REAL New Zealand Festival Overview

Read up on highlights and iconic events in all New Zealand regions, and then plan your Rugby World Cup 2011 itinerary, scheduling as many REAL New Zealand Festival events as possible!

The REAL New Zealand Festival in the Upper North Island

Queens Wharf in Auckland is the biggest Fanzone for the Rugby World Cup 2011 and also the heart of the REAL New Zealand Festival. Some of Auckland’s biggest events have been moved into the REAL New Zealand Festival. Highlights include the Auckland International Boat Show, New Zealand Fashion Week, the Auckland Heritage Festival and Style Pasifika – Best of Pasifika New Zealand.

Further up north in Northland, the REAL New Zealand Festival is all about (sea)food and wine, and history (e.g. Waitangi Welcomes the World), while The Coromandel also puts on an extravaganza of indulgent festivals such as the famous Whitianga Scallop and Homegrown Festivals. In Waikato the main focus is on rural New Zealand, complemented by music events such as KIWI CREAM.

The REAL New Zealand Festival in the Central North Island

The REAL New Zealand party stretches from Taranaki in the west across the Central Plateau to the east coast. Highlights not to be missed include the Pukekura Spring Race Day in Taranaki, the Day-Night Thriller mountain bike relay and A Quintessential Kiwi Concert in Taupo, and the Kinloch Fishing Competition on the Central Plateau.

On the coast, the Bay of Plenty lures with the Tauranga Arts Festival, Rotorua’s Tribal Rugby Festival and the Waka Warrior Canoe Races. A little further down, the rugbyRUCKus is a mix of rugby, Maori culture and food held in Tolaga Bay. In Hawke’s Bay you can indulge in food and wine festivals or get to experience Art Deco in Napier with the Depression Dinner, Deco Party and tours.

The REAL New Zealand Festival in the Lower North Island

The lower North Island districts of Whanganui, Manawatu and Wellington have come up with great events as well. The REAL Whanganui Festival showcases arts and history, while the Our People, Our Place 2011 Festival in Manawatu embraces culture, music and sports. The redesigned New Zealand Rugby Museum in Palmerston North stages the interactive exhibition Revel in Rugby – The Sport that Shaped our Nation.

In New Zealand’s capital city, Wellington, on the other hand, you can head to the World of WearableArt™ Awards Show, Poneke Pies’ Masters Rugby Festival or the Maori performing arts show Arohanui – The Greatest Love.

The REAL New Zealand Festival in the Upper South Island

The top of the South Island is hosting top events as well. Nelson, the birthplace of New Zealand rugby, will re-enact New Zealand’s very first rugby game and the region is also host to the RugBeer HopFest, Twilight Arts Market and the renowned Nelson Arts Festival.

The wine region of Marlborough is the perfect place for culinary festivals such as the Picton Spring Fest, Indulge Marlborough and the Kaikoura Seafest a little further south.

The REAL New Zealand Festival in the Central South Island

The middle of the South Island, comprising of the West Coast, Canterbury and Mackenzie regions, puts on an array of iconic events, too. On the West Coast, indulge in the West Coast Whitebait Festival and in South Canterbury, join the Arts Rock Festival and Heartland Championship Rugby games in Timaru. Other Canterbury events include the Methven Mt Hutt Spring Festival, Methven Rodeo and Darfield Artweek Festival.

Some of the biggest parties, however, are held in Christchurch. Although the South Island’s biggest city won’t be hosting any games, it will certainly host a massive party. The Christchurch Fanzone is in beautiful Hagley Park, and REAL New Zealand Festival events include the Christchurch Arts Festival and Body Festival.

The REAL New Zealand Festival in the Lower South Island

Otago will showcase New Zealand with events ranging from Curling and Blossom Festivals to wine events. The main city, Dunedin, hosts the Dunedin Celtic Arts Festival, while in Southland the REAL New Zealand Festival features A Taste of Southland in Invercargill.