Winter in Hawke’s Bay comes alive with glamour, jazz, vintage fashion, and unforgettable experiences during the annual Winter Deco Weekend in Napier. Held from 17–19 July 2026, this boutique celebration brings the spirit of the Art Deco era back to the streets of Napier, giving visitors the chance to immerse themselves in the elegance and excitement of the 1930s.

From dazzling cocktail evenings and live jazz performances to vintage car displays and themed dining experiences, Winter Deco offers something for everyone. Visitors can wander through Napier’s famous Art Deco streets dressed in fur wraps, hats, suspenders, and pearls while soaking up the atmosphere that makes Hawke’s Bay one of New Zealand’s most unique destinations.

Napier is internationally recognised for its stunning Art Deco architecture, rebuilt after the devastating 1931 Hawke’s Bay earthquake. Today, the city is considered the Art Deco capital of New Zealand and attracts visitors from around the world who come to experience its timeless charm and heritage celebrations.

The festival is more than just an event. It is a chance to slow down, enjoy great food and wine, discover local culture, and experience the warmth and hospitality Hawke’s Bay is known for. Online discussions from recent festivals highlight the incredible atmosphere, with visitors praising the vintage fashion, classic cars, live entertainment, and the vibrant energy throughout the city.

For those planning a winter escape, Ace High Motor Inn is the perfect base for your Winter Deco getaway. Conveniently located close to Napier’s city centre and festival attractions, Ace High Motor Inn offers comfortable accommodation where guests can relax after a day of festivities. Whether you are attending themed events, exploring Hawke’s Bay wineries, or simply enjoying the vintage atmosphere of the city, staying nearby makes the entire experience even more enjoyable.

Winter Deco Weekend is one of Hawke’s Bay’s most stylish winter events and the perfect excuse for a memorable mid-year escape.

Contact Us:
 +64 6 843 3109
 0800 270 361
 www.acehigh.co.nz
 info@acehigh.co.nz

Contact MediaPA

027 458 7724

phillip@mediapa.co.nz

Autumn and early winter are a fantastic time to visit Hawke’s Bay, with a steady line-up of events across Napier and the wider region. Whether you’re after live entertainment, markets, or cultural experiences, there is always something happening within easy reach of Ace High Motor Inn.

April: Festivals, Exhibitions and Live Entertainment

April kicks off with some of the region’s most popular annual events:

• The Extravaganza Fair (3–6 April) – a vibrant, family-friendly festival with food trucks, market stalls, and live entertainment at Anderson Park
• Hidden in History: Trailblazing Women of Hawke’s Bay (running until 19 April) – a free exhibition highlighting influential local women at MTG Hawke’s Bay
• The King of Pop – Michael Jackson Concert Experience (24 April) – a high-energy tribute show celebrating one of the world’s most iconic performers
  

April offers a strong mix of outdoor events and indoor entertainment, ideal for both families and couples.

May: Markets, Music and Local Experiences

May brings a slightly slower pace, with a focus on lifestyle and community events:

• Napier Urban Farmers’ Market (every Saturday, ongoing) – a must-visit for fresh produce, local food, and artisan goods
• Wine, Books and More (from 20 May, ongoing) – relaxed social evenings combining literature and local flavour
• A variety of workshops, live music, and small group events across Napier and Hastings
  

These events offer visitors a chance to experience Hawke’s Bay like a local.

June: Live Shows and Winter Culture

As winter sets in, June still delivers standout events and indoor experiences:

• Best of the Boss – Bruce Springsteen Experience (6 June) – a full-scale tribute concert celebrating classic hits
• Napier Live Poets (from 2 June, ongoing) – creative spoken word sessions in a relaxed setting
• Shockwave: Hawke’s Bay’s Great Quake, 1931 (running throughout June) – an immersive exhibition at MTG Hawke’s Bay
  

June is perfect for those looking to enjoy Hawke’s Bay’s arts and culture scene at a slower pace.

Stay Close to It All

From major events like The Extravaganza Fair and the Michael Jackson tribute show to markets, exhibitions, and live performances, Hawke’s Bay offers something for everyone this season.

Ace High Motor Inn provides a convenient and comfortable base, with easy access to Napier, Hastings, and all the events happening across the region.

