Season four of Charlie Brooker's Netflix sci-fi series begins on December 29.
Season four of Charlie Brooker's Netflix sci-fi series begins on December 29.
Wondering what to do over Christmas? Here's a handy cut-out-and-keep guide to keep you busy.
Have a merry Christmas movie binge
Get into the festive spirit with a Christmas binge on the couch, starting with Rose McIver's so bad it's kinda good Netflix flick A Christmas Prince, then get into Home Alone, Elf, Bad Santa and, because, why the hell not, Die Hard. Sure, it's got Bruce Willis shooting the place up, but TimeOut fully endorses it as a Christmas movie.
It's a cafe. It's a bar. And it's a live music venue. And this summer, Leigh Sawmill has plenty happening with performances by The Bads, Hopetoun Brown, Louis Baker and - if you have kids - comedy pirate troupe Captain Festus McBoyle's Travelling Variety Show. Get your eye patch and peg leg out for that one.
Catch Salmonella Dub's first reunion show
The Kiwi dub-reggae faves have reunited with former frontman Tiki Taane for three big shows over summer, the first of which is at New Year festival Northern Bass in Mangawhai, an hour north of Auckland. Go on a road trip, grab a wine and get ready to sway, once again, to Love Your Ways.
See Star Wars: The Last Jedi again
There's no middle ground with the new Star Wars movie - you either fell in love with it, or you hit the forums and wrote pages of abuse about that Princess Leia scene. Whichever side of the fence you sit on, you'll probably need to see it again, just to make sure. Either way, nothing beats the summer heat like a frozen Coke and cinema air con.
Head to Silo Park this January and experience some silver screen magic under the stars. TimeOut is proud to present Wonder Woman on January 5, followed by Lion on January 12. The movies kick off at 9pm but be sure to get there early so you can scout the various food trucks and stock up on essential snacks. Don't forget to pack a blanket or beanbag so you can settle in for some five-star cinema. The best bit? It's free!
Binge on Black Mirror
All six episodes of the fourth season of Charlie Brooker's cult sci-fi show debut on Netflix on December 29. That's easily enough time to rewatch the first three seasons and dig yourself a doomsday bunker. The future-focused sci-fi show sometimes makes you feel like you should get one ready for an apocalypse.
Take the kids to Coco
Music! Colour! Mexico! Skeleton ghosts talking to children! Erm, what? Don't be put off by Coco's Day of the Dead set-up: this feel-good family comedy from the masterminds at Pixar continues the studio's hot streak. And this one's had rave reviews - read our five-star effort on page seven.
Plan your summer music adventures
You've probably already got your New Year's shenanigans sorted. But spare a thought for January, when the summer musical mayhem really kicks off. We recommend breaking open your money tin for SZA (January 9, Logan Campbell Centre), The xx (January 11, Trusts Stadium) and Post Malone (January 15, Trusts Stadium). Phew.
Catch up on some podcasts
John Meehan and Debra Newell, the couple at the centre of hit podcast series Dirty John.
What better way is there to relax, soak in some sun and catch up on some stories at the same time than with a podcast binge? Our faves this year include freaky fraudster tale Dirty John, small town deep dive S-Town, the prison yarns of Ear Hustle, and the R-18 lols of My Dad Wrote a Porno. Hide the kids for that last one.
A scene from Custard of the Caribbean, a new show at Henderson's Whoa! Studios that debuts over the holidays.
Not only is the Henderson theatre, playground and eatery showing off a new stage show in Custard of the Caribbean, they've recently opened a 60-metre inflatable obstacle course and a giant water slide. Yes, adults can go on it - but you'll need to pack your togs. And a change of clothes if you plan to head into The Grounds for snacks afterward.
Catch a movie in Devonport
Now here's a great day out: grab the ferry from downtown Auckland, head on over to Devonport, have a swim, wander around the Devonport tunnels, grab a bite to eat then catch a film at the Victoria Theatre. Right now, you can catch everything from Christmas films to re-runs of Thor: Ragnarok.
Watch this film and wonder, WTF?
Someone watched Adam Sandler's epically bad Netflix film Grown Ups 331 times this year. Yes, a Kiwi fanatic streamed the movie, which has just a 10 per cent rating on Rotten Tomatoes, once a day, sometimes backing it up by watching the sequel as well. Go on, when you're full of Christmas leftovers,
