SAE Auckland’s 2026 Open Day, held on Saturday 15th August at the Parnell campus, brought together prospective students, whānau, and staff for a day that showcased what a creative media education looks like when it’s hands-on, industry-led, and genuinely welcoming. Visitors were guided through studios, labs, and discipline consultations across SAE Auckland’s three-building campus, getting all the information needed about the environment that the next generation of creatives can be studying in.
From one-on-one conversations with industry-expert lecturers to live performances and demos from current students, the day reflected SAE Auckland’s core promise: that a creative career starts with real people, hands-on learning, industry-standard equipment, and real world experience. Staff and current students from across Audio, Music Production, Screen, Songwriting, and Creative Business volunteered to help run consultations, lead tours, staff activity stations, and keep the whole day moving.
Open Day was built around giving direct access to the people and spaces that make up SAE Auckland. In the music production, audio, songwriting and screen studios, prospective students and their families sat down with current students to talk through equipment, spaces, and some even had the chance to hop behind a camera or on a mic! All visitors had the opportunity to see what typical teaching and learning looks like at SAE Auckland.
Current students performed live throughout the day, including an acoustic busking set that gave visiting families a peek of the creative songwriting energy that runs through SAE Auckland day-to-day, proof that this is a campus built by creatives, for creatives.
“Open Day is such a great way for prospective students to get a feel for SAE Auckland and meet our fantastic staff and students. I love meeting all the people on our tours and seeing them leave with a big smile, excited for their creative journeys with us,” says Alex Harter, Student Experience Manager, SAE Auckland
SAE Auckland’s Open Day reflects a wider shift happening across the creative industries, one where the old idea of a single, fixed career path in audio, screen, songwriting or music has given way to a far more entrepreneurial, digital-first, and border-free creative economy. Today’s audio engineers, music producers, screen practitioners, songwriters, and creative business graduates aren’t just training for a single job title; they’re building a portfolio of skills that can travel with them, whether that’s into a studio in Auckland, a production house on the other side of the world or a creative project that crosses borders. As part of the global SAE network, over 40 campuses across more than 20 countries, SAE Auckland students graduate into an international community of creative practitioners.
For those who couldn’t make it on the day, or are still making their study decisions for 2027, SAE Auckland continues to offer STAR courses for Year 11-13 secondary students, a Ministry of Education-funded teaser of tertiary-level creative training. Their next SAE focused STAR course is due to run in October 2026, with details available on their website. Individual campus tours are also available year-round for anyone wanting a more personal, one-on-one look at the campus.
SAE Auckland’s team is now turning its attention to 2027 enrolments, with spots filling up fast after Open Day. Enrolments for next February’s intake are already 67% full! As explained by Alex Harter, “it’s a good idea to send your application in while you have the chance!”
Prospective students who attended Open Day, or who are just starting to explore their options, are encouraged to get in touch with the admissions team. “Creative careers in Aotearoa start with taking the first step, and SAE Auckland is ready to help you take it with confidence.”, says Alex Harter.
Photography: Leyland Bottomley
