New Zealand - Spring 2011 event highlights
Spring is in the air, daylight saving is here, and New Zealand is buzzing with the biggest party that’s ever been held on these islands.
Rugby World Cup has brought 95,000 visitors to New Zealand for the tournament but away from the games it’s about much more than rugby as Kiwis celebrate the occasion with a packed festival calendar of 1000-plus events all over the country.
The REAL New Zealand Festival is a nationwide celebration of New Zealand arts, heritage, culture, entertainment, business, food and wine which runs from 9 September - 23 October 2011 to complement the Rugby World Cup schedule.
From kai Māori / native foods to fine wine, from bungy jumping to waka / canoe racing - visitors have the chance to experience something of what it means to be a ‘Kiwi.
For full details on the festival programme visit: REAL NZ Festival
September 2011
Brancott World of WearableArt - Wellington
24 August - 10 September 2011
Fantasy and the human form collide in New Zealand’s most unique fashion spectacle - the Brancott World of WearableArt. Now in its 23rd year, this colourful extravaganza is where fashion and art blur in the interpretations of many internationally-acclaimed designers.
World of WearableArt in Wellington
Hastings Blossom Festival
15 - 25 September 2011 A colourful parade through the central city kicks off this popular spring festival, which includes music, dance and theatre and the best of Hawke’s Bay wines. The festival includes the New Zealand Olive Festival, a celebration of all things olive on the grounds of beautiful Sileni Estate.
Hastings Blossom Festival
Abel Tasman Coastal Classic
17 September 2011
One of New Zealand’s most popular trail runs, the Abel Tasman Coastal Classic began in 1994 and is sold-out every year. The 36km run takes place from Awaroa to Marahau, near Motueka - on the Abel Tasman Coast Track, through land protected by the Department of Conservation.
Abel Tasman Coastal Classic
Alexandra Blossom festival
23 September - 14 October 2011
Celebrate the arrival of spring with this historic festival of flowers and fruit. The Blossom Festival has been drawing the crowds for more than 50 years. Last year around 10,000 visitors joined in the festivities which include fashion shows, garden tours and outdoor concerts.
Alexandra Blossom Festival
Marlborough Strawberry Festival - Blenheim
24 September 2011
The family celebration of everything to do with the sweetest little red fruit takes place among the vines at Hunters Vineyard. There are market stalls, gourmet morning teas and lunches, competitions for cakes, hats and teddy bears, cocktails, pies in the face and a greedy strawberry eating competition, and the crowning of the Strawberry Queen.
Ohope Beach Touch Tournament - Bay of Plenty
27 September 2011
Beach touch is a fun, sometimes fast game that’s a little different to normal touch rugby. The Ohope Beach tournament, which is open to local and international teams, includes serious and non serious divisions. Other activities include a drop kick competition, surf boat rides, and a barbecue.
Ohope Beach Touch Tournament
October 2011
NZ Bloodstock Spring Classic - Hawke's Bay
1 October 2011
Tradition, fashion, style and heart stopping excitement all meet in a glorious setting at one of the most anticipated race days on the calendar. The horseracing is outstanding, and visitors can also enjoy the social scene and take in the best of raceday fashion.
Hawkes Bay Racing
Kaikoura Seafest
1 October 2011
Seafood of all shapes, sizes and types take front row in this quintessentially Kiwi festival of taste. Fine food, wines and beverages from Kaikoura, Marlborough and North Canterbury regions also feature at the event which has a 100% zero waste policy.
Kaikoura Seafest
Brits at the Beach - Coromandel
7 - 9 October 2011
A festival of all things British, in a place far from home - New Zealand’s Tairua beach resort, on the stunning Coromandel Peninsula. With all the atmosphere of a British village fete, the festival wraps up everything English including fashion, food, music and car and bike shows into a neat little package.
Brits at the Beach at Coromandel
Nelson Arts Festival
7 - 24 October 2011
The South Island town of Nelson welcomes the spring with an explosion of creativity featuring 12 days of theatre, dance, cabaret, and music that opens with a massive ‘masked parade’ where 4000 costumed children throng the city streets.
