🐝 WellyBuzz – Friday, February 28, 2025

Hey Wellington! 🌞

Thanks so much to all our lovely subscribers! We’re so stoked to be part of your weekly routine, and we promise to keep bringing you the best of what this amazing city has to offer. Grab a coffee, kick back, and let's dive into the weekend happenings!

To start off, check out this stunning shot from Owhiro Bay taken by Tim Walker Photography and posted on our WellyBuzz facebook page. It’s a reminder of just how lucky we are to live in such a beautiful place! 😍

🔥 In This Week's Buzz:

🕰️ Welly's Time Machine – A blast to the past 🏛️
🌟 Local Legends: Businesses you need to know about 🏪
🎭 Events: Your Weekend Lineup – Fun, art, and everything in between 🎤
🎉 Extra Sprinkles: Shoutouts to our community heroes 💛
🌤️ Welly Weather Watch – Your forecast for fun! ☀️

🗳️ WellyBuzz Poll: What Do You Want to See More Of? 🤔

We’re always looking for ways to make WellyBuzz even better – and we want your input! Cast your vote and let us know what you'd like to read about next!

If there's something else you'd love to see that we haven't covered, feel free to drop us an email at [email protected]! We’d love to hear your ideas. 💬

🕰️ Time Machine: A Glimpse into Wellington's Past 🏛️

Next time you're wandering along the waterfront, take a moment to appreciate how dramatically this area has transformed! In the 1880s, the waterfront we know and love today was a bustling commercial port known as "Queens Wharf." Ships would dock here with goods and passengers from around the world, connecting our little corner of Aotearoa to far-flung places. The original wooden wharf was replaced with a more substantial structure in 1862 to accommodate increasing maritime traffic. By the 1880s, it was the heart of Wellington's trade activity, filled with warehouses, customs buildings, and sailors from every corner of the globe. So next time you're enjoying an ice cream by the water, imagine the sounds of creaking ships, shouting stevedores, and horse-drawn carts that once filled this now-peaceful spot!

🌟 Local Legends: Two Wellington Businesses You Need to Know 🏪

🌟 Prefab Eatery 🥞

Location: 14 Jessie St, Te Aro

Looking for the perfect spot to kick back with the family? Prefab Eatery is where delicious meets laid-back vibes! With a menu packed full of all-day breakfast and lunch options (think pancakes 🥞 and fresh sandwiches 🥪), this local fave serves up quality food with a side of comfort. The relaxed atmosphere makes it the ideal spot to grab a bite and unwind – perfect for those lazy Wellington weekends! ☕🍽️

🌟 The Crab Shack 🦀

Location: 1A/2 Taranaki St Wharf, Wellington

Fresh seafood 🦀, stunning views 🌅, and a laid-back vibe – what more could you ask for? The Crab Shack on the waterfront is the ultimate family-friendly spot to enjoy a feast by the sea. From juicy prawns 🍤 to tender crabs 🦀, their menu’s a seafood lover’s dream. With outdoor seating and plenty of space for the kids to roam, it’s a perfect place for a relaxed, waterfront meal. 🌊🍽️

🎉 Weekend Events: What's On This Weekend!

Friday 28 February

📣 Celebrate Te Matatini 2025 at Te Papa!
Location: Te Papa Museum, Wellington. Watch the final two days of kapa haka excellence, make poi, explore Māori markets, and more! 🎤📅 Fri 28 Feb – Sat 1 Mar | 🎟 FREE entry

🎨 The Wellington Art Show 2025
Location: Tākina Wellington Convention Centre, 50 Cable Street, Te Aro, Wellington
Explore vibrant art from talented artists across New Zealand! 🖼️✨ | Get your tickets here Here’s just a small taste from one of the super talented artists exhibiting at the show, Shawna Chow.

