🐝 WellyBuzz – Friday, January 3, 2025

Kia ora Wellington whānau!

The first week of 2025 is here, and while the weather might be playing its usual tricks (hello, southerlies! 👋), we've discovered some absolute gems to brighten up your week! After spending way too much time sampling lavender scones in Carterton (tough job, but someone's got to do it 😋) and exploring every corner of our region, I'm buzzing to share this week's adventures with you.

In This Week's WellyBuzz:

🎉 Top Events for This Week – From Sports to Festivals

🕰️ Wellington in History – The Oriental Bay Tea Kiosk from 1914

🏞️ Summer Staycation Ideas – Great Things to Do Around Wellington

🌻 Pick Your Own Sunflowers – All proceeds to charity

🌦️ Weather Watch – What’s in store for your weekend?

What’s On - Top Events over the next 7 days:

3 January – Friday

🌸 Mt Holdsworth Lavender & Flower Farm
Lavender Magic, Carterton 5:00pm – 9:00pm. Pro tip: Go at sunset for the most magical photos!
Adult General Admission: $7.50, Child General Admission: $5.00
More Information

🎭 Sleeping Beauty: The Pantomime
Circa Theatre, 1 Taranaki St, Wellington
6:30pm – 8:30pm
$30 – $55
A magical family pantomime performance.

🌾 Pick Your Own Lavender
Lavender Abbey, 351 Dalefield Road, Carterton
10am–3pm
Farm entry: $5, Pick your own lavender: $5 each
Details

🎨 The Art of Banksy
Tākina Wellington Convention and Exhibition Centre
Explore over 150 works by Banksy.
General Admission: $45.90, Student Admission: $39.00
Details & Tickets

🌸 Martinborough Lavender Picking
Ranui Essentials Lavender Farm, 284B Dry River Rd, Martinborough
10am–3pm
Entry: $10 (includes one bunch of lavender)
Details

🍷 Terroir Vol. 1: Showdown Wine Hawke's Bay vs Martinborough
2:00pm–10:00pm
Karahui Wine Bar & Eatery, 1 Memorial Square, Martinborough
Wine showdown featuring Hawke’s Bay and Martinborough wines. The friendly rivalry we've all been waiting for!
Event Details

🌻 Pick Your Own Sunflowers
Stolte Ag Dairy Farm, Carterton. Every stem supports Hōkai Tahi's incredible work with families experiencing pregnancy and baby loss.
Free Entry, Sunflowers: $2 per stem
Event Details

🦙 Walking with Alpacas
Cantharis Alpacas, Paraparaumu. These fluffy characters have more personality than your average reality TV show!
Adults: $57.50, Children (5-15yrs): $46.00
Details

🎮 Escape Rooms Wellington - Summer School Holiday
Group Ticket (up to 8 players): $130
Book a group escape room adventure. Perfect for family bonding or testing friendships 😉Book Now

🪨 Stones Trek (Daytime Self-Guided Tour)
51 Ahiaruhe Rd, Carterton
10:00am – 4:00pm
Self-guided tour through Aotearoa’s Stonehenge. It's like traveling to the UK without the jet lag!
Adults: $16.58, Seniors: $10.25, Students: $5.12
More Information

4 January – Saturday

🎸 Insecure Delusion: A Tribute to Tool
Valhalla, 154 Vivian St, Te Aro, Wellington
Presale: $25, Door Sales: $30
A tribute to Tool with a live performance. - prepare for goosebumps! Event Details

🌸 Mt Holdsworth Lavender & Flower Farm
Lavender Magic, Carterton 10:00am – 3:00pm
Adult General Admission: $7.50, Child General Admission: $5.00
More Information

🦙 Walking with Alpacas
Cantharis Alpacas, Paraparaumu
Adults: $57.50, Children (5-15yrs): $46.00
Details

🌾 Pick Your Own Lavender
Lavender Abbey, 351 Dalefield Road, Carterton
10am–3pm
Farm entry: $5, Pick your own lavender: $5 per stem
Details

🌻 Pick Your Own Sunflowers
Stolte Ag Dairy Farm, Carterton
Free Entry, Sunflowers: $2 per stem
Event Details

🍷 Terroir Vol.1: Showdown Wine Hawke's Bay vs Martinborough
2:00pm–10:00pm
Karahui Wine Bar & Eatery, Martinborough
Explore two New Zealand wine regions side by side. Event Details

🎨 The Art of Banksy
Tākina Wellington Convention and Exhibition Centre
General Admission: $45.90, Student Admission: $39.00
Details & Tickets

🎭 Sleeping Beauty: The Pantomine
Circa Theatre, 1 Taranaki St, Wellington
6:30pm – 8:30pm
Family-friendly performance.

