frame on their walls. 

More than that, people are hungry for in-person connection and community. We knew the magazine would do this, not just through sparking real-life conversations between friends, but by rallying a community of creatives and artists eager to create something that would last. Plus, a physical mag just makes sense in the context of fashion and style. After all, clothing is worn against the skin—what’s more tangible and intimate than that? 

Tonight, FANG SUMMER 2026 LAUNCHES at No. 7 Pitt St from 8 PM, and you’re invited to see it for yourself. 

Come kick your feet up with a drink, connect with the other curious creatives of Tāmaki, and peruse our latest offering in person. Inside, you’ll find a style profile with comedian Janaye Henry, a feature exploring the complex intersections of style and culture, and our gorgeous, juicy cover shoot, ‘Heatwave’. 

See you there, 
Naomii Seah (@FANG__MAG)

By Jean

NEW OPENINGS

Gin Wigmore and Aiden Williams have opened a new sandwich shop, WIGMORE DELI, in the old The Fridge space at the top of Kingsland shops. I do regret to inform you that to order one of these sandwiches, you will have to say things like, “Can I please have one Prosciutt-Hoe?” out loud, like we’re back in 2008. Cringe really is back.

Hotdog and cheesesteak place BULLDOGIS is now open at a permanent spot, 47 Jellicoe St in Silo Park.

Not too long ago, Tāmaki didn’t have a single dedicated matcha bar, and now we have at least three. LOVE BABE AND BEAN has opened in Osborne Lane in Newmarket, in that tiny hole-in-the-wall that Pie Rollas was previously in. Whisking matcha, then pouring that verdant green liquid over a cup of milk and ice is very aesthetically pleasing and, I must say, tailor-made for social media content. 

KHAO SOI has just opened in Remuera, a restaurant that specialises in exactly what’s in the name. Khao soi is a Northern Thai specialty with crispy noodles and a lush coconut-milk soup. This is their second outlet; their first is down in Wellington.

EOS COFFEE is now at 17/21 Customs St West, after temporarily moving due to renovations in Queens Arcade. It’s bigger than their old digs and, imo, serves very good coffee!

Nebuchadnezzar Bar by Satya Chai Lounge on Karangahape Rd is now Pink Elephant, with the grand opening April 17. Reasoning? It’s a lot easier to say, “Let’s meet at Pink Elephant.”

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ON THE OUTS

Looks like the Bodega people are getting out while the going is good and it can be all yours for only $685,000

Pie and Pint joint, Vultures Lane on Vulcan Lane is closing up shop on Sunday 19th - according to Reddit, the Occidental is taking over the space and turning it into an Irish bar.

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EVENTS

Your mileage may vary at this Mission Bay-based WACKY EATS FOOD FAIR, which is apparently “where chefs unleash their wildest ideas”. Featuring “outrageous food mash ups” and carnival games.

Sagrado Cantina/Deza in St Kevin’s Arcade is teaming up with Chef Jean Brito for a SPECIAL MENU inspired by the Yucatán Peninsula from 15 to 19th April. There’s also a special 6-course tasting menu on the 19th, if you want to try a bit of everything.

Winemakers Halcyon Days are hosting an AUTUMN SUPPER CLUB at Florets on Saturday 18 April, with a three-course vegetarian menu by Georgia van Prehn for $150pp (wine included).

INEDIBLES

RIP to Sumer Gallery, closing after seven-and-a-half years of operation and I guess also RIP to the once-future Anzac Ave Arts Precinct, now abandoned by Sumer and Coastal Signs both. RELATED: Laree Payne Gallery in Hamilton is closing up shop too.

Centurian is reopening tomorrow, Friday 10th April, at 105 Symonds St (next to the Cordis Hotel). “Come in and have a drink at the new bar,” the website says, which means this could technically be eligible for our EDIBLES section, although I don’t think that’s the main attraction. 

by Mike

Having occupied corners of two of the country’s busiest road crossings for the last 18 months, Watercare is packing up their Queen St wastewater pipe encampments at Wellesley and Victoria. These are the last of the highly visible, interminable construction works in the centre of the city that have been a continuous presence for years, suggesting we might yet get a period of relative stability, at least until the jackhammers return for the next big project. Over the coming decade Watercare will spend $13.8 billion, or nearly $4m each day, on system repairs and upgrades as we seek to avoid further boil-water notices and, ultimately, Wellington’s terrible, sewerage spewing fate. This is now all to be done at arm’s length from government as a standalone financial entity, the first of the country’s water utilities to separate from their councils under the very optimistically-named 'Local Water Done Well’ initiative, which seeks to liberate the engineering experts from the controlling hand of politics.