🌌 Farewell XYZZY at Space Place!
Location: 40 Salamanca Rd, Kelburn. Don’t miss the final show of this epic planetarium experience with VR, Q&A, and a chance to win a print! 🎥🎶📅 | 6pm – 10:30pm | R18 | Get your tickets here

🍻 Newtown Festival Pre-Party at Parrotdog Bar!
Location: 60-66 Kingsford Smith St, Wellington. Celebrate 7 years of the Newtown Festival x Parrotdog partnership with live music from Side Eye & Cruelly and the official Hazy Pale Ale! 🎶🎉 | DJ Boss Dude from 6pm | FREE entry

🎭 How To Art - NZ Fringe Festival
Location: Te Auaha, 65 Dixon Street, Te Aro, Wellington. A hilarious physical theatre-clown-fruit mash-up about art, survival, and creativity! 🍌🖼️📅 Wed 26 Feb – Sat 1 Mar | 🎟️ Get your tickets here

🎶 2manydjs at Shed 6!
Location: Shed 6, Wellington. Get ready for a mind-blowing DJ set from 2manydjs, the masters of mixing funky R&B, prog-rock, techno, and more! 🎧🔥 | 8:30pm | Tickets available

⚽ Wellington Phoenix vs Melbourne City!
Location: Sky Stadium, Wellington. Let’s light up the stadium and show Melbourne City what we’re made of! Get ready for an epic match – we need YOU there! 🔥📅 | Kick-off at 7:30pm | Get your tickets now!

🌟 Twilight Khandallah Summer Market!
Location: Khandallah Town Hall. Enjoy a lively market with arts, crafts, plants, and unique gifts. Shop local jewelry, pottery, food, and more while soaking up the summer vibes! 🌸🎨 | 3:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Saturday 1 March

🎉 International Children's Day at Wellington Cable Car!
Location: 280 Lambton Quay. Celebrate the weekend with FREE rides for kids under 15 (with a paying adult). Enjoy the Cable Car Museum, Space Place, Zealandia, and more! 🚠🚀🦜📅 Sat 1 – Sun 2 Mar | Free for kids under 15

🏖️ Wellington Big Dig 2025!
Location: Freyberg Beach, Oriental Parade. Dig for prizes while supporting a great cause! 🏆💰📅 | 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM | $5 donation entry

🎉 Grand Opening of Moerā Neighbourhood Hub!
Location: Moerā Neighbourhood Hub, Lower Hutt. Celebrate the new space with a ribbon cutting, free food, live music, community stalls, face painting, emergency services display, and more! 🎶📚📅 | 11am – 3pm | FREE entry

☀️ Cuba Street Summer Series!
Location: Cuba St, Te Aro. Get ready for three weekends of free, art-packed events! 🎭 🎨 Mar 1: PARK(ing) Day – see car parks turned into creative spaces! Free entry! | 10am – 8pm |

🐠 Free Community Snorkel at Taputeranga Marine Reserve!
Location: Taputeranga Marine Reserve, Island Bay. Dive into the sea for a fun snorkel experience at Seaweed Fest 2025! 🌊 Gear and guides provided, just bring your togs and towel! | 10:00am – 3:00pm | Free, register on-site

🎶 Pipes in the Park - Wellington!
Location: Waitangi Park. Get ready for an epic day of music, fun, and community vibes at #pitpwgtn2025! 🎵📅 | 10am – 4pm | Free entry

🤠 Round Up! A Country Club Night
Location: The New Royal Hotel, Palmerston North. Put on your boots for a night of country music hits, from Dolly Parton to Luke Combs! 🎶📅 | Starts 9pm | 18+ | Get your tickets now! 🎟️

⚡️ This Is Living 2025 Festival!
Location: McEwan Park, Wellington. Get ready for an epic festival with 25+ artists, boat parties, and the best in DnB, UKG, house, and more! 🎶📅 | 1pm – 10:30pm | Tickets available now! 🎟️

