Rotorua Retro Carnival
Soundshell and Village Green, Memorial Drive, Rotorua, from 1pm, until January 10.
Enjoy the thrills and spills of a traditional funfair, right on the lakefront. Dodgems, the Chair-o-Plane, carnival games, plus plenty of sugar- and fat-saturated food which will take you right back to the good old days. Just remember to go on the round-and-round rides before you eat your fill of hot dogs and candy floss . . .
Bay of Islands Rotary Beach Dig
Paihia Beach, from 9am-12.30pm.
Plenty of prizes are buried in the sand so kids aged 4-10 can get busy with their plastic spades while grown-ups can enjoy the barbecue. This event is part of a week of summer festival fun in the resort town, including a walking photo safari, pavement-drawing day and kids' duathlon.
72nd New Zealand National Archery Championships
Massey Archery Club, 11 Red Hills Rd, Massey, Auckland, 9am-4pm, free.
Archery is enjoying a surge in popularity following the release of the Hunger Games movies as young girls, especially, are keen to take up the bow in imitation of Katniss Everdeen. Check out real archers in action at the nationals at the second of two field event days today. Medal presentation at 4.30pm.
Hear It, See It and Play It
Raglan Old School Arts Centre, 5 Stewart St, Raglan, 10am-2pm, free.
A chance to get hands-on with some unusual instruments at Raglan's centre for community art: didgeridoos by Mark Kingston, and percussion instruments by locals Aotearoa Percussion, including cajan or box drums, slit drums and dump drums (steel drums made from propane bottles).
The Hipstamatics at The Boat House, Riverhead
The Riverhead, corner Queen and York Sts, Riverhead, noon- 6pm, free.
It's not easy to find a decent garden bar in Auckland, so range a little further for an afternoon of music at one of New Zealand's oldest pubs. Enjoy live sounds from The Hipstamatics and gourmet nibbles in the harbourside atmosphere, either under the giant oak trees or in the new outdoor Boat House function centre.
This week
Spin and See
Torpedo Bay Navy Museum, 64 King Edward Parade, Devonport, Auckland, 10.30am-2.30pm, until January 25, $3, bookings recommended,
navymuseum.co.nz
Ever heard of a thaumatrope? This is your chance to find out what one is (spoiler alert: it's a 19th-century toy which spins to produce a moving image) and have a go at making one. Plus, for parents, the museum has of the best views from a cafe in Auckland.
Interislander Summer Festival Ruakaka Races
January 6, racing from 11.30am, adults $10,
Take a punt "where the turf meets the surf" at the Whangarei Racing Club's course near Marsden Point. Instead of high fashion, Jandals and floppy sunhats are de rigueur. Bring your chilly bin and deck chairs for a day of classic summer racing.
Mercury Bay Seaside Carnival
January 8, Buffalo Beach Reserve, Whitanga.
Enjoy a fun-filled summer fair on the beach. This event raises money for the Mercury Bay Area School and features more than 120 stalls, music, food, rides and entertainment.
Mega Mountain Waterslide
January 7-21, Whangarei Town Basin, 10.30am-4pm daily, from $8. wetnwildslides.co.nz
Grab your togs and your sunscreen and get ready to get wet on the Mega Mountain giant waterslide at the Whangarei Town Basin. Kids can slide until they wear a hole in their boardies and adults can enjoy the atmosphere and the food stalls.
On the Lawn
January 8, Blake Park, Mt Maunganui, 1pm-10pm, $44.50.
Craft beer, gourmet street food and local wine, plus the summer sounds of Tiki Taane, Goodshirt, the Sweet Mix Kids and Tahuna Breaks - what better way to spend a Thursday afternoon? It's right in the heart of the Mount, and there will be German-style beer tents to relax in and lawn games for extra fun. R18.
Great FitzRoy Musselfest and Family Festival
January 8, Port FitzRoy, Great Barrier Island, from 10am, adults $10 for Musselfest,
family festival free.
The clean, waters of Great Barrier Island grow great mussels, and the locals have been celebrating them since 1999. Try them au naturel or cooked any number of ways. A bar and live entertainment is at the Boat Club, and an alcohol-free family festival is on at Landing Reserve.
Land the Big One
January 8, Tongariro National Trout Centre, Turangi, from 9.15am, $5 per child to fish, $10 per child to "fish, fillet and fry"; bookings essential on (07) 386 8085
Kids aged 6-14 get the chance to learn how to fly-fish. All gear is provided and their catch will be filleted and smoked on the spot. There is also plenty to see at the trout centre, including a river walk alongside the mighty Tongariro.
Dark Universe and Passport to the Universe Double Feature
January 9 and 10, Stardome Planetarium, 670 Manukau Rd, One Tree Hill Domain, Auckland, 9pm, $10.
Catch a double-feature planetarium show: Passport to the Universe, narrated by Tom Hanks, takes a flight through Outer Space and Dark Universe whisks viewers to the afterglow of the Big Bang and explores the cosmic mysteries of dark matter and dark energy. Plus, get a view of the summer night sky through the courtyard telescope afterwards.
Tall Ships Race
January 10, Bay of Islands, noon start.
Watch from the shore at Russell or get out on the water for this spectacle of sail. This year classics of all sizes will be joined by Breeze, brought north from the Voyager Maritime Museum for the event. A hangi and a rousing big night then ensues at the picturesque Russell Boating Club in Matauwhi Bay.
