The Royal New Zealand Ballet 2022 season comprises two glorious 'story ballets’ and two dazzling programmes of shorter works. Ballets and productions by some of the country’s – and the world’s – most respected choreographers will touch down in theatres across the country from February, including the RNZB’s long-awaited return to their beloved home, Wellington’s splendid St James.

Venus Rising, the first of the mixed-bill works, will arrive in February, in the spirit of the brightest of stars, and herald of the dusk and of the dawn. The programme features three extraordinary short works by inspiring and internationally celebrated choreographers and will delight audiences in Wellington, Christchurch and Auckland.

Taking centrestage in five centres through May and June is an opulent, shimmering production of Swan Lake. Guided by New Zealand ballet legend Russell Kerr’s 1996 production, this timeless ballet will uplift the dramatic and technical brilliance of a new generation of RNZB dancers, while celebrating the company’s rich past and bright future. 

RNZB Artistic Director Patricia Barker says, “When you mention ballet, many people think immediately of Swan Lake. It is truly iconic and we are thrilled to collaborate with a New Zealand ballet luminary in Russell Kerr, and with support from our colleagues from the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra in Wellington, the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra, and the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra.”

The Ryman Healthcare Season of Cinderella (August to September) reunites the dream team of Loughlan Prior and Claire Cowan (Hansel & Gretel), fashioning a brand-new ballet which will vibrantly reopen Wellington’s St James Theatre before heading off on a national tour.sFeisty, funny, fizzy and fabulous, Cinderella is choreographed by master storyteller Prior (The Firebird) and set to a magical new score by boundary-pushing composer and performer Cowan, with fashion-forward designs by Emma Kingsbury and lighting by Jeremy Fern.

Expect the unexpected as highs, lows, fairy-tale endings and happy-ever-afters spill from the stage in every shade of the rainbow. Prior sprinkles a sparky, stylish twist on the classic tale, with a heroine who knows her own mind and a hero who follows his heart.

Finally, the RNZB will welcome summer with New Zealand’s favourite Tutus on Tour, which spins into 11 theatres across Aotearoa from October.

Patricia Barker says, “The last 18 months have uncovered many truths about people in a crisis, with one of the most significant being how much we turn to the arts for escapism and joy. The arts have helped New Zealanders through lockdowns, recover from lockdowns, and helped us all realise one of the things we celebrate and hold most dear - connecting through art and performance brings people together in the most fulfilling and beautiful ways.”

rnzb.org.nz

To the east of Invercargill on the southeastern coast of the lower South Island you can find the spellbinding dramatics of the Catlins, a rugged coastland that is a highlight of the Southern Scenic Route. Here you can journey through farmland and native podocarp forests and discover hidden lakes, stunning waterfalls and beaches, spectacular caves, a petrified forest and dinosaur-age fossils of marine and plant life, the latter remnants from Gondwanaland before New Zealand split the party some 80 million years ago.

BUCKET LIST

Must see Visit Curio Bay’s 180 million-year-old petrified forest – it’s one of only three such accessible fossil forests in the world (when the tide goes out!). Adrenaline junkie Surf the extreme break at the reef near Tautuku Beach. Rest & relax Soak in the hot water and take in floor-to-ceiling views at Kaka Point Luxury Spa Accommodation. Culture fix Grab a guide brochure and drive the Catlins Heritage Trail, a five-hour trip including 13 stops and a few short walks. Back to nature Get an eyeful of the seals, sea lions and penguins at Nugget Point. Cash strapped There’s no end of stunning walks and hikes – check out the Catlins River Track for five hours of beech forest, river views and swing bridges. Casual fare Niagara Falls Café/Restaurant and Gallery. Café Get a great beach view at The Point Café and Bar.  Catlins Inn.

WHAT’S ON?

Niagara Falls Bluegrass and Roots Festival [Feb] One of the best value-for-money weekends you’ll get in Aotearoa. Music, camping, and family-friendly fun.

SEE & DO

Nugget Point is an incredibly iconic piece of Aotearoa coastline, with a serpentine path leading out to the 1860s lighthouse on the point. Get on the sea with Catlins Kayak and Adventure for an up-close view of unique coastline, natural formations and wildlife including seals, birdlife and dolphins. Perhaps unfairly named by a surveyor who found some human remains at the beach, Cannibal Bay is an idyllic spot with white sand, blue sea, and plenty of photogenic sea lions. Whip out your rod and try your hand at fishing – the Catlins’ rivers, estuaries and sea are full of beautiful kai moana. The naturally formed Cathedral Caves are huge passages through rocky cliffs, accessed by a lovely short walk. Who needs to go to Canada? We’ve got our own Niagara Falls right here in the Catlins – at just under 1 metre high, they may not be as big, but they are in a truly beautiful part of the region. Slope Point, the southernmost point of the South Island, is a desolately beautiful and windswept landscape unlike anything else you’ll see. 

LAST STOP BEFORE STEWART ISLAND

Contrary to popular belief, Bluff is not the southernmost point on the mainland. That gong goes to Slope Point. The spot is marked by a classic yellow AA signpost indicating the distance to the South Pole and the equator.

EATING & DRINKING

The Point Café and Bar is right by the sea at Kaka Point, with great views of the coast and a speciality fresh seafood menu. Get a Southland classic deep fried cheese roll, or a house-made burger, pizza or sushi at Bake House Takeaways in Owaka. Niagara Falls Café in South Catlins is a former school serving simple, delicious food made from local hand-picked ingredients, and just down the road, the excellent Tumu Toka Curioscape Café & Restaurant is the culinary outlet for the South Catlins Charitable Trust, tasked with preserving the area’s natural environment.

WHERE TO STAY

The Whistling Frog whistlingfrogresort.com 

Seascape seascapekakapoint.nz 

Tiromoana airbnb.com 

Beresford Heights beresfordheights.nz 

Kaka Point Luxury Spa Accommodation kakapointspaaccommodation.co.nz

GETTING HERE & AROUND

Air The nearest airports are in Invercargill, Dunedin and Queenstown. Road Head down State Highway 1 from Dunedin, or SH6 from Queenstown or Te Anau. The Catlins is part of the Southern Scenic Route, and the main coastal drive is in places unsealed and narrow, so drive with care and take your time to enjoy this beautiful part of the country.

