🐝 WellyBuzz: Glow Worms, Big Laughs & Secret Bites

Kia ora Pōneke!

It’s been a wild and windy week — May has well and truly blown in with all the autumn feels. 🍂 Time for cozy eats, maybe one last beach stroll (if you’re brave), and café afternoons watching the rain roll by. But don’t worry — the city’s still buzzing, with gigs, markets, and adventures to lift the mood. See you out there — jackets zipped, brolly in hand, smiles wide!

🔥 Quick Picks This Weekend

• 🎤 Reb Fountain Live – Alt-folk magic from Reb Fountain as she previews her new album How Love Bends.
• 🩰 The Firebird & My Brilliant Career – RNZB brings epic dance and drama to St James.
• 🎸 Porirua Rocks 2025 – Rock bands, craft beers, and wrestling chaos – Porirua’s biggest party is back!
• ✨ Glow Worm Night Tours – Wander Wellington’s gardens after dark and see the titiwai glow.
• 😂 Best Foods Comedy Gala – Big laughs and big names launch the 2025 Comedy Fest in style.

🔥 In This Week’s Buzz

🐾 Pet of the Week – Meet our latest adorable floof - Milan the Chihuahua
🕰️ Welly’s Time Machine – When Hollywood Royalty came to town
🌟 Local Legends – Two indie gems you’ll want to visit
🍽️ Food & Drink – Three buzzworthy bites to try
🎉 Events – What’s on in Wellington this weekend
🌦️ Welly Weather Watch – Wild Friday, easing by Sunday. Pack a brolly and a hoodie.
💕 Extra Sprinkles – the Mary Potter Hospice

🐾 Pet of the Week – Milan

Meet Milan — an 11-year-old rescue with a heart bigger than he is. 💛 Adopted from the SPCA by his loving owner, Debbie, Milan now shares his love through Canine Friends Pet Therapy, visiting older folks and stealing hearts wherever he goes. He’s partial to crunchy treats like broccoli stems and persimmons, and rocks a cozy jumper when the weather cools. Here he is getting blessed at the cathedral — his "insurance policy" for a long, happy life! 🐾

🕰️ Welly’s Time Machine - When Hollywood Royalty came to town

🎬 In 1966, Hollywood superstar Charlton Heston swapped the silver screen for a tennis court — right on Mercer Street in central Wellington! He played a charity doubles match in front of a 10,000-strong crowd, riding in Ben Hur-style and helping raise money for the Intellectually Handicapped Children’s Society. Traffic stopped, history was made, and it’s still the largest known crowd for a tennis match in New Zealand’s history.

🌟 Local Legends

Bea DnD Games – 199 Jackson Street, Petone
Wellington’s ultimate hub for gaming lovers. From Dungeons & Dragons to Magic: The Gathering, board games, miniatures, dice, and collectibles — this community-minded store is a paradise for adventurers of all kinds. Plus, they run regular game nights and events to level up your fun.

Take Me Back – 117 Main Street, Upper Hutt
Nestled in Upper Hutt, Take Me Back is a delightful vintage store brimming with carefully curated treasures. From retro decor and furniture to unique bric-a-brac and clothing, it's a haven for those seeking nostalgic finds. Each item tells a story, making every visit a journey through time. A true gem for vintage enthusiasts and curious explorers alike.

🍽️ Food & Drink – 3 Must-Try Spots This Week

🥙 Mezze Food Truck – Various spots across Wellington
Zany Zeus is back (well kind of) — and it’s rolling on four wheels! Mezze Food Truck dishes up legendary halloumi sandwiches, Greek-style bites, and dreamy soft serves. Look for them at Marion Street, Gilmours Wellington, or Moore Wilson’s, and follow their socials for updates.

🍷 Margot Bar and Restaurant, Newtown
A cosy Newtown gem serving up seasonal sharing plates, thoughtful wines, and good times. Margot nails that magic mix of design, soul, and seriously tasty food — the kind of place you wander into for dinner and leave already planning your next visit.

