New Zealand - Spring 2015 event highlights
As the gardens of New Zealand burst into new colour, an event-filled calendar and the anticipation of long hot summer days puts a spring in everyone’s step.
Festivals of every description are set to flourish from September until the end of November where visitors can revel in New Zealand's passion for wonderful food, wine, music, art, fashion, design and the outdoors.
Spring brings a rush of garden dates, art and food festivals, and multi-sport events across epic New Zealand landscapes.
New on the programme for 2015 is the Hawke’s Bay Art Festival, a celebration of arts and culture hosted in a huge spiegeltent. The Queenstown Marathon, which in only its second year, is promising to be one of the best marathon courses in the country and possibly one of the most breath-taking in the world.
September 2015
Jazz in Martinborough - Wairarapa
3 - 6 September, 2015
Martinborough – just north of Weliington - is home to the highly successful Jazz in Martinborough festival. Now in its fifth year, the community event has attracted top quality jazz acts. Some events are ticketed but 30 free events are also part of the 2015 programme. Martinborough in the Wairarapa wine region is well-known for its vineyards making it the perfect place to relax and unwind with a spot of jazz and a glass of wine.
Celebrating the famed Coromandel scallop quayside at Whitianga Scallop Festival in The Coromandel.
Credit: Whitianga Scallop Festival / www.scallopfestival.co.nz
Whitianga Scallop Festival - The Coromandel
19 September, 2015
Fresh tasty seafood is synonymous with New Zealand and fresh tasty scallops are synonymous with the Coromandel Peninsula. Just across the Hauraki Gulf (or 2.5 hours by road) from Auckland, the Whitianga Scallop Festival is an annual sell-out. Whitianga harbour provides the perfect backdrop for around 60 vendors and some of New Zealand’s best performers. While scallops may be the star attraction, visitors also enjoy a selection of other food, wine, beer and craft outlets.
Port Chalmers Seafood Festival - Dunedin
26 September, 2015
Port Chalmers, a busy port town with some of Otago’s most historic buildings, showcases an eclectic mix of food, music and entertainment at the Port Chalmers Seafood Festival. This festival promises delectable dishes from local and celebrity chefs serving a diverse range of food styles. Entertainment and family fun is also a key focus as well as a fishing competition. Fine wines and craft beers from local producers will be on offer to keep the crowd’s thirst quenched.
Port Chalmers Seafood Festival
Spring Challenge - Wanaka
25 - 27 September, 2015
The Spring Challenge is an all-women’s team adventure race. The race is for women of all sporting abilities giving them the chance to enjoy the outdoors, embrace the challenge and earn rewards that follow an 'adventure'. Now in its ninth year the event is one of the gems of New Zealand adventure racing, where up to 400-teams of three-women take part in the adventure that includes rafting, mountain biking, hiking and navigation. Wanaka, a one-hour drive from Queenstown, offers some of the most stunning scenery the country has to offer.
Brancott Estate World of WearableArt (WOW) - Wellington
24 September - 11 October, 2015
With mindblowing creations walking down the catwalk it’s not hard to see why Wellington’s World of WearableArt awards show is one of the most highly anticipated events on the international arts and entertainment calendar. Set against a backdrop of theatre, dance, music and colour, the fantasy and fabulousness of the World of WearableArt seems to get more elaborate as the years go by. The only event of its kind in the world, it is no surprise that the show brings in around 50,000 visitors each season.
Brancott Estate World of WearableArt (WOW)
NZCT South Island Masters Games - Nelson
26 September - 4 October, 2015
It’s no secret that the World Masters Games will take place in New Zealand in 2017 and what better way to prepare than getting some practice in at the NZCT South Island Masters Games in Nelson. The Games attract a mix of national and international athletes, as well as athletes of all levels, ages and abilities. The eclectic mix of 50-plus sports includes cycling, archery, softball, and snooker.
NZCT South Island Masters Games
October 2015
Kaikoura Seafest - Kaikoura
3 October, 2015
With rich marine history, thrilling wildlife and Māori heritage, the Kaikoura Seafest is the place to experience the best of this coastal region. Kaikoura, on the eastern South Island, is New Zealand’s premier whale-watching destination. All the action is on land during Seafest and seafood in all forms takes centre stage as this unique Kiwi festival serves up fine food, wine and beverages from North Canterbury and the neighbouring Marlborough region.
