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- ๐ Wellington's biggest Mother's Day weekend?
๐ Wellington's biggest Mother's Day weekend?
TONIGHT! Split Enz at TSB after 20 years. Plus Phoenix Women's HISTORIC semi-final, Pulse vs Mystics, Pink Floyd's 'The Wall' & Mother's Day Markets
Kirstie and Steve
May 07, 2026
WellyBuzz ๐
Your Wellington Weekend Sorted
Split Enz, Home & Living Show, The Wall & Historic Phoenix Semi!
Split Enz TONIGHT, Pink Floyd's 'The Wall' Sat, Phoenix women's first-ever A-League semi Sun + Home Show, Pulse v Mystics & Mum's Day markets ๐
๐ Welcome
Kia ora Wellington! ๐
Mother's Day weekend kicks off TONIGHT with Split Enz back at TSB Arena for the first time in 20 years - Tim, Neil, Eddie and Noel, properly reunited ๐คฏ.
Then it doesn't let up. Pink Floyd's 'The Wall' lands tomorrow, the Home & Living Show takes over Hnry Stadium all weekend, Pulse vs Mystics Saturday - and Sunday brings Mother's Day markets, the Saints in Porirua, and the Phoenix women's first-ever home A-League semi.
Treat your mum (or yourself!) - let's get buzzing! ๐
๐ธ TONIGHT (Thu 7 May): Split Enz - Forever Enz Tour at TSB Arena, 7pm. Last tickets via Ticketmaster.
๐ฅ Quick Picks
๐ธ Split Enz - Forever Enz Tour (Thu - TONIGHT!) - First Welly show in 20 years from Tim, Neil, Eddie & Noel. TSB Arena, 7pm.
๐ Featherston Booktown Karukatea Festival (Fri-Sun) - Hannah Kent, Catherine Chidgey, Tฤme Iti, Tusiata Avia and dozens more across the Wairarapa.
๐ Better Home & Living Show 2026 (Fri-Sun) - Three days of kitchens, reno inspo, solar & gardens at Hnry Stadium - $5 entry, under 16 free.
๐ & Juliet (Sat) - Reimagined Romeo + Juliet pop musical at St James - matinee from $70.83 or opening-night red carpet 7:30pm.
๐ฅ Pulse vs Mystics (Sat) - Top-of-table ANZ Premiership clash, 7pm tip at Te Rauparaha Arena.
๐ธ Pink Floyd Experience: The Wall (Sat) - The full spectacle returns to TSB Arena - construction, destruction, the lot.
โ๏ธ Brewtown Bash 2026 (Sat) - FREE armoured combat, medieval market and ice-cold brews at Brewtown Upper Hutt.
๐ท Mother's Day Market at Kai Tahi (Sun) - Local makers, treats and last-minute prezzies in Porirua's timber-and-bubbles food court, 10am-3pm.
โฝ Wellington Phoenix Women's Semi-Final (Sun) - First home semi-final in club history! 2:30pm at Porirua Park - Grand Final on the line. Limited capacity, will sell out. From $10.
๐ Wellington Saints vs Franklin Bulls (Sun) - Sal's NBL Mother's Day matinee at Te Rauparaha Arena, doors 4:40pm.
๐ฐ๏ธ Welly's Time Machine
๐ท Opening of the Beehive, 1977 - NZ History / nzhistory.govt.nz - view source
49 years ago this month, Sir Robert Muldoon flicked the switch on the Beehive - May 1977. Sir Basil Spence first sketched the wonky-skep silhouette on a napkin in 1964; it took eight years to build and decades to grow on us. Now imagine the Pลneke skyline without it. ๐
๐ฝ๏ธ Food & Drink
Spizzico - Taste of Rome has landed on Manners Street and we're already plotting a return visit.
Roman-style pizza al taglio - thick, fluffy, crisp-bottomed squares sold by weight. Around $10 a slice. Crispy base, airy middle, loaded toppings - dangerously easy to go back for seconds.
They also do focaccia and Bocce-style pizza, with plenty of seating at the back so you can sit in (rare in central Welly!). 99 Manners Street, Te Aro. spizzico.co.nz
๐ Events This Weekend
๐
Thursday 7 May - Tonight! ๐ธ
First time in 20 years - Tim Finn, Neil Finn, Eddie Rayner and Noel Crombie back together for one Wellington show. The hits, the suits, the lot. If you're reading this Thursday morning, last-minute tickets might still be there.
๐ TSB Arena, 4 Queens Wharf, Wellington Central | ๐ Thursday 7pm | ๐ฐ From $173.21 (Side View), Allocated $203.80, VIP from $377.11 | ๐ All Ages
Comedian and ex-pro dancer Joana Joy hosts the dance competition show nobody asked for - 55 seconds, brutal judges, music from Enya to Tupac. Different rotating lineup Thu/Fri/Sat - see iTicket for the night-by-night roster.
