🐝 WellyBuzz: What’s Hot in Wellington This Weekend!

Hi Wellington! 🌞

We’re back with your cheat sheet to the capital’s finest: new eats, local treats, historical quirks, and can’t-miss events. It’s all here in a 4–5 minute read that’ll have your weekend sorted faster than you can say “CubaDupa".

🔥 In This Week's Buzz:

• 🕰️ Welly's Time Machine – A trip through Courtenay Place past 🏛️
• 🌟 Local Legends: Hidden (or not so hidden) gems of Wellington 🏪
• 🍽️ Food & Drink – Tasty local eats and sips 🥂
• 🎭 Events: The ultimate weekend lineup – you won’t want to miss these! 🎤
• 💝 Extra Sprinkles: Local heroes doing their bit 💛
• 🌤️ Welly Weather Watch – Mostly fine but a chance of showers on Friday and Sunday ☀️

🕰️ Time Machine: Courtenay Place, Circa 1928

Looking east down Courtenay Place from the tip of what was formerly known as Pigeon Park (since renamed Te Aro Park), this photo captures a snapshot of everyday Wellington life in the late 1920s. Smartly dressed locals stroll past chemist shops, while electric tram lines stretch overhead. In the background, Mount Victoria looms over a bustling city full of charm and promise. It's a reminder of how much Welly has grown — and how much of its character still shines through today.

🌟 Local Legends: Small Businesses with Big Mana 🏪

🌟 Splendid Photo 📸 85 Ghuznee St

In a world where everyone snaps photos on their phones, Splendid Photo keeps the magic of film alive. This analogue photography boutique on Ghuznee Street isn't just a camera shop; it feels like a welcoming art space filled with rolls of film and vintage cameras. Founders Sean Aickin and Darren Cliff are passionate about making film photography accessible to everyone. Splendid Photo also has a lab for developing film, offering a tactile and slower approach to capturing memories. They actively support the Wellington art scene, featuring local photographers on their Instagram. If you're curious about "real" cameras or want to experience the charm of film, Splendid Photo is a unique Wellington gem.

🌟 Good as Gold ✨ 20 Bond St, Te Aro

Since 2004, Good as Gold has been a go-to for stylish Wellington locals. This independent store on Bond Street is a curator of cool, offering high-quality clothing that you might not find anywhere else in New Zealand. Known for its friendly and helpful staff, Good as Gold provides a unique shopping experience with a strong sense of local style. If you're looking for something special and want to support a long-standing local business with a great story, Good as Gold is worth checking out.

🍽️ Food & Drink: 4 Must-Try Spots This Week 🥂

☕ Fidel's Cafe (Cuba Street) 🍳

A Cuba Street institution, Fidel's Cafe is a beloved spot known for its laid-back, bohemian vibe and eclectic menu. With its cozy interiors, Fidel's offers a unique brunch experience with Latin-inspired dishes and top-notch coffee. Whether you're after Fried Chicken Waffles, a turmeric latte, or some Cuban comfort food, Fidel's has something for everyone, including vegetarian options. It's a long-established cafe that provides a calm and rejuvenating atmosphere right in the heart of the city. Check out their menu.

🍝 Nicolini's (Blair Street)

Step into Nicolini's on Blair Street and you might just feel like you've wandered into a cozy trattoria in Naples. Founded in September 1997 by Raffaele Abbate, Nicolini's has been dedicated to bringing authentic Neapolitan recipes to Wellington. This family-run restaurant, now also involving Raffaele's sons, offers a warm and inviting atmosphere where you can enjoy traditional Italian comfort food. From rich ragù and creamy risottos to perfectly cooked pasta and their popular tiramisu, Nicolini's provides a true taste of Italy – no passport needed.

🍻 Golding’s Free Dive (Hannahs Laneway)

A funky, fairy-lit craft beer bar with serious character and zero pretension. Think eclectic décor, local brews on tap, and Detroit-style pizza from Pizza Pomodoro next door. Perfect for a post-work pint or late-night chill.