🍷 Rosella Wine Bar – 18 Majoribanks St, Mt Victoria
Mediterranean, North African, and Middle Eastern flavours come together at this stunning Mt Vic spot. Expect vibrant small plates like lamb belly skewers, kingfish crudo, and baked brie vol-au-vents — alongside a dreamy wine list. Walk-ins welcome upstairs, but bookings recommended for downstairs.

🎉 Events: Your Weekend Lineup 🌟

Friday 2 May

🎤 Reb Fountain – Live in Concert
Experience the powerful voice and poetic soul of Reb Fountain as she shares music from her upcoming album How Love Bends. 📍 The Opera House, Wellington

🩰 The Firebird & My Brilliant Career
A double bill of powerful storytelling and breathtaking dance, performed by the RNZB.📍 St James Theatre, 77 Courtenay Place | 🕒 7:30pm–9:30pm | 🎟 See website

🕵️‍♂️ The Curious Incident of The Dog In the Night-Time
A moving mystery and coming-of-age journey based on the bestselling novel.📍 Gryphon Theatre, 22 Ghuznee St | 🕒 7:30pm–9:30pm | 🎟 From $20

🎻 NZTrio Presents Magnifique
An enchanting night of Schubert, Saint-Saëns, and a stunning new NZ work.📍 St Andrew’s on The Terrace, 30 The Terrace | 🕒 7:30pm–9:30pm | 🎟 From $29

🌟 Glow in the Dark Titiwai Tours
Explore the magical world of glow worms on this night-time garden tour. 📍 Wellington Botanic Garden, 101 Glenmore St | 🕒 7:00pm–8:00pm and 8:00pm–9:00pm | 🎟 $10 (Kids under 12 free)

🌟 Ōtari Glow Worm Tour
Discover titiwai glow worms on this guided night walk through native bush. 📍 Ōtari-Wilton’s Bush, 160 Wilton Rd | 🕒 7:00pm–8:15pm | 🎟 $10.25 (Kids under 12 free)

🎸 Battle of the Bands 2025 – WLG Semi 1
Catch Wellington’s top rising bands compete live! 📍 Valhalla, 154 Vivian St | 🕒 7:30pm–11:55pm | 🎟 $18.20 | R18

🪓 Axtion Packed Friday Fling
Kick off your weekend with some epic axe throwing and friendly competition. 📍 Sweet Axe Throwing Co., 60 Cambridge Tce | 🕒 4:00pm–5:00pm | 🎟 $59.68 | R12

🌎 Around the World in 90 Minutes
A whirlwind musical journey across the globe — plus a free morning tea! 📍 Southward Theatre, Otaihanga Rd, Paraparaumu | 🕒 11:00am–12:45pm | 🎟 From $35

🎶 Discovery: Daft Punk Tribute
Celebrate 25 years of “One More Time” with a huge Daft Punk tribute party! 📍 Meow Nui, 92 Vivian St | 🕒 8:00pm | 🎟 From $35 | R18

🚦 Give Way – The Musical
A hilarious satire about NZ’s Give Way rule, with love, protests, and plenty of laughs.📍 Circa Theatre, 1 Taranaki St | 🕒 8:00pm–9:50pm | 🎟 From $25

⚽ Wellington Phoenix v Perth Glory
Feel the roar as the Phoenix take on Perth under the lights! 📍 Sky Stadium, 105 Waterloo Quay | 🕒 6:30pm–10:30pm | 🎟 See website

📚 Circular Climate Launch
Celebrate the launch of Circular issue 4 with readings of climate-themed poems, essays, and stories. 📍 The Undercurrent, 118 Tory St | 🕒 6:00pm–7:00pm | 🎟 Free | All Ages