๐ BATS Theatre, 1 Kent Terrace, Mount Victoria | ๐ Thu/Fri/Sat 9:15pm | ๐ฐ $25-$30 + booking fee | ๐ R16
๐
Friday 8 May
Three days of kitchens, building, reno inspo, heating, solar and electric transport under one roof.
๐ Hnry Stadium, 105 Waterloo Quay, Pipitea | ๐ Fri-Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 10am-4pm | ๐ฐ Adult $5, Gold Card Fri $2.50, Under 16 FREE
Mums go FREE all weekend with a special photo keepsake. The Welly tour where movie magic gets unpacked - props, prosthetics, weapons and weird genius. Code MUM2026.
๐ Wฤtฤ Workshop Experiences, 1 Weka Street, Miramar | ๐ Fri-Sun 8-10 May | ๐ฐ Mums FREE with paying guest (code MUM2026, T&Cs apply)
Heavily discounted weekend Zoo entry for Te Nukuao Wellington Zoo's 120th year. Take Mum (and the kids) to meet the lions, sun bears and tuatara - plus pop-up Ranger talks, REX Tremendous + Banana Bar open. Limited tickets.
๐ Wellington Zoo, 200 Daniell Street, Newtown | ๐ Sat & Sun 9-10 May | ๐ฐ Adult $10, Child (14 & under) $5, Under 3s FREE (+ small booking fee). Online only - tickets dropped Tue 5 May.
Wander the gardens by day for cherry trees, Japanese maples and autumn camellias - or come back After Dark (6-9pm) for the lights walk. Cafe, hot chocolate, marshmallow roasting and The Stables eatery open. Bonus Mum treats Sunday. ๐
๐ Aston Norwood Gardens, 1747 SH2, Kaitoke, Upper Hutt | ๐ Fri-Sun 8-10 May, 8am-9pm (Daytime 8am-5pm, After Dark 6-9pm) | ๐ฐ Daytime: Adult $10, Child $5, Family $25 ยท After Dark: Adult $12.50, Child $5, Family $30 ยท Combo: Adult $17.50, Family $42.50 (book online)
๐ข Ride the Cyclone
Final weekend of WITCH Music Theatre's NZ premiere - six choir kids killed on a doomed rollercoaster, given one shot to win their lives back. Darkly funny and surprisingly tender.
๐ Circa One, 1 Taranaki Street, Te Aro | ๐ Friday 7pm (closes Sat) | ๐ฐ Adult $68, Senior $55, Concession $45, Friend of Circa $40 | ๐ M
Double bill of speculative Pasifika theatre by Tokelauan-Uvean-Fijian storyteller Emele Ugavule - sci-fi, ancestry and ecological collapse, woven through the journey of Kalala. 120 min with a 15 min interval.
๐ Circa Two, 1 Taranaki Street, Te Aro | ๐ Friday 7:30pm | ๐ฐ $25-$45 | ๐ 12+ (Audience Care: ecocide)
Award-winning trio's high-energy comedy circus is back for NZICF (5-16 May) - razor-sharp juggling, sky-high aerials, properly silly.
๐ Hannah Playhouse, 12 Cambridge Terrace, Te Aro | ๐ Friday 8pm | ๐ฐ Fri/Sat $40 | ๐ R16
Three days of big names and bigger conversations: Hannah Kent, Catherine Chidgey, Tฤme Iti, Tusiata Avia, Mike McRoberts, Dominic Hoey, Josie Shapiro, Claire Mabey and more. Plus four FREE young readers' events.
๐ Multiple venues across Featherston | ๐ Friday-Sunday 8-10 May | ๐ฐ Mix of free and ticketed
Featherston Booktown's opening night - kapa haka, the best fish'n'chips, and Gilbert Enoka (All Blacks legend, author of Become Unstoppable) telling the stories.
๐ Featherston Anzac Hall, 62 Bell Street, Featherston | ๐ Friday 6pm | ๐ฐ $58.63 (SOLD OUT) | ๐ All Ages, Licensed
Two age brackets, one cosy bar, exclusive use of the venue. Includes a drink and food in the break - zero apps required.
๐ Kanteen Cafe, 7 Waterloo Quay, Wellington | ๐ Friday 6:30pm | ๐ฐ $48.40 | ๐ Adults Only
First-ever Kiwi qualifier for the global Duke of Edinburgh Cup - players get a premium gift box, dinner and a glass of Craggy Range. Serious golf weekend.
๐ Royal Wellington Golf Club, 28 Golf Road, Heretaunga, Upper Hutt | ๐ Friday 8 May 10am-8pm | ๐ฐ $425 registration
๐ SOC Stalls 2026
St Oran's College's annual student stalls - food, freebies and a community vibe.