NEED MORE?

Catlins Information Centre, 10 Campbell Street, Owaka

Waikawa Information Centre, 604 Niagara-Waikawa Highway

catlins.org.nz

WHERE IT’S AT

Balclutha Sitting near the end of the Clutha River, this is a great stopover between Dunedin and Invercargill, and acts as a gateway to the Catlins.

Kaka Point A small seaside town and popular destination for beachgoers.

Waikawa A former port town that still services fishing and pleasure boats. Close to the wildlife-filled Curio Bay.

Papatowai One of the tiniest towns in the country, with access to an estuary that makes for great fishing and wildlife watching.

Tokanui A great stopping point for food, socialising and accommodation near the western end of the Catlins.

Ōtautahi ‘neosoul pop’ duo Dillastrate have been taking over stages around the country. What's Hot New Zealand talks touring, new tracks and tea with keyboardist and vocalist Tim Driver.

Congratulations on your new EP, Narrative! What was this one like to record? Thanks heaps! It’s incredible to finally have it out there in the world. Narrative EP was an awesome recording experience for us. The audio production work was done with our friend Thom O’Connor, who has converted a house into a recording studio. There’s something inherently comfortable about literally recording drums in a converted lounge room. The actual recording process itself was so smooth and easy too. The songs seemed to just flow out when we were tracking them.

How has the sound evolved from Dillastrate in 2019? The sound of Narrative EP is quite different from the self-titled album from 2019 – it’s got a much earthier tone to it overall. With Dillastrate, we were aiming at big production, whereas Narrative EP uses a lot more ‘acoustic’ instruments. For example, our track ‘Scorch (featuring LUIS)’ is a fairly heavy hip-hop track, but instead of using the instruments you would expect, drum machines, bass synths, et cetera, we opted for acoustic drums, electric bass, grand piano, etc. Since the EP is all about telling stories, we thought it would be fitting to strip back the production and make it a bit more natural, a more authentic expression.

How do you and Henare Kaa write and create music together? Our writing process seems to be that one of us will write the bones of a song and bring it to the other person to flesh it out. From there it’s a matter of stepping back as much as possible and making sure that we are ‘serving the song’ and not letting ourselves get in the way of the writing process. Musically speaking, we have the great thing going where we make up for each other’s approaches to writing. For example, I’m definitely one to overthink the process far too much, where H has this amazing ability to get a song down to its purest essence. It’s a great working relationship and I think why we’ve been able to get through writing two EPs and an album without strangling each other.

Are you going to be hitting the road for some live gigs this year? Absolutely! Touring is what we do best, so we’re excited to get these songs out on the road for spring/summer 2021. We’ve also acquired a new member who will be joining us – our rapper LUIS. He featured on the track ‘Scorch’ on Narrative EP, and we brought him along with us on our New Zealand Hearty Tour earlier this year. He’s added a massive element of freshness and excitement to the live set, so look out for his appearances at our live shows this year!

How hot is the Ōtautahi music scene right now? So hot. Probably hotter than it’s been in a long time! It’s great to see Ōtautahi musicians going out and touring all over around Aotearoa at the moment and getting that Ōtautahi sound out there. We just recently played the GoLive Festival at the Christchurch Town Hall, which featured a whole bunch of amazing Ōtautahi acts, and I think it’s safe to say that the future of Ōtautahi music is in very safe hands. Speaking of which, we had the opportunity to include some up-and-coming musicians in our set – three young wāhine strings players from Rangi Ruru (Elise Tian – cello, Polly Lee – violin, and Ella Chen - violin). Absolute weapons of musicians, and such an honour to play alongside them.

What track have you got on high rotation at the moment? I’m a mad fan of soul slow jams, so it’s safe to say that I’ve always got a favourite slow jam on high rotation. Right now it’s ‘Until Morning’ by James Vickery – absolutely beautiful voice, and I just can’t resist a 6/8 slow jam.

How do you relax? Ha! But seriously… I personally find myself increasingly loving a cup of tea and a sit-down lately. When I’m able to relax outside of the mad music schedule, I’m a big fan of reading and video games – I’m a big nerd basically – and hanging out with my wife and pets. I can’t speak for H, but I think we both use playing and writing music as a way of relaxing too.

You’re given three wishes – what are they? So much power, so much responsibility. If I could click my fingers and make it happen instantly, my first wish would be to remove the excess carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and give us a bit more time to work on climate change. Can I also wish for world peace? If so, that would be wish two. Then I think I’d have to reward myself for the first two wishes by wishing for a warehouse full of keyboards.

What’s been your favourite venue to perform at? Oh wow, there are so many… I think personally it was playing with AhoriBuzz supporting Shapeshifter on their Delta tour at the Powerstation. We had three nights in a row there, and it was a great night every night. I particularly loved playing to people on two levels, the floor and the mezzanine, in that venue. And for a big venue, the stage felt strangely intimate, so that made playing a breeze. I think my favourite Christchurch venue has to be Dux Central – we’ve played a few shows there now, and every time it’s been a great night.

And favourite gig you’ve attended? Again, so many. Am I allowed to have a three-way tie or do I have to choose one? In the case of a three-way tie, it would be between Stevie Wonder, Radiohead and Leonard Cohen for the best shows I’ve ever seen live. All amazing in their own way. I’m a massive Radiohead fan, so let’s go with that as the number 1!

Who would be your dream collab? Again, I can’t speak for H, but I think it’s fair to say that we have a mutual dream collab in Anderson Paak – such a ridiculously good musician and we love everything he’s ever done.

Are you working on any non-Dillastrate projects? Both H and I are always working on some other musical projects, but Dillastrate takes the lion’s share of our time and commitment. Outside of this, I’ve been writing some ambient piano tracks in whatever spare time I have, which is more of a hobby project than anything else. I know H has been collaborating with other artists providing feature vocals, such as our friend Getset.

What have you got lined up this spring and summer? We are currently in the process of planning our Narrative EP release tour, so stay tuned to our socials for details. We’re also looking forward to paying tribute to our late friend and mentor Aaron Tokona at SpringJam at the Powerstation in Auckland for a massive gig on August 27th – that should be a really memorable night and one that we’re really excited about.

dillastrate.com

If you missed out on seeing The Firebird with Paquita in person, there’s a way to catch the action from the comfort of your own home.

