Northland events: February, March & April 2011

February, March & April 2011
Northland events

February 2011

Investec Super Rugby: Blues v Hurricanes, pre-season fixture.
Kerikeri Domain, Kerikeri on Friday 4 February 2011, 5:00pm
Rugby returns to the Kerikeri Domain next year when the Blues take on the Hurricanes in a pre-season Investec Super Rugby Game.
The match will provide an opportunity for people to link in with Waitangi celebrations during the weekend of February 5 and 6. Make a weekend of it – enjoy some rugby, kick back in Keri, visit the Waitangi National Estate and generally find out more about what makes the Far North tick.
Local businesses are rallying to support the game with extended opening hours, additional activities, and competitive accommodation packages in the lead-up to the match.
Tickets from Far North District Council service centres and libraries –
Ticket Information: Reserved uncovered grandstand: 30.00
General Admission Adult: 10.00 Child: 5.00
www.fndc.govt.nz Email super15@fndc.govt.nz Phone 0800 920 029.

135th Paparoa Show (North Kaipara A&P)
Paparoa Showgrounds
Saturday 5 February 2011
Calf & steers rides, calf club, shearing, side shows, lawn mower riding. Pleasure pony/horse riders’ ring - for those who just want to have fun - any age rider - enter on the day!
Music - Blue Note Trio
Talent quest - for singers and musicians! Phone 09 4316640 - good prizes!
Try out your cooking, photography, vegetable growing or craft skills in the indoor section - enter on Thursday night or Friday morning.
Come and see wood chopping, miniature horses and driving ponies, show horses, Western riding, show cattle, trade sites, bullock rides, agility dogs and Kaipara food.
For schedules and more info go to www.paparoa.org.nz or phone 09 4316326 or 09 4317387. Schedules available at Skeleton’s Drapery Paparoa, Ruawai 4Square and Ruawai Farm supplies or Noel Radd’s Mgto.
Adult: 7.00 Children: 3.00
www.paparoa.org.nz

Game On for Waitangi Day Commemorations
Waitangi Treaty Grounds
4th & 5th February 2011
Friday 4th February will be the Waitangi Ki-o-Rahi exhibition day - a friendly “whanau day” where school children and the public can learn about, and perhaps take part in, the sport that has stormed much of the world, yet still attracts little media attention in its homeland.
Also on Saturday 5th January, the national competitions for a game older than rugby take place at Waitangi. The ball game Ki-O-Rahi is now played by millions of school children through the USA, and many thousands throughout France and Italy, where it was introduced by the Maori Battalion during World War 2. Today it thrives throughout its homeland with some 50,000 players. Last year the inaugural Waitangi Bowl trophy marked the start of a move to national championships.
The games in the two days prior to Waitangi Day will be friendly, and players will be trying to involve the crowds
Contact: Michael Hooper on +64 9 4027437 ext 217 or email korero@waitangi.net.nz. Website www.waitangi.net.nz

Waitangi Day Commemorations , Waitangi Treaty Grounds
6th February 2011
At 5.30am the nation's birthday begins in prayerful mood at the Whare Runanga. A lone piper will greet the dawn at the country's largest Naval flagstaff to begin a day of sports, ceremony and community family fun. Entertainers will celebrate the diversity of New Zealand through the performing arts throughout the grounds and on the Hobson's Beach/Maikuku stage. At noon a 21-gun salute and the Band of the Royal New Zealand Navy will fill the cliff top Treaty Grounds with traditional ceremony. The Beat Retreat ceremony will formally close the day at the flagstaff at 5pm, and then at 7:30pm a free concert will gather crowds again to the stage at Hobson's Beach.
Headlining the free entertainment will be Dame Malvina Major, on stage at the bay where Hobson stepped ashore to sign the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840. Co-hosted by veteran entertainer Ray Woolf, the show on the eve of Waitangi Day will also allow some young, local singing students to show their talents.

