New Zealand's Favourite Events and Festivals

A festival or major event is a great excuse for aThose with green thumbs should get excited about
holiday and there is no better way to embark on thisvisiting the annual Festival of Flowers in Christchurch.
kind of holiday than by hiring a campervan andHosted by New Zealand's Garden City, this garden
enjoying the motorhome experience.festival celebrates everything gardens, plants and
New Zealand plays host to a wide range of eventsfloral, focusing on gorgeous flower displays of bright
and festivals, offering something for all, all year round.and vibrant colours.
Whether it's the arts, music, culture, gardening orCombine the amazing garden landscapes with music,
food you are interested in, New Zealand has youfood, storytelling, photography and a tree-climbing
covered.competition and you have all the makings of a
Here are just a few events and festivals you couldfantastic holiday rolled into one.
easily plan a campervan holiday around:When: 19 February - 14 March
1. Pasifika FestivalWhere: Christchurch
Pasifika is a celebration of Auckland's Pacific culture5. The Parihaka International Peace Festival
and puts on a spectacular show of traditional PacificAttracting peace lovers and protesters from across
dances and shows.the world, Parihaka is rooted in a tradition of peaceful
Experience the culture of New Zealand as youresistance, with the festival now becoming a tradition
embark on a journey of the mind, body and soul, allon its own.
while enjoying a vibrant atmosphere that simplyMultiple speakers grace the stages of the festival to
cannot be beat.bring messages of peace and hope to listeners.
When: 13 MarchPeople come together in unison through speech,
Where: Aucklandmusic and the arts and celebrate the passive art of
2. New Zealand International Arts Festivalresistance.
Featuring everything from the arts, including theatre,When: 8 - 10 January
dance, music, writing, reading and the visual arts, theWhere: Parihaka (south-west of New Plymouth)
New Zealand International Arts Festival is the most6. World Buskers Festival
celebrated festival of its kind in the country, andHome to an amazing 450 amazing live shows, the
beyond.World Buskers Festival offers the perfect
Experience a wide array of free and family events,opportunity to support local music and to get your
with talks and forums sure to cover something for all.sound out there.
When: 26 February - 21 MarchBoasting street, circus and comedy styles, this
Where: Wellingtonfestival brings to life the culture of Christchurch and
3. Auckland Lantern Festivalbeyond and never fails to entertain.
Chinese New Year is always a great excuse to headWhen: 21 - 31 January
out and celebrate with colour, music and dance, noWhere: Christchurch
matter what your ethnicity or beliefs.7. Fine Food New Zealand
The Auckland Lantern Festival is a fantastic way toIf food is your forte or you are simply hoping to
bring in the Chinese New Year, offering musicsample some of the freshest produce around, than
performances, parades and traditional ChineseFine Food New Zealand is the festival for you.
displays.See the best chefs around at work, cook alongside
This is one festival you will not want to stay homethem or simply volunteer to taste their efforts. Learn
for.all about the industry and pick up a few cooking tips
When: 26 Februaryto take home with you or sample in your campervan
Where: Aucklandkitchen.
4. Burst! Festival of Flowers