It’s no secret What's Hot New Zealand is pumped about Royal New Zealand Ballet’s performance of The Firebird with Paquita – just check out our wicked interview with The Firebird choreographer Loughlan Prior for an idea of how cool it is going to be. For our Christchurch friends, we were gutted to realise that performances scheduled for this week have had to be postponed while everyone's still staying safe at home trying out our own ballet moves in our pyjamas.

RNZB has issued a statement saying they will not be able to stage any of the Christchurch performances until the city returns to Level 1. The company is working with Isaac Theatre Royal to schedule new dates, so if you're in Christchurch, hold fire and keep an eye on Cityscape’s Facebook and Instagram pages for updates as soon as we hear the good news.

“But what do we do while we wait?”, we hear you desperately cry. Never fear, our dystopian ballet fans. Keep busy practicing your Ugg Boot pirouettes until Friday August 27 when The Firebird Live in Your Living Room goes live on the RNZB website. It will be available for just over a week, finishing on September 6.

The Firebird Live in Your Living Room
Friday 27 August – Monday 6 September
rnzb.org.nz

What's Hot New Zealand took a moment to chat with Mexican-Kiwi comedian China Gonzalez about her upcoming show, Better Than Tacos.

Your show Better Than Tacos delves a bit into your story as a Mexican migrant in Auckland, can you give us any details about what else we can expect? There are a few anecdotes on my first impressions of this country, and surprisingly quite a lot of shared knowledge of my own culture that I now have because of my relocation to New Zealand. As well as several introspective moments on what actually defines and creates culture, which is a question all migrants are faced with when having to learn new ways of living.

You’re a strong representative of the Latino community on the comedy scene, performing this show in both Spanish and English – what are the logistics of performing the same show in two different languages? What’s your favourite part about doing it that way? The hardest part was trying the material with both audiences before it officially got selected for the show, this was a particularly challenging thing to do in Spanish because there weren't really that many, or any, Spanish gigs happening. So I used to have to create gigs and find other people who were willing to do comedy to have enough people for a line up just so that I could try my jokes in Spanish, but now they all seem pretty addicted to comedy, haha, so there are enough gigs happening that it's almost as easy as trying material in English. I think my favorite part of the journey was realizing that there was such a big audience hungry to hear comedy in Spanish, because they are such a grateful audience, it really feels like home performing for them, and during these times when we can't visit our actual homes that's a nice thing to have.

You’ve had a few successful runs at the New Zealand International Comedy Festival over the past few years, what have you enjoyed most about being part of that? I think it's been seeing the progressive growth. I started like most comedians with a 15-minute set in a three-person line up, then this year I had a season for my first hour which was performed in two different languages and a whole season for our Spanglish project. It's also a super inspiring environment. It was watching all the amazing local shows that made me go "Oh, I could do that next year" and what drove me to try bigger things each year. 

Tell us about your bilingual recurring comedy show, the Spanglish Comedy project. This is a project that started as an experiment to see if there were enough audience members for a Spanish speaking show. We had to do it bilingual at first because we didn't even have enough fully Spanish speaking comedians, so to give the performers some wiggle room we named it the Spanglish Comedy project. This is not the case anymore, there are a bunch of fully Hispanic people doing it and we have more people keen to try all the time. But we still love having our Anglo-Saxon mates, whose Spanish varies from performer to performer, because we know how cool it is to have the chance to perform in a second language. It's scary but cool, and the audience adores to see them try hard to make them laugh in Spanish, they identify from having to struggle with English themselves on a daily basis.

Have you currently got any other projects on the go? I am always writing new comedy bits, so after Better Than Tacos you can expect another hour to come, possibly also in both languages. I am also working on establishing Laenye Productions, a production house with my Spanish-speaking mates Matias Avaca and Daniel Fernandez that will hopefully house all sorts of Spanish-speaking art forms, not just stage comedy.

What’s the most common misconception about stand up comedy? I think the most common misconception about it is that comedians are social extroverts. I mean, some of us are, but we are still very anxious people who don't always handle attention off stage that well.

Who are your personal comedy heroes? I really like Stewart Lee's approach to comedy, he sees it as an art with a purpose in society, and his hours are so perfectly structured. And obviously Eddie Izzard. She was the first person who I knew was translating entire hours to see if they worked in different languages, and she was also one of the first big comedians if not the first to talk about gender issues on stage. I've always found her gender bending very inspiring.

So, tell us – what really is better than tacos? I wouldn't want to spoil the show!

Better Than Tacos
The Basement Theatre, Auckland
Tuesday 10 - Saturday 14 August
iticket.co.nz

It's official: Christchurch and Northland are two of the greatest places in the world according to TIME Magazine.

The magazine’s annual travel guide includes 100 destinations “offering visitors an extraordinary experience that’s unlike any other”. It is the third year the New York-based magazine and news website have published the list.

The list described Christchurch as “fully in recovery mode, welcoming hotel, restaurant and public-space openings almost every month”, and described Northland's "Sure to delight" offerings of hot springs, cultural attractions, and world-class diving.

Christchurch Mayor Lianne Dalziel says it is great news to see the city on TIME’s list. “Although our borders aren’t open right now, I am sure this will excite even greater interest in the city we have become,” Dalziel says. “We want to showcase the innovation and ingenuity which has been embedded in our city’s DNA. The fact that TIME has recognised the full potential of our city will further put us on the international stage.”

time.com

New Zealand Fashion Week is gearing up for an unforgettable event in August, and there will now be two appearances of the popular Miromoda Showcase.

The Miromoda Showcase celebrates Māori fashion and will feature designs from Taylor Pumphrey, Taongahuia Maxwell, Jacob Coutie, Sosefina Masoe, Ravai Titifanue, Charleigh Te Peeti, Mitchell Manuel, Tessa Lont Bailey, and Rosette Hailes-Paku. Committed to nurturing the development of the fashion industry’s Māori emerging and established designers, the nine designers selected at the 11th annual Miromoda fashion design competition will ignite the runway with their vibrant designs. This year Pacific designers were also invited into the competition.

