Whangarei's Gourmet Night Market to begin

Leanne de Vries wants people to come and enjoy the international food on offer at Whangarei's Gourmet Night Market.

It will be a menu of tasty offerings sure to satisfy any palate when Whangarei's Gourmet Night Market opens in the city this Friday.

Mayor Sheryl Mai will officially open the market before foodies indulge in a wide range of international cuisine and enjoy local entertainment.

Thirty-five food vendors will set up on the Canopy Bridge and start selling from 5pm until 9pm on Friday.

The woman who has made the market happen, Leeann de Vries, is keen to try the foods herself.

"Oh so much to choose from. I want a lot of everything," Ms de Vries, of Onerahi, said.

And she is excited about the first market.

"Someone asked me recently what's one thing that excites you most about the night market? My reply was, to see people from all walks of life coming together in an idyllic location to enjoy something new and exciting with food and social fun."

Her goal is to grow the economy and build businesses in the area. She hopes to revitalise the community and create a social platform for people to enjoy while encouraging environmental sustainability.

And while Friday will be the first of many over the summer months, she said there was no time to rest because there was more to come that was even more exciting and new.

People are being encouraged to pack up the kids, take a chair, grab the picnic blanket and head to the market.

For entertainment local band Out2T will keep market-goers tapping their toes or dancing.

If it rains the advice is simple.

"Have no fear because we will still be operating. Bring your brolly and you can dine under the canopy bridge for cover," Ms de Vries said.

The weather forecast for Friday should help too, with cloud expected - but no rain - and a high of 20C, falling to a low of 12C overnight.