Rain or shine, we’re still happy to have four whole days of holiday. Easter is like that. Some of us are even smarter and making it 10, lucky them.
Cool bananas
Jazz aficionados know their stuff so will have to choose between the traditions of the Tauranga Jazz Festival and Waiheke's smaller scale jaunt. Tauranga bills itself as the National Jazz Festival, the longest running in the southern hemisphere, and one of the oldest in the world (that's what 50 years does to you). Join 45,000 people on the beautiful Tauranga waterfront for five stages of free music and a family-friendly Jazz Village. Waiheke's festival circles the vineyards in a Jazzabout Bus which makes a great daytrip and a fun way to see Waiheke if you're staying in the city.
Details: Bus Pass $10 per day, $25 for three days; return ferry and bus combos $45 and $60. Ferry details here.
Screaming meemees
The Coca Cola Easter Show has been an Auckland tradition since 1911. But in those days there wasn't an easy-to-find app, free wifi, a wicked circus and rides to make you scream your lungs out (the 40-metre tall Turbo Boost spins at over 120km per hour pulling 3.5 Gs).
But, we like that there are still the old traditions. C'mon, when else do you eat candyfloss and rock-hard hot dogs on sticks, get to see the animals at the A&P Show and gorgeous fireworks at 9pm every night?
Details: Until Monday, 10am - 10pm. Free entry, rides are extra.
Slam bam thank you ma'am
