Published on : Tuesday, July 24, 2018
Spring in New Zealand puts a (ahem) spring in everyone’s step. The outdoors beckon with new adventures and activities and road trips and throughout the country food lovers celebrate the fresh bounty of the season with festivals. Springtime is also a spur to creativity, whether in events that celebrate the past or imagine future possibilities.
All Blacks vs South Africa, Wellington–15 September
2018 is a busy year as usual for New Zealand’s mighty All Blacks rugby side, with visits by national teams from France, Australia, South Africa and Argentina, and a late-year tour that will take them to Tokyo, London, Dublin and Rome. One of the most eagerly anticipated matches is the All Blacks’ encounter with a young and talented Springbok side in Wellington on 15 September. The South Africans lost to the All Blacks in Cape Town in 2017 by just a single point and will certainly be looking for a different result. Prepare for a physical game.
International Hobbit Day, Hobbiton Movie Set, Waikato- 22 September
Fancy a pint of handcrafted ale and a feast where second helpings are encouraged? On Saturday 22 September at the world-famous Hobbiton Movie Set near the Waikato town of Matamata you can enjoy all that and more as Bilbo and Frodo Baggins’s special day is celebrated in style.
Festivities at the five-hectare (12-acre) site will include a guided tour at dusk and a specially created event and party marquee area with individually themed stalls offering traditional Hobbit fare. Guests will be entertained by roaming minstrels and at the Green Dragon Inn, where Hobbits traditionally gather to chatter about the day, the Hobbit South farthing range of traditional ales, apple cider and non-alcoholic ginger beer will be on tap and there will be prizes for best (Hobbit) dress on the night.
International Hobbit Day
World of Wearable Art, Wellington– 27 September to 14 October
It has no narration, no explanation and needs none. The World of Wearable Art is simply a two-hour tour de force of breath-taking costumes, choreography and music that crosses all language barriers and, as a judge of the event once put it, “makes Lady Gaga look like a librarian”. Now in its 30th year, the spectacular annual stage shows and design competition draws thousands of people to Wellington from across the globe.
This year’s event season presents six “worlds” including Reflective Surfaces, Under the Microscope and Bizarre Bra (always an audience favourite). More than 60,000 attendees are expected to see the dreamlike and magical shows at TSB Arena where innovative designers from around the world vie for prizes including a four-week residency at Cirque du Soleil in Montréal.
The World of WearableArt
SCAPE Public Art Season, Christchurch- 6 October to 18 November
Festa, Christchurch-19-22 October
For the last eight years, the people of Christchurch have been coming to terms with an environment that changed forever when an earthquake devastated large parts of their city in 2011. Amongst the many initiatives that are helping to rebuild and reimagine Christchurch, art is proving to be a powerful form of urban renewal. The springtime SCAPE Public Art Season offers free events, exhibitions and workshops as well as walking trails that showcase temporary and permanent artworks around the central city.
The biennial Festa public festival of architecture, design and food also returns to Christchurch with pop-up projects, family events, tours, live performances and artworks with a theme of food and city-making. The highlight will be a giant street festival on 20 October with plenty to eat and drink and installations that celebrate the city’s post-disaster revival.
Scape Public Art
Festa
Diwali Festival, Auckland– 20-21 October
Diwali, also known as the Festival of Lights, is an ancient and important festival celebrated by Indian communities around the world. Auckland’s annual two-day Diwali Festival, held in downtown Aotea Square, brings thousands of Aucklanders and visitors of all ages and ethnic backgrounds together to celebrate traditional and contemporary Indian culture. Highlights include local and international dance, music and theatre performers, food and craft stalls, a wedding expo, seminars and workshops. Wellington also celebrates Diwali on 28 October.
Auckland Diwali Festival
ASB Auckland Marathon– 28 October
If you like sightseeing and exercise, the ASB Auckland Marathon on Sunday 28 October 2018 is an excellent way to combine the two. The race route follows the shoreline of Auckland’s beautiful harbour and the marathon, half-marathon and 12km traverse take runners over the Auckland Harbour Bridge – an experience in itself and illegal at all other times.
Offering a range of distances (42km, 21km, 12km, 5km and a 2.2km kids’ run), and concluding with a “Party in the Park” celebration, the ASB Auckland Marathon raises important funds for causes including mental health, cancer treatment and Auckland’s Starship Children’s Hospital. Fast gaining an international reputation, this colourful marathon is a great way to take in the spirit and diversity of New Zealand’s largest city.
Auckland Marathon
Tags: Tourism New Zealand