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
Feast for Good: Woolworths Christmas Pop-Up Kickstarts the Season
6-8 November 2024
Kick off the holiday season with Woolworths Christmas Table, a festive pop-up restaurant offering a three-course Christmas feast from 6-8 November at The Tuesday Club, Auckland. Hosted by Trudi ‘The Foodie’ Nelson, with a special menu by culinary talent Emily Morgan, this limited event offers tips, treats and holiday hosting hacks. Tickets are available here for $30, with proceeds supporting The Salvation Army’s Christmas Appeal. Book now to enjoy delicious dishes and festive inspiration – seats are limited!
Art For a Good Cause
Auction on 7 November 2024
Support the Kindness Collective charity this November through Art for Good, hosted at Gow Langsford’s Onehunga gallery. The event showcases exclusive works by 12 renowned New Zealand artists, auctioned with proceeds benefiting children and families in need across the country. Online bidding is live now and closes with a live auction on Thursday 7 November at 7 pm. Viewings are available during gallery hours or by appointment from 31 October to 7 November.
A Mystery Festival in Albert Park
9 November 2024
Embrace the unknown at Mystery Fest, a one-day festival in Albert Park on 9 November from 2pm-10pm. Presented by Audiology Touring, this suspenseful event keeps most of its lineup under wraps but has teased acts like Friction, Vibe Chemistry and Nicole Millar. Expect surprises with unannounced international and Kiwi artists, creating an electrifying night to kick off summer in Auckland. Tickets available here.
Putt and Pout
Holey Moley, Tuesday 5 and 12 November 2024
After three successful rounds of Drag Bingo in October, Holey Moley and Funlab are extending their Drag Queen Bingo event! Now happening on Tuesday 5 November and Tuesday 12 November, you’re in for more dazzling nights of bingo, jaw-dropping performances, and a shot at being crowned ‘Mother Putter Queen.’ Get your tickets here while they last!
Bay of Plenty and Waikato
Iconic Sanitarium Weet-Bix Kids TRYathlon
South Auckland, 8am, 20 November 2024, Mountfort Park, Manurewa
Mount Maunganui, 7am, 1 December 2024, Arataki Park, Mt Maunganui
Hamilton, 7am, 8 December 2024, St. Peter’s Cambridge
The Sanitarium Weet-Bix Kids TRYathlon is set to hit a major milestone this season, surpassing half a million participants since its humble beginnings in 1992 with just 500 kids. For over 30 years, Sanitarium has aimed to inspire children to get active and build their confidence in a fun and inclusive environment. As iconic as marmite, backyard cricket and jandals, the TRYathlon has become a beloved tradition for Kiwi kids and has grown to be the world’s largest triathlon event for people under 16.
This year, sporting legends and sisters Chelsea and Alana Bremner, both Black Ferns stars, return as TRYathlon ambassadors, inspiring the next generation of young athletes. For more info and to register, click here.
Trash and Treasure
8:30am–1:00pm, Sunday 10 Nov and 8 Dec 2024
One man’s junk is another man’s treasure! The Lions Club of Cambridge ‘Trash & Treasure Market’ has been operating for 25 years now. Whether you live in the area or just visiting, you’ll find new and old goods for sale, buskers, entertainment, a food court and when the weather permits, bouncy castles! The Market is located at ‘Memorial Park’ – (The Rugby Grounds), 62 Taylor Street.
Wellington
The Art of Banksy
28 November 2024 – 20 January 2025
The major exhibition that has brought Banksy’s era-defining works to over 1.5 million visitors in 18 cities across the globe, is coming to Wellington this summer following a two-year successful and critically acclaimed residency in London. The Art of Banksy exhibition will be the only exhibition in New Zealand showcasing the world’s largest collection of original and authenticated Banksy art. More than 150 pieces, including prints, canvases, unique works and fascinating ephemera, will be showcased at its new 1,300 sqm temporary home, Wellington’s newest purpose-built convention and exhibition centre, Tākina. Book your tickets today and get ready to marvel at the works of one of the world’s most acclaimed artists.
Wellington Mega Fun Carnival
7-10 November 2024
Come along for the thrills and fun rides at Wellington Mega Fun Carnival, featuring all the fun of the fair, including all your favourite carnival games and food. A not to missed event for the whole family! Located at Waitangi Park, 107 Cable St, Wellington. Get your tickets here!
Pūkaha Wairarapa Garden Tour
9.30am-4.30pm, 9-10 November 2024
Spend a weekend exploring beautiful gardens in the South Wairarapa. This two-day self-drive garden tour is a rare chance to visit private gardens opening to support Pūkaha’s annual fundraiser – the Pūkaha Wairarapa Garden Tour. This year celebrates 14 years of this much-loved event featuring the stunning private gardens of Greytown, Featherston, Martinborough and Gladstone along with local arts and crafts at the Market Fair. As a fundraiser, proceeds from the garden tour allow Pūkaha National Wildlife Centre to continue its vital work of conserving and restoring native flora and fauna. Get your tickets here.
Canterbury
Culinary Innovation at Mt Cook Lakeside Retreat
Corey Hume, the award-winning Chef and Culinary Director at Mt Cook Lakeside Retreat, brings a pioneering approach to sustainable cuisine. Known for his international accolades and recent feature in TIME’s World’s Greatest Places to Stay 2024, Corey incorporates fresh, garden-grown produce into the retreat’s Billion Star Dining experience. Guests can enjoy seasonal dishes under starlit skies in the Aoraki Mackenzie Dark Sky Reserve. Corey’s spring menu highlights New Zealand’s unique flavours with ingredients sourced from the onsite garden, blending sustainability with a world-class dining experience.
Christmas Encraftment Market
10am-4pm, 23-24 November 2024
Welcome to Encraftment Market, the premier craft market in Christchurch at Pioneer Stadium, 75 Lyttelton St. Immerse yourself in a unique shopping experience where you can browse and purchase quality locally handmade items while enjoying delicious food and refreshments. Join thousands of others in discovering the talents of local artisans and craftspeople and take home a piece of creativity and craftsmanship. Free to enter.
Otago
Art, Fashion and Tradition Collide
The Six Yards Sisterhood, on until 23 February 2025
Now on at Tūhura Otago Museum, The Six Yards Sisterhood brings together the vibrant artistry of Indian textiles with a distinctly Kiwi perspective. This free to visit exhibition is crafted by Rekha Shailaj, a zero-waste fashion expert and Senior Lecturer in Fashion at Otago Polytechnic. Rekha’s work showcases Indian fashion in a way rarely seen in New Zealand, blending tradition with contemporary elements for a striking visual experience. The exhibit promises a feast for the senses, with incredible opportunities for both stunning imagery and compelling video content.
Featuring vibrant floor-to-ceiling projections and twelve exquisite saris crafted from materials like silk and chiffon, the showcase highlights the sari’s journey from traditional Indian garment to a multicultural fashion icon.
Fashion in the Vines
6.30-10.45pm, 23 November 2024
Come along to Queenstown’s Black Tie Gala for Breast Cancer Cure. Mark your calendar for an elegant night of music, fine wines and fashion at Peregrine Vineyard in Queenstown. Hosted by Breast Cancer Cure Ambassador Petra Bagust, the gala features bubbles, canapés, a dinner paired with Peregrine wines and exclusive runway shows by top New Zealand designers Dame Trelise Cooper and Kathryn Wilson. The event includes live and silent auctions, with proceeds supporting breast cancer research. End the night with dancing and live entertainment from the Sweet Mix Kids in the stunning Woolshed. Don’t miss this unforgettable evening for a great cause – call 0800 227 828 to book your tickets.
