Close to Home: Taste of jazz

The Hamilton Balloon. Photo / Sarah Ivey

The New Zealand International Jazz & Blues Festival runs April 13-19 in Christchurch, and incorporates Taste Jazz on April 19, with gourmet food and wine sampling while listening to top jazz artists. It's in the north quadrangle at the atmospheric Arts Centre.

Contact: (03) 377 2365
On the web: www.jazzfestivalnz.com

Bash in the bush
Beautiful Bushy Park Sanctuary near Wanganui is a haven where you can wander amongst ancient forest giants and stay in the historic homestead. The Bushy Park Festival on March 22 runs from 10am to 5pm and costs $10 (adults), kids free.

Contact: 027 769 3222
On the web: www.bushypark.org.nz

Lucy in the sky
Lucy the Ladybug is the latest addition to Balloons over Waikato, five days of aerial manoeuvres which runs from March 25-29. About 30 other balloons join the mass ascensions at sunrise and the Night Glow Show.

Contact: (07) 838 4645
On the web: www.balloonsoverwaikato.co.nz

Let's go to the hop
Glittering metal, growling motors and gyrating rock 'n' rollers are the order of the day at the Whangamata Beach Hop, March 26-29. Over 1200 hot roads and classic cars are expected and there'll be bands, dance events, a longboard competition and much more.

On the web: www.beachhop.co.nz

Sheep train
On April 4 chartered trains from Auckland and Palmerston North will arrive in Te Kuiti to see 2000 sheep make a 1km dash down the main street during the Running of the Sheep. The event is part of the New Zealand Shearing Championships and the Great New Zealand Muster. Return tickets on the Northern Musterer from Auckland cost $99.

On the web: www.railfan.org.nz; www.waitomo.govt.nz

Grapes of Gibbston
The Gibbston Harvest Festival in Gibbston Valley near Queenstown celebrates the Central Otago grape harvest. It's on March 21, 11am-4pm.

Contact: (03) 442 7305, 027 622 8925