Contact: Michael Hooper on +64 9 4027437 ext 217 or email korero@waitangi.net.nz. Website www.waitangi.net.nz

MORE FM Winery Tour 2011 Brooke Fraser-Opshop-Midnight Youth
Tutukaka, Whangarei District
Sunday 6 February 2011, 5:00pm
Brooke Fraser, OPSHOP & Midnight Youth complete the line up for the 2011 tour
New Zealand’s favourite songbird Brooke Fraser will headline the MORE FM Winery Tour 2011 summer series along with an all male entourage: chart-topping four-piece band OPSHOP and the popular Auckland rock band, Midnight Youth.
Now in its fifth year, the popularity of the MORE FM Winery Tour has seen the run more than double since its inception in 2007; now 19 shows nationwide. The Tutukaka concert, added to the run this year returns again to Marina Reserve on Sunday 7 February.
Tickets (and bus/ticket packages) can be purchased via the Winery Tour website www.winerytour.co.nz and Ticketmaster 0800 111 999 or www.ticketmaster.co.nz
General Admission - Earlybird to 30 November: 55.00 General Admission - from 01 December: 65.00

Vodafone Warriors vs Burleigh Bears
Northland Events Centre (Toll Stadium), Okara Drive, Whangarei
Saturday 19 February 2011
The Vodafone Warriors will play their second National Rugby League pre-season trial against the Queensland Cup side the Burleigh Bears. The last time the Vodafone Warriors played in Whangarei was in 1995 in their first year. The game will kick off at 5pm with the curtain raiser featuring the Vodafone Junior Warriors at 3pm. Gates will open at 2.30pm.
Tickets will be available from Ticket Direct (www.ticketdirect.co.nz or 0800 4 TICKET) and Toll Stadium reception from mid December.
Ticket Information: Adult Grandstand: 15.00 Child Grandstand: 10.00
Adult Terraces and Embankment: 10.00 Child Terraces and Embankment: 5.00
www.northlandeventscentre.co.nz

Carters Mangawhai Triathlon www.northlandtri.co.nz
20th February 2011
Swim, cycle, run and kayak in the beautiful region of Mangawhai
DISTANCES
Adults Swim 500m or Kayak 1.5km Cycle 17km Run 5km
Children Run 600m Swim 50m Run 550m (Individual event only)

Ocean and Orchard Festival,
Kerikeri Domain, Kerikeri 2pm-8pm
26th February 2011
NEW: On the Kerikeri domain, showcasing an array of delicious local produce, gourmet cuisine from the regions' top Chefs, award winning wineries & seafood from the Bay of Islands with something for everyone.
For any queries, please contact Rachael Johnston by email oceanandorchard@vodafone.co.nz
www.oceanandorchard.co.nz

Please go to http://www.northlandnz.com/things_to_see_and_do/events/ for a full list of Northland events.

March 2011

Northland Field Days
Dargaville, Kaipara
* Thursday 3 March 2011
* Friday 4 March 2011
* Saturday 5 March 2011
The Northland Field Days is a popular and significant regional event that has been held on the outskirts of Dargaville since 1985. This is a major event for the Northland region attracting around 25,000 visitors including over 550 exhibitors and their staff each year.
The Northland Field Days committee invites you to come along, take some time out, be entertained and soak up the atmosphere. Check out the Northland Toyota Dog Trials, Chelsea and her amazing dog stars, the Northland tractor pull and the incredible Ramsey Roundwood Lumberjack Show. Be tempted by a wide variety of fantastic bargains. Take a helicopter ride, Clydesdale and carriage ride, or dazzle your taste buds with exotic foods. The site will be buzzing.
Adult: 10.00 Child 5-16yrs inclusive: 3.00 Under 5yrs: 0.00
www.northlandfielddays.co.nz

Bo Herbert Memorial Race
Kowharewa Bay, Tutukaka
Saturday 5 & Sunday 6 March 2011
Outrigger canoe and surfski long distance race.
Saturday: Solo Distance 30km.Relay Distance 30-35km.
Sunday: Choose your weapon fun races.
Website: www.wakaama.co.nz