Contact Us:
 +64 6 843 3109
 0800 270 361
 www.acehigh.co.nz
 info@acehigh.co.nz

Contact MediaPA

027 458 7724

phillip@mediapa.co.nz

Auckland comes alive from April through to early winter with a vibrant mix of cultural festivals, live performances, and creative events. For visitors planning a stay, Best Western Newmarket Inn & Suites offers a comfortable and convenient base, with easy access to the city’s top venues and attractions.

Here are some of the standout events happening from the start of April:

• World of Cultures Festival (March 21- April 5)
• Location: Various locations across Auckland
• Kicking off the month, this citywide celebration showcases Auckland’s incredible cultural diversity. Visitors can explore international food, music, dance, and traditions through a variety of free and family-friendly events held across the region.
• Dreamer Indoor Light Festival (3 to 12 April)
• Location: New Zealand International Convention Centre
• This immersive experience transforms indoor spaces into a glowing, interactive environment. It is a visually striking event that appeals to all ages.
• Autumn Armageddon Expo (25 to 27 April)
• Location: Auckland Showgrounds
• One of Auckland’s largest pop culture events, Armageddon brings together fans of gaming, comics, film, and cosplay. Expect special guests, interactive exhibits, and plenty of entertainment throughout the weekend.
• Taite Music Prize (29 April)
• Location: Q Theatre
• This respected event celebrates outstanding New Zealand music, recognising albums that show creativity and artistic depth. It is a highlight for music lovers and industry insiders alike.
• New Zealand International Comedy Festival (1-24 May)
• Location: Multiple venues including SkyCity Theatre and The Civic
• Taking over venues across the city, this festival delivers weeks of laughter with local and international comedians performing stand up, improv, and more.
• Auckland Writers Festival Waituhi o Tāmaki (12-17 May)
• Location: Aotea Centre
• A major cultural highlight, this festival features renowned authors and thinkers from New Zealand and around the world. Attendees can enjoy talks, panel discussions, and workshops in a lively and inspiring atmosphere.
• Auckland Festival of Photography (29 May - 14 June)
• Location: Various galleries across Auckland
• Closing out the season, this festival transforms Auckland into a citywide gallery. Exhibitions and installations highlight powerful visual storytelling from both emerging and established photographers.

With such a diverse calendar of events, there is something for every visitor to enjoy. Staying at Best Western Newmarket Inn & Suites places you close to the heart of the action, while offering a relaxing retreat at the end of a busy day exploring Auckland.

Contact Best Western Newmarket Inn & Suites

info@abf.net.nz

0508 899 699

https://www.bestwesternnewmarket.co.nz

Contact MediaPA

027 458 7724

phillip@mediapa.co.nz

Kerikeri District Business Association (KKDBA) is “beyond gutted” to learn, with less than six weeks’ notice, that the organiser of the annual Kerikeri Street Party does not intend to run the event this year. Traditionally the event is held on the day of the Kerikeri Half-Marathon, slated this year for Saturday 22 November.

The association says this is another kick in the face for local businesses impacted by a faltering economy and State Highway 1 diversions that will “inevitably” reduce pre-Christmas visitor traffic from Auckland.

“It’s hard to overstate quite how important these events are for our local economy,” said KKDBA Executive member Ann Court.

“Many people travel specifically to Kerikeri and the wider Bay of Islands area to participate in both the half-marathon and the street party. Losing 50 percent of the reason for visiting will doubtless disappoint many and, for sure, will make it more difficult to bring them north again next year.”

The Kerikeri Street Party has been an annual fixture in the town since 2007 with only a few exceptions, the most recent of which was during the COVID pandemic.

Ms Court said the lack of notice and notification would sharpen the disappointment among visitors and locals alike.

She acknowledged that the organiser was totally within its rights to decide not to put on the event, and its assurance that there would be a smaller event at a different location on the night of the half-marathon. But she questioned the lack of notification.

“Given the importance of this event to the local economy, we would have thought that the organiser would have given others a chance to step forward and make it happen. But now, with less than a month to find the funding and put all the arrangements in place, that would be next to impossible.”

KKDBA is now considering how it might help rescue the popular event for future years.

“This is one of those signature events that people plan around year after year, so it demands consistency and certainty,” Ms Court said. “We will certainly be thinking about how we might step into the breach to provide this, and get this much-loved event back onto the calendar for next year and beyond.”

The NZ Mountain Film and Book Festival has launched its 2025 programme and tickets go on sale today. The annual international film competition saw a record-breaking 294 entries—50 more than any previous year since the festival started in 2002. The final lineup features 64 award-winning and finalist films, including 18 by New Zealand filmmakers. Most will be making their New Zealand premiere while 15 are world premieres.

