Here is a list of the upcoming event happening in Northland, New Zealand for January to March 2006.
2 January 135th Waipu Highland Games – Bream Bay
Annual highland games held each year since 1871 in Waipu. This celebration highlights the music, art, culture and traditions of the Scottish, Nova Scotian settlers who came to Waipu 151 years ago.
Contact: Brian O’Brien
Phone/Fax: 09 432 0403
Postal: PO Box 34, Waipu 0254
Email: admin@highlandgames.co.nz
Website: www.highlandgames.co.nz
5 "“ 15 January Paihia Summer Festival
Family fun for 2 weeks including sandcastle competitions, mural painting, native walks, kayaking, talent quest, etc. Prizes & giveaways. Detailed schedules available at the Bay of Islands Information Centre.
Contact: Steph Godsiff
Phone: 09 402 5593 or 021 122 93
Email: godsiff@xnet.co.nz
6-14 January Surfing New Zealand National Surfing Championships, Ahipara
43rd Annual Surfing Championships being held in the Far North for the 2nd time only. 400+ competitors are expected and will travel to both coasts to search out the best waves. Contest base will be in Ahipara and will start with a Powhiri on Friday 6th January. Prizegiving on Saturday 14th.
Contact: Mark Shanks
Phone: 09 409 4009
Fax: 09 409 0867
Email: mark@surfcoaching.com
Website: http://www.surfingcoaching.com/
7 January Tall Ships Race and Classic Invitation
A light-hearted celebration of the spectacle of sail followed by a traditional hangi and dance in the evening.
Contact: Jason Ralph
Phone: 09 403 8307
Website: www.russellnz.co.nz
24 "“ 27 January Bay of Islands Sailing Week Regatta
Three day Sailing Regatta around the stunning Bay of Islands with around 100 sailing boats anticipated to take part. This increasingly popular Regatta is held over three days, with varied courses. Open to keelers, trailer sailers, sports boats and open keel boats; a total of twenty four races.
Contact: Lesley Haslar
Phone: (09) 407-3092
Fax: (09) 407-3092
Email: LRH@ihug.co.nz
Website: www.opuaonline.co.nz
21 "“ 25 February Lion Red 90 Mile Beach Snapper Classic
25th anniversary of the largest surfcasting fishing contest of its type in the Southern Hemisphere with total prizes of $250,000. This Surfcasting Fishing Contest is held over a 5 day period with up to 1,000 contestants competing for a huge prize list on 90 Mile Beach. It includes cash prizes of $80,000 plus other prizes including a Ford Courier 4 wheel drive, Ford BA Falcon Sedan and 4 overseas holiday packages.
Contact: Paul Brljevich
Phone: 09 406 7056
Fax: 09 406 7252
Email: info@snapperclassic.co.nz
Website: www.snapperclassic.co.nz
25 February Taste Northland
Taste Northland’s 2006 Whangarei Wine and Food Festival includes a rich blend of wines from Northland’s top wine estates. With gourmet tastes and special flavours from some of Northland’s best eateries we have a taste delight sure to please everyone. An abundance of seating and shade ensure that the day will be enjoyed whatever the weather. The day begins with sophisticated jazz and ends with a 60’s and 70’s rock show that will have everyone up and dancing. Top this off with a beautiful setting and ample parking which ensures the Whangarei Wine & Food Festival is the place to be Saturday 25 February.
Contact: Julie Jonker & Beau Davidson
Phone: 021 429 092
Postal: P O Box 1580, Whangarei
Email: jkjonker@clear.net.nz
Throughout March Whangarei Endless Summer Festival
Proving that summer really is endless in sub-tropical Northland, Whangarei celebrates with
performing arts, crafts, opera, theatre and family entertainment, including street busking and puppets.
Contact: Kathleen Hill
Email: stoneyhill@xtra.co.nz
Website: www.whangareinz.org.nz
3 "“ 13th March Bay of Islands Arts Festival
A “feast” of visual and performing arts; popular, classical & contemporary music, theatre, workshops, an art exhibition, comedy and children’s theatre – something for everyone. The Festival has wide and popular appeal with opportunities to enjoy and participate in the arts including workshops and open rehearsals. This season's programme will focus at The Centre, a central, multi functional and wonderfully appointed cultural centre in Kerikeri. Join us for a week of celebration.
