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Have fun in the sun this summer

Crowds at Brews, Blues & BBQs. Image courtesy of Hawke's Bay Tourism.
By Rachel Pinder

Keep yourself and your family amused over the summer weekends with heaps of great events and festivals happening around New Zealand. Check out our selection of the summer opportunities to eat, drink, dance and sail the days away.

NORTH ISLAND

NORTHLAND

Ocean and Orchard Festival – 25 February 2012. 1pm–7pm.

The Bay of Islands has so many treasures, so why not celebrate the collaboration of fabulous local food, gourmet cuisine, boutique wines, bountiful seafood, culture and entertainment, all unique to the Bay of Islands.
Stomp grapes,let the kids be entertained, take part in quirky competitions, relax in the shade while listening to jazz and other entertainment in the afternoon, then continue to “party on the park” late afternoon and evening.
The Ocean and Orchard Festival showcases the best of the Bay of Islands lifestyle.

Kerikeri Domain, Kerikeri. 
www.oceanandorchard.co.nz | Kerikeri accommodation


Monteith’s Wild & Fiery Food Festival Hokianga – 10 March 2012. 

www.hokiangatourism.org.nz

Kaipara Kai Festival – Kaipara/Dargaville – 24 March 2012. 

Stand-out event for foodies!
The Kaipara district is blessed with a mouthwatering abundance of fresh seafood, the freshest crops of vegetables and fruit nurtured by a subtropical climate, and world-class beef, lamb, pork and other choice cuts of meat.
The chefs, bakers and food artisans of the Kaipara put this cornucopia of fresh ingredients to good use, bringing a rich and varied culinary experience to ‘foodies’ both local and international. Then get to know the locals as the celebrations extend to the Kaipara Community Expo at Te Awa Gardens and the Boating Club carpark.

Kaipara Kai and Fun Festival | Dargaville accommodation

AUCKLAND

New Zealand Beer Festival – 31 March 2012.
Say cheers to summer with a few long cool ones at the New Zealand Beer Festival – showcasing the best Craft Beer in the world to tens of thousands of festival goers.  With entertainment from The Feelers, amongst others.
It's the last evening of Daylight Savings and with summer coming late this year the Festival is set to be the summer wrap party!

The Cloud, Queens Wharf, Auckland

COROMANDEL

Homegrown Festival – Throughout May 2012. 


BAY OF PLENTY

Maketu Kaimoana Festival – 10 March 2012. 
Okurei Point. 

Maketu Kaimoana Festival. Image courtesy of Maketu Kaimoana Festival. Enjoy the sights and sounds of the Maketu Kaimoana Festival


TARANAKI

WOMAD audience celebrate diversity and togetherness. Image: Michael Flynn.


WOMAD - 16-18 March
Set in the stunning 55-acre Brooklands Park and TSB Bowl of Brooklands, WOMAD NZ, has gained a reputation as one of the most colourful and exciting music festivals in one of the most beautiful outdoor venues in the world.
More than a music festival, at WOMAD you can take part in a workshop with some of the weekend's performers, explore your vocal range, dance to a different beat, or meet and be inspired by an artist as well as taste regional cuisine from around the globe.
Family-friendly, with loads to keep the kids entertained and happy, this festival is a celebration of people hanging out and listening to each other.

Visit the WOMAD website  | New Plymouth accommodation


HAWKE'S BAY

WETA Wine & Food Festival – date to be confirmed, 2012.
A&P Showgrounds, Mitchell Street, Waipukurau.


WAIRARAPA

Wairarapa Wines Harvest Festival – 10 March 2012.


WELLINGTON

New Zealand International Arts Festival – 24 Feb–18 March 2012.
The 2012 New Zealand International Arts Festival brings 24 extraordinary days of arts events to Wellington. With more than 300 incredible performances to savour, the Festival takes audiences from fairy tales to opera, from Shakespeare to salsa, from the Sahara Desert to a circus tent – and beyond.



SOUTH ISLAND



NELSON

NZ Antique and Classic Boat Show – 3–4 March 2012.
Lake Rotoiti.

Havelock Mussel Festival – 17 March 2012. 
Havelock Domain. 

MarchFest – 24 March 2012. 
Founders Heritage Park, Atawhai Drive. 


MARLBOROUGH

Marlborough Wine Festival – 11 February 2012.
Brancott Estate, Blenheim.


Marlborough Wine Festival. Image courtesy of Marlborough Wine Festival. Mingle with the crowds at the Marlborough Wine Festival


WEST COAST


Hokitika Wildfood Festival – 10 March 2012. 
Cass Square, Weld Street, Hokitika. 


CANTERBURY


Waipara Wine & Food Celebration – 3 March 2012. 
Mudhouse Waipara.

Waipara Wine & Food Festival. Image courtesy of Waipara Wine & Food Festival. 

OTAGO


Oamaru Wine & Food Festival – 19 February 2012. 

Gibbston Harvest Festival – 17 March 2012. 
From 11am-5pm. Gibbston Valley Station, SH6, Gibbston.

Clyde Wine & Food Harvest Festival – 8 April 2012. 
Main Street, Clyde. 


SOUTHLAND

Bluff Oyster & Food Festival – 26 May 2012. 
Foreshore Road, Bluff. 


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