๐ St Oran's College, 550 High Street, Lower Hutt | ๐ Friday 4-7pm | ๐ฐ FREE
UK drum & bass heavyweight Metrik brings the full Awake live show to Pลneke. Late-night DnB done right.
๐ Meow, 9 Edward Street, Te Aro | ๐ Friday 10pm | ๐ฐ Early Birds $19 | ๐ R18
Hands-on play of every 2025 Pavs finalist - the cream of NZ-made gaming, all under one roof.
๐ Michael Fowler Centre, 111 Wakefield Street, Te Aro | ๐ Fri-Sun 10am-5pm | ๐ฐ FREE
๐
Saturday 9 May
The legendary tribute production returns with the full Wall - construction, destruction, lights, all of it.
๐ TSB Arena, 4 Queens Wharf, Wellington Central | ๐ Saturday 8pm | ๐ฐ From $141.71
Quintessential Kiwi school fair raising funds to maintain the school pool that the wider community uses. Sausage sizzle, bouncy castle, face painting, raffle, second-hand stall and the emergency services on site.
๐ Rewa Rewa School, 18 Padnell Crescent, Newlands | ๐ Saturday 10am-2pm | ๐ฐ FREE entry, small cost for activities/food
NZ pro wrestling theatre - body slams, bruises and a crowd that loses the plot every match.
๐ Lower Hutt Town Hall, 30c Laings Road, Lower Hutt | ๐ Saturday 5pm | ๐ฐ GA $26.33, Balcony $23.25, Premium $30.98-$34.05, Family from $101.20
Wellington's best young bands fight for a slot at the National Final. Loud, sweaty, brilliant.
๐ Valhalla, 154 Vivian Street, Te Aro | ๐ Saturday 8pm | ๐ฐ $23.25 | ๐ R18
All Blacks' long-time mental skills coach in conversation - a rare look behind the curtain of NZ rugby's golden era.
๐ Kiwi Hall (inside Featherston Anzac Hall), 62 Bell Street, Featherston | ๐ Saturday 9am | ๐ฐ $27.87
Edible and aromatic plants from around the world - guided stroll through the Botanic Garden.
๐ Wellington Botanic Garden, Upland Road, Kelburn | ๐ Saturday 1:30pm | ๐ฐ $10.25
6km or 12km of mud, rope bridges, swamp crossings and questionable life choices.
๐ Camp Wainui, 203 Coast Road, Wainuiomata | ๐ Saturday | ๐ฐ Individual $70/$80/$90; Gal teams of 3 from $150
The pop-anthem juggernaut lands in Wellington - what if Juliet's famous ending was really just her beginning? Saturday evening is opening night - dress code: Bold Pop Party. ๐
๐ St James Theatre, 77-87 Courtenay Place, Te Aro | ๐ Matinee 2pm / ๐ข Opening 7:30pm (red carpet 6:30pm) | ๐ฐ Matinee from $70.83, Evening from $212.22
๐ค Foley
Sydney-NZ pop duo's 'Like an Actress' Aotearoa tour pulls into Meow for one night only.
๐ Meow, 9 Edward Street, Te Aro | ๐ Saturday 8pm | ๐ฐ $30 General Admission | ๐ R18
โ๏ธ Brewtown Bash 2026
NZ's fiercest armoured combat teams clash with axes, swords and full plate. Plus a medieval market, blacksmith demos and the Brewtown Bar pouring all day.
๐ Brewtown, 27 Blenheim Street, Upper Hutt | ๐ From 11am | ๐ฐ FREE | ๐ All ages
Round 5 ANZ Premiership - the Pulse host the Mystics in Porirua. Massive game.
๐ Te Rauparaha Arena, 17 Parumoana Street, Porirua | ๐ Saturday 7pm | ๐ฐ From $46.18 (Adult - Low Availability)
Plants, treasures, sausages and 140 years of school spirit - the world-famous-in-Paekฤkฤriki annual fundraiser.
๐ Paekฤkฤriki School, Wellington Road, Paekฤkฤriki | ๐ Saturday 10am-1pm | ๐ฐ FREE
๐ฎ The Pavs Game Awards
NZ Game Developers' Association awards night - the Oscars for Aotearoa-made games.
๐ Michael Fowler Centre, 111 Wakefield Street, Te Aro | ๐ Saturday 7pm-late | ๐ฐ General $68, Student $56, Festival Pass $230
Wellington Punjabi Sports & Cultural Club's vibrant night of Gidha, Bhangra, Bollywood, food and jewellery stalls.
๐ Chilton Saint James School, 124 Waterloo Road, Lower Hutt | ๐ Saturday 5-10pm | ๐ฐ FREE | ๐ Ladies only
33 yarn, fibre and wool traders, woolly mammoth raffle stall, koha kitchen - basically heaven for crafters.