🎧 Beats and Bubbles Ibiza Vibes
Eva Wellington, 35 Dixon St, Wellington
10pm–3am
Dance the night away to Ibiza-style beats. Details

🎤 Dragstalgia – Wild Bunch Wars
Manaia Rd, Masterton, New Zealand
10:00am – 5:00pm
Drag competition featuring Wild Bunch Wars. Event Details

🪨 Stones Trek (Daytime Self-Guided Tour)
51 Ahiaruhe Rd, Carterton
10:00am – 4:00pm
More Information

🏃‍♀️ Ara Harakeke Parkrun
Ara Harakeke Pathway, Plimmerton, Porirua
7:45am – 9:00am
A 5km fun run or walk for everyone. Details

🍓 Crop Up Greytown
Truckstop Greytown, 102 Main St, Greytown
9:00am – 12:00pm
Fresh local produce, seafood, and kitchen creations. Details

🍸 New Zealand Gin Tasting
Tōhi Gin Room, Martinborough
12:00pm – 8:00pm
Taste award-winning New Zealand gins.
From $36 per flight
Details

5 January – Sunday

🎨 The Art of Banksy
Tākina Wellington Convention and Exhibition Centre
General Admission: $45.90, Student Admission: $39.00
Details & Tickets

🎨 Mini Banksy Masterpieces
Tākina Wellington Convention and Exhibition Centre
Activity Admission: $10
Create your own Banksy-inspired masterpiece. Details

🎭 Sleeping Beauty: The Pantomine
Circa Theatre, 1 Taranaki St, Wellington
6:30pm – 8:30pm

🌾 Pick Your Own Lavender
Lavender Abbey, 351 Dalefield Road, Carterton
Farm entry: $5, Pick your own lavender: $5
Details

🦙 Walking with Alpacas
Cantharis Alpacas, Paraparaumu
Adults: $57.50, Children (5-15yrs): $46.00
Details

🎤 Dragstalgia – Wild Bunch Wars
Manaia Rd, Masterton, New Zealand
10:00am – 5:00pm
Event Details

🌸 Mt Holdsworth Lavender & Flower Farm
Lavender Magic, Carterton 10:00am – 3:00pm
Adult General Admission: $7.50, Child General Admission: $5.00
More Information

🪨 Stones Trek (Daytime Self-Guided Tour)
51 Ahiaruhe Rd, Carterton
10:00am – 4:00pm
More Information

🎶 New Year in the Vines
Gladstone Vineyard, Gladstone Road, Carterton
11:00am – 4:00pm
Live music and great food at Gladstone Vineyard. Details

🛍️ Ōtaki Craft Market
Otaki Market, 58 Main Highway, Ōtaki, Kapiti Coast
10:00am – 2:00pm
A variety of artisanal crafts, food, and live music. Event Details

🐾 Small Do Social – First Sunday of the Month
McEwan Park, Lower Hutt
3:30pm–4:30pm
Free play and social walk for small dogs. Details

🎉 Riversdale Beach New Year Fete
318 Bodle Dr, Riversdale Beach, Masterton
9:00am – 1:00pm
Browse artisanal products at this festive market. Event Details

🍹 Pōhutukawa Cordial Making Workshop
2:00pm
Learn to make and store Pōhutukawa cordial.
Cost: $30–$50
Details

🎷 Sunday Jazz

The Undercurrent, 118 Tory Street, Wellington
5 January 2025
3:30pm – 4:30pm
Enjoy live jazz with Wellington’s top trios.
Details

🍴 Indian Cooking Classes

Sheila's Indian Kitchen, Ashton Fitchett Dr, Wellington
5 January 2025
10:30am – 12:30pm
Learn to cook traditional Indian dishes.
Details

6 January – Monday

🪨 Stones Trek (Daytime Self-Guided Tour)
51 Ahiaruhe Rd, Carterton
10:00am – 4:00pm
More Information

🌻 Pick Your Own Sunflowers
Stolte Ag Dairy Farm, Carterton
Free Entry, Sunflowers: $2 per stem
Event Details

🎮 Escape Rooms Wellington – Summer School Holiday
Group Ticket (up to 8 players): $130
Book Now

📖 U-PLAY: Libraries in the Park
Silverstream Park, Upper Hutt
09:00am – 12:00pm
Enjoy a relaxing morning reading or playing in the park. Details

⛺ Zempire Group Event
Battlehill Farm Forest Park, Pauatahanui, Porirua
Join a community camp for a fun Zempire tent meetup. Details

🧘 Park Yoga “Dress Up Special”
Park Ave, Waikanae
5:30pm
Celebrate Park Yoga’s 7th year with a dress-up special. Details

🎭 Macbeth
The Dell, Wellington Botanic Gardens, 101 Glenmore St, Wellington
6:30pm – 8:30pm
Details

🏃 Kāpiti 5K Fun Run/Walk

Tutere Street, Waikanae Beach
6 January 2025
5:45pm (walkers 6:10pm, runners 6:30pm)
Free for KRTC members, small fee for non-members.

