School Holiday and Labour Weekend Events October 2011
Hellhole of the Pacific, Russell. 7-23 October
Missionaries, Madams, Madmen – All Welcome!
Russell is recreating its most infamous days when Kororareka was known as the Hell-hole of the Pacific. From the 7-23 of
October, the streets of this now charming village will once again see the likes of whalers, warriors, loose women,
missionaries and townsfolk who may have lived between 1830-1847.
The "Hell-hole" festival offers visitors a glimpse into living history. Each day a series of entertaining scenarios will
be presented throughout the village. In addition, any building that existed during the Hell-hole period will be
identified by the figures created by local artist Helen Pick. Entering those establishments, patrons will be greeted by
the 'innkeeper' or other personage (dressed appropriately) and can hear the stories of that character or the history of
the building.
From tempers to temperance, Russell is unique and the ONLY place in NZ with a history for visitors and tourists to
'begin where it all began” and there is no charge to step back in time – so plan a few days stay in Russell or hop on
the ferry for a day trip from Paihia. Soak up New Zealand’s history!
www.russellnz.co.nz Along the waterfront and around the village.
Waitangi Welcomes the World - The Festival, Waitangi Treaty Grounds, 18-20 October
Over the three days, there will be Maori cultural performances featuring the songs and dances of Northern tribes, Maori
games, weaving and carving demonstrations and sport including Ki-o-Rahi competitions (Ki o
rahi is an ancient Maori ball game similar to rugby) and waka on the water.
Food will also feature prominently with rugby celebrity chefs, a sampling tent and a market featuring bone carving, flax
weaving, ceramics, NZ art, bamboo fibre clothing, sheepskin products, designer bags, NZ photography, boutique women’s
wear, jewellery.
Wine and Cheese evenings are scheduled for Tuesday 18 and Wednesday 19 October at the Treaty Grounds and the “best of
Kiwi” Degustation dinners are at Waikokopu Cafe on the evenings of Thursday 20 and Friday 21 October. For bookings 09
402 7437. The programme is intended to give visitors an insight into what it means to be a New Zealander, a glimpse of
our history a lot of fun!
For more detailed information www.northlandnz.com/things_to_see_and_do/events/category-246/location-6648/event-105405
Kiwiana Food and Rugby Feast, 35 Degrees South Restaurant & Bar, Paihia 16 – 23 October
Live music and entertainment, outdoor bar, kiwiana food including beef and pork on a spit, smoked mussels and oyster
shots, share the news and come on down, prizes, dress-ups and more, be in to win a Heineken Fridge. All Games live, so
let’s sit on the ends of our seats, bite our nails ......... and Celebrate
Sun 16th5pm LIVE MUSIC with Whitewash
9pm SEMI FINALS Australia vs NZ
Tues 18th Live cultural shows
Wed 19th live cultural music
Northland has talent
12pm LIVE MUSIC with Coco
6pm LIVE MUSIC with Cam
7pm The Hewson Project Jazz
Fri 21st live cultural shows
Wine tasting wit Ti Point wines
4.30pm LIVE MUSIC with Ruby and Cam
8.30pm BRONZE FINAL
Sat 22nd After “IT” Festival, don’t let it end!!!!!!!!
6.15pm LIVE MUSIC Tauranga Samba Band & KOSHER
Sun 23rd 3pm LIVE MUSIC & Dancing with Mirimah Belly Dancing Troupe
5pm LIVE MUSIC with Whitewash
9pm RUGBY FINAL!!!!!!
Dress up; be in to win a Heineken Fridge & More prizes
“It” Bay of Islands, Village Green, Paihia. 20, 21 and 22 October
Love it! Cook it! Drink it! Bite it! Sing it! Catch it! This is “it”!! A successful recipe of fantastic food, wine,
entertainment, fishing and friendly locals all mixed up together in the Bay of Islands.
Catch “it!” is a 2-day seafood tournament in the Bay of Islands which is renowned for its fishing.
Catch “it” (20 & 21 Oct) will encompass scuba diving, free diving, spear fishing, and fishing - including boat and surfcasting which
means anyone can participate from those with the super launches, to the line off the wharf and the trusty surfcaster on
the beach at Waitangi.
All fish caught in the tournament will be given back to the local community as on the Thursday and Friday afternoons
there will be wet fish auction on the Paihia Village Green which is the central hub in Paihia. The Paihia Volunteer Fire
Brigade will run the auction with all proceeds going to the Fire Brigade and St. Johns Ambulance. Chefs will be on hand
to cook up the catch if you want, and skilled staff are there to fillet your fish as well. With all the delights from
the Bay of Islands, such as crayfish, scallops, snapper and kingfish to name a few – it is sure to be a feast to
remember for those that buy from the auction.
