Ed Sheeran Surprises Auckland Students With In-school Performances

Ed Sheeran has brought sheer delight to students at the Manurewa Intermediate School in Auckland this week after showing up for a surprise performance and a chat with the kids on a day off from his Australia/New Zealand tour.

In an interview with 1News, Deputy Principal Ross Devereux said that aside from him and school leadership, the rest of the staff and students had no idea what was coming. Devereux also noted that the school often finishes Friday afternoons with singing in the hall, so despite changing that to Wednesday, it felt like an ordinary day that kept up the surprise.

He recalled telling the students, "Put your hands together for Ed Sheeran," and an "electric" reaction from 900 students as the Shape Of You singer stepped into the room.

"I’m on a day off in Auckland, and I thought I’d give some kids a surprise with a free gig," Ed Sheeran revealed on Instagram, before flipping the camera to the students at Manurewa and Kōwhai Intermediate schools. 

Sheeran played the hits, from Perfect to Bad Habits to Thinking Out Loud, the latter performed with a teacher. Sheeran also said that the day surprising schoolkids was "one of my favourite days in a long time – I’ve enjoyed it so much." View the footage below.

Parents also reacted warmly to Sheeran's presence, commenting on social media, "Thank you so so much! I picked up my daughter from Kowhai school today racing to my arms screaming and smiling until her face was going to break! WOW you made their day today – she will never forget this".

Another parent said, "I’m pretty sure this will be the greatest memory of so many of our Kiwi kids – dream come true! She mentioned you also gave a really inspirational speech. Such a cool human you are. Kia Ora!"

The + - = ÷ x Tour (pronounced 'The Mathematics Tour') is one of the biggest we've seen in Australia and New Zealand, with sold-out dates in Wellington, Auckland, and Brisbane.

The tour began in Wellington last night. Next up, Sheeran heads to Auckland, Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, and Perth. The venues will be packed with the biggest crowds support acts Budjerah and Maisie Peters have ever played to.

ED SHEERAN + - = ÷ x AUSTRALIAN TOUR

FEBRUARY – MARCH 2023

Presented by Frontier Touring

Friday 17 February 2023 - Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane (Sold Out)

Saturday 18 February 2023 - Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane (Sold Out)

Sunday 19 February 2023 - Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane

Friday 24 February 2023 - Accor Stadium, Sydney

Saturday 25 February 2023 - Accor Stadium, Sydney

Thursday 2 March 2023 - Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne

Friday 3 March 2023 - Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne

Tuesday 7 March 2023 - Adelaide Oval, Adelaide

Sunday 12 March 2023 - Optus Stadium, Perth

Tickets are now available.