🎤 Chocolate Humour A Comedy Show
A powerhouse lineup of Māori and Pasifika comedians bringing raw and hilarious stand-up to Ōtaki! 📍 The Tele, Main St, Ōtaki | 🕒 9:00pm | 🎟 $20 | R18

🎧 Hedex (UK) – My Home Is The Rave
Massive drum & bass night as Hedex brings his world tour to Upper Hutt! 📍 Brewtown, 27 Blenheim St | 🕒 5:00pm–10:30pm | 🎟 See website | R18

🎷 The Mantle Septet – Jazz Composer Series
Experience fresh, local jazz with Theo Thompson's Mantle Septet and special guest Eden Brown. 📍 Bedlam & Squalor, Upstairs, 18 Garrett St | 🕒 7:00pm–8:30pm | 🎟 From $15 | R18

🎺 Airhorn! The Galalaaa Edition
A riotous night of stand-up, clowns, and chaos with some of Wellington’s hottest comedy talent! 📍 Newtown Community Centre | 🕒 8:00pm–9:30pm | 🎟 See website | R16

🎸 East York, Volts & Sidewinder
Three powerhouse Kiwi rock bands shake the walls at Underworld — a must for rock fans gearing up for Porirua Rocks! 📍 Underworld Tavern, 13 Pirie St | 🕒 7:30pm–11:00pm | 🎟 See website | R18

🚚 Food Truck Friday
Top food trucks and tasty treats meet great gin at The Bond Store’s cozy outdoor gathering — a perfect Friday feast! 📍 The Bond Store, 21 Birmingham St, Paraparaumu | 🕒 4:00pm–8:00pm | 🎟 Free | All Ages

Saturday 3 May

🎸 Porirua Rocks 2025
Rock bands, craft brews, epic wrestling matches, and awesome eats — Porirua’s biggest party is back and bigger than ever! 📍 Te Rauparaha Arena, 17 Parumoana St | 🕒 2:00pm–late

☕ Remnant Costumes Tea Party
Step into a bygone era with a tea party in full nineteenth-century attire. 📍 NZ Portrait Gallery, Shed 11 | 🕒 11:30am–1:30pm | 🎟️ Free

🛍️ Newtown Vintage & Craft Market
Get cosy this winter with local creators, art, plants, homewares, and more! 📍 Newtown School Hall, 16 Mein St | 🕒 9:00am–2:00pm

🌸 Memorial Plaques Walk
Learn the stories behind the memorial plaques on this fascinating guided stroll through the Botanic Garden. 📍 Wellington Botanic Garden, 101 Glenmore St | 🕒 2:00pm–3:00pm | 🎟 $5 cash only | All Ages

🎶 No Scrubs: 90s + 00s Party
Throw it back on the dancefloor with all the biggest hits from 1990–2009! 🎤 📍 San Fran | 🕒 11:15pm | 🎟️ From $11.32

🎸 Battle of the Bands – Semi 2
Up-and-coming bands battle it out live at Valhalla for a spot in the national finals! 📍 Valhalla, 154 Vivian St | 🕒 7:30pm–11:55pm | 🎟 $18.20 | R18

🎸 Sweet As! Western Swing & Blues Troubadours
A night of swing, blues, and Americana with Don Burnham, Nick Granville, Graham Parker, and Sarah Duckworth. 📍 Abandoned Taproom, Petone | 🕒 7:30pm | 🎟 $22.75

🎤 Dan Boerman Folds A Fitted Sheet On His Own
High-energy, chaotic stand-up from Wairarapa's own Dan Boerman after a smash-hit Edinburgh debut. 📍 Storytellers Greytown, 69A Main Street | 🕒 7:00pm–8:00pm

🎬 Hellavision TV Presents: Track Attack
A wild two-hour blast of experimental animated music videos, powered by community creativity. 📍 Newtown Community Centre, Corner Rintoul & Colombo St | 🕒 8:00pm–11:00pm | 🎟 Free