What’s good enough for water is intolerable for roading & transport, however, with AT in the process of moving in the opposite direction, back to direct Council control. What’s critical here of course is local democratic accountability for, and strong governance of, an essential service upon which we all rely daily. So not at all like water, then. Let’s hope for all our sakes that this doesn’t become the political football that it would seem destined to be: despite hitting 7-year ridership records over the last few weeks as the fuel crisis bites, Aucklanders share few things more broadly than the POSSIBLY FALLACIOUS belief that AT sucks.

By Simon

FRIDAY 10TH

COMEDY FEST IN TAKUTAI SQUARE
Britomart, Free
The Comedy Fest starts in May but there’s a full day of warm up gigs at the Britomart on Friday spread across three blocks from lunchtime to evening. It looks like it gets progressively more ‘mature’ as the day progresses. Sessions hosted by Tony Lyall, Sam Smith and Itay Dom.

GYOZACORE!
Achos, Free
Sake, shouting and slam dancing at Achos with Chem Chain, Another Fucking Problem and Sterile. NOTE: 7pm start. 

MONDRIAN ENSEMBLE & STEPHEN DE PLEDGE
Kahui St Davids, $40
Touring from Sweden and playing with local pianist Stephen De Pledge, they’ll be playing PIANO, VIOLIN, VIOLA, CELLO - the last work of the great but almost totally inaccessible Morton Feldman. They are warming up with two works by Samuel Holloway written for De Pledge; one new and Matter from 2013. They’re also playing a programme of shorter works on Saturday if you can’t make Friday.

ALTON MILLER
Mothership, $40
House/Hi Tech Soul veteran DJ from Detroit. Support from Ryan Berkely, Frank Booker and Sam Harmony.

SATURDAY 11TH

TAROT FOR BEGINNERS
Nathan Homestead
I’m considering fortune telling as a future employment possibility.

SWEET SPOT
Puku Room, Free
A group show exploring ‘memories and thoughts of sports and games’ with Anahera-Jade, Lolani Dalosa, Mark Chayanat, Prairie Hatchard-McGill (winner, Cringe Art Name of the Week) and Salene Schloffel-Armstrong (runner up, Cringe Art Name of the Week).

GEORGIA KNIGHT
Whammy, $45
Auto-harp forward, occasionally quite post-Kate Bush-y alt-pop, touring her 2025 album Beanpole and playing with a full band.  

OUTCOME
Apple TV
Hollywood star, Reef (Keanu Reeves) maneuvers to avoid an imminent cancellation. Directed and Co-starring a pretty wild-looking Jonah Hill. Also with Cameron Diaz, Matt Bomer, David Spade, Laverne Cox and Kaia Gerber.

SUNDAY 12TH

ANTAARES
Parked Up, From $29
Gentle Sunday session with down/midtempo Mexican DJ, Antaares which looks like it’s in that old groundskeeper’s cottage on Victoria Park. Support from Manisah and Dylan C. NOTE 4-11pm.

TUESDAY 14TH

THE NIGHT MAYORS
Aotea Centre, $27
A new edition of the live panel show hosted by Charlotte Ryan – this edition featuring Lisa Reihana, Matt Liggins and Gabi Lardies. Looks like you get access to the Darklight show at the Aotea Centre with your ticket and not one, but two harpists.

WEDNESDAY 15TH

ARMANDINHO
Double Whammy, $99
Extremely gentle Brazilian surf reggae. There’s a line in the bio that says ‘He is recognised as one of the most notorious brazilian reggae artist of all time’ which seems funny for some reason.

MARGO’S GOT MONEY TROUBLES
Apple TV
A young mother (Elle Fanning) uses experience from her father’s pro-wrestling career to launch an OnlyFans which goes well but at what cost etc etc etc. With Michelle Pfeiffer, Nicole Kidman and Nick Offerman. From David E. Kelly (Ally McBeal, LA Law, everything else) and the book by Rufi Thorpe.

THURSDAY 16TH

QBERT
Ponsonby Social Club, $35
18th birthday for the PSC and they’ve got DJ QBert coming! Turntablism isn’t very top of mind right now but there was a time when this guy was basically the coolest person in the world.

SWEET TREATS PUNK NIGHT #57
Whammy, Free
Auckland’s free monthly punk night is here again already! This time with Cringe’s Band Name of the Week (again); Lesbian Death Sluts From Hell, Not Exact and Slow Rage.

THE STAGE UNBUTTONED
Button Factory, $75
As long as everything is going to hell, here’s a Weimar Republic-coded show to help you get in the mood – burlesque, bawdy comedy, carny stuff, bands and a DJ + food and champagne.