Naked Yoga

Wednesday 4th February
Starts 4pm (don’t be late!) at Toi Tu, 1 Ponsonby Rd.
Ticketed event: $10 

Prepare for the excitement of Bear Week 2026 with a relaxing Naked Mens Yoga class. Suitable for everyone from beginners to experienced yogi. This calm, intimate experience sold out last year. Held at Toi Tu 1 Ponsonby Rd, then a short walk along Karangahape Rd to Meet and Greet.

As this is an intimate and structured event, the doors will be locked at 4pm. 

Meet & GREET

Wednesday 4th February
6pm at Abstract Hotel, 8 Upper Queen Street, Auckland Central, Auckland 1010
Free event

A civilised meet and greet to kick off Bear New Zealand Week 2026, in the Abstract Hotel’s spacious courtyard. Bar available, snacks provided.  

Funny, Furry, Fierce!

Thursday 5th February
7pm at the Classic Comedy Club, 321 Queen Street, Auckland Central, Auckland 1010
Ticketed event: $35

The Funny, Furry, Fierce comedy show is always a standout event at Bear New Zealand week, and this year should be no exception! Host Neil Thornton has put together a stellar lineup of comedians to get us laughing. 

underbear

Thursday 5th February
9pm at Phoenix Cabaret, 258 Karangahape Road, Auckland Central, Auckland 1010 
Ticketed event: from $40 Earlybird to $55 gen release

The clothes are coming off, and the beats are turning up! Get ready to dance the night away at UnderBear Party, where the only dress code is your best undies. Cuddle room, coat check included. 

urban Walk

Friday 6th February
10am, meeting location TBC but probably somewhere in the city
Free event

Explore Auckland from a different perspective, join us as Cameron leads us through some of our urban highlights. Starting at 10am, and finishing at the Ponsonby International Foodcourt for lunch. 

Ponsonby Lunch

Friday 6th February
12pm at Ponsonby International Foodcourt, 106 Ponsonby Road, Ponsonby, Auckland 1011

After the Urban Walk hungry bears will meet at the popular Ponsonby International Food Court for lunch. Hosted by Luca, 12 noon, 106 Ponsonby Rd. 

ass class

Friday 6th February
2pm at Body Positive, 1/3 Poynton Terrace, Auckland Central, Auckland 1010
Ticketed event: $15 with all proceeds going to Body Positive

Dr George is a board-certified GP with a specialty interest in sexual health and helping people get the absolute most out of their sexual joy. When he’s not home working in Melbourne and Sydney, he loves to travel teaching sex and sexual health at kink, fetish and educational meetings. His “Ass Class” teaches folks how to get the maximum pleasure and fun from their anal exploration. There’s something for everyone in this class, even if you are a proud flyer of the Red you may pick up some new tips and tricks from the latest science in anal health pleasure.

https://www.painfreeanal.com/dr-george-forgan-smith/

Arrive early and take advantage of Body Positive’s sexual health clinic: they provide HIV, Hepatitis C, and Syphilis rapid tests with instant results, with Gonorrhea and Chlamydia in 90 minutes. (Test before the class, results after) 

haus of bears

Friday 6th February
7pm at Phoenix Cabaret, 258 Karangahape Road, Auckland Central, Auckland 1010
Ticketed event: $20

“Haus of Bears” is a concert and variety showcase that celebrates the creativity, talent, and diversity of LGBTQI+ communities in Tāmaki Makaurau. The project will bring together musicians, dancers, drag performers, choreographers, make-up artists, and technicians to create a professional, inclusive live event during Bear New Zealand Week 2026.

Performers & Artists – Sound and Support

Luke Bird – Mr Bear New Zealand 2025, multimedia personality and community figure.

DC Harding – Mr Bear Congeniality 2025, Los Angeles Music Award Winner (Best Male Pop Artist, 2014).

Ralph Corke – Actor, performance artist, and the one and only “Thunder Bear,” runner-up Mr Bear New Zealand.