🌮 Rosie's Red-Hot Cantina & Taco Joint (Queens Wharf) 🍹

Bringing the vibrant flavors of California and the LA street scene to Wellington's waterfront, Rosie's Red-Hot Cantina & Taco Joint is a lively spot for Mexican food and drinks. Located on Queens Wharf, Rosie's offers a fun and energetic atmosphere from lunchtime until late. Their menu features tasty tacos with unique fillings, along with burgers and other Cali-Mexican inspired dishes. They are also known for their frozen margaritas and have local beers on tap. With vegan and vegetarian options available, Rosie's is a great place to unwind and enjoy a slice of California by the sea.

🎭 Events: Your Weekend Lineup 🌟

Friday 28 March

🎶 Louis Baker, Supported by Mo Etc.
Enjoy a night of soulful music by Louis Baker and Mo Etc. in the heart of Wellington at Te Papa’s summer music sessions.📍 Te Papa, Wellington | 6:00pm–8:00pm | 🎟️ Free Admission

🌺 Pacific Night Market
Enjoy a vibrant evening of delicious food, goods, and entertainment at this community night market in Porirua.📍 Te Akapuanga Kuki Airani, Porirua | 🎟️ Free Admission

🏉 Rugby - Hurricanes vs Waratahs - Round 7
Catch the Hurricanes take on the Waratahs in a thrilling Friday night showdown at Sky Stadium, with Kids Go FREE! Order your tickets.

🎉 Never Ending 80s v 90s Party
Join the ultimate battle of the decades with live hits from the 80s and 90s at San Fran – who will reign supreme?📍 San Fran, Wellington | 8:00pm

🍴 St Brigid's School Food Festival
Enjoy a variety of delicious dishes from around the world, all while supporting the school's fundraising for a new turf.📍 St Brigid's School | 5:00pm–7:00pm | 🎟️ Cash Only

🎉 The Casual Party
Join the fun at Shady Lady for a relaxed, upbeat night with drinks and socializing, no loud music, and a sensible 10pm finish!📍 Shady Lady, Courtenay Place | 🎟️ $7 Admission

🎬 Māoriland Film Festival 2025
Join Aotearoa’s largest Indigenous film festival with screenings, art, and industry events celebrating Indigenous storytelling.📍 Māoriland Hub, 68 Main St, Ōtaki | 🕠 Thur 27 - Sun 30 Mar 2025, 10:00am–11:00pm

🎨 Tamariki Time: The Colours of the Kūmara
A fun and free art session for tamariki 5 and under to explore and create with the colours of the kūmara.📍 Te Papa | 10:00am–12:00pm | 🎟️ Free Admission

🎭 21 Minutes - NZ Premiere
Join the chaos and comedy as residents of Upper St Crumpsley face their last 21 minutes on Earth in this original play. 📍 Mana Little Theatre, Plimmerton | 🕠 Thur - Sun | 🎟️ $20–$25

😂 An Evening with Graham Norton
Join beloved comedian and TV host Graham Norton for an evening filled with laughter, behind-the-scenes stories, and a live audience Q&A.📍 Michael Fowler Centre, Wellington | 🕠 7:30pm | 🎟️ Buy Tickets

😂 Best In Class: NZ Comedy School Show
Laugh out loud with hilarious alumni from the NZ Comedy School, raising funds for their Diversity Scholarship.📍 The Fringe Bar, Wellington | 🕠 8:00pm–9:30pm | 🎟️ $16.58–$25

🌸 Lavender Magic Flower Farm - PYO Dahlias
Pick your own dahlias and enjoy the stunning mountain views at Lavender Magic, a relaxing farm getaway.📍 Lavender Magic, Carterton | 🕠 Fri – Sun | 🎟️ $5 General Admission

🍷 Palliser Sunset Fridays
Relax with live music, Italian-inspired food, and fine Palliser wines in a beautiful setting at Palliser Estate.📍 Palliser Estate, Martinborough | 🕠 6:00pm–9:00pm | 🎟️ Free Admission

🪓 Axtion Packed Friday Fling
Kick off your weekend with an epic axe-throwing session at Sweet Axe Throwing Co., complete with fun, music, and friendly competition!📍60 Cambridge Terrace, Te Aro | 🎟️ $59.68 General Admission