The festival is on in Wānaka from 20 – 24 June and Queenstown from 26 – 27 June and the festival films will also be available to watch online in New Zealand and Australia from 1 - 31 July.

Check out the full programmes here

View the 2025 NZ Mountain Film & Book Festival teaser video here:

https://mountainfilm.nz/festival-video/

Festival founder and head judge Mark Sedon sees the record-breaking number of film competition entries as confirmation that, after 23 years, the festival’s reputation continues to grow in New Zealand and around the globe. As New Zealand's only adventure film competition, the NZMFF is also proud to provide a platform for Kiwi creatives to showcase their talents.

Whitney Oliver, who has taken over as Festival Director this year, says, "It's fantastic to see returning filmmakers who consistently raise the bar year after year. We're also stoked to welcome new (to us) talent who have wowed us with fresh narratives and creative style.

“The NZ-made films showcase a wide variety of outdoor stories, from epic backyard missions to environmental causes, and each left a distinct impression. The filmmakers crafted their stories in such a way as to make me want to be a part of the adventure (Spirit of the West), feel like I was enduring the adventure (All in or Nothing), or be inspired to create my own adventure (Waiatoto). We can't wait to share these with audiences soon."

Many of the New Zealand filmmakers will be at the festival to introduce their films during the Pure NZ sessions on Saturday 22 and Sunday 23 June in Wānaka and Friday 28 June in Queenstown.

Josh Morgan and Jasper Gibson are the winners of the prestigious Hiddleston/ MacQueen Award and $2500 prizemoney for the Best NZ-made Film for their entry, Waiatoto.  

The film tells the story of a traverse across the Southern Alps through packraft, skis and tramping. Starting at the Matukituki, the route went via Tititea, the Volta Glacier, and the Waiatoto, to the Tasman Sea. Nick Pascoe, one of the three adventurers involved in the journey with Gibson and Charlie Murray, will also be a keynote speaker at this year’s festival.

"We're honoured if not a bit surprised to win this award,” says Pascoe. “We didn't set out to make a film, the focus was on a creative adventure through an incredible corner of the country simply for the sake of it. During the expedition it was one step at a time problem solving, with no setups for filming. It's testament to the creative photo, film, and editing skills of Jasper and Josh that this film has come to life and been received so well."

Charlie Murray adds, “I love watching this film back, a view into a trip where we found inspiration from each other and Aotearoa’s magical Southern Alps.

“Stemming from an idea that Pascoe had been scheming and once shared with me became my burden too. Just enough ‘what ifs’ to make it scary and challenging. With enough ‘wow we’re lucky’ to make it special. Throwing in a GoPro for good measure and Jasper with his camera, the three of us managed to accidentally document what is a proud accomplishment for us.”

The film competition Grand Prize was awarded to US director Leo Hoorn for his film, Trango. After a two-year attempt, a team of ski mountaineers, including previous NZMFF guest speaker Christina Lustenberger (USA), ski the first descent of the Great Trango Glacier in Pakistan. They navigate risk, grapple with grief, and face physical danger as they push the limits of human experience. Unspoken trust and support within their expedition team allows them to face the unimaginable together.

The Trango film team say they are “incredibly honoured to be selected for NZ Mountain Film Festival’s Grand Prize Award this year. This film, much like the festival itself, embodies the spirit of pushing boundaries and overcoming the seemingly impossible. We are profoundly grateful to be among such an esteemed list of remarkable films in accepting this award."  

The full list of award winners is as follows: 

Grand Prize  

Trango, Director: Leo Hoorn, USA

Best Short Film Award  

Body of a Line, Director: Henna Taylor, USA. A cleverly animated short film that morphs into real life as Madaleine undertakes an intimate and creative journey to climb a difficult rock route. Featuring original music and poetry.    

Best Mountain Culture Award    

Everest Dark, Director: Jereme Watt, USA. As the death toll on the world's highest peak rises, one of Nepal’s most legendary climbers leads an elite team of Sherpas on a life-threatening mission to retrieve fallen climbers from Everest’s Death Zone.

Award for the Best Film on the Environment

Footprints on Katmai, Director: Max Romey, USA. Following his grandmother's footsteps to one of the most remote and bear-strewn beaches in Alaska, painter Max Romey discovers that an ocean of problems is closer to home than he could have imagined.