“It is fantastic that the Go Media Miromoda Showcase will now be a part of the New Zealand Fashion Weekend line-up,” says Dame Pieter Stewart. “The Miromoda Showcase always brings a vibrancy to the runway and it’s fantastic that these talented designers will be able to share their creations with the wider public.”

Miromoda is considered a launchpad for online stores and each year the competition attracts entries from mostly third or fourth-year tertiary fashion design students as well as established labels.

Emerging and Overall winner, Taylor Pumphrey (Ngāi Tahu, Ngāti Toa, Ngāti Raukawa), will be showing her ‘Tangible’ collection, influenced by the sense of touch and its relationship to our emotion. Alongside her, Sosefina Masoe from Samoa will present a strong collection which acknowledges her matriarchal line and Ravi Titifanua, from Rotuma Island, Fiji will present a signature print for vivid and sophisticated corporate wear.

Jacob Coutie (Raukawa Tainui), winner of the Established Category, has maintained his strong legacy building aesthetic and commitment to organic sustainability by using natural cottons and linen in his menswear slash unisex collection. Returning entrant, Taongahuia Maxwell (Tainui, Maniapoto), will present an Avant Garde collection that tackles the controversial issue around the misuse of traditional weaving words, the Kaha tae collection sets out to trace the evolutionary journey of traditional Māori weaving into the 21st century in a fun, functional and vibrant way.

“Miromoda's involvement with New Zealand Fashion Week now spans more than a decade and we're all looking forward to seeing a well-deserved 20-year anniversary celebration come to fruition in August,” says Ata Te Kanawa, Miromoda founder. “We want to do justice to this amazing milestone for our biggest supporter, NZFW founder Dame Pieter Stewart and her crew,” she concludes.

Miromoda Showcase - New Zealand Fashion Week
Auckland Town Hall & Aotea Square
Thursday 26 & Saturday 28 August
iticket.co.nz

The world-famous world buskers festival is returning to infuse the streets of Christchurch with laughs, creativity and belief-defying acts this summer.

After the success of 2021's Backyard Buskers Festival, the 2022 Bread & Circus – World Buskers Festival promises to be even bigger and bolder, running across three weekends around central Christchurch from Friday 14 to Sunday 30 January. The world-famous busking pitches, free outdoor performances and must-see ticketed events are all set to return, with something to entertain and amuse audiences of all ages.

"We are some of the luckiest people in the world right now that we can get together and celebrate," says Festival Director Scott Maidment. "The arts can create that bit of magic energy through shared experience. This is what makes experiences like Bread & Circus so special."

Expressions of interest are now open, and the festival organisers are encouraging submissions of all ideas, talents, artistic proposals and event concepts. There have been hints that festival favourites of the past will return, and some world premieres are already in the works.

A landmark event and staple of the Christchurch summer event calendar, this summer's Bread & Circus will be the world-class festival of entertainment that locals and visitors alike have come to expect. "Bread & Circus has become one of our city's favourite events, an annual celebration of talent, vibrancy and diversity," says ChristchurchNZ General Manager of Destination and Attraction Loren Heaphy.

"It brings life to the city's streets and venues and elevates Ōtautahi Christchurch as a centre for arts and culture."

breadandcircus.co.nz

It wouldn't be summer without an L.A.B tour, and this one is no different. The legends are hitting the road, and they're bringing some pretty awesome friends.

L.A.B have announced their biggest ever run of shows for summer 2022. The band have had a massive few years, hitting number one multiple times and selling out shows across Aotearoa & Australia. They'll be playing three headline New Zealand gigs in January, in New Pymouth, Christchruch and Western Springs, Auckland.

These massive shows have some huge supporting acts, with Katchafire, JessB & RIIKI along for all three shows. The New Plymouth gig will have Sir Dave Dobbyn and Summer Theives, and the Auckland one will also include Dobbyn as well as Ladi6 and The Black Seeds. The Christchurch show will be a massive double will alongside Shapeshifter, supported by Ladi6.

These outdoor experiences will see L.A.B bringing the full lighting & visual experience the band is known for, alongside their unmatched live show. With an ever-expanding catalogue, these shows will see the band performing tracks that have made them a household name, including ‘In The Air’, ‘Controller’ and ‘Why Oh Why’.

The release of their album L.A.B IV saw the band cement themselves as one of the most popular acts in Aotearoa, with the album debuting at numberone on the Official Album Charts, with single ‘Why Oh Why’ hitting number one on the Official Top 40 Singles Charts, their second number one. 2021 so far has seen the band perform sold-out shows in New Plymouth, Auckland, Wellington and Hamilton, with this run of shows being the biggest of their career.

New Plymouth, Bowl of Brooklands
Saturday, January 8

Christchurch, Hagley Park
Saturday 15 January

Auckland, Western Springs Stadium
Saturday 22 January

Tickets for all shows on sale Wednesday July 28
arep.co

Queenstown is one of New Zealand’s most popular destinations for a reason – this stunningly scenic South Island town is overflowing with activities to suit any appetite, from the adventurous to the tranquil. We’ve rounded up our picks of some of the very best things to do off the slopes in Queenstown – now you just have to choose!

Get up close to Aotearoa’s native wildlife at Kiwi Birdlife Park

Learn all about conservation and say hi to New Zealand’s national icon at this rubbish-dump-turned-ecosanctuary (yes really). Explore the park under your own steam or catch one of the conservation shows to meet the wildlife close up. The Kiwi Encounter is an opportunity to learn some facts you never knew about these shy little birds, and claims to offer the best kiwi viewing in the country.

Cruise Lake Wakatipu

The ridiculously pretty crown jewel of Queenstown should definitely feature high on any must-do list. One of the best ways to enjoy this breathtaking landscape is to get on the lake itself – The TSS Earnslaw takes you across the water on a century-old coal-fired steamship, or you can cruise aboard a catamaran on the Spirit of Queenstown, which also offers a sunset dining cruise, so you can imbibe in possibly the most gorgeous environment ever.

Make your own white water on a jet boat

For a boating adventure with a little more adrenaline, you won’t want to miss the chance to zoom up one of Queenstown’s beautiful rivers at cobweb-obliterating speed. The Shotover Jet takes you on a thrilling ride through the narrow Shotover Canyon, while Go Orange races down the Kawarau River and Dart River Adventures is the only operator to take you into the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Te Wāhipounamu.

