🐝 WellyBuzz: Foodie Feasts, Spring Blooms & Wellington’s Big Finale 🌸🍴

Kia ora Wellington!
The last weekend of winter is here, and Pōneke’s showing off. Bright daffodils are popping up for Friday’s annual fundraiser, and even the tuis are warming up their spring vocals. From ABBA’s final singalong at St James to Netsky’s arena-shaking beats and foodie heaven at Sky Stadium, August is going out with a bang. Bundle up (just in case) - this is winter’s big send-off, and you don’t want to miss it. 🌼🎉

🔥 Quick Picks This Weekend

🍴 Wellington Food Show 2025 – Hundreds of stalls, tastings, and celebrity chef demos at Sky Stadium.
🎧 Netsky – Full Circle 360 – Immersive Drum & Bass experience with a stacked lineup at Brewtown.
🎭 Mamma Mia! – Last Chance! – Final singalong shows of the ABBA smash hit at St James.
🌸 Titahi Bay Spring Flower Show – Bloom-filled competition, workshops, and kids’ activities at Pātaka.
🎹 Minuit: The Reunion Shows – Iconic Kiwi synth-pop band returns for one epic night at Meow Nui.
🎨 Creepy Cute Market – Whimsical gothic art, fashion, and handcrafted oddities at Thistle Hall.

🔥 In This Week’s Buzz

🐾 Pets of the Week – Atlas the giant Malamute & Zuko the mischievous kitten.
🕰️ Welly’s Time Machine – Aro Street’s Cold War “spy loo” scandal.
🌟 Local Legend – Man to Man: family-run menswear since 1984.
🍽️ Food & Drink – The Leafy Stop: Kilbirnie’s cosy vegan lunchroom.
🎉 Events – 50+ reasons to get off the couch.
🌦️ Welly Weather Watch – Showery Friday, cloudy Saturday, and rain easing Sunday
💛 Extra Sprinkles – Daffodil Day turns Wellington yellow for cancer support.

🐾 Pets of the Week – Atlas & Zuko

Meera and Ryan’s pets are a duo of legends. Atlas, their 72kg Malamute x Husky, is a gentle giant and a bit of a CBD celebrity - known for tricks, pats, and even his own Welly on a Plate burger. His little brother Zuko, a 10-month ragdoll x Persian, is pure fluff and mischief. After surviving a four-storey fall, he’s back to road trips, plant-toppling, and keeping Atlas company with his firebender flair.

Want your pet featured? Email a photo and maybe a fun fact to: [email protected]!

🕰️ Time Machine: The Great Wellington Spy Loo

In 1974, a quiet Aro Street public toilet became the stage for international intrigue. Late one rainy night, Kiwi economist Dr. William Sutch met with Soviet diplomat Dimitri Razgovorov in the loos - only for NZ Security to be lying in wait. Sutch was arrested and charged with espionage, accused of passing state secrets in our very own backyard privy. The trial that followed gripped the nation (imagine James Bond, but in a Wellington dunny). Ultimately, a jury acquitted Sutch, and the so-called “spy toilet” went down in Wellington lore as perhaps our quirkiest Cold War tale. 🕵️🚽

🌟 Local Legends – Small Biz Gem to Check Out:

Man to Man Menswear (89 Victoria Street, Te Aro)

Dressing Wellington lads since 1984, Man to Man is the spot for sharp suits upstairs and smart casual downstairs. Family-run by the Clareburts, they’ve kept locals looking slick for 40+ years with Hugo Boss staples and good old-fashioned service. A true Te Aro menswear icon.

🌐 mantoman.co.nz | ☎️ 04-473-6945 | ✉️ [email protected]

🍽️ Food & Drink – Must-Try Spot This Week

The Leafy Stop (35 Onepu Road, Kilbirnie)

This cozy plant-based café is serving soul-warming vegan eats - think stews, frittata, hearty sammies and lighter cabinet snacks, many with gluten-free options. Open Tue–Fri (10–3) and Sat (10–4), it’s a leafy, friendly spot that feels like your front room - perfect for a filter coffee and a comforting bite in Kilbirnie.

