Oprah Winfrey Returns to Auckland for Exclusive One-Off Show at Spark Arena

Auckland, New Zealand – August 3, 2025 – Iconic media personality and global cultural figure Oprah Winfrey has confirmed her return to New Zealand for a one-off show at Spark Arena in Auckland later this year. This marks a decade since her last public appearance in the country, which took place in December 2015 with her sell-out “An Evening with Oprah” event at the same venue.

The upcoming event, titled Oprah In Conversation: Presented by Lilly, is being described as a “special and intimate” experience. It will offer audiences a rare opportunity to hear directly from Winfrey as she reflects on her career, shares insights into her life, and discusses themes such as “the power of authenticity” and “the necessity of resilience.”

“One of the things I have always enjoyed is sitting down for real, honest, enlightening conversations, and this experience is all about that,” Winfrey said in a statement. “The energy, warmth, and spirit I feel in Australia and New Zealand have stayed with me, and returning will be an opportunity to reconnect, reflect, and be reinspired — together. I look forward to sharing stories, ideas, and meaningful connection about what’s possible in our lives moving forward.”

This year’s event will follow a similar format to her 2015 show, but with a new emphasis on deeper, more personal dialogue. While ticket prices have not yet been announced, her previous Auckland show saw ticket prices range from $109 to $2,510 for VIP packages that included a photo with Winfrey and a “soundcheck experience.”

Winfrey, who is worth an estimated $3.2 billion, will be in conversation with a moderator, though the identity of the moderator has not yet been revealed. Her previous appearances in New Zealand have been marked by a deep connection with local culture, including a private visit to Orakei Marae in 2015, where she described the experience as “truly spiritual.”

Connecting with New Zealand
During her 2015 visit, Winfrey was seen walking up Mt Eden, dining at One Tree Grill, and making a private visit to Orakei Marae. Dressed in a traditional kakahu, she was welcomed by a pōwhiri and toured the marae, an experience she described as profoundly moving.

“To be in the presence of people who... have, not just regard, but reverence for who they are, where they’ve come from, who their people are, respect for their ancestors... I think, if everyone in the world did that it would be a different world,” she said at the time.

In a recent episode of her podcast The Oprah Podcast, Winfrey interviewed former New Zealand Prime Minister Dame Jacinda Ardern for the release of her memoir A Different Kind of Power. The two discussed Winfrey’s 2017 visit to the South Island, where she filmed the Disney movie A Wrinkle in Time in Central Otago.

“I have never experienced a world like that,” Winfrey said of the South Island. “It’s like you’re driving along and you turn a corner and you’re like, ‘Oh my gosh, everything is breathtaking.’”

Ardern, who has expressed a desire to go on a hiking holiday with Winfrey, joked that “there are five million people who would go on a hike with you.” The tour dates may allow Winfrey to fit in a hiking trip during her visit to New Zealand, which is scheduled to begin in Sydney on December 5 and end in Auckland on December 15, with stops in Adelaide, Brisbane, and Melbourne in between.

Tour Details
2025 Tour Dates and Venues:

• Sydney: Thursday, December 4, 2025 – ICC Sydney Theatre
• Adelaide: Saturday, December 6, 2025 – Adelaide Entertainment Centre
• Brisbane: Monday, December 8, 2025 – Brisbane Entertainment Centre
• Melbourne: Thursday, December 11, 2025 – Plenary, MCEC
• Auckland: Sunday, December 14, 2025 – Spark Arena

Paul Dainty AO, from tour promoters Dainty, said that Winfrey is a “cultural icon” with an influence that spans generations. “Her ability to engage, uplift, and empower audiences is unparalleled. We’re honoured to bring this extraordinary event to Australia and New Zealand — it’s not just a conversation, it’s a moment that will resonate with people from all walks of life.”

Ticket Sales
American Express Card Member pre-sales will begin at 10:00 AM on Wednesday, August 6, with general public tickets going on sale on Friday, August 8. For more information, visit tegdainty.com.

As the anticipation builds for this highly anticipated event, fans and attendees alike are preparing for a night of inspiration, reflection, and connection with one of the most influential figures of our time.