Let Black Beauty lead the way

An excellent way to explore Queenstown’s beautiful countryside from a different perspective, a horse trek gives you all the benefits of a scenic hike, but with someone else doing the walking for you! You can choose from a tranquil trek on a quiet-natured horse to something a bit more exhilarating for experienced riders. Lighthorse Adventures and High Country Horses both offer a range of different treks for all skill levels.

Get your chill on at an ice bar

Lean fully into the winter vibes and go enjoy a frosty one at one of Queenstown’s two ice bars, Minus 5º or Below Zero, where almost everything, including the glasses, is made of ice. You’ll be supplied with some Eskimo-style cold weather gear to keep the frostbite at bay so you can sit back and enjoy the ice sculptures, cocktails and bit of chill time. Get it?

Leap off a bridge (with a bungy attached)

You’re in the home of bungy, so it would be rude not to, right? You can still make the leap at the world’s first commercial bungy site, Kawarau Bridge, where you can dip your hands in the water below before you spring back up again. There’s also the Ledge Bungy located high above Queenstown, accessible by gondola or hike, and if you’re a real adrenaline junkie, head for New Zealand’s highest bungy, the 134-metre Nevis Bungy. Weird tip: Did you know you can bungy in the nude?

Jump out of a plane (or try the indoor version!)

On the subject of flinging ourselves from great heights, we could hardly forget about skydiving. With NZONE Skydive, you’ll fly over spectacular views of the Wakatipu basin and The Remarkables before gathering your courage and stepping out of that plane for an exhilarating one-minute freefall experience.

If the whole plane thing is a bit too extreme for you, Queenstown is the only place in New Zealand where you can get the thrill of a skydive without actually, you know, diving into the sky. At iFLY Queenstown, you get to experience the heart-pumping sensation of flight in a powerful wind tunnel.

Be the sharknado with Hydro Attack

This unique Queenstown experience is a submarine meets shark meets jet boat called Hydro Attack. You not only zoom across the top of the lake at speeds of up to 80kph, but also dive beneath the surface and explode up out of the water and straight into the air as well. There is nothing quite like riding in one of these shark-lookalike machines, and even watching them from the shore is great entertainment.

Indulge yourself in local fare

One of the best ways to get the true taste of Queenstown is to literally get the taste of Queenstown. There’s so much amazing local food and drink to try, you’ll be hard pressed to make a decision from lunch to dinner. Some of the must-trys are the legendary Fergburger, The Cow, Patagonia Chocolates, Cookie Time Cookie Bar, The Remarkable Sweet Shop, Blue Kanu and Botswana Butchery. Don’t miss some of the excellent nearby wineries too, such as Gibbston Valley, Amisfield and Akarua.

Cruise up, then hurtle down with Queenstown Luge and Gondola

Two of the most iconic Queenstown activities go hand-in-hand: The Queenstown Gondola and Queenstown Luge. The gondola takes you up 450 metres to Bob’s Peak, treating you to panoramic views of the lake and mountains, and once you’ve made it to the top, you can zoom down in style via the luge course of banked corners, tunnels and dippers.

Hit the mountain bike trails

This is a great place to be for mountain bikers – scenic trails abound here, with three lift-assisted mountain bike parks and heaps of paths around the area sure to satiate any craving for two-wheeled adventure. Don’t miss the Queenstown Trail’s 130km of off-road options, taking you through beautiful scenery to photo-op destinations such as Arrowtown and the iconic Kawarau Bridge, as well as plenty of cafés and wineries.

Soak your cares away at Onsen Hot Pools

Take relaxation to the next level at this boutique retreat and day spa, where you can luxuriate in the cedar-lined hot pools while enjoying stunning views of the Shotover River and mountains. The Original Onsen Experience even has a retractable roof, so you can transform your experience from indoor to outdoor at will.

View Queenstown from the sky on a scenic flight

One of the best ways to experience the majesty of this region’s scenery is from the air. Hope aboard an aircraft (you don’t even have to jump out of this one) and enjoy uninterrupted views of the lakes, mountains, rivers and glaciers from the comfort of a helicopter, plane or hot air balloon.

Get your glide on at Queenstown Ice Arena

The ever-popular winter activity of ice skating is available all year-round at Queenstown’s own indoor ice skating rink. Queenstown Ice Arena offers several activities on the ice besides ice skating, including ice hockey, curling, and even ice bumper cars!

Pick up a treasure at the Queenstown Arts and Crafts market

You’ll find unique handmade goods from local artists alongside tasty treats and live entertainment at this popular lakeside market, held every Saturday at Earnslaw Park. Crafters from all over the South Island bring their wares to this market, so be sure to bring some cash for when you inevitably spot something you simply have to take home.

Don your climbing boots and defy gravity

Rock climbing is a challenging, rewarding and unforgettable way to experience the beauty of Queenstown, and this is something of a mecca for rock climbing enthusiasts, with climbers from all over the world coming here to test their skills. There are many cliff faces in the area to explore, and don’t miss the via ferrata with its iron steps and rods. If you’ve never climbed before, this is also a great place to learn, with several tours available for beginners.

Like a flying fox, but better

Speed through treetops and over valleys on one of Queenstown’s ziplining tours, an exciting and fun-filled way to get panoramic views and a bit of adrenaline along with it! On a Ziptrek Ecotour, you'll also gain a bit of knowledge about the environment through which you’re zooming.

Take a foot-powered adventure

Nature is at its most jaw-dropping around these parts, and you’ll get to explore the full effect of it on one of Queenstown’s many walking tracks. Head up Queenstown Hill through pine forest to get stunning views of Lake Wakatipu and see the well-known Basket of Dreams sculpture along the way. The Mt Crichton Loop Track is a fascinating look into gold mining history as well as offering waterfall, river and gully views. Of course, one of New Zealand’s most well-known Great Walks, the Routeburn Track, is only an hour from Queenstown, and you can walk smaller sections of it if you don’t feel like tackling the entire three-day hike.

Ponder the wonders of the universe

There are some amazing skies to be seen in the less populated areas around Queenstown, well worth rugging up and heading out for an after-dark stargazing mission. Moke Lake is a lovely spot to take in the stars, and you can even camp there for a small fee if you fancy sleeping beneath them. For a closer look, you can join a stargazing tour with Skyline Queenstown, where you’ll get to observe the stars and planets through a telescope from a specially-constructed platform high above the Skyline complex.

