FESTA, a biennial festival in Christchurch celebrating the innovative and positive happenings in the city. Photo / Supplied
FESTA, a biennial festival in Christchurch celebrating the innovative and positive happenings in the city. Photo / Supplied
If you don't already have plans for the first public holiday weekend of summer, head out on a road trip or hop on a short flight for one of these events across the country.
NORTHLAND Labour Weekend Charity Fishing Competition Land a big one at Waipu Boat & Fishing Club's annual charity competition and be in to win, with more than $7000 in cash and prizes on offer. There will be a prize for the heaviest snapper on Saturday, followed by a fish auction on Sunday. All proceeds go to the Waipu Lions Club. Details: Saturday, October 20 and Sunday, October 21 at Waipū Boat & Fishing Club, Nova Scotia Drive, Bream Bay, Whāngārei District. Entry costs $50.
Celebrate the best of Auckland's vibrant Hindu culture at Aotea Square, which attracts tens of thousands every year. Sample the flavours, sights and sounds of India and enjoy live music and dance — including a hotly contested Bollywood dance competition and the Mr & Ms Diwali talent competition. It's fun for all the family, with a fireworks display on Sunday night.
Details: Saturday, October 20 and Sunday, October 21, Aotea Square. Admission is free.
Following a world tour, Weber Bros Circus returns to New Zealand with its latest production: Adrenaline. It includes comedians and FMX Riders under the big top, The Splitting Globe of Death and the show-stopping Human Cannon.
Details: Saturday, October 20 and Sunday, October 21. ASB Baypark Boulevard, 81 Truman Lane, Tauranga. Admission starts at $25 for adults and $15 for children.
Graffiato: Taupō Street-Art Festival New Zealand's premier street-art festival features award-winning local and international artists. This year, 10 walls will be painted by 10 artists over three days, capturing the diversity of mural painting. Over its eight years, the festival has brought more than 120 unique pieces of street art to Taupō — and this is your chance to see it happen live.
Details: Saturday, October 20-Monday, October 22. Taupō Town Centre. Admission is free. greatlaketaupo.com
Street artist Gasp at Taupo's Graffiato Festival. Photo / Supplied
HAWKE'S BAY
Hawke's Bay Arts Festival
Running over 14 days, The Hawke's Bay Arts Festival has plenty of events to keep you occupied over Labour Weekend. Readers and Writers discussions are taking place all weekend and kids will be entertained by "Children are Stinky" — a dynamo of circus talent and frenetic noisy fun — while Māori music trailblazers Ria Hall and Rob Ruha perform on Monday evening.
Details: Monday, October 15-Sunday, October 28. Havelock North Village Green, Cnr Napier Rd and Karanema Drive, Havelock North. Admission prices vary. hbaf.co.nz
TARANAKI General Motors Family Reunion Taranaki Holden Club is bringing together the many makes and models of the General Motors family to showcase the history of one of the biggest vehicle manufacturers in the world, behind well-known brands like Chevrolet, Buick, Cadillac, Pontiac and Holden. This family-friendly event features vehicle awards, kids' entertainment, food and drink and plenty of cool cars to take you down memory lane.
Details: Sunday, October 21, 10am to 4pm at The TSB Hub, Camberwell Road, Hāwera, South Taranaki. Entry cost for participants is $30 within the stadium, $10 outside and door entry to the public is $5 for adults and free for under-12s.
WELLINGTON Munchen Oktoberfest, Queens Wharf Dust off the lederhosen and celebrate Oktoberfest at Wellington's Munchen Food Hall and Bier Haus — you'll enjoy a range of German food and drink, including Hofbrau, Jagermeister, brezel and bratwurst, as well as local craft beer. There's also a Bavarian Showdown featuring some of New Zealand's top brass bands.
Details: Friday, October 19-Saturday, October 20, 6 Queens Wharf, Wellington. Entry is $25, plus booking fee — which includes your first drink. This is an 18-plus event. CANTERBURY FESTA 2018: A public festival of architecture, design & food
This vibrant biennial event invites you to experience a reimagined Christchurch and celebrate the innovative and positive happenings in the city. The event focuses on architecture, urban creativity and community, with this year's theme exploring the interconnections between food and city. Sample the offerings from food trucks, new and relocated restaurants, with live music and art installations — it's the Garden City's biggest street party. Details: Friday, October 19-Sunday, October 22. Various venues, Christchurch. Admission is free and open to all.
This unique festival includes two events over Labour weekend. On Saturday, Motueka Airport features sports skydiving, an arts village, night markets, circus entertainment, live music, a fireworks display and more. On Sunday, Kaiteriteri will host the world's first hot-air balloon night glow on the beach, with catered sunset cruises to Adele Island wildlife sanctuary also on offer.
Details: Saturday, October 20, Motueka Airport. Tickets $10 for adults, $30 for a family pass. Sunday, October 21, Kaiteriteri Beach. Tickets $20 for adults, $60 for a family and $149 for a sunset cruise.
Sample more than 50 of the best newly released wines of the Alexandra Basin, held at the beautiful Oliver's Garden in Clyde. This year marks the 10th anniversary of the event and there will be prize draws and a competition for the best wine-inspired outfit. Munch on complimentary cheese and crackers and enjoy live music on the day.
Details: Sunday, October 21, 1pm to 4pm. Oliver's Garden, Clyde. Tickets are $30 and include entry, a glass to keep, complimentary tasting and nibbles and the opportunity to win a gift voucher from Purveyors of Clyde.
SOUTHLAND Targa South Island 2018 Rally
Targa is the ultimate road race series, testing drivers on gorgeous, but technically challenging, New Zealand roads. This year sees the event return to the South Island for only the second time in 24 years, starting in Invercargill and running through Gore, Dunedin, Cromwell and Queenstown.
Details: Monday, October 22-Saturday, October 27. Competition entry costs $6990 and tour costs $4990 — or watch from the sidelines.
