Looking for something inspiring to do or new places to try? Check out our round-up of events, new restaurants and all things good around the country!
Auckland
Aotearoa Art Fair 2025
Viaduct Events Centre in Auckland
1-4 May 2025
The Aotearoa Art Fair 2025 promises its most internationally diverse edition yet. Showcasing over 150 artists across 44 galleries from 11 regions, the fair will celebrate contemporary and experimental art from New Zealand and beyond. Under the leadership of new Fair Director Sue Waymouth, this year introduces Horizons, a platform for emerging artists curated by The Art Paper editor Becky Hemus and supported by Chapman Tripp. Alongside the gallery presentations, visitors can enjoy a curated talks program, large-scale sculptures, live performances, and activations throughout Auckland’s cultural and retail spaces. Get your tickets here!
Gibbs Farm Fundraiser for Youth Arts
Gibbs Farm, 2421 Kaipara Coast Highway, Makarau, Auckland
Thursday 10 April 2025, 10:00am – 2:00pm
Estuary Arts Charitable Trust, a vibrant community arts hub in Orewa, is dedicated to fostering creativity for all ages and abilities through quality arts education, diverse exhibitions and collaborative projects. Their vision is to make the arts accessible and inclusive while building lasting community connections. As part of their fundraising efforts, Estuary Arts is offering a rare opportunity to visit Gibbs Farm, an extraordinary open-air sculpture park in Kaipara Harbour, featuring large-scale works by renowned artists.
This exclusive event invites you to explore the breathtaking landscape, interact with monumental sculptures and support arts programs for neurodiverse individuals and youth at risk. Come prepared for a 3-4 hour walking experience, bringing comfortable footwear, weather-appropriate gear and a picnic. Tickets are non-transferable, and children must be supervised due to the park’s natural features and resident animals. Get your tickets here!
Trash to Treasure
Manurewa Community Recycling Centre, 38 Holmes Road, Manurewa, Auckland
Until April 5 2025
Trash to Treasure encourages people to give their unwanted items a second life by transforming them into free clothing. In exchange for your non-kerbside recyclables, you can get up to eight free articles of clothing, one for each category of recycling. This sustainability-focused initiative promotes waste reduction, creative reuse and community engagement, inspiring us to rethink consumption and make eco-conscious choices. Whether donating, upcycling or finding new treasures, you can actively contribute to a circular economy while supporting a greener future. For more info click here.
Bay of Plenty and Waikato
Walking Festival
April 1 – 22 2025
The ECHO Walking Festival invites participants to explore the scenic landscapes of New Zealand’s North Island, from the Kaimai Ranges to the Coromandel Peninsula. The festival offers over 50 guided walks catering to various fitness levels, ranging from short, leisurely strolls to full-day tramps. Participants will have the opportunity to traverse winding tracks, discover pools and waterfalls and learn about local history, flora and fauna. The festival aims to encourage regular exercise, increase awareness and use of local parks and reserves and promote local tourism. Registrations are now open. You can secure your spot and see the walking calendar here!
Westpac Rescue Helicopter Open Day
Hamilton Airport Hotel & Conference Centre, 201 Airport Rd, Hamilton
Sunday 6 April 2025, 11:00am – 2:00pm
The Waikato Westpac Rescue Helicopter Open Day is back at Hamilton Airport, promising a fun-filled, family-friendly event for all ages. You can get an up-close look at the rescue helicopter, watch live demonstrations and purchase exclusive rescue helicopter merchandise. The day will also feature delicious food, ice cream, coffee, face painting, games and more, making it a great outing for the whole family. Entry is by koha donation (cash and EPTPOS available), with all proceeds supporting the life-saving service. Don’t miss this exciting opportunity to meet your emergency service heroes – mark your calendars and join the action! More details can be found here.
Wellington
Women’s Lifestyle Expo
TSB Arena, Queens Wharf, Wellington
Saturday 12 April 2025 10:00am and Sunday 13 April 2025 10:00am
Get ready for the ultimate girls’ day out at the Wellington Women’s Lifestyle Expo! With over 140 lifestyle brands under one roof, you’ll find everything from fashion and beauty to gourmet food, homeware, artisan goods and eco-friendly products. Treat yourself to shopping, pampering and delicious indulgences, plus the chance to win amazing prizes. Don’t miss the ever-popular $20 mystery goodie bags, packed with beauty, skincare, food items and more – pre-purchase online to secure yours before they sell out! When you need a break, head to the Taste Zone for a selection of tasty treats to recharge. Grab your besties and secure your tickets here!
First World War Memorial Walk
Bolton Street Cemetery, Bolton Street, Wellington
Saturday 12 April 2025 – Sunday 27 April 2025 8:00am – 5:00pm
In honour of Anzac Day, embark on a self-guided journey around the memorials dedicated to the 18 servicemen who valiantly fought in the Great War, many of whom never returned home. Discover their touching stories and take a moment to pause, read, reflect and honour their memory. This self-guided activity is available from dawn to dusk. Simply pick up a map and locate the white crosses next to their graves to uncover each soldier’s unique narrative.
Maps are available at both entrances to the Bolton Street Cemetery, inside the Bolton Street Cemetery Museum, or you can download a digital version here.