🎉 Krakerjack – 3 Maja Celebration
Celebrate Poland’s Constitution Day with live folk music, hearty food, and festive vibes! 📍 Moon, Newtown | 🕒 8:00pm | 🎟 $15

😂 Best Foods Comedy Gala
A star-studded night of stand-up laughs, hosted by Hayley Sproull, launching the 2025 NZ International Comedy Festival. 📍 The Opera House, 111–113 Manners St | 🕒 7:30pm–10:00pm | 🎟 from $89

🎸 Songwriters' Saturday
An evening of heartfelt originals and lively tunes from Dean Murray, Mike & Ros, Rachel Hird, and Phonic Fever. 📍 The Realm Bar & Bistro, Hataitai | 🕒 6:30pm–9:30pm | 🎟️ Free

🛍️ Paekākāriki Market Day
A lively monthly market with art, books, plants, crafts, second-hand treasures, and tasty local eats. 📍 St Peters Village Hall, Paekākāriki | 🕒 9:00am–2:00pm | 🎟️ Free

📚 Bookfest 2025
A massive charity book sale with books, games, puzzles, CDs, vinyl, and more — perfect for stocking up before winter! 📍 Whirinaki Whare Taonga, Upper Hutt | 🕒 9:00am–5:00pm | 🎟️ Free

🦙 Walking with Alpacas
Get up close with friendly alpacas on a scenic guided walk overlooking the Kapiti Coast. 📍 Cantharis Alpacas, 105 Waterfall Rd, Paraparaumu | 🕒 2:00pm–4:00pm | 🎟️ See Website

🌽 Wairarapa Farmers' Market
Fresh produce, live music, crafts, and family fun at the historic Solway Showgrounds. 📍 Solway Showgrounds, Judds Rd, Masterton | 🕒 9:00am–1:00pm | 🎟️ Free

🍎 Pick Your Own Apples at Molewood Orchard
Wander among apple trees and pick your own fresh fruit at this family-run Greytown orchard. 📍 Molewood Orchard, 17 Mole St, Greytown | 🕒 9:00am–4:00pm

🏓 Pickleball Launch Party
Celebrate the launch of pickleball at Renouf! Expect pick-up games, demos, music, snacks, and prizes. 📍 Renouf Tennis Centre | 🕒 6:00pm–9:00pm | 🎟️ Free

🌌 Astrophotography Workshop
Learn to capture stunning night skies with expert Keith Molloy. 📍 Tararua Tramping Club | 🕒 2:00pm–11:30pm | 🎟️ See Website

🏁 Wellington Family Speedway Season Finale
Wall-to-wall racing action as all classes hit the track for the final night of the season! 📍 Wellington Family Speedway | 🕒 5:00pm–10:00pm | 🎟️ See Website

🏉 Hurricanes v Chiefs
A thrilling clash under the lights as the Hurricanes take on the Chiefs in a must-watch Super Rugby showdown. 📍 Sky Stadium, Wellington | 🕖 7:05pm kick-off

🚂 Model Train Show – Wairarapa
A fun, affordable family day out with epic model layouts, trade stands, and food.
📍 Carterton Events Centre | 🗓️ Sat 3 & Sun 4 May | 🎟️ From $5.50 (under 5’s free)

Sunday 4 May

🧙 Geek Fest 2025
A full day of cosplay, collectibles, live music, geeky market stalls and more! 📍 Brewtown, Upper Hutt | 🕒 11:00am–4:00pm | 🎟️ General Admission $5

📚 Bookfest 2025
Hunt for treasures at this giant charity book sale, with thousands of books, games, and more! 📍 Whirinaki Whare Taonga, 836 Fergusson Dr, Upper Hutt | 🕒 9:00am–5:00pm | 🎟️ Free

🎻 Old World, New World
Hutt Valley Orchestra performs a stirring mix of European and Kiwi compositions, including Dvořák’s New World Symphony. 📍 St James Church, 71 Woburn Rd, Lower Hutt | 🕒 3:00pm–4:30pm | 🎟️ See Website

