This month we celebrate 25 years of the Bruce Mason Centre! We are thrilled to have the Bruce Mason Centre as an integral part of our Takapuna community, and we look forward to another fantastic 25 years and more of quality entertainment at the Bruce Mason Centre.

The Bruce Mason Centre is hosting a few celebratory events in light of its birthday, so why not head along a join in the fun? Sunday 8th August is a whole day of FREE entertainment, starting off with some Pick & Mix fun with The Ice Cream is Melting! The there's an afternoon of toe-tapping, head-spinning, leaping, laughing dance performances at the Auckland Dance School’s Showcase.
And the brilliant Te Pō will be performed for the first time in Takapuna. It draws on the characters of Bruce Mason’s legacy of plays and reimagines them in this contemporary work – all set in Takapuna - where Bruce spent his childhood years. A policeman, a priest, and a blind man look for clues that will lead them to the missing playwright Bruce Mason. Where has he gone? What made him leave his desk and vanish into the night? And what is that seagull at the window trying to say?  Te Pō is an eloquent and surprising comedy punctuated by Māori showband songs. It’s about searching for someone you have loved and lost and finding them again.
Make sure you check out the Bruce Mason Centre website for all the upcoming shows and events on offer – and if you’re planning on heading along to one, why not make a night of it and head in to Takapuna early for a bite to eat, or head out after for some late night snacking?
Takapuna lends itself well to the perfect date night location – treat your significant other to a show at the Bruce Mason and dinner at one of the 150 different places to eat and drink!
Closest to the theatre are the likes of Taylors on Hurstmere offering tapas and easy sharing plates, as well as Nanam where you can find Filipino cuisine at its finest! Heading down Hurstmere there’s local favourites like The Elephant Wrestler and Catnapper Arms, with hearty, casual meals that definitely hit the spot. Or if you’re after dinner and a view, head to Regatta Bar & Eatery, Tokyo Bay or Franc’s for the best views of Takapuna Beach, while enjoying some of the finest meals in Takapuna! We also can’t go past other gems like Madam Woo, Smokepit & Buoy, Nam Nam or Thai Takapuna, all in the heart of Takapuna.
We know it’s still a little chilly outside – but you still can’t beat a walk along Takapuna Beach to clear the mind, refresh the soul – and to meet all the dogs that also love the beach! Rug up warm, grab a hot beverage from one of the great cafés around, and head along the beach. If you’re a dog lover, you’ll be in your element meeting all the good boys and best girls frolicking around with their owners.
Whatever you’re up to or enjoying in Takapuna this winter, we’d love to see it (the dogs you meet, the places and businesses you love to visit, or your favourite spot to relax for a moment!), so please tag us: @ilovetakapuna when posting on social media and we might just re-share your snaps!