Best Climbing Film

Nose Job, Director: Alastair Lee, UK. Two young, retired comp climbers with little trad or multi-pitch experience attempt a bold feat: becoming the first Britons to free climb The Nose on El Cap. First done by Lynn Hill in 1993, it’s had only eight free ascents since. The odds? As massive as the wall itself. 

Best Snow Sports Film

Painting The Mountains, Director: Pierre Cadot, France. Follow a photographer’s love affair with El Chaltén, a remote Patagonian village beneath Fitz Roy. There, a tight-knit ski community embraces the mountains’ raw beauty and danger. When three French skiers arrive to pioneer new lines, he documents their daring descents—where climbing ropes give way to ski tracks. Blending photography, journalism, and extreme skiing, the film captures a rare culture shaped by weather, granite, and passion.

Best Film on Adventurous Sports & Lifestyles

Alone Across Gola, Director: Jude Kriwald, UK. Stranded in Liberia’s Gola rainforest, filmmaker Jude Kriwald faces hunger, isolation, robbery and disappearing trails. A raw tale of one man’s solo, self-filmed journey chasing a childhood dream. With only a bike and a tent, Jude pushes the limits of survival and self-discovery.

Solo Award

Far Enough, Director: Julien Carot, France. A 22-year-old Frenchman gets on his bike in Chamonix to ride to Nepal’s Khumbu Valley to climb Ama Dablam. That’s 11,500 kilometres on a bike and 80,000m of elevation gain. The real adventure isn’t just about reaching the summit— but everything it takes to get there.

Special Jury Awards

Girl Climber, Director:  Jon Glassberg, USA. Emily Harrington, pro climber and Everest summiteer, takes on her boldest goal yet: a 24-hour free climbing ascent of El Cap. In a male-dominated sport, she battles ambition, risk, and time. Girl Climber is a gripping survival story and powerful portrait of breaking barriers—and proving she’s one of the best. 

The Headless Horseman, Director: Andy Collet, France. In the shadow of Gyachung Kang, far from the fame of 8,000-metre peaks, two climbers confront hardship, separation, and doubt. Through illness and storms, they rediscover the true spirit of alpinism—friendship, resilience, and beauty in the unexpected. A poetic ascent into the heart of what truly matters. 

NZ Award Winners: 

Hiddleston/MacQueen Award for Best NZ-Made Film 

Waiatoto, Directors: Josh Morgan & Jasper Gibson. This film tells the story of a traverse across the Southern Alps through packraft, skis and tramping. Starting at the Matukituki, the route went via Tititea, the Volta Glacier, and the Waiatoto, to the Tasman Sea.  

Community Spirit Award

Spirit of the West, Director: Pedro Pimentel. Set against New Zealand’s wild West Coast, this film captures the spirit of the Old Ghost Ultra—where community, resilience, and grit collide in a transformative celebration of people and place.

Grassroots Award  

The Long Way Round, Director: Mitchell Radford. A massive 16-day solo adventure through Fiordland from Glenorchy to Milford Sound, the long way. This film showcases exploration and endurance in some of New Zealand's most incredible and diverse landscapes.

Best Documentary Award 

All in or Nothing, Director: Gordon Duff. Up against 120 riders with full support crews, young athlete Matthew Fairbrother only has himself to rely on. Follow his gruelling six days as he attempts to win the overall title at the NZ MTB Rally.

Festival Spirit Award

Riverbound - The Storybook Has Just Begun, Directors: Dylan Gerschwitz & Deane Parker. Yak, a former pro kayaker now paraplegic, takes on Class 3 rapids in the Upper Buller Gorge. Can packrafting restore his freedom—and redefine who gets to run wild rivers?

Find the full list of this year’s films here

Programmes will also be available at Paper Plus in Wanaka or The North Face Store at 38 Shotover Street in Queenstown. The NZ Mountain Film and Book Festival will run in Wānaka from 20 – 24 June and in Queenstown from 26 – 27 June. The festival films will also be available to watch online in New Zealand and Australia from 1 - 31 July.

In a hotly contested battle to be the new home for the Jim Beam Homegrown music festival, Hamilton has come out on top.

After 18 years on Wellington’s waterfront, the festival is relocating to Claudelands Oval on 14 March 2026, ushering in a thrilling new era for both the event and the city.

The festival has long been a cornerstone of Aotearoa’s music scene, showcasing over 50 top-tier Kiwi acts across genres like rock, reggae, hip-hop, and electronic.