🎶 Hanwho at Moon 1
An evening of authentic expression, music, and collective connection to reset the week. 📍 MOON 1, Newtown | 🕕 6:00pm | 🎟️ See Website

🛸 Star Wars Quiz Night
Test your Force knowledge and win prizes at Dakota Bar’s galactic Star Wars trivia night — costumes encouraged! 📍 Dakota Bar, 74 Courtenay Pl | 🕒 6:00pm–8:00pm | 🎟️ Free

🍄 Fungi Kingdom, Part One
Join a guided walk at Ōtari-Wilton’s Bush to explore the fascinating world of fungi — a whole kingdom hiding in plain sight! 📍 Ōtari-Wilton’s Bush, 160 Wilton Rd | 🕒 2:00pm–3:30pm | 🎟️ General Admission $6.15

🍻 Comedy Fest at Parrotdog
Laugh the night away with top comedians and the launch of the official Comedy Fest beer at Parrotdog Brewery! 📍 Parrotdog Brewery, 29 Vivian St | 🕒 6:00pm–7:00pm | 🎟️ From $25

🎷 Sunday Jazz – Garam Jung
Relax with a Sunday session of soulful jazz standards from Garam Jung and his quartet. 📍 The Rogue and Vagabond, Wellington | 🕒 5:00pm | 🎟️ Free

🎤 Dope As Sunday Comedy
A hilarious Sunday night comedy lineup to celebrate May the Fourth — Star Wars jokes optional! 📍 The Fringe Bar, Wellington | 🕒 7:00pm–9:00pm | 🎟️ See Website

🐶 Small Dog Social Walk
Let your small dog run, play, and enjoy a beach walk with other friendly pups! Meet at the back field at McEwan Park. 📍 38 Marine Parade, Petone | 🕝 2:30pm–3:30pm | 🎟️ Free

🍩 Donu't Stop Donut Run
Eat a mini donut, run or walk 1km, and repeat! A fun challenge to raise funds for youth outdoor opportunities. 📍 Waitangi Park, Wellington | 🕘 9:00am–12:00pm | 🎟️ Entry Fee $50

🪐 Low Sensory Hour
A quiet, welcoming hour at Space Place with dimmed lights, reduced sounds, and a calming Planetarium show. 📍 Space Place, Kelburn | 🕒 10:00am–11:00am | 🎟️ See Website

🎶 Sunday Jazz
Ease into your Sunday with smooth tunes, wine, and a cozy vibe at The Undercurrent’s weekly jazz session. 📍 The Undercurrent, 118 Tory St | 🕒 3:30pm–4:30pm | 🎟️ $16.58

♻️ Upper Hutt E-Waste Drop-Off
Free drive-thru event to recycle unwanted electronics — easy drop-off with staff assistance! 📍 Upper Hutt Recycling Station, 18 Park St, Upper Hutt | 🕘 9:00am–3:00pm

🌦️ Welly Weather Watch

🌧 Friday: Wild weather alert! Heavy rain and strong southerlies. Max 12°
🌦 Saturday 3 May: Showers easing and southerlies fresh. Max 15°
🌥 Sunday 4 May: Rain clears, clouds linger. Max 13°

💕 Extra Sprinkles – ✨ Compassion in Every Moment

Mary Potter Hospice provides free, specialist palliative care to people with life-limiting illnesses across Wellington, Porirua, and Kapiti. 💛 Their focus is on making every moment count — offering support, dignity, and comfort to patients and their whānau.

📖 Learn more or donate: marypotter.org.nz

Thanks for buzzing by! We hope your weekend is full of fresh air, cozy treats, and a few unexpected adventures. Stay cozy, stay curious, and we’ll buzz back into your inbox next Friday!

Ngā mihi nui,
Kirstie & Steve 🐝

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