7 January – Tuesday

🪨 Stones Trek (Daytime Self-Guided Tour)
51 Ahiaruhe Rd, Carterton
10:00am – 4:00pm
Explore the wonders of Aotearoa’s very own Stonehenge!
Adults: $16.58, Seniors: $10.25, Primary/Secondary Students: $5.12
More Information

🎮 Escape Rooms Wellington – Summer School Holiday
Group Ticket (up to 8 players): $130
Book a group escape room adventure and enjoy a fun, immersive experience.
Book Now

🌌 Gardens Magic 2025 - Light Display
Wellington Botanic Garden, Wellington
9:00pm – 10:30pm
When the sun sets, the Wellington Botanic Garden transforms into a magical wonderland of light.
Details

🎶 Gardens Magic Concert Series 2025 – Week 1
Botanic Garden ki Paekākā, Wellington
7:00pm – 9:15pm
Enjoy live performances from incredible local talent. Bring a picnic, grab your spot early, and watch the Botanic Gardens transform into a magical wonderland
Cost: Free
Details & Full Programme

🌿 Kids Garden Trail
Wellington Botanic Garden
9:00am – 5:00pm
Follow the self-led trail to learn about seeds, plants, and hidden wonders of the garden. Perfect for tamariki!
Details

🎭 Sleeping Beauty: The Pantomime
Circa Theatre, 1 Taranaki St, Wellington
6:30pm – 8:30pm
$30 – $55
Family-friendly pantomime.

💃 Sala Magic’s Tuesday Social @ El Barrio
El Barrio – Latino Bar, 35 Dixon St, Te Aro, Wellington
9:00pm – 11:30pm
Salsa Night with DJ playing Salsa, Bachata, and Kiz tunes. Where else can you learn salsa while enjoying tapas?
Details

🪑 Muaūpoko Mana Rangatahi Noho
Kohuturoa Marae, Porirua and Tawa Taxtax, Tawa, Wellington
Duration: 4 days
A Te Reo Māori noho for rangatahi aged between 12-18.
Details & Registration

🍷 Terroir Vol. 1: Showdown Wine Hawke's Bay vs Martinborough
2:00pm–10:00pm
Karahui Wine Bar & Eatery, 1 Memorial Square, Martinborough
Experience a wine showdown between two iconic New Zealand wine regions.
Event Details

8 January – Wednesday

🎭 Sleeping Beauty: The Pantomime
Circa Theatre, 1 Taranaki St, Wellington
6:30pm – 8:30pm

🥃 New Zealand Whisky Tasting
Karahui Wine Bar & Eatery, 1 Memorial Square, Martinborough
4:00pm – 9:00pm
Taste a selection of the best New Zealand whiskies.
$39 per flight
Book Now

🪨 Stones Trek (Daytime Self-Guided Tour)
51 Ahiaruhe Rd, Carterton
10:00am – 4:00pm
More Information

🎮 Escape Rooms Wellington – Summer School Holiday
Group Ticket (up to 8 players): $130
Book Now

🌻 Pick Your Own Sunflowers – Stolte Ag Dairy Farm, Carterton
Free Entry, Sunflowers: $2 per stem
Head to the sunflower fields to support the Hōkai Tahi charity.
Event Details

🌿 Gardens Magic – Kids Explorer Days
Discovery Garden & Quad Lawn, Botanic Garden ki Paekākā
10:00am – 2:00pm
Kids can enjoy hands-on activities to learn about the plants and animals of the garden.
Cost: Free
Details

🌿 Kids Garden Trail
Wellington Botanic Garden
9:00am – 5:00pm
Take the self-led garden trail and enter to win prizes!
Details

🎨 Mini Banksy Masterpieces
Tākina Wellington Convention and Exhibition Centre
Create your own Banksy-inspired artwork.
Activity Admission: $10
Details

🎸 Labretta Suede & The Motel 6 – 20th Anniversary NZ Album Release Tour
Moon 1, 167 Riddiford St, Newtown, Wellington
7:00pm
A wild rock n roll show to celebrate 20 years of Labretta Suede & The Motel 6!
Price: $40.00
Event Details

🎮 Escape Rooms Wellington - Summer School Holiday
Group Ticket (up to 8 players): $130
Book your adventure today!
Book Now

🎨 Kids Crafts

ZEALANDIA Eco-Sanctuary, Waiapu Road, Karori, Wellington
8 January 2025
10:00am
Creative craft activities for kids.
Details