🌐 theleafystop.co.nz | ☎️ +64 20 434 1481 📸 instagram.com/theleafystop

🎉 Events: Your Weekend Lineup 🌟

Friday 29 August - Daffodil Day:

🍴 The Wellington Food Show 2025
Tastings, stalls, celeb chefs - foodie heaven takes over Sky Stadium. Featuring Nadia Lim, Sam Low, and Annabelle White.
📍 Sky Stadium | 🕙 Fri–Sat 10:00am–5:00pm, Sun 10:00am–4:00pm | 🎟️ Buy Tickets

🎭 Mamma Mia!
Final weekend! ABBA anthems, love, and dancing queens at St James.
📍 St James Theatre, Courtenay Place | 🕕 7:30pm–10:15pm | 🎟️ From $69, All Ages

🎤 Cringeworthy: The 90's
Spice Girls to grunge - sing, laugh, and cringe your way through the decade.
📍 Circa Theatre, 1 Taranaki St | 🕕 8:00pm–10:00pm | 🎟️ From $25, All Ages

🎭 Ration the Queen's Veges
True-inspired solo show of defiance, prison, and the power of one act.
📍 Circa Theatre, 1 Taranaki St | 🕕 7:30pm–8:20pm | 🎟️ From $25, R12

🎭 Declarations of Love (And Other Useless Things)
Sketch comedy ripping into love, sex, and rom-com clichés.
📍 BATS Theatre, 1 Kent Tce | 🕕 6:30pm–7:30pm | 🎟️ $15 (Unwaged), $25 (Waged), R13

🎭 Roger Hall's Easy Money
Classic Kiwi farce: greed, dodgy deals, and belly laughs galore.
📍 Mana Little Theatre, 9 Sunset Parade, Plimmerton | 🕕 7:30pm–10:00pm | 🎟️ From $20, R14

🎻 CMNZ Series: Takács Quartet
World-renowned string quartet with Haydn, Beethoven, and a cosmic new piece.
📍 Public Trust Hall, 131-135 Lambton Quay | 🕢 7:30pm–9:00pm | 🎟️ All Ages

🎪 Circus of the Night
Burlesque, circus tricks, and after-dark weirdness - leave the kids at home.
📍 The Fringe Bar, 26 Allen Street | 🕢 Fri 29 & Sat 30 Aug, 7:30pm | 🎟️ From $34.05, R18

🎨 Sam's Art House Special Exhibition Preschool Class
Little ones (ages 3-4) get hands-on at the student art exhibition.
📍 Johnsonville Shopping Centre | 🕙 10:00am & 11:30am | 🎟️ Free

🎤 Girls Rock the Boys
Powerhouse female vocalists reinvent rock anthems live on stage.
📍 Underworld Tavern, 13 Pirie Street | 🕣 8:30pm–11:00pm | 🎟️ Door Sales $30

🎤 The Wellington Raw Comedy Quest 2025 FINAL
Emerging comics battle it out for Wellington glory - laughs guaranteed.
📍 Hannah Playhouse, 12 Cambridge Terrace, Te Aro | 🕗 8:00pm–10:00pm | 🎟️ $40

🎸 Wildkiwi Tribute Fest
Full-throttle rock and metal tributes to Slipknot, Nirvana, Green Day, Marilyn Manson, plus heavy DJs and chaos on stage.
📍 Wild Kiwi Distillery, Brewtown, 25 Blenheim St, Upper Hutt | 🕕 6:00pm–11:30pm | 🎟️ $15–$30, R18

💃 Cumbia Blazera
Latin beats born on the pitch, now made for the dancefloor.
📍 The Rogue and Vagabond, 18 Garrett St | 🕘 9:30pm–11:30pm | 🎟️ Free Admission, R18

🎸 Southern Echo
Live band vibes with dinner and drinks available from Whatman Restaurant.
📍 Club Wairarapa, 20 Essex Street, Masterton | 🕢 7:30pm | 🎟️ Free Admission, All Ages Licensed

