Close to Home: Coming up roses

The Pacific Rose Bowl Festival is a garden lovers' paradise. Photo / Alan Gibson

The Pacific Rose Bowl Festival at Hamilton Gardens celebrates New Zealand's links to Japan with drumming performances and a workshop with the WaiToko Drummers, highlights from Madame Butterfly and The Mikado, cultural performances, a kimono parade, martial arts and a samurai sword demonstration. It runs November 11-15.

Contact: (07) 859 1317
On the web: www.hamiltongardens.co.nz

Outdoor creativity
Waikato's Waitakaruru Arboretum and Sculpture Park is an impressive garden featuring a sculpture gallery. Its next Sculpture in the Park exhibition opens on November 22. It's open daily 10am until sunset. Entry $10, children under 12 free.

Contact: (07) 824 0733
On the web: www.sculpturepark.co.nz

The good oil
Meet olive growers and producers and celebrate the new season of Waiheke extra virgin olive oil at the Waiheke Olive Festival, November 21-22. The event features live jazz, and food and wine stalls. It's at Rangihoua Estate and entry is $5, under 12 free.

On the web: www.waihekeolivefestival.co.nz

Kete in Kerikeri
Historic Kemp House in Kerikeri hosts an exhibition of traditional Maori raranga (weaving), November 7-29. Entry is by koha.

Contact: (09) 407 9055
Email: 3xlproduction@gmail.com

Seeing red
The Coromandel Pohutukawa Festival kicks off summer with the Whangamata Jazz Art and Blues Festival, November 20-22. Other festival events include exhibitions, a dive festival, markets, performances, bush and garden walks, and sports events. It runs November 22 to December 6.

On the web: www.pohutukawafestival.co.nz, www.whangamatajazzfestival.com