"Real Family Festivals"

Friday 14 October

“REAL FAMILY FESTIVALS”
Events Date: 15 to 31 October

The kids have already been on holidays for a week and the weather is getting better. Wondering how you will manage to entertain them for the next few days? You will find it’s easy with a myriad of family events brought to you by the REAL New Zealand festival throughout the country. You are also all welcome to bring the children to the numerous Fanzones, for live entertainment and to watch the remaining matches on big screens.

Look on www.realnzfestival.com for the events close to you and see the children celebrate the best our country has on offer.

AUCKLAND EVENTS VENUES DATES TIMES
Waka Maori
FREE Te Wero Island, Viaduct Harbour, Auckland Until 23 Oct 10am -6pm daily
Kiwi Day Out
FREE Auckland Domain Monday 24 Oct 12pm-6pm
International Sheep Dog Trialling
FREE Auckland Domain 19-20 Oct 1.30pm - 5pm
Queen’s Wharf Country Showcase
Queens Wharf, Auckland 17-22 Oct Mon 17 Oct, 1.45pm - 6pm
Tues 18 Oct, 11.45ampm- 6pm
Wed 19 Oct, 11.30am– 3pm
Thur20 Oct, 12pm- 3.30pm
Fri 21 Oct, 12pm – 3.30pm
Sat 22 Oct, 12pm– 5pm

Giant Rugby Ball
FREE Queens Wharf, Auckland
Until 23 Oct. Open daily except Mondays. 10am-5pm. Hours extended to 8pm on evenings with no private functions. Please see daily Queens wharf advisory
‘Kiwis Can’ – School Holiday Experience at MOTAT
Family pass (2 adults, 4 children) $35
FREE for children under 5 MOTAT, Western Springs Until 24 Oct 10am-5pm daily

Kowhai Festival
FREE for most events Warkworth, Matakana and Mahurangi Coast Until 23 Oct various

NORTH ISLAND EVENTS VENUES DATES TIMES
Catch “it”! Bay of Island Seafood tournament Fishing spots around Paihia, Russell, Waitangi, Northland- Bay of Island 20-22 Oct 8am-4.30pm
The Story of Ka Mate
FREE Te Papa Tongarewa Museum of New Zealand, Wellington Until 20 Oct Open 10am- 6pm daily
Give it a Try
$8 per person Capital E, Civic Square Wellington Until 23 Oct 10am-4pm daily
Upper Hutt Rotary Fireworks Fantastic
FREE for children under 12 Trentham Memorial Park 29 Oct 6pm-10pm
Hawke’s Bay Agricultural and Pastoral Show
FREE for children aged 5-12 when accompanied by paying adult (limit 3 children per adult)
Family Pass $35 Hawkes Bay Showgrounds 19-21 Oct 8am-5pm
Rotorua Entertains
FREE and various prices Rotorua Until 23 Oct various
Waihi Goldfest
FREE Waihi, Coromandel Until 31 Oct various
Kiwiana Beach Activities
Frid: Beach Games
Sat: Sandcastle competition
FREE Paihia 14-15 Oct Saturday 15, October, 11am – Sandcastle Competition (Judging at 4.30pm)
Friday 14 Oct: 3pm – Kiwiana Beach Games
Tauranga Arts Festival
FREE and ticketed events Tauranga 20-31 Oct various
2011 Mount Mainstreet Busking Festival
Donation to buskers
Mount Maunganui 22-23 Oct 11am-12.30pm (1pm on 23rd)

SOUTH ISLAND EVENTS VENUES DATES TIMES
Nelson Arts Festival
FREE and ticketed events Nelson 21-24 Oct various
Presenting Canterbury
FREE Fanzone: Hagley Park - Christchurch Until 23 Oct Various, pre-game entertainment
Methven Rodeo
Child (under 16) $5, Family $40 Methven 23 Oct 8.30am
West Coast Whitebait Season Festival
FREE and various West Coast Until 23 Oct various
WanakaFest
FREE Wanaka 19-23 Oct various
Knights of the Sky Exhibition
Family Passes: 1 Adult and 2 Children $38; 2 Adults and 1 Child $52; 2 Adults and 2 Children $62. Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre, Malrborough Until 23 Oct 10am- 4pm
New Zealand Gold Panning Championships and Heritage Markets
FREE for spectators
$5-$20 to compete Old Cromwell Historic Precinct 30 Oct 9am-2pm

EVENTS DESCRIPTION
Auckland Events
• Waka Māori: This spectacular feature welcomes local and international visitors alike with a powhiri (traditional welcome) every day, entertainment, an artisan village, and the opportunity to meet and chat with known Māori rugby players and view an interactive exhibition of Māori Rugby.

• Kiwi Day Out: A free, family day and concert in Auckland Domain scheduled for Labour Day, 24th October featuring Dave Dobbyn, Avalanche City, Evermore, Stan Walker and Patea Māori Club.

• International Sheep Dog Trialling: Head to the Auckland Domain for the 2011 Trans-Tasman Test Match between Australia and New Zealand in a rural sport that both countries excel at - Sheepdog Trialling! Featuring the top 4 triallists from each country, this is a match-up of the best. At 3.30 on Wednesday the Topp Twins will join the course, meet with the competitors and give a few of their insights into this highly respected rural sport.