🎸 Fizzwizard – the Return!!!
Psychedelic blues magic with Aleister Campbell and band.
📍 Jack Hackett's, 7/11 Dixon St | 🕣 8:30pm–11:00pm | 🎟️ Free Admission, All Ages Licensed

🚚 Food Truck Friday
All the best trucks in one spot - cosy seating, great eats, cold drinks.
📍 The Bond Store, 21 Birmingham Street, Paraparaumu | 🕓 4:00pm–7:30pm | 🎟️ Free Admission, All Ages

❄️⚡ Winter Meltdown 2025
DnB rave chaos with Serum, Inja, AC13 + more. Multi-level madness.
📍 Meow Nui, 92 Vivian St, Te Aro | 🕒 8pm | 🎟️ $49.99

🦋 Jungle Juice: 2nd Anniversary Party
House, afro-latin, bounce + techno. Dress wild, dance wilder.
📍 The Garden Hotel, 63 Courtenay Pl, Te Aro | 🕒 9pm–3am | 🎟️ From $16.43

Saturday 30 August

🎧 Netsky – Full Circle 360 Experience
An intimate 360° Drum & Bass show with Netsky plus Montell2099, Andromedik, Punctual & BVRBWYRE.
📍 Brewtown, Upper Hutt | 🕓 4:00pm–10:00pm | 🎟️ Early Birds $89 | R18

🎨 Cheers Dad! Pottery, Paint & a Pint
Celebrate Dad with pottery painting and a cold one at Duncan’s Brewing - create your own mug or tumbler to take home.
📍 Duncan's Brewing Co., 4B Sheffield Street, Paraparaumu | 🕓 4:30pm–6:00pm | 🎟️ $79 Buy Tickets, All Ages

🌿 Our Beloved Indigenous Vegetation – Guided Walk
A downhill stroll through the Botanic Garden discovering native plants from cabbage trees to rare rātā.
📍 Wellington Botanic Garden, 101 Glenmore St | 🕓 1:30pm–2:30pm | 🎟️ $5 cash (free for Friends) | All Ages

🎻 NZTrio presents Fantastique
Aotearoa’s acclaimed trio with works from Turina, Shostakovich, Psathas and more.
📍 St Andrews on the Terrace | 🕢 7:30pm–9:30pm | 🎟️ GA $54.55 / Student $28.92 | All Ages

💃 Back in the Day – Dancefloor Nostalgia
Nick Collings and friends spin classic house and dancefloor bangers - party like it’s 2005.
📍 Otto Champagneria & Beer Hall, 125 Featherston St, Te Aro | 🕗 8PM–late | 🎟️ From $15, Tickets via Flicket

🎬 Vista Foundation 48Hours Grand Finals 2025
The best short films made in just 48 hours hit the big screen at Embassy.
📍 Embassy Theatre | 🕖 7:00pm | 🎟️ General Admission $23.25, All Ages

🌸 58th Titahi Bay Horticultural Society Spring Flower Show 2025
Stunning flower displays, plant stalls, workshops, and kids’ fun at Porirua’s big bloom fest.
📍 Pātaka, 1 Norrie St, Porirua | 🕛 12:15PM–5:00PM (also on Sunday 10-3) | 🎟️ Adults $5, Children Free

👶 Free Baby Clothing Day
Browse clothes, toys, and maternity gear - koha welcome.
📍 Greenstone Doors, 1285 Fergusson Dr, Upper Hutt | 🕙 10:00AM–12:00PM | 🎟️ Free

🎸 Creedence Clearwater Collective
A live tribute to the music of CCR and John Fogerty - sing along to the classics.
📍 Opera House, Wellington | 🕢 7:30PM | 🎟️ $69 Tickets: Ticketmaster

🎭 Hamilton: The Musical Party
Sing and dance to Hamilton plus Broadway hits all night long.
📍 San Fran, Wellington | 🕘 9PM | 18+ | 🎟️ $21.62 Tickets: bit.ly/HAMwell

🎸 Rockshop Bandquest – Wellington
Primary and intermediate school bands battle it out live.
📍 Sacred Heart College, 65 Laings Rd, Lower Hutt | 🕡 6:30pm | 🎟️ From $10.25, All Ages

