Whether you’re planning a trip to Tauranga, Hamilton, Queenstown, Christ Church, Wellington, or Auckland, you will want to see the sites and participate in local activities. From fairs to festivals and more, there is more to see and do in New Zealand that one could possibly imagine. If you are traveling in a group and need transportation, consider booking bus hire in New Zealand. Here are some of the sights and sounds of New Zealand for the month of June in 2018.
Saturday, June 2nd, 2018 – Night Market
Held in Christchurch’s Ferry Mead Heritage Park, from 5 PM until 9 PM, this event holds no restrictions when it comes to age. You can’t buy tickets ahead of time so get there early. The night markets themselves actually begin in February, so if you miss the night market in June, you will have other chances. Available to visitors are music, face painting, snow cones, candy floss, a bouncy castle, craft stalls, delicious cuisine, and more. If you really want a thrill, enjoy a ride on the tram or take a twilight ride on The Vulcan.
All Vegan Night Market – The Vegan Vault
Held on Wellington’s Victoria Street, from 6 PM until 9 PM Saturday, June 2nd, the All Vegan Night Market also has dates from March through May and July through December. There is no age restriction, and admission is free. As well as an all vegan menu of drinks and food, there will be merchandise, animal friendly charities, and live music all under one roof. Watch and listen carefully for your chance to win $10 vouchers usable on future vegan nights.
Matakana Village Farmers Market
This farmers market runs from 8 AM through 1 PM. Technically starting in May but running through June 23rd, this attraction is located on the beautiful banks of the Matakana River, Auckland at the Matakana Village Market Square. Admission is free and there are no age restrictions. Visitors can enjoy freshly brewed coffee, olive oil, fine wines, chocolate, Italian sausages, delicious artisan bacon, fresh vegetables and fruit, and so much more. Live music is also featured. An enjoyable New Zealand happening for one and all.
The Maori New Year – Matariki
More or less, this is the start of all the celebrations throughout the year. Held in early June (sometimes late May) the event is full of dancing, flying kites, singing, and food. Exhibitions from the planetarium and Museum are frequently featured here. And although the celebrations began decades ago, it ceased to exist in the 1940s, and remained that way until the year 2000. Fortunately, it has resumed in earnest.
This is an event that is New Zealand wide and is celebrated in various ways. One of the biggest celebrations in the land is held in Wellington at the Te Papa Museum with cooking demonstrations, dancing, singing, storytelling, and cultural days. Additional celebration locations include regional museums, planetariums, theatre productions, markets, and more. This year’s celebration begins on June 15th. Next year, June 10th will be the start of Matariki.
Escape – A Tiny Festival with Huge Ideas
Running June 1st through the 4th, and held at the Bay of Plenty in Durango, The Bay Court Community and Arts Centre presents Escape! 2018. Chase the winter blues away with workshops, food, theatre, books, authors, and thought-provoking speakers. Tickets already went on sale in April but are still available. More information can be found at the Durango Arts Festival website. The event on June 1st runs 5:30 PM to 8 PM. Saturday through Monday, June 2nd through the 4th, it runs from 10 AM to 4 PM.
Waimate Folk Festival
From Friday, June 1st through Sunday, June 3rd, in the Waimate District of Canterbury, Waimate Folk Festival is held at Gunn’s Bush Camp. Start time for June 1st is 3 PM, but that changes to 9 AM for June 2nd and 3rd. Tickets can be purchased online and vary in price as to whether they are for a child, adult, one-day pass, or entire festival pass. This year’s theme is “Outer Space”. Both new and experienced musicians will provide the audience with all types of music. And there will be workshops, dance, a last night cabaret, and a Saturday night barn dance.
The Willington Jazz Festival
Running Wednesday, June 6th through Sunday, June 10th, at Wellington’s Opera House, festivalgoers can experience soul warming, head bobbing sounds from music’s finest national and international artists. This will be a weekend to remember and is, locally, one of the liveliest music scenes around. Good times and live music fill the bars and city streets during this annual music feast. If you’re looking for the perfect midwinter break, it starts here with 100 gigs through five days.
Le French Village
Held in Auckland’s Queen Wharf, CBD, and charging an admission fee of only five dollars, Le French Village is back again this year. It will run from Saturday, June 9th through Sunday, June 10th. Play, dress, drink, and eat French for a day at this year’s venue which is twice as big as last year’s. Over 75 stalls will be included in the festivities. There will be two days of kid’s corners, games, concerts, fashion, wine, fresh food, and all sorts of surprises. A live broadcast of All Blacks Versus de France will be shown on two giant screens at this year’s French Fans Zone. It doesn’t get much better than eating delicious French food, drinking French beer, and cheering on your team. A concert by a French artist will follow the game.
Loemis: Terminus
Start early, immediately following the waterfront solstice ritual, at this festivity that makes its final year’s offering. A heavy dose of festivity and music closes out the year’s darkest night. Assorted musicians, food, drink, and more will all be featured on Thursday, June 21st, from 7 PM until nearly midnight at Wellington’s “Meow”. Tickets are $20 at the door but can be purchased at early bird, student, and standard discounts.
Yarns in Barns Great Debate
In Carterton, Wairarapa, at the Carterton Events Centre, this event runs from 7:30 PM until 9 PM, June 8th. There are no age restrictions. Student admission is $8 while adult admission is $20. The topic for this year’s great, iconic debate deals with women being able to write a love story that is more compelling than one written by a man. Not for everyone, this gathering does stimulate some interesting conversation. Season passes are also available for all Yarns in Barns get-togethers.