Aoraki Mackenzie Starlight Festival - Canterbury
9 - 11 October, 2015
Celebrate the creation of the southern hemisphere’s first International Dark Sky Reserve, in the Mackenzie Basin and at Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park in New Zealand’s central South Island. This year marks the International Year of Light (IYL) 2015, proclaimed by UNESCO to educate the public about light-based technologies and to recognize the role of light in the development of astronomy. The festival, the first of its kind in the southern hemisphere, offers a mix of scientific, educational and cultural events over a three-day period. The area is a gold-rated ’International Dark Sky Reserve’ - one of five places in the world to hold this status.
There are only a few International Dark Sky Reserves in the world and the Aoraki Mackenzie region is the largest.
Credit: Tourism New Zealand
Aoraki Mackenzie Starlight Festival
World of WearableArt Awards is an international feast of colour, light and creativity.
Credit: www.worldofwearableart.com
Nelson Arts Festival 2015 - Nelson
14 - 26 October, 2015
Nelson, at the top of the South Island, is a creativity hub and home to many artists and performers. The Nelson Arts Festival, now in its 21st year, celebrates this creativity annually with a huge array of local and international acts. The 13-day event showcases theatre, music, dance, street-performance, visual arts and plenty more. The Masked Parade is a highlight, delivering a dynamic experience that showcases many art forms and captures the spirit of the festival.
Tauranga Arts Festival 2015 – Bay of Plenty
22 October - 1 November, 2015
Established in 1999, the Tauranga Arts Festival showcases the weird and wonderful work from some of New Zealand’s elite artists and performers, all at the peak of their practice. Situated on the eastern North Island, Tauranga is never more beautiful than in spring. The 10-day festival has everything from live music to fringe, literary programmes, major exhibitions, and street theatre.
Hawkes Bay Art Festival - Hawke's Bay
27 October – 8th November
The inaugural Hawke’s Bay Arts Festival kicks off this year in a venue worthy of its own show. The Famous Spiegeltent will play host to an offering of world-class entertainment from national and local performers. The Famous Spiegeltent built in 1920, has spent her lifetime at festivals and fairgrounds throughout Europe and beyond. Built of wood, mirrors, canvas and detailed in velvet and brocade, this unique venue is the perfect stage.
Art in A Garden - Hawarden, North Canterbury
29 October - 1 November, 2015
In the tranquil setting of Flaxmere - a garden of national significance - Art in A Garden is a place for established and emerging New Zealand artists, painters and sculptures to showcase their work. The event, now in its 12th year, is a much celebrated indoor, outdoor exhibition. Sculptures sit amidst trees, lawns, ponds and rose gardens while paintings, glass, ceramics and jewellery are exhibited in the restored farm barn gallery. Flaxmere is a 60-minute drive north of Christchurch through the Waipara wine region.
November 2015
Taranaki Garden Spectacular – New Plymouth
30 October – 8 November, 2015
The Taranaki Garden Spectacular - an annual 10-day festival in the North Island’s western tip - is one of New Zealand’s longest running festivals. Towering Mt Taranaki provides the backdrop for the spring garden festival which combines food, fashion, architecture and sustainability alongside richly assorted gardens, to offer up a colourful experience for all. This year there are seven new gardens to enjoy which add to the already impressive programme.
Kairau Lodge Vineyard in the 2014 Taranaki Garden Spectacular will feature again in 2015.
Credit: Powerco Taranaki Garden Spectacular / www.gardenfestnz.co.nz
Runners in the Auckland Marathon enjoy views of the city as they make their way over the Auckland Harbour Bridge which connects the North Shore to Auckland City.
CREDIT: Auckland Marathon
Adidas Auckland Marathon - Auckland
1 November, 2015
Hailed as ‘Not just a run…but an experience’, the Adidas Auckland Marathon is considered one of New Zealand’s premier road races. The programme features a full and a half marathon a 12km traverse, a 5km challenge and a kids marathon. The highlight is the run over the iconic Auckland Harbour Bridge, involving a climb of 33 metres to the highest point with views across the Waitemata Harbour to Auckland city. – a unique experience as this is the only time the Harbour Bridge is open to foot traffic. This year’s race coincides with the Rugby World Cup 2015 final so the game will be broadcast live from the start line with updates played over loud speakers along the route so no one misses out on the action.
