Millennium Moments
April
During April we launched new Swim School Levels and a brand-new Deep Water Running class for beginners, Hydro-Start.
For a little Easter fun, the Gym Team put together a little Easter egg hunt which included prizes such as:
- Optimum Nutrition Bag
- LSKD drink bottles
- Musashi Products
- Personal Training sessions
This was a fun activity for All Access (Gym) members to participate in while they were getting their workouts in over Easter weekend.
Swim School
At the beginning of Term 2, we launched the new level names of our Swim School levels. This change was made to help make progression between levels clearer and easier to understand.
Deep Water Running – Hydro Start
In late April, we launched a new Deep Water Running class – Hydro Start. This class is for anyone new to Deep Water Running and would like to give it a go to help them develop some confidence before they join the regular classes.
Throughout March and April our Athlete Development Team, delivered a wide range of engaging workshops, continuing strong partnerships with Hobsonville Point Secondary School, Rangitoto College and Westlake Boys High School, while also welcoming new schools including Glenfield College and Rutherford College.
The programme covered a mix of educational and practical topics, from Nutrition and Programme Planning through to hands-on sessions such as Testing and Rest & Recovery, providing students with both knowledge and real-world application.
The team conducted performance testing with Canoe Slalom athletes and the Auckland FC Development Squad. It has been exciting to support these athletes as they track their progress and push their development.
March
During March, our preschool swimmers completed a term in the National Aquatic Centre while the Millennium Pool undergoes a refurbishment and they have done exceptionally well adapting to the new environment. Our Athlete Development team chose 10 athletes to receive a scholarship from Term 2 2026 – Term 2 2027. At the beginning of March, Athletics New Zealand welcomed teams from across Polynesia to the Auckland Polynesian Champions Development Camp.
Swim School
In January 2026, we commenced the next phase of the Aquatic Legacy Project to refurbish the Millennium Small Pool. While this work is being undertaken, the Preschool levels moved to the National Aquatic Centre Learner Pool. Our Swim School teachers are proud of how brave these swimmers were as they transitioned to a bigger pool. We look forward to welcoming back our smallest swimmers to the refreshed Millennium Small Pool once work is completed.
To help support youth athletes in their chosen sport, each year Athlete Development gifts ten 1 Year AD Academy Scholarships. Athletes in Years 9, 10 & 11 are eligible to apply and attend 4x trial sessions. We had an incredible group of 58 youth athletes attend the trial sessions. The AD Team picked 10 dedicated athletes to gift the 10 scholarships too and they look forward to seeing what these athletes achieve over the next year!
At the beginning of March, Athletics New Zealand welcomed teams from across Polynesia to Auckland with a traditional pōwhiri for the 2026 Polynesian Champions Development Camp. Over three days, 140 athletes took part in workshops in preparation for the Polynesian Track and Field Championships. We were proud to host this event across our conference rooms and Track and Field Stadium, and it was inspiring to see athletes building connections and developing their skills during their time at AUT Millennium.
February
At the beginning of February, Athlete Development and Schools Programme resumed their programmes for the year. We also launched a a new digital version of Workout and Win for our All Access Members.
Valentine’s Day at AUT Millennium Gym
Ahead of Valentine’s Day, we ran a fun giveaway where All Access Members could go in the draw to win one of two Valentine’s Day Stanley drink bottles by a taking a selfie in the gym and sending it to us.
On Valentine’s Day, All Access members could celebrate with their valentine (or friend/family member) by bringing them to the gym for free!
Schools Programme resumes for 2026
Schools Programme (which overs a range of programmes to schools over Auckland) has been off to a flying start this term. In February alone, they welcomed 1 301 students to AUT Millennium for Learn to Swim, Water Safety, Waterwise and Education Outside the Classroom days. They Schools Programme team also delivered their Water Safety Programme off-site at Milford School to 170 Year 5 & 6 children. As each school visits multiple times over the month – Schools Programme had 3 489 individual visits from 12 schools and 2 preschools. A fantastic start to the year!