🎹 Minuit: The Reunion Shows
Kiwi synth-pop legends return for one night only with support acts.
📍 Meow Nui, 92 Vivian St | 🕗 8:00pm | 🎟️ $74.50 | RP18

🎨 Creepy Cute Market
Whimsical gothic fashion, art and curiosities - one for the darkly inclined.
📍 Thistle Hall, 293 Cuba St, Te Aro | 🕤 9:30am–2:30pm | 🎟️ Free Entry | All Ages

💀 Unholy Union – An Undead Ball
Union Tattoo’s 10th birthday bash with burlesque, freak shows, and zombie dancers.
📍 Underworld Tavern, 13 Pirie St | 🕢 7:30pm | 🎟️ $20 | R18

🎸 "This Is a Tribute" – FNM, STP & Foos
Faith No More, Stone Temple Pilots and Foo Fighters tributes in one loud night.
📍 Abandoned Taproom, Petone | 🕢 7:30pm | 🎟️ $15 presale / $20 door | RP18

🍻 The Welsh Dragon Bar Turns 21
Celebrate 21 years of the Dragon with beers, stories, and live music.
📍 The Welsh Dragon Bar, Mt Victoria | 🕛 From 12:00pm | 🎟️ Free Admission | All ages welcome

💍 Bride Of The Year 2025
Wairarapa’s brides relive their big day on stage - glamour and inspiration.
📍 Wairarapa Events Centre, Holloway St, Carterton | 🕖 7:00pm | 🎟️ $32.50 | All ages welcome

🎸 The Cowpokers + Tyson Smith
Swamp rock meets soulful guitar improvisation at Moon.
📍 Moon, 167 Riddiford Street | 🕘 9:00pm–11:30pm | 🎟️ Presale $15 / Door $20 | R18

🐶 Cafe Fund Raiser Event for SPCA with Puppy Cuddles
Puppy snuggles, special treats and donations to help animals in need.
📍 Greta Point Cafe, 326 Evans Bay Parade, Wellington | 🕗 8:00am–3:00pm | 🎟️ Free Admission | All Ages

🎨 The Brackenridge Art Show
Local Wairarapa art, jewellery and crafts - free entry and prizes.
📍 Brackenridge Country Retreat & Spa, Martinborough | 🕑 Sat 30 & Sun 31 Aug 2:00pm–6:00pm | 🎟️ Free Admission | All Ages

Sunday 31 August:

🎭 Mamma Mia! - Last Show
“My my, how can you resist this?” After a sell-out season, the feel-good ABBA musical wraps up in Wellington with this final singalong matinee. Dancing Queens of all ages will laugh, cry and boogie one more time.
📍 St James Theatre, Courtenay Place | 🕑 2:00–4:15pm | 🎟️ From $69, All Ages

🎩 Wonka Treats & Tipples
Step through the “factory doors” for a Wonka-themed popup at Amador: Baron Hasselhoff’s August Gloop chocolate cake paired with a hot rum toddy, plus mini desserts and cocktail pairings. Sweet, boozy, and strictly while supplies last.
📍 Amador, Upstairs @ 80A Willis St | 🕐 from 1pm

🎷 Sunday Jazz
Swinging 40s & 50s jazz in a cosy underground setting.
📍 The Undercurrent, 118 Tory St | 🕞 3:30pm–4:30pm | 🎟️ $16.20, All Ages

🧀 We 💛 Mac 'n' Cheese – Kaibosh X Everybody Eats
Celebrate the last day of winter with comfort food for a cause! Enjoy mac 'n' cheese (vegan & gluten-free options) while supporting Kaibosh and Everybody Eats.
📍 60 Dixon St (upstairs), Te Aro | 🕐 1pm–8pm | 🎟️ $10 per bowl

🎨 Making Faces NZ Kids Party Extravaganza
Mini disco, balloons, characters, and kids eat free with adult meal. Perfect for 2-10s.
📍 39 Abel Smith St | 🕚 11am–1:00pm | 🎟️ $25 per child, kids eat free with adult meal