Nelmac Garden Marlborough - Marlborough
5 - 8 November, 2015
Nelmac Garden Marlborough is a colourful celebration showcasing the best of Marlborough gardens. Visitors to the festival, classed as ‘New Zealand’s Premier Garden Event’, enjoy garden tours, themed workshops and social events. Full or half-day garden tours visit a diverse mix of compact urban-designed gardens and stunning country estates. The festival finishes with a chance to experience some of the best and freshest New Zealand produce – including fine Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc and fresh local seafoods – at the Sunday Garden Fete.
Food and Wine Classic – Hawkes Bay
6 – 15 November, 2015
FAWC - Food and Wine Classic - is a series of one-off, out-of-the-box food and wine events set in lovely locations throughout Hawke’s Bay. This event is for people who seriously love to eat and experience the best wine and cuisine the region has to offer. The Hawke’s Bay region is one of New Zealand’s top grape-growing regions, known for producing a wide range of varieties to a very high standard but best known for its Bordeaux-blend reds and Chardonnay. Twice a year FAWC (there’s also a winter series) is a great opportunity for visitors to get up close and personal with chefs, food producers, winemakers and all the clever people that make up New Zealand’s food and wine scene.
The Dunedin Craft Beer & Food Festival - Dunedin
7 November, 2015
Micro-brewing and the development of specialty crafted beers is now a booming industry in New Zealand, and the Dunedin Craft Beer & Food Festival is an opportunity to taste-test the product. The festival takes place inside Forsyth Barr Stadium, New Zealand’s only indoor rugby stadium, occupying the entire pitch for the first time. An annual Homebrew competition runs in conjunction with the event so amateur brewers can showcase their beers alongside some of New Zealand’s best brands and local gourmet foods.
The Dunedin Craft Beer & food Festival
New Zealand Cup and Show Week - Christchurch
7 - 14 November, 2015
New Zealand Cup and Show Week opens on Saturday 7 November 2015 for a week of excitement and action on and off the field – from horseracing, trotting and greyhounds to fashion, fun, food, wine and live entertainment. Whether you are looking for race or show action, or you just want to enjoy all that Christchurch and the Canterbury region has to offer, New Zealand Cup and Show Week has something for all.
Canterbury A & P Show - Christchurch
11 - 13 November, 2015
Country comes to town for the Canterbury A&P Association’s annual show, a much-loved event that has been delighting visitors since 1863. With over 3000 animals on site and equestrian entries, 600 trade exhibitors, feature marquees and pavilions, as well live music, entertainment, thrilling rides and gourmet food and wine, the A&P show gives visitors a chance to experience rural Kiwi life, while also providing a platform for the proud farmers of the Canterbury region to showcase their work.
Toast Martinborough - Wairarapa
15 November, 2015
From lovely Martinborough – a village surrounded by boutique vineyards - ‘Toast’ is a celebration of all this bountiful region has to offer in food, wine and entertainment. Just north ve from the capital Wellington, ‘Toast Martinborough’ takes over nine boutique vineyards. Visitors can walk or catch free shuttle buses that travel the route – the event offers festival-goers a unique opportunity to taste wines from both current and past vintages. Each has been matched with superb, restaurant-quality food and live performances from some of the best musicians in the business.
Queenstown Marathon – Queenstown
21 November, 2015
Picture perfect Queenstown, with its spectacular alpine backdrop, sets the scene for the Air New Zealand Queenstown Marathon – now in its second year. Featuring a 42km, 21km, 10km and even a 3km kids’ race, the course navigates the Queenstown Lakes region including Millbrook Resort, Arrowtown, Lakes Hayes, Shotover River, Lake Wakatipu, Queenstown Gardens and finally finishes in the heart of Queenstown. It’s easy running on a mainly flat course, with a few undulations to keep it interesting and a mix of running terrain from smooth hard packed trails to roads.
The Contact Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge - Taupo
28 November, 2015
The Contact Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge is New Zealand’s largest cycling events and attracts entrants from all over the world. The annual race, which has gained recognition for the being one of the best recreational rides, attracts around 8,000 riders to the start line. The premier race is perhaps best known for its 160km Bike Barn ride around Lake Taupo - the biggest lake in Australasia - but the event programme also caters for cyclists and mountain bikers of all abilities and fitness levels.