Nelson Arts Festival
Auckland International Carnival
15 October 2011
The carnival spirit comes alive in Auckland ‘City of Sails’ as visitors are invited to a dazzling costume carnival parade, masque ball, after-party, blue light discos, food stalls and cultural and dance performances.
Auckland International Carnival
Taste of New Zealand - Auckland
19 - 22 October 2011
Victoria Park in downtown Auckland will host Taste of New Zealand - an indulgent culinary celebration of the best restaurants and produce, sandwiched between the Rugby World Cup semis and final. Visitors will be able to sample innovative cuisine, fine wines, beers and produce from 120 providers, and watch international guest chefs putting an international spin on Kiwi produce.
Taste of New Zealand
Catch "it" Bay of Islands Festival
20 - 22 October 2011
Three hours north of Auckland, the family-friendly Bay of Islands Catch "it!" seafood tournament is all about bringing in the biggest and the best, and eating it. The two-day event based at Paihia features fishing, diving and gathering, along with filleting, shucking and kina / sea egg sucking. Capping off the fishing contest, there’ll be the one-day "it" Food & Wine Festival - on the Paihia Village Green.
Catch "it" Festival
Queenstown Jazz Fest
20 - 24 October 2011
Five days of music, 40 events and more than 100 performers take to the stage in this carnival-like event, which brings jazz music to the masses. Cool blues, big band swing, funky R&B, vibrant Latin sounds, Dixie bands and jazz-influenced dance music are just a taste of what is on offer.
Queenstown Jazz Fest
Wanaka Food & Wine Festival
22 - 23 October 2011
With a backdrop of stunning mountains and a shining lake, Wanaka is a spectacular setting for this two-day wine and food fest featuring local wine, beer and delicious food as well as wacky creations from local chefs and producers in a relaxed family-friendly festival setting.
Wanaka Food & Wine Festival
Powerco Taranaki Garden Spectacular
28 October - 6 November 2011
Forty-nine top Taranaki gardens - including gardens of national and international significance, and six new gardens - will feature in the 2011 festival. Event highlights include celebrity speaker workshops, guided walks, music and wine events, and an international landscape design project which is unveiled just before the event.
Powerco Taranaki Garden Spectacular
adidas Auckland Marathon
30 October 2011
The adidas Auckland Marathon is considered New Zealand’s premier road race. This is the only time that the iconic Auckland Harbour Bridge is open to foot traffic as the runners make their way across.
adidas Auckland Marathon
November 2011
Hunter’s Garden Marlbourough
3 - 6 November 2011
Hunter's Garden caters to everyone from the expert gardener down to those simply visiting for the view. Enjoy fully-escorted tours of unique gardens in Marlborough’s grape-growing plains, workshops and social functions.
Hunter's Garden Marlborough
New Zealand Cup and Show Week - Christchurch
5 - 12 November 2011
Premier trotting, thoroughbred and greyhound races are packed into one week - the perfect way to get a taste of rural life and have a punt on the races. Saddle up for the rodeo or simply kick back and enjoy the fashion and entertainment.
NZ Cup & Show Week
Pohutukawa Festival - Coromandel
12 November - 4 December 2011
The brilliant red pohutukawa is known as New Zealand’s ‘Christmas tree’. The festival is timed to coincide with the flowering of Coromandel’s pohutukawa trees and features a variety of events around the region.
Pohutukawa Festival in the Coromandel
Toast Martinborough
20 November 2011
Join 10,000 wine and food lovers on the vineyard trail to sample, savour and celebrate 20 years of Toast Martinborough. This little wine village surrounded by boutique vineyards is celebrated for its award-winning vintages.
Toast Martinborough
Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge
26 November 2011
The Contact Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge is New Zealand’s premier cycling event, and includes 12 different cycling events. The challenging 160km ride round the perimeter of the lake’s ancient volcanic crater attracts up to 12,000 local and international competitors at many different levels.
Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge
More information
REAL New Zealand Festival
New Zealand Events
Showcasing real New Zealand food and wine
New Zealand garden festivals
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