West Auckland’s rising star Ellaphon Tauariki set to shine at Coca‑Cola Christmas in the Park

Fresh from lighting up the stage on The Voice Australia R&B and soul artist Ellaphon Tauariki is bringing his powerhouse vocals to the big stage for the 32^nd annual Coca‑Cola Christmas in the Park at the Auckland Domain on Saturday, 12 December.
 

A youth worker from West Auckland, Ellaphon’s vocal prowess has earned him national and international acclaim, including winning the Tāne division on Whakaata Māori’s 5 Minutes of Fame and delivering a show-stopping, four-chair-turning blind audition on The Voice Australia.
 

Handpicked by the producers after nationwide auditions, Tauariki’s inclusion in Coca‑Cola Christmas in the Park marks a major moment in his rapid rise. Creative Director Dixon Nacey shared, "He absolutely blew us away. He's an extraordinarily talented young artist; the Auckland audience will be amazed by what he brings to the stage."
 

For Tauariki, performing in front of a massive live crowd at New Zealand’s biggest free Christmas musical spectacular is a full-circle moment. It wraps up a breakout year of musical growth for Ellaphon, all while he stays grounded in his mission to mentor local youth.
 

This December, he’ll share the big stage with crowd favourites Ella Monnery, Dillon Rhodes, Nate Peseta, Lavina Williams, Nyree Huyser, Jaya, Elijah Taula and Cleo Fitzgerald, alongside exciting new talent including The Feel Good Service, Tribe of Ope, Henri Woodley, Josh Leys, Flynn Adamson, Sophie Toyne and Wildlanes.
 

The performers will be joined by the six-member Coca‑Cola All Star Vocals, Nga Puna O Waiorea Kapa Haka, a ten-piece band, and more than 50 dancers from Freshmans Dance Crew, Studio 246, Auckland Academy of Dance and Red Alert.
 

Auckland welcomes back popular radio and television personality Simon Barnett who together with More FM co-host Lana Searle will MC the Auckland show. Barnett hosted the very first Coca‑Cola Christmas in the Park in 1994 and has since hosted the Christchurch show more than 20 times.
 

This year’s official charity is Kindness Collective, which delivers everyday essentials and Christmas joy through food and toys to families experiencing hardship. Funds raised through the events will help Santa reach more Kiwi families this Christmas.
 

Coca‑Cola Christmas in the Park takes place at the Auckland Domain on Saturday 12 December 2026, starting at 7.30 pm. Entry is free.
 

For more information, visit coca-cola.com/nz/en/offerings/christmas-in-the-park.

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For media enquiries, interviews, or photo opportunities, please contact Deborah Delaney - deborah@dgaltd.co.nz  or +64 21 480 961. High-res images from Coca‑Cola Christmas in the Park are available on request.

About Coca‑Cola in New Zealand. The Coca‑Cola Company (NYSE: KO) is a total beverage company, offering over 500 brands in more than 200 countries. Our portfolio in New Zealand includes Coca‑Cola, Coca‑Cola Zero Sugar, Fanta, Sprite, MOST Organic Juice, Keri, Kiwi Blue and POWERADE and more. We’re constantly transforming our portfolio, from reducing sugar in our drinks to bringing innovative new products to market. We’re also working to reduce our environmental impact by replenishing water and promoting recycling. With our bottling partners, we employ more than 700,000 people, bringing economic opportunity to local communities worldwide. Learn more about Coca‑Cola in New Zealand www.coca-cola.com/nz/