Following a busy end to their summer holiday programme (one of the most successful on record!), it was all hands on deck for the beginning of the school term for their term based Athlete Development (AD) Programmes. Alongside their morning AD Academy sessions, their school team trainings got underway for the year and they signed up new schools for their educational workshops and testing sessions.
This term, the AD team began working with Carmel College with their volleyball squad and preseason training with their winter sports teams. The lead coach working with Carmel, Leah Sinton, is an alumnus and has thoroughly enjoyed giving back to her alma mater.
It has been great to see the athletes get back into the swing of things as the AD team and their athletes looks forward to the term ahead.
Our Accommodation is a great place for Sports Teams to stay, as they can get access to areas of the facility for training. At the end of January, we had Wellington Softball stay while they visited Auckland for a competition. We look forward to hosting more teams and guests during 2026.
JANUARY
It has been a busy month at AUT Millennium with the reopening of the National Aquatic Centre 50m pool, members settling back into their routines and Swim School resuming for 2026. Check out what has been happening around the facility below.
All Access Members settling back in
It was wonderful to see members get back into the swing of things after some time off with their family and friends. January is always a great time to re-evaluate goals or set new ones – through our Everyday Champion Programme, our team worked with members to help them with their goals.
Hyrox training → BYD HYROX Competition
We were excited to see our members and staff training for Hyrox at AUT Millennium Gym and then using all of their training to crush it at the BYD HYROX competition from 29th January – 1st February. Well done to everyone who competed!
The National Aquatic Centre has reopened!
The Sir Owen G. Glenn National Aquatic Centre 50m pool was officially re-opened on Tuesday, 27 January 2026 at a ceremony led by AUT Millennium CEO Mike Stanley, following a four month refurbishment project. The Opening Ceremony drew several key project funders and partners, including Sir Owen Glenn, Anna Atkinson, Upper Harbour Local Board Chairperson representing Auckland Council, Sir Stephen Tindall, NZCT representatives Mike Knell and Michelle Mitchell and Niall Miller from the Bobby Foundation.
New Deep Water Running class – Hydro-X Launch
Long regarded as one of AUT Millennium’s flagship programmes, Deep Water Running has built a reputation for leading the way in delivering serious results without the impact of land-based training. Now, the programme evolves with Hydro-X, a new class designed to push cardiovascular fitness, strength endurance in a dynamic deep-water environment.
Hydro-X is a running-focused conditioning class performed entirely in deep water, where participants remain upright using flotation belts to replicate natural running mechanics. The class combines powerful running intervals with functional movement challenges, using water resistance to increase muscular engagement while buoyancy removes stress from joints and connective tissue. The result is a demanding, full-body workout that is tough, technical, and joint-friendly.
We were thrilled to launch HYDRO-X as part of the official reopening of the National Aquatic Centre. This new style of Deep Water Running class was a huge hit, and thanks to its overwhelming popularity, HYDRO-X is now a regular feature on the Deep Water Running timetable.
Swim School Holiday Intensives & Skills Clinics
Our popular Holiday Intensives & Skills Clinics returned in January for 3 weeks. Intensives are a huge hit with families who aren’t able to fit swimming lessons into their busy term-time schedules and for existing Swim School members who would like additional pool time to master a specific stroke or skill. It was great to see lots of skills being developed and most importantly children having fun in the water.
Swim School resumed
On Tuesday 27th January, our Swim School of over 2000 swimmers resumed for 2026. Our teachers were delighted to see everyone back in the water, ready to learn and have fun.
Auckland FC
Holiday Academy
Our Accommodation is a great place for Sports Teams to stay, as they can get access to areas of the facility for training. At the end of January, we had Wellington Softball stay while they visited Auckland for a competition. We look forward to hosting more teams and guests during 2026.