Izzy Matela – Modern Asian Dance Fusion artist blending Asian, Filipino, and Bear culture into innovative performance.

Sound by Urge Events – LGBTQI+ owned and operated, leaders of gay dance parties in Auckland and across New Zealand.

Mitch Ganon – Choreographer, stage production manager, costume designer, and makeup artist. Designed the winning costume for Miss World New Zealand 2025 and makeup artist for DC Harding.

Mr Bear NZ 2026

Friday 6th February
9pm at Phoenix Cabaret, 258 Karangahape Road, Auckland Central, Auckland 1010
Free event

Who will take the title of Mr Bear New Zealand this year? Join us for an unforgettable night as New Zealand’s finest bears take the stage, competing for the coveted title.

If you would like to put your hand up to be a contestant you can find more information in this handy document, and because you’ll be totally convinced it’s something you want to do, you should get in touch here: https://www.bearnewzealand.co.nz/contact/

Expect fierce competition, charismatic personalities, and an incredible showcase of our community’s diversity and spirit. This is more than just a title—it’s a celebration of everything that makes the Bear community unique, strong, and connected. Come cheer on the contestants, and see who will be crowned Mr Bear New Zealand 2026!

Bears & board games

Saturday 7th February
12pm at Dice & Fork, Victoria Park Market, 210 Victoria Street West, Freemans Bay, Auckland 1010
Free event, registration required

It’s neurospicy socialisation time! A fun afternoon playing board games at Dice and Fork board game bar and eatery. Come nerd out over some classic board games. 

Free event, but registration required as capacity is limited. Snacks and drinks available at the venue.

Tri-Nations party

Saturday 7th February
9pm – 4am at Phoenix Cabaret, 258 Karangahape Road, Auckland Central, Auckland 1010
Tickets $40 Earlybird, $55 general release, $60 door sales if available

Presented by Urge Events, Bear New Zealand, Burnett Foundation Aotearoa, and Your Ex, this is the ultimate dance party of the Bear New Zealand Week!

Get ready for a night of hot, sexy, and safe fun with friends old and new—whether they’re from across New Zealand or around the world. Plus, join us in welcoming the newly crowned Mr. Bear New Zealand 2026 to the spotlight.

Tri-Nations gets its name from the three powerhouse DJs hailing from three different countries, each bringing their own raw, unrelenting sound to the decks. This is a night where heavy beats collide, pushing boundaries and keeping the energy dark, dirty, and unfiltered. It’s not just a party—it’s a battle of nations on the decks.

bear brunch

Sunday 8th February
12pm at Long Room, 114 Ponsonby Rd
Capacity is limited, registration essential.

Hilton and Keith’s monthly Bears Meetup over Brunch has been an introduction to Bear friendship for many of us over the years. Join them at the Long Room, 114 Ponsonby Rd, at 12 noon.
Capacity is limited, so registration is essential.

gear social & swap meet

Sunday 8th February
3-6pm at Cafe 39, 39 Ponsonby Rd

Leather and Gear Auckland has become so popular we have added a relaxed monthly Sunday in the sun at Cafe 39 Ponsonby Rd. If you’re looking for something to wear later at the Leather and Gear Party, we have a swap meet where you can try before you buy. 3-6pm.

afternoon event

Sunday 8th February
2pm, location and price TBC. 

A mysterious and surprising event! All we can say is it will involve water in some way. Yeah, ok, so we haven’t quite nailed down the details of this one, but it’ll be fun. Or sexy. Or both. 

leather and gear party

Sunday 8th February
6-10pm at GAY, 262 Karangahape Rd, Auckland 1010
Ticketed event: $20, includes coat check.

Our traditional Bear Week closing event, 6-10 pm at GAY, 262 Karangahape Rd. Tickets $20, includes coat check. An introduction to the fetish scene in Tamaki Makaurau. Come to chat, dance, have a drink, compare gear, meet the Pups.