Explore Middle Earth

Many of the magical locations from the Lord of the Rings films were lifted straight out of Queenstown and its surrounds, and on a Lord of The Rings scenic tour, you’ll get to soak up the postcard-perfect sights and get plenty of photo ops while also learning more about how the era-defining trilogy of films were made.

New Zealand’s capital has got it going on – you’ll never be short of cool things to do in Wellington, whether it’s soaking up the culture, exploring the arts or getting out in the unique and beautiful landscape. We’ve pulled together some of the best things to do for free (or cheap) in the coolest little capital that the whole family will enjoy.

Delve in to history and culture at Te Papa

You first stop for an awesome free activity in Wellington should definitely be Te Papa. The excellent Museum of New Zealand has a ton of interactive displays that the kids will love getting their hands on, such as drawing their own Pasifika-inspired tattoo, making their own music and playing with puzzles.

Pay a visit to the Red Rocks seals

Check out the wilder side of Wellington with a walk from Owhiro Bay to Red Rocks, where you’ll get to see fur seals lazing on the rocks. The red rocks themselves are an amazing sight too, and there’s some interesting Māori folklore around how they got their colour. Remember to keep a safe distance from the seals – they don’t like it if you get between them and the sea.

Climb the lighthouse at Frank Kitts Park Playground

This iconic playground on the Wellington waterfront will quickly become a favourite with your kids – if it isn’t already. The lighthouse slide is an obvious highlight, with swings, harbour views and a market on Saturdays all adding to this park’s charms. In summer, keep walking along to Oriental Bay for a swim.

Get splashed by the Cuba Street bucket fountain

Walk the foot-traffic-only Cuba Street, check out the shops and cafes, and be sure to stop by the famous bucket fountain. Little ones will love guessing when the buckets will tip, and there’s also a slide just next to the fountain for a bit of added entertainment. Get close in summer for a refreshing splash.

Get on the nature trail at Otari-Wilton’s Bush

With over 11km of walking trails through stunning native forest, Otari-Wilton’s Bush is a nature lover’s paradise. Walks in this area will be serenaded by a chorus of native birds, including tūī, kererū, korimako and ruru, and you can even get on the birds’ eye level with the Canopy Walkway. Kids (and grown-ups!) can use the free downloadable adventure map to complete the trail activities, and find the code word on the Guardian Post to get a special Kiwi Guardians medal!

Under $10

Head up the hillside on the Wellington Cable Car

This is a Wellington must-do: New Zealand’s only inner-city funicular railway takes you on a delightful ride up the terraced hillside of Kelburn to give you stunning views over the city. Once you’re at the top, you can explore the Cable Car Museum, Wellington Botanic Gardens, and it’s also a great jump-off point for Carter Observatory and Zealandia. Adult return fares are $9, children (aged 5-15) return fares are $4.50.

Under $20

Indulge your inner astronaut at Space Place

Kids will have stars in their eyes visiting Space Place at the Carter Observatory. This museum is all about the stories of New Zealand’s skies, with plenty to learn about the planets, stars and galaxies, and all-ages shows to take in at the full-dome planetarium. Interactive galleries give kids the chance to experience a rocket blast off and being inside a space ship, among many other awesome space-related activities. Entry is $14 for adults and $9 for kids aged 4-16.

Under $30

Visit a home-grown chocolate factory

Pop in to the Wellington Chocolate Factory to have a cup of possibly the best hot chocolate you’ve ever had, and peek in at the deliciousness churning away behind the scenes. If you want to go further into the factory, the kids can take a Junior Chocolate Tour, where they’ll learn all about the making of this delicious treat, get to create their own wrapper artwork and take home a personalised bar. The tour is for children aged 5-13 and costs $25, and there are several other tour options available.

Explore movie making at Weta Caves Workshop

Get an in-depth behind-the-scenes look at how the Weta Workshop team creates movie magic for films like The Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit, and Avatar. You’ll get to learn about how the props, costumes and creatures for these films are made, as well as seeing artists at work. Tickets are $28 for adults and $13 for children aged 6-14. Children under 6 are free.

Discover a land untouched at Zealandia sanctuary

This unique ecosanctuary is home to over 40 different native birds, as well as dozens of reptiles and hundreds of plant species, making it possibly the most biodiverse place in New Zealand. Day, twilight and night tours are available, and you might even spot a kiwi on one of the night tours! Adult tickets are $23, children aged 5-17 are $10 and children under 5 are free.

Looking for some kid-friendly activities around Auckland? There are plenty of things to explore in New Zealand’s largest city, and we’ve rounded up a few of the best things to do for free, plus a few worth spending a little bit on as well.

Say hi to the animals at Ambury Farm

Snag a nice weather day and head out on this awesome pastoral walk near Mangere Bridge – it’s a nice gentle walk on grass and gravel paths (wheelchair and pushchair accessible if it’s not too muddy) where you can meet sheep, goats, cows, pigs, horses, turkeys and maybe even a peacock!

Learn and explore at Auckland Museum and Auckland’s oldest park

Free for Auckland residents if you bring along proof of address, the Auckland Museum is a veritable Cave of Wonders for kids. See ancient animal skeletons and other fascinating curiosities in the Weird & Wonderful gallery. While you’re there, explore the Auckland Domain, where you’ll find sports fields, a few sculptures, the duck ponds, and the always-worth-seeing wintergardens.

Enjoy the central city atmosphere at Wynyard Quarter

Make the most of the City of Sails and head down to Viaduct Harbour, where you can watch boats of all shapes and sizes coming and going. Afterwards, wander along the scenic boardwalk and pay a visit to the excellent maritime-themed playground in Wynyard Quarter. In summer, you’ll catch plenty of events going on at Silo Park, including outdoor cinema and markets.

Go for a dip at Auckland Council pools

All pools operated by the Auckland Council are free for children under 16, and a nominal fee for a supervising adult. Head to one of these indoor heated pool facilities and let the kids splash around while you enjoy a cup of coffee in the café, or a soak in the spa.