 Mayor Paula Southgate was delighted at the news.

“Bringing Jim Beam Homegrown to Hamilton is a monumental win for our city. It’s a celebration of New Zealand music and culture, and we’re proud to host it at Claudelands Oval. This event will invigorate our local economy and put Hamilton on the national stage.”

"Hamilton is brilliant at hosting big events across many great venues and that is part of what makes our city a great place to visit or call home."

The festival’s move is anticipated to boost local businesses, hospitality, and tourism, injecting fresh energy into Hamilton’s cultural landscape.

Sean Murray, Hamilton City Council Deputy Chief Executive says Claudelands Oval is a versatile and spacious area, perfect for a festival of this magnitude.

“Our initial estimates expect more than 25,000 festival goers will spend around $3m during their visit and result in 16,000 visitor nights,” said Murray.

"Hamilton has the benefit of being the hub of the Waikato and this is a win for the whole upper North Island. We've proven we can deliver big events and are ready and excited to make this next era of the festival unforgettable."

Tickets for the inaugural Hamilton edition of Jim Beam Homegrown are on sale now. Fans are encouraged to stay tuned for lineup announcements and event details via homegrown.net.nz 

We're excited to announce that Beth Rodden, widely regarded as one of the greatest rock climbers of all time, is set to headline the speaker line-up at the 23rd NZ Mountain Film & Book Festival, taking place this June in Wānaka and Queenstown.
An American climber and globally recognised ambassador for the outdoor community, Rodden has accomplished numerous notable free climbs on El Capitan, the iconic 1,000m granite monolith in Yosemite National Park. In 2008, she made history with the first ascent of Meltdown, one of the world's most challenging traditional climbs, marking the first time a female climber had reached the pinnacle of the hardest climbing grades.

Rodden’s inspiring story also includes surviving a harrowing ordeal during a climbing expedition to Kyrgyzstan in 2000, where she and her then-boyfriend, Tommy Caldwell, along with two friends, were held hostage by rebels for six days. The group escaped after bravely overpowering one of their captors and reaching safety at a Kyrgyz army camp.

Recently, Rodden published her memoir, A Light Through the Cracks, which has been met with widespread acclaim. During the festival, she will present in Wānaka and Queenstown, as well as host a free one-hour session for local high school students.

Local adventurers Nick Pascoe (Alexandra) and Sam Smoothy (Wānaka) also feature on this year’s festival programme.  Pascoe will be speaking about his 2023 mission using skis and packrafts to cross from Raspberry Flat in Mt Aspiring National Park to the Tasman Sea following a direct route around Tititea/Mt Aspiring and down the Volta Glacier and Waiatoto River.

Smoothy, a former Freeride World Tour competitor who has now turned his focus to ski mountaineering, will speak about his audacious project to ski all of NZ’s 3,000m peaks. With only around 16 people having ever climbed all 24, Sam is closing in on the finish line with his current tally of 21/24 summited and skied. Over the past four years, the project has seen numerous first ski descents, including such classic peaks as Silberhorn, Douglas Peak and Mt Vancouver and the second ever descent of Aoraki-Mt Cook's Caroline Face . Collaborating with long-term film partner Jase Hancox, the project has spawned "XXIV" the film which follows Sam and his partner Will Rowntree through their summit attempts.

"We're stoked to welcome these remarkable adventurers to the festival,” says Festival Director Whitney Oliver. “Their diverse experiences, ranging from wild NZ epics to far-flung expeditions, promise to deliver a programme of exhilarating and insightful stories. Expect solid backcountry banter as well as deeply personal journeys. Don’t miss a show!”

The NZ Mountain Film & Book Festival has been a highlight of the community calendar for 23 years, drawing Queenstown Lakes District locals and visitors from across New Zealand. It is a celebration of world-class films, fascinating talks, inspiring art shows, and hands-on learning at the renowned Adventure Film School.

As a proud member of the International Alliance for Mountain Film, the NZ Mountain Film Festival showcases incredible work from international and Kiwi filmmakers, with finalists and winners creating an unforgettable programme. The mountain book competition adds a literary dimension, attracting talented writers with its generous prize pool. Many finalists also share their stories and readings at the festival.

Since 2012, the festival has operated as a charitable trust, raising funds for causes like youth adventure training, assisting people with disabilities to enjoy the outdoors, and supporting environmental projects. Funds are raised through auctions and a national tour, with grants opening on July 1.