🎭 End of Summer Time
Catch the return of Sir Roger Hall's heartwarming and hilarious play about Dickey Hart navigating life in the big city, now with a little more wisdom!📍 Circa Theatre, 1 Taranaki St | 7:30pm–8:45pm | 🎟️ $30–$60

🧘‍♀️ Pū Āio Flow
A non-heated yoga class in te reo Māori to nourish your wellbeing and language revitalization.📍 Awhi Yoga & Wellbeing | 🕠 4:00pm–5:00pm | 🎟️ Prices vary

Saturday 29 March

🎉 CubaDupa 2025
Join New Zealand’s biggest free street arts festival with street theatre, music, dance, and interactive installations across Cuba Street.📍 Cuba Street, Wellington | 🕠 Sat 29 Mar 12:00pm–12:00am | Sun 30 Mar 11:00am–6:00pm

👗 Subversion - CubaDupa
Experience a high-energy fusion of fashion, theatre, and dance, showcasing Pōneke’s top designers and performers in a one-of-a-kind spectacle.📍 Hannahs Courtyard, Wellington | 🕠 1:00pm & 7:15pm | 🎟️ All Ages

👗 Sustainable Fashion Market
Discover preloved, vintage, upcycled, and handmade fashion at NZ's biggest preloved clothing market, featuring local thrifters and makers.📍 Wesley Church, Wellington | 🕠 10:00am–2:00pm | 🎟️ Free Admission

🌹 The Rose Garden Area and Its Amazing Story
Take a 60-minute walk through the Lady Norwood Rose Garden and learn about its fascinating history.📍 Wellington Botanic Garden | 🕠 2:00pm–3:00pm | 🎟️ $5 General Admission

🎤 An Evening with Bob Geldof
Join Bob Geldof for an unforgettable night of acoustic songs, powerful stories, and insights from his extraordinary life, marking key milestones like Live Aid.📍 St James Theatre, 77-87 Courtenay Place

🎪 The Extravaganza Fair
Enjoy a family-friendly day with unique market stalls, circus acts, live music, and more at this creative, community-focused event. 📍 Avalon Park, Lower Hutt | 🕠 Sat 29 Mar –Sun 30 Mar | 🎟️ Gold coin donation for adults, Free entry for kids⚽

Isuzu UTE A-League - Wellington Phoenix v Western Sydney
Don’t miss the action as Wellington Phoenix take on Western Sydney in a thrilling football showdown at Sky Stadium.📍 Sky Stadium, Wellington | 🕠 4:00pm–8:00pm

🛍️ Kowtow Workroom Sale
Shop past-season samples and archive favourites at up to 60% off, plus drop off your pre-loved Kowtow pieces for Relove.📍 Prefab Hall, Wellington | 🕠 Sat 29 Mar, 10:00am–4:00pm | Sun 30 Mar, 10:00am–2:00pm | 🎟️ Free Admission

🏞️ Wainuiomata Treasure Hunt
Join a team of 2-4 for a fun, family-friendly treasure hunt through Wainuiomata Regional Park, filled with challenges and adventure.📍 Gums Meadow, Wainuiomata | 🕠 1:30pm–4:00pm

🎨 Paekākāriki Art Show
Explore a vibrant display of art from over 70 artists, including the 2025 Special Guest Artist, Dianna Fary.📍 St Peters Village Hall, Paekākāriki | 🕠 Fri 28 Mar–Sun 30 Mar 2025 | 🎟️ $2 Entry

Sunday 30 March

🎶 Stellar - Mix Album 25th Anniversary*
Celebrate the 25th anniversary of Stellar*'s iconic Mix album with a live performance of the full album, including hits like "Violent" and "Every Girl."📍 Old St Paul's, Wellington | 🕠 6:30pm

🎤 The Wellington Calling Open Mic
Join the fun at Whisky & Wood for a night of live, original performances from Wellington’s best emerging talent.📍 Whisky & Wood, Wellington | 🕠 7:30pm | 🎟️ Koha Admission

🎉 Worser Bay Beach Carnival
Enjoy a day of games, live music, sailing, wing foiling, and more at the family-friendly beach carnival in Seatoun.📍 Worser Bay Boating Club, Wellington | 🕠 10:00am–4:00pm | 🎟️ Free Admission

