KEY POINTS:
Around a dozen country music acts entertain during the family-friendly Methven Country Music Festival on October 19-20. The weekend kicks off on Friday night at the Brown Pub then on Saturday all entertainers take to the stage outside the Blue Pub from 3pm. The Saturday entertainment is free, with lots of activities to keep family members amused.
Contact: (03) 3029935
Walk Wellington
Wellington's Southern Walkway is an 11km walk between Oriental and Island bays. Scenery en route includes the harbour and central city, the Town Belt forest and the rugged southern coastline. The full walk takes about five hours and it can also be walked in sections. A brochure from the Explore Wellington series has a map and a description of flora, fauna and early history. It's available online or from the Wellington Railway Station, or the Wellington city and airport iSites.
On the web: www.feelinggreat.co.nz
Queenstown jazzfest
More than a 100 musicians from around the world descend on Queenstown for the ASB Jazzfest, from October 14-22. The festival includes free workshops from leading musicians, master classes from international tutors, themed events, ticketed concerts, and plenty of free shows around Queenstown and Arrowtown. Tickets are available online, or from TicketDirect or the Queenstown iSite.
Contact: (03) 442 7061
On the web: www.asbjazzfest.co.nz
Celebrating history
Gisborne's Te Unga Mai Festival is a free event that acknowledges our navigational traditions, the first formal meeting between Maori and Pakeha, and the arrival of all people in the country. It starts at 9am on Sunday, October 7 with an inter-faith church service at Cook's landing site in Kaiti Beach Rd, followed by a powhiri at Te Poho O Rawiri Marae. Over the next two days, there'll be guided heritage tours, marae tours and cultural activities and performances, as well workshops and speakers.
Contact: (06) 863 3560
Email: info@gisbornenz.com
Beach bazaar
Remote Porangahau Beach in central Hawkes Bay is usually a quiet surfing, fishing and camping spot but, on Sunday, October 21, there'll be plenty of action during the Porangahau Beach Bazaar. It will be based at the Porangahau Country Club in Beach Rd, and there'll be art and craft stalls and plenty of food on offer, including whitebait fritters. Go south from Waipukurau along Porangahau Rd and follow the signs.
Contact: (06) 855 5330