Captain Morgan Snapper Bonanza Fishing competition
Tuesday 8th March – 12th March 2011
Ninety Mile Beach, West Coast Road, Waipapakauri, Kaitaia
Heaviest weight snapper $30,000 Average weight snapper $10,000
The inaugural Captain Morgan Snapper Bonanza has been created with the support of Captain Morgan Rum, Far North District Council and business owners of Kaitaia to provide an exceptional surfcasting event for the many competitors who undertake an annual pilgrimage to the Far North to enter a surfcasting extravaganza on the mighty 90 Mile Beach.
Join us to make this competition even bigger and better than before. Our aim is to grow the Bonanza to a 1,000 contestant competition offering fantastic prizes and awesome Ninety Mile Beach fishing. Join the other entrants who travel from all over New Zealand and overseas for a week you’ll never forget. phone: Dave 09 408 0094 or John 09 408 3780 or email info@snapperbonanza.co.nz
www.snapperbonanza.co.nz

Te Houtaewa 90 Mile Beach Challenge
26th March 2011
This annual beach run along 90 Mile Beach in Far North New Zealand, honours the Maori legend of the great athlete Te Houtaewa.
Now in it's 18th year, the event is held each year in March and attracts competitors from around the world.
Available courses: 60 km Open Ultra Marathon, 42 km Marathon Run, 21 km Half Marathon Run
21 km Half Marathon Walk, 60 km 5 person Open Relay, 6 km Walk for Life
www.newzealand-marathon.co.nz

BDO Tour of Northland
17-20 March 2011
2011 will be the 11th edition of the Northland Event after 2001 saw a keen group of riders take part in the very successful inaugural event.
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.
www.twincoast-cycle.co.nz

Snapper Classic Ninety Mile beach - Fishing Competition
15-19 March 2011
The Snapper Classic held on Ninety Mile Beach, Northland, New Zealand celebrates its 29th year in March 2011 and is host to 1,000 anglers which includes, not only New Zealanders, but a mix of International competitors from as far away as United Kingdom & USA. The Ninety Mile Beach Charitable Trust is proud to be the Tournament Organisers of this annual 5 day event. The Snapper Classic is recognised globally as the benchmark for surfcasting tournaments and internationally as the world’s largest surfcasting event and has a reputation of the utmost integrity. It has operated in its present 5 day format for the past 29 years.
The Snapper Classic Surfcasting Tournament is held on the 90 Mile Beach which is located in the far north of New Zealand. The 5 days of fishing on the beach is divided into 3 areas, each of the 3 areas is approximately 27km in distance:
• Area 1 is directly off the ramp at Waipapakauri
• Area 2 (Omitting Bluff) is north of the Bluff and is accessible from the Waipapakauri Ramp and also off Far North Road, via Whalers then onto Hukatere Road
• Area 3 (middle) starts at Hukatere to the Bluff and is accessible via the Waipapakauri Ramp.
The Ninety Mile Beach is classified as a State Highway
E-Mail: info@snapperclassic.co.nz
Web: www.snapperclassic.co.nz

Mangawhai Walking Weekend 2011
Mangawhai, Whangarei District
Begins Thursday 31 March 2011, Friday 1 April 2011, Saturday 2 April 2011 and Sunday 3 April 2011
A weekend of outstanding walking events in the region of beautiful Mangawhai and the surrounding districts. You can take your best friend on a doggy walk on a farm (no plastic bags required!), the Troubadour walk (the Friday night event, a social saunter complete with entertainment), historical walks (a difficult choice between social history – the tale of the locals who fought and won the battle to save the harbour, or colonial and Maori history), foodie walks (you can choose from a truffle farm or the Ramblers food experience), nature walks (through the flora and fauna of Te Arai Beach or Logues Bush) or simply sensational scenery walks.
Or you if you want more of a challenge you can explore segments of the Te Araroa Track (either the Dome Valley or the cliff top to Brynderwyns), and if you want to extend your repertoire you can do mountain biking, kayaking or caving! Locals lead the walks and share their knowledge of the area, which enhances the whole experience. Topped off by a Wine and Food Event on Saturday with delicious local wines and foods.
Ticket Information: Gourmet Breakfast: 10.00 Caving: 45.00 Kayaking: 35.00
Friday Night Welcome: 10.00 Te Araroa Walk, Dome Valley: 25.00 Walking Events (bus extra) from: 20.00 Wine and Food Admission: 20.00
Website: http://www.mangawhaiwalkingweekend.co.nz