๐ Whirinaki Whare Taonga, 836 Fergusson Drive, Upper Hutt | ๐ Saturday 10am-3pm | ๐ฐ FREE
๐
Sunday 10 May - Mother's Day ๐ท
For the first time in club history, the Phoenix women host their A-League semi at home. Grand Final spot on the line. Limited capacity - will sell out. Help pack the park out for one of the biggest moments in Welly football. ๐
๐ Porirua Park, Mungavin Avenue, Cannons Creek, Porirua | ๐ Sunday 2:30pm kick-off | ๐ฐ From $10 (Embankment / Best Available), Temporary Seating from $15 - LIMITED capacity
Take Mum to a Wairarapa orchard, fill a bag with crisp autumn apples - peak Mother's Day energy.
๐ Molewood Orchard, 17 Mole Street, Greytown | ๐ Sunday 9am-4pm | ๐ฐ FREE entry, fruit by weight
Bunny-themed trail through the sanctuary - cracking outing for the littles.
๐ Zealandia Te Mฤra a Tฤne, 53 Waiapu Road, Karori | ๐ Daily 9am-5pm | ๐ฐ FREE with sanctuary entry
Classic high tea, a Greytown Distilling gin (or sparkling) and special speakers - Olympian Gemma Flynn and novelist Josie Shapiro on books, balance and busy lives.
๐ Featherston Anzac Hall, 62 Bell Street, Featherston | ๐ Sunday 3:30pm | ๐ฐ $58.63
Local makers, treats and last-minute prezzies inside Porirua's gorgeous timber-and-bubbles food court.
๐ Kai Tahi Harbourside Eateries, 20 Parumoana Street, Porirua City | ๐ Sunday 10am-3pm | ๐ฐ Refer to event link for stallholder details
Hands-on retrospective of NZ platformer games - an oddly emotional jump-and-run trip.
๐ Michael Fowler Centre, 111 Wakefield Street, Te Aro | ๐ Sunday 10am-5pm | ๐ฐ FREE
Indoor Kฤpiti market with plants, flowers, local produce and handcrafted goods.
๐ Waikanae Beach Community Hall, 22a Rauparaha Street | ๐ Sunday 10am-1pm | ๐ฐ FREE
NZICF kicks off its Sundays-in-Porirua run - a fresh line-up every show.
๐ Abandoned Taproom, 20 Parumoana Street, Porirua | ๐ Sunday 6pm | ๐ฐ Full $28, Concession/Group $25
Free game design and development workshops for the next generation of Kiwi creators.
๐ Michael Fowler Centre, 111 Wakefield Street, Te Aro | ๐ Sunday 10am-4pm | ๐ฐ FREE | ๐ Ages 10-18
Sal's NBL Mother's Day matinee - high-flying dunks, courtside seats and the new COURTSIDE section.
๐ Te Rauparaha Arena, 17 Parumoana Street, Porirua | ๐ Doors 4:40pm, NBL 6pm | ๐ฐ Adult $23.20, Student/Senior $17.80, Child $14.80, Baseline B-D $64.95 (Baseline A sold out, all incl. service fees)
๐ฅ Harbourside Market
Wellington's biggest weekly market - fresh produce, bakery and the famous breakfast bagels.
๐ Cnr Cable & Barnett Streets, Te Aro | ๐ 7:30am-2pm | ๐ฐ FREE
๐ฌ๏ธ Welly Weather Watch
๐ฌ๏ธ Friday 8 May: A few showers. Strong NW, gale NE by evening. High 18ยฐC, low 14ยฐC
๐ค๏ธ Saturday 9 May: Mainly fine, chance of a shower. Strong NW easing in the morning. High 17ยฐC, low 9ยฐC
๐ฅ๏ธ Sunday 10 May: Fine, then heavy showers developing in the evening. NW turning southerly. High 15ยฐC, low 9ยฐC
Friday's wild (gales + showers), but Saturday and Sunday daytime look mostly fine - wrap up warm, lows of 9ยฐC. โ
Source: MetService, issued Tue 5 May.
๐ Extra Sprinkles - Charity of the Week
This Mother's Day we're cheering on Whฤnau ฤwhina Plunket - the Kiwi charity that's had every newborn's back since 1907. Free home visits, Plunketline (0800 933 922) at 3am, playgroups, the lot - funded by donations and powered by volunteers.
If your mum had Plunket support when you were tiny, today's a perfect day to pay it forward: plunket.org.nz ๐งถ
If your mum had Plunket support when you were tiny, today's a perfect day to pay it forward: plunket.org.nz ๐งถ
That's your Mother's Day weekend on a plate. Squeeze your mum, eat her chocolate, take her to Porirua Park to roar the Phoenix women into the Grand Final - or watch The Wall come down at TSB.
Nga mihi nui,
Kirstie & Steve ๐
Nga mihi nui,
Kirstie & Steve ๐
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