🎉 Sheffield Street Block Party!
Location: Sheffield Street, Kāpiti. Enjoy live music, food, art, and more at this epic block party! 🎶🍔 Explore Dark Horse Coffee, Duncan’s Brewery, Kaibosh Food Rescue, Montfoort, and more with activities, art stalls, and tasty treats! 📅 | 10am – 6pm | Free entry

🍷 Sip & Savour Food & Beverage Festival!
Location: Hiwinui Country Estate, Palmerston North. Indulge in artisan food, drinks, live music, and a vibrant atmosphere at this boutique festival! 🎶🍽️📅 | 12pm – 6pm | R18 | Shuttle service available | Free parking

🛍️ The Rotary Martinborough Fair
Location: Martinborough. Explore over 500 stalls at one of the largest craft markets in the southern hemisphere! 🌟🎨 From vintage treasures to handmade goods, it’s an unmissable event for all. 📅 | 8am – 4pm | Rain or shine!

🍾 French 75 In Pink at Alexia Wines!
Location: 197 West St, Greytown. Celebrate the last day of summer wine bar season with a pink twist on the classic French 75 cocktail! 🇫🇷🥂 Enjoy Méthode Traditionnelle bubbly, croque monsieurs, and more – all for a good cause! | 12pm – 5pm | No bookings required

🎉 Te Rā o Ngā Tamariki - Children's Day!
Location: Under the Sails, Queens Wharf. Celebrate tamariki with stage performances, face-painting, and interactive fun for the whole whānau! 🌟🎭 | 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM | Free entry

🚜 Kids & Country at the Rural Games!
Location: Manchester Square, Feilding. Celebrate 10 years of the Ford Ranger New Zealand Rural Games with a free, action-packed morning for kids! 🏆🎉 Enjoy pedal tractors, sack races, gumboot tossing, and more! 📅 | 10am – 1pm | Free entry

🌺 Fale Pasifika Horowhenua Festival!
Location: Levin Showgrounds. Celebrate Pacific Island culture with food stalls, arts, performances, cultural villages, and family fun! 🎶🍴🎨 Enjoy live entertainment from Ponifasio Samoa and more! 📅 | 3pm – 7pm | Free entry

Sunday 2 March

🎉 Newtown Festival 2025
Location: Newtown, Riddiford & Side Streets. Aotearoa’s biggest and best free music festival and street fair returns for its 31st year! 420+ stalls, 150 artists, 1000 performers, 16 stages – it’s all happening! 🌟 Get ready for: Music 🎵 | Food 🍔 | Culture 🌏 | Craft 🎨 9:00 AM – 11:55 PM | 🎟️ Free Admission You can view the full Newtown Festival playlist here.

🎉 Laundry Block Party at Newtown Festival!
Location: 17 Newtown Ave, Wellington. Two zones, three stages, pop-up bars, and gourmet seafood – the ultimate block party! 🎶🍹📅 From 12pm to 8pm | $10 entry after 8pm for the after party

✈️ Hood Aerodrome Open Day!
Location: Hood Aerodrome, Masterton. Explore vintage aircraft, emergency heroes, adventure flights, food trucks, and family fun at this exciting aviation celebration! 🚁📅 9am – 3pm | $5 entry | Free for kids under 14

🎉 Nairnville Recreation Centre Open Day!
Location: Nairnville Recreation Centre, Khandallah. Enjoy inflatables, sports, water slides, face painting, and more at this free community event! 🏀🎨🌭📅 10am – 2pm | FREE entry

🎶 Sound Pop-Up Party at Newtown!
Location: 265 Mansfield St, Newtown. Get ready for spontaneous beats and non-stop dancing at this free pop-up party! 🎧💃 Enjoy a vibrant lineup from funk house to techno all day long! 📅 12pm – 8pm | Free entry

🎉 Children's Day at Ngāti Toa Domain!
Location: Ngāti Toa Domain, Porirua. Celebrate heroes of all kinds with fancy dress, inflatables, local performances, and more fun activities for kids! 🦸‍♂️🎨🎪📅 11am – 3pm | Free entry