Entries for the NZ Mountain Book competition closed on 30 March and finalists will be announced this month. Meanwhile, the deadline for entering films in the internationally renowned film competition is fast approaching on April 20 and many NZ filmmakers are putting the finishing touches on their world premieres.

The NZ Mountain Film & Book Festival will run in Wānaka from 20 to 24 June, in Queenstown from 26 – 27 and films will be screened online in NZ and Australia throughout July. The full programme will be announced and tickets will be on sale on 20 May.

Find out more the keynote speakers at https://mountainfilm.nz/films-speakers/

Adventure filmmakers and writers are once again invited to take part in the annual NZ Mountain Film & Book Festival. The 23rd edition of this popular seven-day event will be held in Wānaka from 20 to 24 June and in Queenstown on 26 and 27 June this year. The Online Film Festival will then be broadcast to New Zealand and Australian audiences throughout July.

Festival Director Whitney Oliver says she is delighted to get the ball rolling for the 2025 festival with entries now open for the Mountain Film and Book competitions. $9000 of prize money will be awarded across a range of categories with the grand-prize-winning film and the Best NZ-made film each eligible for $2500 and the Mountain Book of the Year $2000. The festival programme – to be released in May – will be made up of competition winners and finalists.

The festival theme is adventurous sports and lifestyle but competition entrants are invited to add their own creative spin, so long as there is a link with adventurous sports or people, the world’s mountains, lakes, rivers, oceans or skies provide the stage, or there is a cultural or environmental theme.

A member of the International Alliance for Mountain Film, over the past two decades, the Mountain Film Festival has gained a reputation for attracting world-class films as well as providing a stepping stone for up-and-coming creatives. Supporting homegrown talent is integral to the work of The NZ Mountain Film Festival Charitable Trust which runs the festival. The Trust is committed to promoting NZ arts, film, culture, environment and outdoor lifestyles and alongside the film competition, subsidises a film school during the festival.

The biannual advanced Adventure Film School provides an opportunity for emerging filmmakers to advance their skills under the instruction and guidance of industry-leading professionals. Participants learn how to produce, direct and edit adventure films, and learn about storytelling, interview technique, audio and camera work and special effects.  The goal is that students will come away with the skills and inspiration to produce a film to submit to future film competitions and have it screened at the festival. Since its beginnings in 2011, the Adventure Film School has produced several award-winning filmmakers including 2023 Best NZ-Made Film award winner Maddie Whittaker and 2024 Best Documentary award winner Ben Wallbank.

Oliver, who has been involved with the NZ Mountain Film & Book Festival for several years and filled a variety of roles including volunteer, projectionist, filmmaker, trustee and programme coordinator, has taken over from Mark Sedon as Festival Director this year. Sedon, who co-founded the festival with his wife Jo in 2002, remains on the festival team as Executive Director and Head Judge.

“I am stoked to see Whitney step into the Festival Director role and her amazing filmmaker talents and organisational skills will see the festival continue to be truly epic and enjoyable for artists and patrons,” says Sedon. “But I’m not going far! After 23 years I’m still excited to put on a fantastic event and to be working alongside Whitney."

“Mark and Jo have grown the festival into a top tier event, and it's a privilege to be involved,” says Oliver. “The calibre of films and books has consistently impressed, and the energy of the crowds is infectious. We're always brainstorming new ways to serve our filmmakers, audiences, and community, and I'm excited about what's to come.”

Entries for the NZ Mountain Book competition close on 30 March while the deadline for the Film competition is 20 April. Bookings for the Adventure Film School will open on 1 April. For more information about the competitions, the Adventure Film School, and the history of the NZ Mountain Film & Book Festival head to mountainfilm.nz

Air New Zealand’s Grabaseat™ is joining the “shellabrations” at one of New Zealand’s most famous foodie events, offering a special package to take fans to the Bluff Oyster & Food Festival on 24 May 2025.

On sale from 9am tomorrow at grabaseat.co.nz, this special festival package includes return seats on our Grabaseat charter from Auckland, along with a general admission ticket to the Bluff Oyster & Food Festival, and return transfers between Invercargill and Bluff— all for $499pp.

The Grabaseat charter flight, operated by a 171-seat A320 aircraft, will depart Auckland at 7:30am, arriving in Invercargill at 9:35am, with the return flight departing Invercargill at 5:30pm the same day to arrive back in Auckland at 7:30pm.

