The Rise of Remote Entertainment: Trends Transforming Urban Life in Auckland
Last Updated on May 14, 2025
Ever since the pandemic, people everywhere have been adapting to changing trends in work, life, and even things like entertainment. When Covid-19 hit, people were suddenly forced to find ways to do all the things they used to do in person without being physically close to one another.
The entertainment industry is part of this. And for people in places like Auckland – which is often considered far removed from most other parts of the world – the new virtual life in many ways proved beneficial. Kiwis suddenly had access to things that they would have previously had to travel long distances for. In the sections below, we will explore some of the ways that this is happening.
Gambling
Gambling has been increasing in popularity for centuries now. Once stigmatized because of its association with crime and disreputable behavior, the industry is now widely accepted globally, and New Zealand is no exception. People can log onto sites like Lucky Gambler and find a site where they can try their luck easily.
Indeed, the rise of online casinos has made the gambling world both more popular, and the New Zealand government realizes this. Set to implement a new set of regulations in 2026, the online gambling industry will likely be worth 500 million USD by that time. And the regulations will ensure that gambling sites remain fair and safe.
Media streaming
Media streaming is everything these days. For Kiwis, it means that they don’t have to wait for untold periods of time to get the latest movies, shows, and music. Specifically, the D2C (direct-to-consumer) market has transformed media companies’ ability to reach consumers and get their messages across directly, without the need for intermediaries.
And what are people in Auckland streaming the most? In order, Kiwis favor:
- Netflix
- Disney+
- Amazon Prime
- Neon
- AMC+
All this and more is available right at people’s fingertips. And this is changing life around Auckland in many ways: people are able to chat about not just what’s going on around town, but what’s happening globally. With Netflix, Prime and the rest offering shows and movies from all parts of the globe, Auckland has gained a new form of cosmopolitanism that it would never have had otherwise.
VR and AR
The rise of virtual reality and augmented reality are changing life for everyone around the planet, and this is no less true in Auckland. VR can offer any number of immersive experiences, including:
- 360 degree views of New Zealand (or other places!), including the Routeburn Track, a Queenstown Goldmine Walk, and more
- Virtual tours of museums both in the country and around the globe. Depending on your interests, you can get an in-depth tour of the Auckland Art Gallery, the Louvre, or the Museo de Arte Latinoamerica in Buenos Aires
- Trips through theme parks anywhere you wish. Again, you could either choose a domestic roller coaster to virtually ride through, like Rainbow’s End, or take yourself over to Disney World without even leaving your couch.
The possibilities with AR are just as great. You can use it to enhance a gaming experience, bring the Auckland Botanic Gardens to life, or for any number of other things that you want to get a more in-depth experience of.
Event tech
A related technology is event tech, and it is taking New Zealand and the world by storm. With it, people can plan, take part in, and measure the impact of events with far greater precision. Hosts are both able to bring the details of events to life better for those not able to attend them, and also get a better understanding of the event experience for those who are.
Wearable technology, for example, allows for easy registration, check-in, and other aspects of the event experience to be conducted virtually and seamlessly. As the technology develops, more and more aspects of the event experience will be possible without making people stand in lines or waste time on unnecessary procedures.
The future is yours
What the future holds for people in the country is anyone’s guess. What is clear is that the world is coming closer together, and Auckland is very much a part of it. When Once Were Warriors came out in theaters across the world in 1999, Kiwis got their first taste of global entertainment acclaim. Now, they can bring many aspects of their culture to the world’s attention, and also bring the rest of the world to them.
These changes are transforming life in Auckland as it is becoming both more cosmopolitan, and at the same time more authentically Kiwi. Locals are able to communicate with each other, and with their peers in Europe and elsewhere, about topics of interest to everyone. And this trend will only continue to grow.