Canterbury
Canterbury Folk Festival
The Waipara Adventure Centre, 137 Darnley Road, Glasnevin 7483, Waipara
Friday 18 April 2025 – Monday 21 April 2025
The Canterbury Folk Music Festival is a vibrant celebration of music and community, held every Easter at the picturesque Waipara Adventure Centre. Primarily a camping-based event, the festival encourages full participation, with impromptu jam sessions, mini concerts and workshops alongside scheduled performances from both local and international artists. This year’s lineup includes a diverse mix of talent such as Celtic Ferret, Jay Juggler and Magician, Pat Higgins and Tess Liautaud, among others.
The festival’s Youth Programme, led by Samuel Fawkner-Egli and Lachie Platt, offers young musicians aged 16-25 the chance to develop performance skills and take the stage in a final concert. Attendees can also join Blackboard Concerts, late-night jam sessions, poetry readings and even a Blind Date Concert, where musicians are paired randomly to perform. Families will enjoy a packed Children’s Programme featuring a Hill Billy Hoedown, a Ceilidh dance, face painting, a festival parade and an Easter egg hunt. On-site amenities include a coffee cart, catered meals, and various accommodation options from camping to cabins.
Entirely volunteer-run, the festival funds go directly into supporting musicians and fostering a welcoming, creative atmosphere for all. Get your tickets here!
Wharenui Harikoa
Canterbury Museum Pop-Up, 66 Gloucester Street, Christchurch, Christchurch
On now until Sunday 27 April 2025 9:00am – 5:30pm
The joyful and vibrant Wharenui Harikoa has arrived in Christchurch, bringing its dazzling display of neon-coloured crochet to Canterbury audiences. Created by artists Lissy and Rudi Robinson-Cole, this full-sized wharenui (Māori meeting house) is crafted from 5000 balls of brightly coloured yarn, blending traditional whakairo (carving) patterns with eye-catching wool. Taking three years to complete, Wharenui Harikoa, which translates to ‘House of Joy’, is more than just an art installation; it is a heartfelt tribute to tūpuna (ancestors), a celebration of culture and a testament to the healing power of art.
Lissy and Rudi describe it as a space for intergenerational healing, connection and joy, created one loop, one stitch, one community at a time. Now on display at Canterbury Museum at CoCA from 7 December to 27 April, visitors can experience this extraordinary work for free, with donations appreciated. See more info here.
The Christchurch Art Show
Te Pae Christchurch Convention Centre, 188 Oxford Tce, Christchurch, Christchurch
Friday 25 April 2025 – Sunday 27 April 2025
The Christchurch Art Show returns this April at the stunning Te Pae Christchurch Convention Centre, offering the perfect setting to explore an incredible lineup of artists and artworks. With all artists onsite, you can meet the makers, engage in conversations and watch live artist demonstrations throughout the weekend. Featuring a diverse selection of artworks from Christchurch, across Aotearoa and beyond, the show presents everything from large-scale wall art and contemporary pieces to sculptures, ceramics, jewellery, textiles and object art.
For an exclusive experience, the VIP Preview (R18) kicks off on Friday, April 25 at 5pm, granting first access to the artworks before the Opening Event at 7:30pm, a vibrant evening celebrating creativity. The Show Days on April 26–27 offer full weekend access for just $10, with free entry for those 16 and under. For ticket info click here.
Otago
Lindt Opens First South Island Store in Queenstown!
1/13 Camp Street, Queenstown 9300 (Corner of Camp & Ballarat St)
Monday – Thursday: 10am – 10pm
Friday – Sunday: 10am – 11pm
Chocolate lovers rejoice – Lindt is bringing its first South Island store to Queenstown! Opening on Saturday, April 5, 2025, at 10:00 AM, the store will feature indulgent treats, including a LINDOR Pick-and-Mix station, Crema Gelata Ice Cream and decadent chocolate drinks. To celebrate, Lindt Master Chocolatier Thomas Schnetzler will be crafting fresh Lindt truffles live on-site – a rare chance to witness Swiss chocolate artistry in person. Don’t miss this sweet opening!
Dining on water
The Cloudy Bay Shed, 45 Northburn Station Road, Northburn
Saturday April 12th 2025
Cloudy Bay has unveiled its most immersive Wonderscape yet, floating a one-of-a-kind entertaining experience on water at its Cellar Door in Central Otago. The best part? It’s available for anyone to book with a public event taking place on Saturday 12th April. Aside from floating on water surrounded by the breathtaking alpine and lake views in Central Otago, Wonderscape 2025 also taps into the expertise of leading curators. The seasonal menu for Wonderscape 2025 has been crafted by award-winning chef Tom Hishon and Cloudy Bay’s own Chef Momo – showcasing the region’s finest ingredients, expertly paired with Cloudy Bay’s award-winning wines. Styling and tablescapes have been curated by renowned Australian Interior Stylist Steve Cordony and are inspired by the beautiful surroundings which nourish and foster the growth of Cloudy Bay vines.
Due to the nature of the experience, tickets are limited and Cloudy Bay recommends booking early to secure your spot at this unforgettable event. Get your tickets here!
NZ Festival of Nature – Wild Dunedin
Dunedin
Thursday 10 April 2025 – Tuesday 22 April 2025, 9:00am – 8:00pm
Celebrate 10 years of the NZ Festival of Nature in Dunedin, the Wildlife Capital of NZ! Over 150 events await, from close encounters with penguins, seals and albatross to exploring rare ecosystems. Enjoy garden-to-plate dining, the Wild Ball at Larnach Castle, and engaging workshops. Forsyth Barr will host the NatureDome with Kiwi personalities like Anika Moa and Suzy Cato. Explore artisan food stalls, local produce and exclusive wildlife experiences. Don’t miss this thrilling festival – come get wild in Dunedin this April! For more info click here.
