The people, the culture – showcasing everything that makes our Southside shine.
Southside Represent 2025 is a celebration of South Auckland’s vibrant urban culture, bringing the community together to enjoy live music, fashion, food and art. The free event, held on 22 February at Westfield Manukau Carpark, was a huge success.
Now in its third year, the event is proudly supported by Eke Panuku Development Auckland, Westfield Manukau, Roots Collective, RepFM and the Ōtara-Papatoetoe Local Board.
Board chair Apulu Reece Autagavaia says, “This event aligns with our Local Board Plan, where rangatahi (youth) are active, learning and shaping community life.
“It’s great to have these types of platforms for South Auckland’s creative talents, helping to showcase the beauty, identity, and artistic expression of our community.”
As well as encouraging new development in the area allowing more people to call Manukau home, Eke Panuku’s urban regeneration efforts are focused on activities to help create a vibrant heart in the town centre.
Southside Represent 2025.
“We’re incredibly proud to see Southside Represent continue to grow over the years into the amazing event it is today. This is a real example of how we can seed, grow and nurture local organisations to create unique activities that bring their communities together,” says Richard Davison, Priority Location Director.
“For a long time, Manukau was very business focused with little opportunity for people to live in and around the city centre and enjoy what it had to offer. The work we have been doing to make the Town Centre much more liveable is really starting to pay off and it’s humbling to see the community really making the most of it.
"A key part of this year’s event was the support of Westfield Manukau. Over the past three years, we've tested various Town Centre locations for activations, including near Hayman Park Manu-kau Noa Iho, Manukau Square, and carparks. Westfield Manukau was chosen this year for its popular front entrance and food court, proving to be the best location yet," he says.
Key features of the event included live performances by South Auckland artists, a fashion show with local streetwear designers, kai, live graffiti art, and a car show with iconic vehicles. Families enjoyed free kids' activities, and community stalls provided valuable resources. The event also empowered future generations through REPFM's Passion to Profession program and fostered collaboration among South Auckland's cultural leaders as part of the ‘Rep Your Roots’ initiative.
RepFM.
Apulu adds, “Ōtara-Papatoetoe and Māngere-Ōtāhuhu local boards funded the Passion to Profession course through our Youth Connections programme, and now our talented youth are shining in opportunities like Southside Represent, showcasing their skills in performing arts, event management, business, and more.”
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