🌱 Community Gardens Open Sundays 2025 - West/North Gardens
Explore Tawa Community Garden, learn about seasonal planting, and get your hands in the soil. 📍 Tawa Community Garden, Wellington | 🕠 1:30pm–3:00pm | 🎟️ Free Admission

🎶 BRU-C, KANINE, and DISRUPTA Live
Catch BRU-C, KANINE, and DISRUPTA live in Wellington for an epic daytime performance at Brewtown!📍 Brewtown Upper Hutt | 🕠 2:00pm–8:00pm | 🎟️ Tickets Available

🏍️ Old Fashioned Trail Ride
Experience a fun trail ride with challenging tracks, hill climbs, and a mix of pine forest, suitable for all riders aged 14 and up.📍 Totara Park, Upper Hutt | 🕠 10:00am | 🎟️ $40 (Lunch Included)

🎨 Artisan Craft Market
Shop locally and discover high-quality handmade products from talented artisans at this monthly market on Wellington’s waterfront.📍 Wharewaka Wellington, Taranaki Wharf | 🕠 10:00am–3:00pm | 🎟️ Free Admission

😂 Poprox Improv Comedy Nights
Enjoy a night of hilarious improv comedy with Pōneke’s best-dressed troupe, PopRox, at Circa Theatre.📍 Circa Theatre, Wellington | 🕠 7:00pm–8:15pm | 🎟️ $25–$35

🎶 Live Music with Shaun Preston
Enjoy an afternoon of live piano music, delicious Colombo pizzas, and drinks in the beautiful autumn weather at Colombo Martinborough.📍2:00pm–5:00pm | 🎟️ Free Entry

🎨 Disney Crafts
Create your own personalized Mickey ears at Tākina's Disney exhibition and make your visit even more magical!📍 Tākina Wellington Convention Centre | 🕠 9:30am–1:30pm | 🎟️ $9.99

🎨 Artist in the Garden Competition 2025
Capture the beauty of Wellington Botanic Garden through your art at this fun, family-friendly competition.📍 Wellington Botanic Garden | 🕠 10:30am–2:00pm | 🎟️ Free Admission

🚚 Tui Truck Stop Show and Shine
Showcase your rig, enjoy live music, free brewery tours, and tasty food at this celebration of the trucking community.📍 Tui Brewery, Mangatainoka | 8:00am–5:00pm | 🎟️ Free Admission

🎨 CubaDupa Tattoo Flash Day Fundraiser
Celebrate love, self-expression, and inclusion with custom tattoos and live entertainment, all while supporting the LGBTQ+ community through InsideOut.📍 James Smith Building, Cuba Street, Wellington | 10:00am–5:00pm | 🎟️ Merch & Tattoo Bookings

🌸 Rose Garden Market
Explore beautifully crafted ornaments, handmade candles, artwork, and more at this outdoor market in Wellington's stunning Rose Garden.📍 Wellington Botanic Garden | 🕠 11:00am–3:00pm | 🎟️ Free Admission

🌈 Holi Festival Celebration
Join the fun at the Holi Festival with colour throwing, music, games, and a community celebration of love and spring!📍 Petone Recreation Ground | 🕠 10:00am–11:30am | 🎟️ Free Admission

💕 Extra Sprinkles:

This Week's Charity Spotlight Wellington Free Ambulance – A vital emergency ambulance service in the Greater Wellington and Wairarapa regions of New Zealand, uniquely offering its services free to everyone, every time. While receiving the majority of its funding from the government, Wellington Free Ambulance relies on the generous support of local donations to bridge the funding gap and ensure their lifesaving work continues across the region, from the CBD to the coast. Donate or learn more: wfa.org.nz

☀️ Welly Weather Watch

Fri 28 Mar: Cloudy with showers, max 19°C – grab your umbrella! ☔
Sat 29 Mar: Sunshine, max 21°C – perfect picnic weather! 🌞
Sun 30 Mar: Mainly fine, with a chance of showers, max 20°C – nature’s surprise! 🌥️

That's a wrap on your weekend buzz! Keep soaking up the sunshine, savoring local delights, and supporting our city. Catch you next week for more history, hilarity, and hidden gems.

Ngā mihi nui,
Kirstie & Steve 🐝

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