🍿 Outdoor Movie at Upper Hutt School – 'Elemental'!
Location: Upper Hutt School. Enjoy a family-friendly afternoon with live performances, a movie, and tasty treats like candyfloss and popcorn! 🎬🎤📅 Gates open 12pm | Movie starts 1pm | Koha entry

🚶‍♀️ 3km Walk for Youthline Wellington!
Location: William Jones Park, Lower Hutt. Join the walk to raise funds for youth mental health, with a BBQ and purple theme! 💜🍔📅 1pm | Koha entry | 100% proceeds to Youthline

🏊‍♂️ Eastbourne Wharf to Wharf Swim!
Location: Days Bay Wharf. Swim 1.25km from Days Bay to Rona Wharf! 🌊💪 Registration 8am-9am, Start 9:30am | Early bird $25 | On the day $35

🎉 Moederland's First Market Day!
Location: Moederland - 16a Wall Place, Kenepuru. Enjoy free samples, exclusive discounts, and a lekker vibe with fellow Saffas & Kiwis! 🇿🇦🇳🇿🍫🎶📅 11am – 4pm | Free entry

🎉 Esplanade Fun Day!
Location: Victoria Esplanade, Palmerston North. Enjoy free activities, live music, food stalls, and family fun at Palmy’s biggest playground! 🎶🎠📅 10am – 3pm | Free entry

🏃‍♀️ Foxton Beach Fun Run!
Location: Foxton Surf Club. Choose from 5km, 10km, or half marathon on the beautiful Foxton beach! 🏖️🎉📅 From 7am with a staggered start | Prizegiving by 12pm | Tickets on sale now!

🎶 Hutt Sounds 2025 at Brewtown!
Location: Brewtown, Upper Hutt. Enjoy a stellar lineup with OMD, Tom Bailey, Jon Stevens, Diesel, and more! 🎤🎸📅 From 2pm | Presale tickets available | Don’t miss out on the festival of the summer!

🐾 Small Dog Social Walk at Petone Beach!
Location: Hikoikoi Reserve, Petone Beach. Bring your pup for free play, a beach walk, and more doggy fun! 🐕🌊📅 First Sunday of every month | 3:30pm – 4:30pm | Free entry

⚽ Wellington Phoenix vs Adelaide United!
Location: Porirua Park. Back the Phoenix in the Ninja A-League and help us defend home turf! 🎉🔥📅 4:00 PM | Get your tickets now!

🌤️ Welly Weather Watch:

Friday 28 Feb – Fine and warm. Northerlies developing at night. ☀️ Max 24°C.

Saturday 1 March – Mainly fine with a slight chance of morning showers. Max 22°C 🌤️. Ideal for enjoying outdoor events like the Martinborough Fair, International Children's Day at Wellington Cable Car, or the Wellington Big Dig!

Sunday 2 March – Partly cloudy with fresh northerlies easing. 🌤️ Max 23°C. Perfect weather for the Newtown Festival! Don't forget your sunscreen and water bottle. 🎵🌞

💚 Extra Sprinkles: Youthline – Supporting Young Kiwis Nationwide 🌱

This week, we’re highlighting Youthline, a nationwide organization that's been supporting young people across New Zealand for over 50 years. From confidential counseling to mentorship programs, Youthline provides a safe space for youth to talk through life’s challenges, make decisions, and feel heard. 🌈💬

Want to help? Youthline always welcomes volunteers, donations, and support for their vital services. Whether you're giving your time, contributing to their fundraising efforts, or making a financial donation, you can help make a difference in the lives of young people across the country. 🙌🌟

To learn more or donate, visit Youthline's website and find out how you can support their mission to empower the next generation. 💚

💬 Got a tip, cool event, or a secret spot you want to share?

Hit us up – we'd love to hear from you! Tag us on Instagram (@WellyBuzz) or Facebook 📸 – let's keep this community buzzing together!

📬 Stay buzzing Welly!

Ngā mihi nui,
Kirstie & Steve 🐝

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