Air New Zealand General Manager Domestic Scott Carr says Air New Zealand is excited to once again put on this charter service on what will be a “pearler” of a day.

“Oyster season is a highlight of the Southland calendar, and the Bluff Oyster & Food Festival is the ultimate celebration of this legendary delicacy.

“Our Grabaseat charter flight lets seafood lovers make the most of it – great food, lively company, and a true taste of Southern hospitality, all in one unforgettable day.”

Seats are limited, so “seas” the opportunity before seats “shell” out.

The NZ Mountain Film & Book Festival has announced its 2024 dates and opened competition entries.

The festival will run from 21 to 25 June in Wānaka, and from 27 to 28 June in Queenstown, with audiences across New Zealand and Australia able to view the festival films online from 1 to 31 July.

The festival's theme is adventure sports and lifestyle, and while entrants are encouraged to be creative, their work must include a link to adventurous sports or people, the world's mountains, lakes, rivers, oceans, or skies, or it must touch on culture or the environment.

The festival is a non-profit charitable trust and a registered charity, working to promote healthy and active lifestyles and to inspire people to reach their potential.

It also awards $9k in prize money across a range of categories, with the grand-prize-winning film and the best NZ-made film each receiving $2.5k, and the Mountain Book of the Year winning $2k.

Online ticket sales for the Opotiki Lantern Festival in New Zealand have skyrocketed for this Sunday's event.

Isite manager Joseph Hayes noted that advance online sales had seen a 500% increase on last year, with over 1,000 tickets sold, compared to the "few hundred" sold in 2017.

Hayes attributed the surge in online sales to the festival's popularity growing annually, combined with the pull of headline acts including Corella, Che Fu, and DJ Sirvere.

He also suggested that the fact tickets were cheaper online, and that it was easier to secure a place, had encouraged more locals to buy in advance, as well as possibly attracting attendees from further afield who wanted to guarantee their place.

It’s solid silver for Splore as Aotearoa’s longest-running music and arts festival turns 25 in February 2024. To celebrate, Splore is laying on a feast of sound, vision, arts, and culture  – and, of course, plenty of the best food and drink.

Every Splore has a theme and Splore 2024’s anniversary theme is “Feasty”, in every sense.

“If music be the food of love, play on,” wrote Shakespeare a while ago. And there’s plenty to feast on with this first of two music announcements.

Hip hop legends The Pharcyde are invited to the celebration, playing Splore’s unique beachside main stage, alongside South London’s tattooed neo-soul sensation Greentea Peng, and American indie darlings Wednesday.

Other overseas guests include Glastonbury favourites Mr. Bruce and the Beatles Dub Club (who run the Fab Four through the dub filter), while South London DJ and broadcaster, Lil C, brings the bashment. At opposite ends of the sonic spectrum, Sydney sax bombs, Party Dozen, bring the noise and India’s pre-eminent raga band, Maharaj Trio, returns to Splore.

From Aotearoa, Splore is delighted to be presenting the iconic Strawpeople’s festival debut. There’s also Che Fu + King Kapisi, Lady Shaka (Live), Melodownz, Estere, Yoko Zuna, Grecco Romank, the Harmonic Resonators and  Samoan heavy metallers, Shepherds Reign. 

The Aotearoa DJ ranks feature Boiler Room ruler Half Queen, Paige Julia, Flamingo Pier, Dylan C, K2K and the house sounds of Sanoi.

It all happens February 23-25 at Auckland’s Tāpapakanga Regional Park, a beautiful and historical coastal setting an hour from the central city.

As ever, there’s more than music. Ngāti Whanaunga and Ngāti Pāoa iwi will open the festival with a powhiri that welcomes international artists to their ancestral home – and reminds us all where we stand.

On Saturday night, the Naked Eye cabaret zone dishes up the usual cheeky snacks of burlesque comedy and circus performance to a costumed crowd – because coming to Splore means being part of the performance.

Sometimes it’s time to slow down and breathe, so Wendy’s Wellness will bring the knowledge and invites Splorers to experience the healing power of massage and reiki. There will also be the popular yoga sessions and, for the first time, a medicinal cannabis seminar.

If you want to feed your head, Russell Brown will talk politics, science, and culture with invited guests in the Saturday morning Listening Lounge.

And it’ll all be done right. Splore is well known for leading the way as a sustainable event. The festival minimises its environmental impact with its leave-no-trace policy and carbon-zero initiatives.