9 January – Thursday

🍲 Riversdale Beach Streetfood Festival
Basil Bodle Reserve, Riversdale Beach, Masterton
5:00pm – 8:00pm
Enjoy street food and live music at the festival.
Details

💬 Make Friends & BlaBla Language Exchange
Leuven Belgian Beer Café, 135 Featherston St, Wellington
7:30pm – 10:30pm
Join for a lively, international conversation exchange.
Details

🪨 Stones Trek (Daytime Self-Guided Tour)
51 Ahiaruhe Rd, Carterton
10:00am – 4:00pm
More Information

🎮 Escape Rooms Wellington – Summer School Holiday
Group Ticket (up to 8 players): $130
Book Now

🌿 Kids Garden Trail
Wellington Botanic Garden
9:00am – 5:00pm
A fun-filled garden adventure for kids.
Details

🌌 Martinborough Lavender Star Gazing
Ranui Essentials, Martinborough
9:00pm – 11:00pm
Pick lavender and enjoy a starry evening.
$54.55 per session
Details

🍴 Thursday Night Food Trucks
Masterton Town Hall, 22 Perry Street, Masterton
4:30pm – 7:00pm
Enjoy street food and live music at the Masterton Food Truck market.
Details

🍷 Terroir Vol. 1: Showdown Wine Hawke's Bay vs Martinborough
2:00pm–10:00pm
Karahui Wine Bar & Eatery, 1 Memorial Square, Martinborough
Taste wines from Hawke’s Bay and Martinborough side by side.
Event Details

Wellington in History:

Picture this: It's 1914, and you're sipping tea at the Oriental Bay Tea Kiosk, watching the harbor through large Victorian windows. While our modern cafes are fantastic, there was something special about those early tea rooms with their fancy china and proper afternoon tea service. The kiosk might be gone (farewell, 1981!), but its spirit lives on in our cafe culture.

Summer Staycation Ideas in Wellington:

✨ Explore Zealandia – A lush wildlife haven just minutes from the city. Perfect for nature lovers!
✨ Discover Matiu/Somes Island – Take a ferry to this serene island for history, nature, and stunning views.
✨ Unwind on Wellington’s Beaches – From Oriental Bay to Scorching Bay, there’s no shortage of beach fun.
✨ Take a Stroll Along the Waterfront – Perfect for a leisurely day out, complete with gelato and a cultural stop at Te Papa.
✨ Café Hopping in Cuba Quarter – Explore Wellington’s café culture on Cuba Street.
✨ Try Something New – Ever tried paddleboarding or a Wētā Workshop tour? Now’s the time!

EXTRA SPRINKLES:

🌻 Pick Your Own Sunflowers – A Heartwarming Experience

Head over to Stolte Ag Ltd. (153 Wiltons Road, Carterton) and enjoy a sunflower picking experience, with all proceeds donated to Hōkai Tahi, a charity supporting pregnancy and baby loss support.

• Cost: Free entry, Sunflowers: $2 per stem

• Location: Carterton, look for the flag

• Bring: Suitable footwear plus your sun hat and sunscreen!

Learn more on Facebook

WellyBuzz Weather Watch:

Here’s the forecast for your weekend and early next week:

• Friday 3 Jan: Showers developing, turning to rain by the afternoon. High: 20°C, Low: 12°C.

• Saturday 4 Jan: Occasional rain, southerlies easing. High: 16°C, Low: 11°C.

• Sunday 5 Jan: Showers, some heavy. High: 15°C, Low: 12°C.

• Monday 6 Jan: Occasional rain, turning to showers. High: 17°C, Low: 12°C.

• Tuesday 7 Jan: Fine with northerlies. High: 19°C, Low: 12°C.

Local's Tip: Tuesday evening looks good for that Gardens Magic picnic you've been planning!

Sports Update:

⚽ Wellington Phoenix Women vs. Perth Glory – 4 January at Trust Porirua Park
Kick-off: 3:00pm

🏏 Wellington Blaze vs. Central Hinds – 9 January at Basin Reserve
Match Start: 12:40pm. Make a day of it - the Basin Reserve food trucks are next level!

🏏 Wellington Firebirds vs. Central Stags – 9 January at Basin Reserve
Match Start: 4:25pm

🌟 Share the Buzz and Get Rewarded! 🌟

Know someone who'd love to discover Wellington's hidden gems? Share your WellyBuzz referral link and unlock our FREE guide to 100+ amazing things to do in our beautiful city!

Spotted something amazing in your corner of Wellington? Drop me a line! I'm always on the hunt for those hidden gems that make our city special.

Stay gorgeous, Wellington! ✨

Kirstie

(Just another Wellingtonian who gets way too excited about local events 😊)

P.S. Don't forget your sunscreen AND your umbrella this week - because Wellington! 🌂☀️