Visit a playground

Auckland has so many awesome play areas where the kids can race around, blow off steam and indulge their imaginations. Try the Takapuna Beach Reserve Playground for its sweet slides and climbing structure, Onepoto Domain for the flying fox and bike/scooter tracks, or hit the treetop-themed Tui Glen Park in Henderson for big climbing towers, a rope bridge, and a sandpit area for the younger ones.

Cycle the Light Path / Te Ara I Whiti

This is something wheels of all sizes can enjoy – scooters, bikes or skateboards can all be spotted on Auckland’s Light Path, which snakes through the inner city and offers great views of spaghetti junction from above. The path is pink during the day too, but it looks even better when it’s lit up at night, if you have kids of a staying-up-after-dark age.

Admire history and nature at Manukau Heads Lighthouse

This historic lighthouse is a must-see, about an hour’s drive from Auckland central and one of the only lighthouses in New Zealand that you can actually get inside. You’ll be treated to incredible views of the Manukau Harbour from the top of the lighthouse, and kids can have fun exploring with the free downloadable scavenger hunt map.

Cultivate future artists at Auckland Art Gallery

Located in the heart of Auckland central, this gallery is very kid-friendly, with special Gallery Games designed to engage tamariki with the art around them, which you can download beforehand or pick up from the information desk on the day. The Creative Learning Space is another great hands-on area, with interactive installations to encourage kids to explore their creative sides.

Climb a (dormant) volcano

Want to get the best views of Auckland? Your best bet is to get yourself to the top of one of the city’s many dormant volcanoes. Mt Eden is one of the highest, as well as possibly the most famous, and the sight of the grassy crater hollowing out below you is well worth the very manageable stroll to the top. Other great easily-walkable options include One Tree Hill, Mt Albert, and Rangitoto Island.

Explore the walking tracks

Aucklanders are spoiled for choice when it comes to walking tracks – with the lush expanse of the Waitākeres on your doorstep, as well as a multitude of stunning coastal walks, it won’t be difficult to find one that suits your family. Try the Mercer Bay Loop Track just before Piha for breathtaking views across the water, or the walk to Kitekite falls where you can take a dip at the end if it’s hot. Enjoy a rural scene with splashes of coastline in Shakespear Regional Park, or explore the otherworldly black dunes and lake at Te Henga/Bethells Beach on the Lake Wainamu walk.

Under $20

Hit a trampoline park

Your little bouncers will be in hog heaven at one of Auckland’s great trampoline parks, where they can leap from one to the next, fly into foam pits and literally bounce off the walls! Jump Auckland is $11 for kids under 110 cm, and $19.50 general admission, while Uptown Bounce in Grey Lynn is $10 for kids under 110cm and $16 general admission.

Full steam ahead at MOTAT

Check out the aircraft in the Museum of Transport and Technology’s award-winning Aviation Display Hall, get hands-on at the permanent Get Smart exhibition showcasing the growth of computing and gaming technology, and be sure to take a ride on a steam engine before you go! Entry is $10 for kids aged 5-15 (under 5s are free) and $19 for adults.

Under $30

Connect to nature at Butterfly Creek

See the living rainbow at Butterfly Creek’s amazing tropical butterfly house, discover an ancient world in the Dinosaur Kingdom, and see real-life dinosaurs to boot (almost) – New Zealand’s only salt water crocodiles! Free for children under 3, $16 for kids aged 3-15, and $28 for adults.

Enter the animal kingdom at Auckland Zoo

Auckland Zoo is home to New Zealand’s most diverse wildlife, including elephants, rhinos, giraffes, cheetahs, seals, and giant Galápagos tortoises! Kids aged 4-14 are $13, adults are $24.

Under $50

Cruise the water to Waiheke

A great way to see Auckland Harbour from the water, the ferry to Waiheke Island takes about 40 minutes, and once you arrive, you’ll be in a world apart, with stunning beaches and charming seaside villages waiting to be explored. Return tickets are $42 for adults, $21 for children (under 5s travel free).

Under $200

Loop the loop at Rainbow’s End

New Zealand’s largest theme park is packed full of delights for kids, including the Kids Kingdom specially for kids under 8. The splurge is worth it for more than 20 rides and attractions, a virtual reality entertainment centre, and plenty of food and drink that will make for an unforgettable day. Price for one adult and two children is $159.97.

If you’ve got a pack to entertain, you’ve come to the right place. Dunedin, the ‘Edinburgh of the south’ is bursting with interesting and unique attractions, from New Zealand history to the area’s abundant wildlife. Our top five things to do for free around Dunedin will give you all the inspiration you need – plus we’ve got a few options on the affordable end of the scale.

Go wildlife spotting on Otago Peninsula

A little drive east will get you to a great wildlife spotting destination at Sandfly Bay on the Otago Peninsula. You’ll get stunning views, some sweet dune-sliding action, and best of all, you might just spot some native seals, sea lions and even yellow-eyed penguins – just be sure to keep your distance.

Soak up some history at Otago Museum

There’s plenty to fascinate the kids at the Otago Museum, from the Rat King in the Victorian taxidermy Animal Attic, to scale models of real ships including the Wahine, and New Zealand’s largest fossil. For a fee, you can also access the Tūhura Science Centre and the Perpetual Guardian Planetarium.

Go for a stroll… or a climb… on the world’s steepest street

Tucked away in an unassuming Dunedin suburb, Baldwin Street owns the title of the steepest street in the world. It’s definitely more of a climb than a stroll to get to the top, but your bragging rights will be well earned!

See native birds in the Dunedin Botanic Garden aviary

New Zealand’s oldest public garden also boasts a pretty spectacular aviary, full of native birds like kea and kaka that make it a definite highlight. The garden itself is beautiful, with many different botanical collections including the four-hectare Rhododendron Dell and the Winter Garden Glasshouse. You can feed the ducks from the main pond’s jetty, stop off at the playground, and grab a brochure from the information centre to explore the Children’s Play Trail.

Walk the Organ Pipes Track

This might be one for the older kids as the trail is quite steep in places, but the unique and spectacular columns of rock – or organ pipes – make it well worth it. Adventurous members of the family will get a kick out of climbing the columns for an even more amazing view.