On Thursday the wet fish auction will take place at the Bay of Islands Farmers Market on the Village Green and on the
Friday as well as the wet fish auction and prize giving there will be other fun and games with competitions that anyone
can join - oyster and scallop shucking, and the extremely popular kina sucking!
Following the 2 days of fishing, Saturday the 22nd October carries on the party, with “it” Bay of Islands Food and Wine Festival on the Village Green. Love it! Cook it! Drink it! Bite it! Sing it! This is it!! A successful recipe of fantastic food,
wine, entertainment and friendly locals all mixed up together in the Bay of Islands.
The main act this year is NZ Band The Feelers! A fantastic choice as they are singing the World Cup theme song, “Right Here, Right Now” – it is the finals weekend for the rugby so it will make it a memorable weekend. The stalls are all local Northland
Foodies serving up mouth-watering delights such as Alfrescos popular dish – Salt & Pepper Calamari, award winning Seafood Chowder from the Opua Marina Café, along with mussels, swordfish, lamb and
chicken dishes. Top wine will be served from 10 vineyards, plus Monteith’s Beer and Cider, and for those who just want a
taste of Northland fruit – there is our local Juice Bar.
Also focusing on food - there are the real kiwi competitions such as "Kina Sucking", "Scallop Shucking", "Oyster
Shucking and Eating" and of course "Pie Eating!" - we are in Pai-hia after all!! And for the local restaurants they can
enter the Ti Point Vineyard Seafood Chowder Competition.
There is great all day entertainment leading up to The Feelers, such as Northland Duo “Kosher” and “Tauranga Samba’s” 20
strong drumming group that is an amazing mixture of Brazilian influenced percussion, character, light and movement. This
band has been knocking audiences off their feet at Festivals and events since their creation in 2007.
For more details check out www.paihianz.co.nz
2011 NZMYC Coastal Classic Yacht Race, Russell, 21-24 October 2011
The annual Coastal Classic Yacht Race from Devonport Wharf to Russell Wharf in the Bay of Islands is New Zealand's
premier fleet yacht race and has been held annually at Labour weekend since its inception in 1982. This year the Race is
over the same weekend as the final of the Rugby World Club. As many people will want to watch the final the format has
been changed slightly to ensure that boats will be able to reach a destination on Sunday (weather permitting) to view
the game which has a 2130 kick off. The race will therefore start on Friday morning as usual, and finish latest Saturday
afternoon and will move straight into the prize-giving and Coastal Classic party at the Duke of Marlborough on the
Saturday evening.
The Big Brekkie, Paihia Village Green, 23 October, 8.00am to 11.00am
A great curtain-raiser to the last match of Rugby World Cup 2011, all are welcome to come and enjoy a huge community
breakfast on the Paihia Village Green in Northland. Community groups will be cooking a delicious breakfast that you can
buy. Grab your ‘Kiwi tucker’ sit down and enjoy it together with other rugby fans eagerly awaiting kick off of the final
Rugby World Cup 2011 match.
Kaikohe-Okaihau Traverse, 23 October
A walk/run event on Pou Herenga Tai - Twin Coast Cycle Trail from Okaihau to Kaikohe. Organised by the Kaikohe Rotary
Club.
There are two race lengths, one starting at Okaihau (13.4km) and the other at Toia Road (8.4km) with both finishing in
Kaikohe at the Mid-North Motor Inn. Buses will transport participants from Kaikohe to Toia Road/Okaihau from 8:00 am
onwards.
Runners begin at 9.00 am and walkers at 9.05 am. Registrations are limited to 200 participants. For further information http://www.kaikoherotary.org/t
The Fonterra 10th Birthday Shout, Barge Park Showgrounds, Whangarei, 24th October
Fonterra farmers are hanging up their milking aprons and heading into town to join local Fonterra staff in laying on a
shout for the community. The co-operative is celebrating its 10th birthday by hosting a free family day out at Barge
Park, one of six to be held across the main dairying regions around the country.
The Northland shout at Barge Park will see farmers manning the barbecues, handing out Tip Top ice creams and setting the
stage for great Kiwi entertainers so everyone in the community can let their hair down in a true Kiwi day out. “It’s a
good feeling to be part of a great Kiwi success story and our 10 year milestone is a great opportunity to share some of
that pride with our neighbours and communities and to say thanks for their support.” Says Mark Croucher (Fonterra
Shareholders’ Councillor)
The shout will take place from noon to 4.30pm, when local farmers will head back to the farms for milking. Birthday or
not, the cows can’t wait. Fonterra will be announcing more details of the events as details are confirmed, including the
details of charities to benefit from the events and which entertainers will star at Barge Park on Labour Day.
ends