Events

Although justly famous for action and adventure, New Zealand boasts a wide range of other activities to keep you entertained from dawn till dusk … and beyond!

Festivals Galore

New Zealanders love festivals and you’ll find all manner of celebrations all over the country, such as Matariki, the Maori New Year (held in June in various places), or the Pasifika Festival, a massive celebration that takes over Auckland for a whole day in March. Wine, music, dance and fashion, flowers, mussels, scallops and oysters take their turn – we love to highlight our natural talents and bounty! And of course there’s such a wealth of fine food and wine that you’ll find most areas have a festival celebrating their local specialities at some time of the year. The Wild Foods festival at Hokitika on the West Coast offers visitors the opportunity to try some distinctly different fare, such as the huhu grub – not for the fainthearted!

Art & Culture

Whether you’re into the classics or contemporary works, the New Zealand arts scene offers a feast for the senses. Live theatre can feature anything from large-scale touring productions to fringe theatre. You’ll also find a smorgasbord of comedy, opera, ballet and live music. Check out The Edge in Auckland, Westpac St James Theatre in Wellington and the Isaac Theatre Royal in Christchurch for major productions. Smaller venues in the main centres include Bruce Mason Theatre and Silo Theatre in Auckland, Bats, Circa and Downstage Theatres in Wellington, The Court Theatre and The Forge at the Court in Christchurch, and Fortune Theatre in Dunedin.

Sports

If you’ve ever heard of the All Blacks, you’ll know that rugby is the big national game! Catch a game at a stadium – or head to a pub and watch it on the big screen. Cricket also draws crowds of Kiwis out on summer days. Big events on the horseracing calendar are de rigueur for trendy locals.In Christchurch the biggie is Cup Week (November), and in Auckland there’s Mercedes Derby Day (Boxing Day) and the Auckland Cup (New Year’s Day).

Rugby World Cup 2011 The most massive rugby occasion New Zealand has ever seen, the nation is already gearing up for this fantastic event. Book early because accommodation is being booked out well in advance. With the semis and final being held in Auckland, and other matches spread over the country, it’s a fantastic opportunity to combine sightseeing, activities and sport for the ultimate road trip! www.rugbyworldcup.com

Nightlife

In the days of the traditional Kiwi pub the choice of beverages was beer or … beer, and the doors closed at 6pm. New Zealand’s licensing laws are liberal these days, and the choice of venues is vast. Live music is easy to find, while the hottest DJs do their thing in city clubs every weekend. And if you fancy a flutter, there are casinos in the main centres.