New St Heliers market joins Auckland's growing network of local farmers markets

What is the background?

Farmers markets give small growers and producers a direct route to customers without the margin taken by wholesale distribution, while giving shoppers access to fresh, locally grown produce. Farmers markets Auckland have grown into an established network across the city rather than a handful of isolated events.

What happened?

A new farmers market opened at St Heliers waterfront on 22 February 2026, running from 10am to 2pm on the last Sunday of every month. It joins an established network of Auckland markets: Clevedon Village Farmers’ Market, founded in 2005 at the Clevedon Showgrounds, now hosts more than 60 permanent and seasonal stalls; Parnell Farmers’ Market runs every Saturday morning at the Jubilee Building; and Grey Lynn Farmers Market offers organic, spray-free, and conventional produce at prices comparable to supermarkets.

Auckland’s CBD market, Britomart Saturday Market at Takutai Square, has also expanded under new ownership, with extended opening hours and an enhanced range of stalls.

How did it happen?

Each market in the network has found a distinct format and location rather than competing directly: Clevedon draws on nearly two decades of operation and scale, Parnell and Grey Lynn serve inner-city neighbourhoods on a weekly cycle, Catalina Bay’s market at Hobsonville runs weekends with a wider mix of produce and prepared food, and the new St Heliers market fills a monthly, waterfront-specific niche.

Growers and producers who sell across multiple markets can build a more consistent income than relying on a single weekly stall, while shoppers in different parts of Auckland get local options closer to home rather than needing to travel to one central market.

Why does it matter?

A market network spread across many Auckland suburbs, rather than concentrated in one location, means both producers and shoppers have more flexibility — a grower can choose which markets suit their production schedule, and a shopper can access fresh local produce without necessarily crossing the city. Grey Lynn’s pricing being comparable to supermarkets, while still local and often organic, addresses a common perception that farmers market produce is inevitably more expensive.

New entrants like the St Heliers market and Britomart’s expansion under new ownership show the format still has room to grow in Auckland, rather than having reached saturation.

What were the key results?

• New farmers market opened at St Heliers waterfront, 22 February 2026
• St Heliers market runs the last Sunday of each month, 10am–2pm
• Clevedon Village Farmers’ Market has operated since 2005 with 60+ stalls
• Parnell Farmers’ Market runs weekly on Saturday mornings
• Grey Lynn Farmers Market offers organic and spray-free produce at supermarket-comparable prices
• Catalina Bay market at Hobsonville runs weekends, 8:30am–2pm
• Britomart Saturday Market expanded under new ownership with extended hours

What happens next?

St Heliers market organisers plan to assess turnout over its first year before considering more frequent dates.

Established markets including Clevedon and Grey Lynn are expected to continue operating on their current weekly and seasonal schedules.

Auckland Council-run venues like Grey Lynn Farmers Market are expected to keep publishing seasonal produce updates through OurAuckland.

Market organisers across the network are expected to continue coordinating on shared scheduling to avoid direct competition between nearby events.