• Queens wharf Country Showcase presented by Cutting Edge Sport: The country comes to the city with New Zealand Speed Sheep Shearing Competition and the inaugural ANZAXE Trans-Tasman Wood Chopping Series. Featuring the world’s best sheep shearers and wood choppers and hosted by The Topp Twins and country music star Tami Neilson. The event concludes on Saturday 22 October with a Country Hoe-down featuring The Topp Twins and friends. PLUS on Wednesday 19 and Thursday 20 October, head to Auckland Domain for the annual Trans-Tasman Sheepdog Trials Test – the first time this event has ever been held in a city and showcasing the very best sheepdog trialists from New Zealand and Australia.

• Giant Rugby Ball: The Giant Rugby Ball is in pride of place on Queens Wharf in Auckland and ensures that visitors and locals have the opportunity to see and experience this New Zealand icon. More than 50,000 people have visited the Giant Rugby Ball in Auckland so far.

• ‘Kiwis Can’ – School Holiday Experience at MOTAT: Kiwis can do anything! Learn more about the New Zealand ‘can do’ attitude and how it has shaped this country’s identity at this exciting exhibition.
• Kowhai Festival: The Kowhai Festival celebrates all that’s great about Warkworth, Matakana and the Mahurangi coast with three weeks of family-friendly events, including the amazing 'Huge Day Out' when Warkworth Town Centre comes alive with music, food and fun.
North Island Events
• Catch “it”! Bay of Island Seafood Tournament: Two days of fishing fun and competitions in Northland.

• The story of Ka Mate: An interactive exhibition at Wellington's Te Papa where you’ll learn about the haka — what it means, where it comes from, its association with the All Blacks and importantly — how to do it.

• Give it a Try: Don't just watch, score the winning try in Wellington! Using the latest greenscreen technology you’ll be running to the try line in the closing moments of a nail-biting final. We’ll supply the jersey and take home footage — you bring your game!

• Upper Hutt Rotary Fireworks Fantastic: Get ready for a spectacular, colourful display of fireworks put together by a pyrotechnics expert.

• Hawkes Bay A&P Show: Town and Country come together at The Hawke's Bay Agricultural & Pastoral (A&P) Show, one of the largest events held in Hawke's Bay and a great Kiwi social occasion.

• Rotorua Entertains: From stilt walking to salsa, face painting to balloon sculpture, juggling to samba drumming, you’ll see it all during Rotorua Entertains as the town comes alive with a heap of exciting and entertaining activities.

• Waihi Goldfest: Some great family-friendly activities including a trolley derby, gold panning, horse and wagon rides, working goldmine tours and much more.

• Kiwiana Beach Activities: Everyone is welcome to take part these days of fun beach, water and community activities, from sandcastle building competitions, to 'Top Team' obstacle courses.

• Tauranga Arts Festival: Family events include The Grimstones – Hatched, an enchanting fairytale about The Grimstone family told with giant books, old-world marionettes and sign language;

The Adventures of Alvin Sputnik: Deep Sea Explorer - a one man micro-epic puppet show melding technoloigy and multi-media into a touching story of enduring love and the end of the world; Street Theatre Day on Sat Oct 22 – a free family day with street performers, flash mob performances and special guests.

• 2011 Mount Mainstreet Busking Festival: Join thousands of others in the Bay of Plenty for two days of free, family entertainment during the annual Mount Mainstreet Busking Festival, at Downtown the Mount.

South Island Events
• Nelson Arts Festival: Family friendly events at festival include The Grimstones- Hatched -an enchanting fairy tale told with giant books, old world marionettes and sign language. Storytelling - Nelson’s own storyteller bring you a heart-warming tale. Levity - Interactive musical storytelling showcasing newly invented musical instruments with plenty of quirky humour, songs and surprises. Alice in Wonderland Lewis Carroll invites you into his attic to help create his latest story. The incredible Piki Mail lighting exhibition on the Cathedral and Church Steps is a must see that will leave children speechless. Don’t miss the Festival Family Finale on Sat 25th October.
• Presenting Canterbury: Canterbury best food and wine. Traditional market setting in Hagley Park. Cooking demonstration. The Christchurch Fanzone features the Ruck, two giant screens, a mini rugby ground with REAL New Zealand grass banked by grandstands on all sides, a bar and food area and a stage for live entertainment.
• Methven Rodeo: Bucking bronco and bull riding, calf roping and steer wrestling. The annual Methven Rodeo has attracted professional competitors from near and far for over 40 years.
• West Coast Whitebait Season Festival: The West Coast is the heart of whitebait territory and visitors have the challenge (and the pleasure) of becoming world-famous whitebait judges.
• Wanakafest: A fun, family festival providing a jam-packed programme of events and something for everyone.

• Knights of the Sky Exibition: The world's largest collection of World War One aircraft and rare memorabilia, including a mix of dramatically-staged static displays along with flyable planes.

• New Zealand Gold Panning Championships and Heritage Markets: Come along and try your hand at panning for gold when the Otago Goldfields Heritage Trust host the New Zealand Gold Panning Championships, then enjoy an old fashioned Fair Day in the precinct at Old Cromwell Town.

INTERESTING LINKS:
Queen’s Wharf for the kids from the kids
http://realnzfestival.wordpress.com/2011/10/13/queens-wharf-for-the-kids-from-the-kids/
For more information about these events visit www.realnzfestivalc.om

ABOUT The REAL New Zealand Festival:
The REAL New Zealand Festival is a nationwide celebration of all the things we love most about New Zealand, with events and experiences throughout the country. Experience New Zealand arts, food and wine, heritage, culture, entertainment, business and lifestyle.

ENDS

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