Contact: Sandy
Phone: 09 407 5051
Email: travela@xtra.co.nz
Web: www.nzinfo.com/boiartfest/index.htm
2 "“ 4 March Northland Agricultural Field Days
The Northland Agricultural Field Days is the largest event held in Northland, and the second largest agricultural event for New Zealand. Over 500 exhibitors participate, attracting in excess of 20,000 visitors to the event over the three days. It has a reputation as the “Friendly Field Days". Attractions include the Tractor Pull, Forestry Skills, Clydesdales Rides, Junior Tractor Races, Quad Skills competition, and the many exhibits for Industry, the Home, and Leisure.
Contact: Vania Hamlin
Phone: 09 439 8998
Fax: 09 439 4170
Email: info@northlandagriculturalfielddays.co.nz
Web: http://www.northlandagriculturalfielddays.co.nz/
4 – 11 March Te Houtaewa 90 Mile Beach Marathon "“ 11 March
This is the 15th year that this challenge will take place – the only Marathon run on a beach in the world, honouring the Maori legend of the great athlete Te Houtaewa. The Challenge takes the form of : – 63km Ultra Marathon – 42km Marathon – 21km Half Marathon Run and Walk – 6km Walk for Life
Te Houtaewa Kai Maori Food Festival "“ 7 "“ 11 March
Traditional Kai preservation and practices, demonstrations and a different menu available for sampling daily.
Te Houtaewa Arts Festival "“ 4 "“ 11 March
Celebrating the best in traditional maori and conventional forms of art in the Far North – ta moko, whakairo (wood, stone and bone ), Raranga (flax, pingao and kuta ) as well as pottery and painting.
Contact: Frances Piacun
Phone: 09 408 6060
Fax: 09 408 0297
Postal: PO Box 654, Kaitaia
11 "“ 19 March Great New Zealand Trek
Have you ever dreamed of trekking the length of New Zealand? The Great New Zealand Trek has been designed to enable you to travel the length of this stunning country in supported luxury. Starting at Cape Reinga, Northland, Stage One finishes 250kms south at Kohukohu on the Hokianga Harbour. Each year the trek will continue from where it finished the previous year. The inaugural Great New Zealand Trail Ride was held in 1996 and since then around 1500 people have been on a ride raising over $160,000 for Multiple Sclerosis.
Contact: Stephen Old
Phone: 09 406 1580
Email: steve@greatnztrek.com
Web: http://www.greatnztrek.com
11 "“ 12 March Mangawhai Walking Weekend
A weekend in which to explore Magical Mangawhai while taking part in any of the 20 guided walks on offer. Highlights include a walk round the estuary, up Cattlemount, an historic walk, a trip to the Waipu Caves, a photography walk or a doggy walk. Each walk is guided and there's a gourmet breakfast on Sunday and superb entertainment on Saturday night in the local country hall. This is a community event with any proceeds going to the Community trust. Pre-enrolment is required with all walks booked out before the event.$10 per walk is the entry fee. An Art Trail functions on the same weekend.
Contact: Jean Goldschmidt
Phone: 09 4315096
Fax: 09 4315063
Postal: Staniforth Road RD 5 Well
Email: mangawhaiwalkingweekend@xtra.co.nz
Web: http://www.mangawahi.net.nz
16 "“ 19th March Twin Coast Mizone Cycle Challenge
Four Days, Two Coasts, 360km of cycling for the beginner to the advance cyclist
This annual fixture is a major focus of the Northland sporting calendar. The event will follow Northland's fully sealed Twin Coast Discovery Highway which touches New Zealand's essence: unsurpassed nature estate, scenery, fishing, diving, walks, culture and heritage, golf, food, wine and people. You will discover New Zealand in a nutshell. A must for participants from both within New Zealand and overseas, the event takes in both the East Coast and West Coast of Northland.The Twin Coast Mizone Cycle Challenge has something for every rider, from the professional to the fun rider, and don't worry about your bags just throw them onto the luggage truck and enjoy the ride. Contact: Sport Northland
Phone: (09) 430 3470
Fax: (09) 430 3479
Postal: PO Box 1492, Whangarei
Email: sportnorth@sportnorth.co.nz
Web: www.twincoast-cycle.co.nz