Please go to http://www.northlandnz.com/things_to_see_and_do/events/ for a full list of Northland events.

April 2011

Mangawhai Wine and Food Festival 2011
Saturday 2 April 2011
It’s time to party and celebrate the harvest at the Mangawhai Wine and Food Festival. Mangawhai is a garden of Eden, where gold medals are earned from the olives and grapes, where sea food is plentiful and fruit and vegetables flourish. The festival is set in an olive grove by the sea, with gold medal local wines from the local region, and delicious food to accompany the wine.
As you enjoy the beautiful surroundings and local wine, rock and roll with Elvis (a.k.a. the talented Andy Stankovich)! Tickets available from Bamma’s and Mangawhai Gift Shop, or from Jean on 09431 5096 or the website.
Adult: 20.00 www.mangawhaiwalkingweekend.co.nz

Kaipara Kai
Selwyn Park, Dargaville
* Friday 8 April 2011
* Saturday 9 April 2011
Kaipara culture and food extravaganza. People will be able to tantalise their taste buds with some great local flavours, sample and buy cheeses, olives, wines, fruits and other delicious treats from around the district. Come and taste some great local produce.
Phone Lynley in the evenings on (09) 439 8200 or e-mail info@colville-estate.co.nz
Admission: free
http://netlist.co.nz/communities/Kaiparakai/Index.cfm

Northland Horsemanship Games NEW
Barge Showgrounds Events Centre, Whangarei
Sunday 10 April 2011, 9:30am
This will be the first ever Northland Horsemanship Games; an all inclusive Games with fun, challenging and very different competitive games. There will also be showcasing by advanced students playing with their horses to music, and an inspirational demo by Russell Higgins and his horses. Russell is one of only two NZ Parelli professional instructors. There will be stalls and exhibits as well.
Visit our website now to read more about this fun, challenging and exciting day.
Admission: free
www.animalherbs.co.nz/html/NorthlandHorsemanshipGames.htm

Cape Brett Challenge
Russell, Bay of Islands
Saturday 16 April 2011
The annual Helly Hansen Cape Brett Challenge adventure run is fast becoming New Zealand’s top adventure race to compete in. It is held in Rawhiti situated in one of New Zealand’s most picturesque locations in the Bay of Islands - only 30 minutes drive from Russell. The courses offer stunning off-road running and walking enjoying spectacular seascapes, masses of 400 year old Kauri trees, native wildlife whilst offering steep and challenging terrain.
www.capebrettchallenge.co.nz

Waipu Carnival
Caledonian Park, Bream Bay
Saturday 23 April 2011
Waipu Easter Carnival is guaranteed to be a fantastic, colourful, community event that will offer a fun and entertaining day out for all. All proceeds will go to the Waipu Primary School towards a new adventure playground.
There will be plenty to keep the kids occupied including: mini hot rods, ITM Hyper Simulator – petrol heads’ dream, giant slide, bouncy castle, smash palace, horse ride, mini golf, face painting, groovy crafts, cakes, sweets, coffee, popcorn, candyfloss, plants & preserves, white elephant.
www.waipucarnival.com

Please go to http://www.northlandnz.com/things_to_see_and_do/events/ for a full list of Northland events.

ENDS

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