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The Lyttelton Harbour Festival of Light from June 22 to July 1 includes a night street party in Lyttelton on June 22, laser shows and fireworks, film nights, theatre, exhibitions, torchlight walks, concerts, a masquerade party and a winter solstice dance party. Houses and businesses will be illuminated during the festival.
Contact: (03) 328 8359, email wendy.everingham@xtra.co.nz
Taste of Tai Tokerau
Matariki is a time to celebrate all things to do with food and during Tai Tokerau Northland's Taste Matariki next month Paihia's restaurant and cafe menus will feature indigenous ingredients. The Best of Northland Matariki Festival Indigenous Dinner is on Sunday, June 24, when five top Northland chefs will cooking on stage at Barge Park, Whangarei. Other Matariki events include exhibitions, celestial-theme tours, workshops and cultural tours.
Contact: (09) 4074731, 021 0311338
On the web: www.taitokerau.co.nz
Gourmet Get-Around
The inaugural Gourmet Cooking Weekend at Auckland's Stamford Plaza, on June 23 and 24, starts at the Auckland Fish Market where you can learn how to prepare shellfish. Later, it's how to match food and wine, and then a seven-course degustation dinner. Sunday starts with buffet breakfast and continues with a Spanish theme, including a demonstration of cooking paella. After lunch there's a visit to the hotel's own luxury market. With accommodation it costs $375 plus GST, without accommodation it's $100 less.
Contact: (09) 912 3006, email sarahthomson@spak.stamford.com.au
On the web: www.stamford.com.au
Nosy parkers welcome
Wellington's Big Look-See on June 9 and 10 is a fun weekend that allows the public to go behind the scenes at theatres, galleries, museums, heritage sites and arts organisations. You can sit in on a rehearsal, chat with artists, see the costumes and a snippet of a show, give dancing a go, learn how to stage-fight, or produce your own music video. There are many more events and it's all free. The schedule is online.
On the web: www.artswellington.org.nz
Fascinating Flight
The 28 restored military aircraft on display at the Air Force Museum in Christchurch range from vintage machines to modern craft. The imaginative, informative exhibitions are complemented by exciting flight simulators and fun hands-on displays. Visitors can also take a free behind-the-scenes tour to see the museum's fascinating restoration projects. Open 10am to 5pm daily. Admission $15 adult, $5 school-age child, $30 family, $9 students and beneficiaries.
Contact: (03) 343 9532
On the web: www.airforcemuseum.co.nz
Let there be light
The Dunedin Midwinter Carnival on June 23 celebrates winter in a spectacular and entertaining fashion in the heart of the city. In the weeks before the carnival, lantern-making workshops are held around the city, and the results are paraded during the Procession of Light. The procession also features giant lanterns and the evening promises lots more entertainment to chase way the winter blues. Food stalls open at 5pm and the procession starts at 6pm.
Contact: (03) 477 3350
On the web: www.dunedinmidwintercarnival.co.nz