Under $10

Go swimming

In summer, the St Clair Hot Salt Water Pool is a stunning spot for a soak, perched right on St Clair beach with views of the Pacific Ocean. There’s also a toddler’s pool and café on site. Entry is $3.30 for children and $7.20 for adults, and the pool is open from October to March. For some all-year-round water fun, the Moana Pool complex boasts hydroslides, a rapid river and wave pool, plus a spa and lap pool for the serious swimmers. Entry is $3.30 for children and $7.20 for adults.

Under $20

Larnach Castle

Pay a visit to New Zealand’s very own castle and feel like a true lord or lady of the manor. You can explore the beautiful gardens and grounds while admiring the castle from the outside for $17.50 per adult, or head inside the castle as well for $35 per adult. Children under 14 are free.

Tūhura Science Centre at Otago Museum

Dunedin’s largest museum also boasts New Zealand’s biggest science centre. Kids will be all about the three-storey indoor slide, the tropical forest complete with waterfall, sky bridge and exotic butterflies, and heaps of hands-on activities to get their minds whirring. Entry is $10 for children and $15 for adults.

Under $40

Little blue penguin viewing tours

If you haven’t seen a few penguins, have you really experienced Dunedin? Get a bird’s eye view (sorry) of these ridiculously cute penguins coming home for the night from the Pilot’s Beach viewing platform, where the Royal Albatross Centre guides can answer any questions your children might have and ensure everyone gets a good close up look at the world’s smallest penguin. Tickets are $35 for adults and $10 for children.

Christchurch’s Orana Park is stepping up to help save rhinos from extinction, beginning construction on a new White Rhino Conservation Centre that will be able to hold 20 rhinos at a time.

Construction on the new $1.4M facility begins Wednesday July 14 and will aim to increase genetic diversity of the existing population and help protect the species. Chief Executive Lynn Anderson explains that without swift action, rhinos could very well be extinct in our lifetime.

“In Africa, one rhino is illegally killed on average every six hours for its horn. Rhino poaching is out of control and there are more rhinos killed than there are born. Unless we act now, rhinos may tragically be extinct within 10 years.”

As New Zealand’s only open range zoo, Orana Park has partnered with two Australian open range zoos and The Australian Rhino Project (TARP) to expand the managed rhino breeding population in Australia and New Zealand. This will involve transferring approximately 35 animals (ten per transfer) from wildlife reserves in Africa to maintain a genetically diverse population in the safety of New Zealand and Australia, should rhinos become extinct in the wild.

“Our White Rhino Conservation Centre is essential for this project. Every rhino transferred from Africa that is destined for our Australian partners must be quarantined in New Zealand for up to one year in our White Rhino Conservation Centre. Some rhinos from each import will remain at Orana to progressively develop a larger breeding herd here. Rhinos will be re-exported to our partners in Australia to develop increased breeding herds there.”

“Rhinos are counting on us all for their survival. As a charitable trust, Orana raises 100% of funds for all developments. We must raise the remaining $650,000 of the $1.4M needed to make this ambitious project a reality. As part of our public fundraising campaign, we have launched a Give a Little Page enabling the community to help us contribute to conservation on an international scale.”

“Our entire team is passionate about conservation and privileged to be involved in a project to help secure one of the world’s most iconic species,” Lynn said.

oranawildlifepark.co.nz

Looking for some budget-friendly things to do with the kids? We’ve got some great ideas for free family activities around Christchurch – plus a few worth spending a bit on as well.

Go to a playground

If it’s a nice day and you’re looking for a place to let the kids run wild, your first stop should be the Margaret Mahy Playground. This spectacular spot is easily one of the greatest play areas in Christchurch, with awesome equipment such as the flying fox, four metre-wide slide, and heaps of things to climb on, crawl through and swing on. If heading to the central city isn’t convenient for you, there are plenty of other great playgrounds all around the city – try New Brighton, Scarborough Park or Craighead Reserve.

Go to a museum

Canterbury Museum has a whole bunch of activities that the kids will absolutely love, all free, and all inside where it’s warm and dry – bonus! Head to Discovery for a range of weird and wonderful things to explore, from digging for fossils to checking out live tarantulas! If you’re out Wigram ways, the Air Force Museum of New Zealand is definitely worth a visit – the kids will love getting to sit in the cockpit of real fighter jets and playing at being an aeroplane with the Balloon Busters interactive game.

Imagination Station at Tūranga

Let your kids discover their inner architect with the huge range of Lego at Tūranga, where six building tables and two building pits filled with all different kinds of Lego and Duplo offer endless creative possibilities. Reward yourself for thinking of such a great activity by grabbing a coffee at Foundation downstairs.

Go for a bike ride

Head out on a two-wheel family expedition and explore some of the many excellent bike paths in this extraordinarily cycle-friendly city. Try Te Ara Ōtākaro Avon River Trail, cycling through Hagley Park or the Botanic Gardens, or hop on the Sumner Esplanade for a nice ocean view with your journey. If you don’t have bikes, go for a family walk instead!

Go to the Christchurch Art Gallery

There’s plenty to delight your little artists at the Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū. There are often interactive displays and sensory materials for the kids to get their hands on, as well as a range of workshops and activities just for them – check out the Family and Kids Events section of the website to see what’s on.

Under $10

Quake City

This permanent exhibition about the Canterbury earthquakes has lots of interactive displays for the kids to get involved with. Children under 15 are free when accompanied by an adult, and $8 without an adult.

Halswell Miniature Trains

Taking a ride on one of these adorable mini trains costs only $2 per person, or you can grab 6 rides for $10. If you happen to be at the Halswell Domain on the second Sunday of the month, you’ll also catch some sweet model boat action on the lake!

Visit the toy library

It’s not only books you can borrow from a library – tap into the novelty of new toys without breaking the bank by rocking up to one of the great toy libraries in Christchurch and taking a few on-loan friends home for between $1and $5 each.

Under $40

Willowbank

See and even play with cute animals at Willowbank Wildlife Reserve, from native New Zealand birds and lizards to very cuddle-able farm animals. Tickets are $12 for kids aged 5-15, and $32.50 for adults.

Orana Park

Christchurch’s ultimate animal adventure, Orana Park is the place to see exotic animals like giraffes, lions, tigers, and New Zealand’s only gorillas! There’s also a playground for the kids to play on while you grab a hot drink and a snack. Entry is $36.50 for adults and $9.50 for kids aged 5-14. Children under 5 are free.