21 Great Things to Do in November

1. Hudson and Halls Live!
Director Kip Chapman has reimagined iconic TV show Hudson and Halls, starring Todd Emerson and Chris Parker as the famous duo. This production centres around the Christmas special and sees the pair inundated with cold cheese soup and melting cream castles. 
Herald Theatre, Auckland, November 5-December 5. Visit silotheatre.co.nz

2. Taste of Auckland
Try mouth-watering dishes and explore incredible food experiences by Depot, Farina, Miss Moonshine's and more at this year's Taste of Auckland. Brew Street features a line-up of craft brewers, as well as the chance to sample both local international boutique wines. Plus, for the first time the festival will be digging up the ground to bring you sensational gourmet hangi created by leading chefs.
Western Springs, Auckland, November 5-8. See tasteofauckland.co.nz

3. The Auckland Retro Fair
From vendors specialising in mid-century furniture to clothing and kitchenalia, this annual event is a collector's paradise.
Alexandra Park Raceway, Auckland, November 8. Visit eventfinda.co.nz 

4. Little Big Markets
The markets are returning to Victoria Park this summer, with 50 pop-up craft, fashion and food stalls as well as live music.
Victoria Park, Auckland, every Saturday from November 7. See littlebigevents.co.nz

5. He Named Me Malala
Pakistani activist and Nobel Peace Prize winner Malala Yousafzai is the subject of a new documentary which follows the events leading up to a Taliban attack on her for speaking out about girls' education. 
In cinemas from November 5. Visit rialto.co.nz

6. New Zealand Cup and Show Week
From racing to fashion in the field, this year's Cup and Show Week is packed with entertainment.
Christchurch, November 7-14. Visit nzcupandshow.co.nz

7. Food and Wine Classic Summer Series
There are over 65 events at this year's Summer Series, which is now in its fourth year. Enjoy food masterclasses, degustation dinners, long lunches and wine tastings in some of Hawke's Bay's stunning locations.
Hawke's Bay, November 6-15. Visit fawc.co.nz 

8. Auckland Festival of Ceramics: Clayathon
In support of the annual Portage Ceramics Awards, there are plenty of ceramics-inspired events happening, including the Clayathon, which allows participants to visit galleries and museums on a guided bus tour around Auckland.
November 15, bookings must be made before November 6. See teuru.org.nz

9. Evita
Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice's opera Evita tells the rags-to-riches story of Eva Peron, the first lady of Argentina.
Wellington Opera House, November 7-21. Visit evitanz.com

10. Dunedin Craft Beer and Food Festival
Meet some of New Zealand's leading brewers, show off your best batch at the homebrew competition and sample some of the best craft beer and food from around the country at this year's festival. 
Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin, November 7. Visit dunedinbeerfest.co.nz 

11. Pollywood Film Festival
Thirteen years of Pasifika film are being showcased at the Pollywood Film Festival, curated by director Craig Fasi and featuring a selection of short films from New Zealand and across the Pacific. 
Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tamaki, November 14 and 26. Visit aucklandartgallery.co.nz 

13. Vodafone New Zealand Music Awards
This year marks the 50th anniversary of the New Zealand Music Awards, with director and actor Taika Waititi on hosting duties and performances from some of our leading and up-and-coming musicians.
Vector Arena, Auckland, November 19. Visit nzmusicawards.co.nz 

14. Still by Martin Ball
Martin Ball, who is best known for his large realist portraits, looks at motorcycles and their associations with speed and masculinity in this exhibition at Gow Langsford Gallery.
Gow Langsford Gallery, Kitchener St, Auckland, November 11-December 5. Visit gowlangsfordgallery.co.nz

15. Women's Collective: Sara Clemens
Hear from Kiwi Sara Clemens, one of Silicon Valley's few female executives who has worked as a strategist for Xbox, Microsoft and LinkedIn. 
  GridAKL, Auckland, November 5. Visit womenscollective.co.nz

15. Ai Weiwei: Never Sorry
This 2012 documentary looks at the hurdles artist Ai Weiwei faces with the Chinese government as he prepares for a series of exhibitions.
Auckland Art Gallery, November 22. Visit aucklandartgallery.co.nz

16. The Art of Recovery
Set during the demolition of post-quake Christchurch, the Art of Recovery captures the creativity of a group of artists and entrepreneurs set on bringing life and positivity back to the city.
In Auckland cinemas from November 5 and Wellington cinemas from November 19. Visit artofrecoveryfilm.co.nz

17. Bowerbank Ninow Auction No.1 
Works from some of New Zealand's most celebrated artists, including Bill Hammond, Yvonne Todd, Gordon Walters, Colin McCahon and Ralph Hotere, are going under the hammer at K'Rd's Bowerbank Ninow. The auction house is also introducing a policy to pay a resale royalty to living New Zealand artists.
Bowerbank Ninow, 312 Karangahape Rd, Auckland, November 25. Visit bowerbankninow.com 

18. That's Gold by Sam Mathers
Sam Mathers' work is a visual diary of his travels around the world as well as his day-to-day experiences.
Soul Gallery, Hamilton, from November 5. Visit soulgallery.co.nz

19. Florence + The Machine
Witness musician Florence Welch's return to the stage following the release of her third album How Big How Blue How Beautiful. 
Vector Arena, Auckland, November 21. Visit ticketmaster.co.nz

20. Unseen City
This exhibition shows Auckland in the 1960s as seen through the eyes of photographers Gary Baigent, Rodney Charters and Robert Ellis. 
Wellington City Gallery, November 21-March 13. Visit citygallery.org.nz 

21. All Our Sons
This new play by Witi Ihimaera centres around two generations fighting in Gallipoli.
Circa Theatre, Wellington, November 6-15. Visit circatheatre.co.nz