🍹 Blindfolded Daiquiri Competition – Final Time!
Cocktail chaos! Make a daiquiri blindfolded in 60 seconds. Prizes, specials, and laughs guaranteed.
📍 8 Chews Lane | 🕒 3:00PM–11:55PM

🎻 Andrew Beer & Ingrid Bauer (violin/harp)
Classical duos with works by Bach, Piazzolla, Debussy and more.
📍 St Andrews on the Terrace, 30 The Terrace, Wellington | 🕒 3:00pm–5:00pm | 🎟️ General $44.30 / Under-26 $10.25

🎸 Rockshop Bandquest – Wellington Day 2
Primary and intermediate school bands hit the stage for round two.
📍 Sacred Heart College, 65 Laings Road, Lower Hutt | 🕡 6:30pm | 🎟️ Student $10.25 / Adult $23.25

🌌 Bad Kitty Cabaret: Live Long & Prosper
Sci-fi pole, burlesque and drag cabaret with a geeky twist.
📍 The Fringe Bar, 26 Allen Street | 🕖 7:00pm–9:00pm | 🎟️ $33.30 | R18

🎵 Nota Bene & The Bach Choir of Wellington – Quiz Night
Dinner from 5, quiz from 7 - team up for a fun fundraiser.
📍 1852 Pub & Kitchen, 55 Cleveland St | 🕔 5:00pm–9:30pm | 🎟️ $20 | All Ages

🎸 Buffalo, Buffalo, Buffalo – IAS Cushion Concert
Seven-piece local band with road trip-ready pop rock. Free for kids.
📍 Inverlochy Art School, 3 Inverlochy Place | 🕔 5:00pm–6:00pm | 🎟️ $10 | All Ages

🎻 Americana Jam
Bring your banjo, fiddle, guitar - or just listen. Rootsy jam session, koha entry.
📍 The Undercurrent, 118 Tory Street | 🕠 5:30pm | 🎟️ Free Admission | All Ages

🎶 Jess and Cam
Groovy blues with jazz, folk and soul influences.
📍 Underworld Tavern, 13 Pirie Street | 🕐 1:00pm–3:00pm | 🎟️ $20 ($10 for Capital Blues members) | All Ages Licensed

🎷 Sunday Jazz Club
Live trio jams in Lyall Bay - Lockie Bennett, Elijah Mulheron & Cory Champion.
📍 60–66 Kingsford Smith St | 🕒 3–5pm | 🎟️ Free Admission

🚌 Kapiti Safari
Seven hours of food, drinks and local gems across four Kapiti spots.
📍 The Arborist Rooftop Bar, 166 Willis St | 🕒 12:30pm–7:00pm | 🎟️ $140

🎨 Otaki Craft Market
Stalls, food trucks, plants, antiques and live buskers at this open-air market.
📍 Otaki Market, 58 Main Highway | 🕒 10:00am–2:00pm | 🎟️ Free Entry

🏉 Bunnings NPC: Wellington Lions vs Auckland
Black-and-gold vs the Blues - home ground footy at its best.
📍 Porirua Park | 🕒 2:05pm | 🎟️ Free for Kids 15yrs and under

🏆 Farah Palmer Cup: Wellington Pride vs Taranaki
Come support the Pride. Fast, fierce and family-friendly – women’s rugby is on fire!
📍 Porirua Park | 🕒 11:35am | 🎟️ Free for Kids 15yrs and under

🌦️ Welly Weather Watch

🌦️ Friday: A few showers, clearing to fine in the afternoon. High 15°C, low 9°C.
🌦️ Saturday: Partly cloudy, with a few showers developing in the morning. High 14°C, low 8°C.
🌦️ Sunday: Rain, easing. Northwesterlies, turning southwesterly. High 13°C, low 6°C.

💛 Extra Sprinkles – Daffodil Day

This Friday, Wellington (and the rest of Aotearoa) will don yellow for Daffodil Day - the Cancer Society’s hope-filled fundraiser in bloom since 1990. Whether you're donning a daff or giving a gold coin, every bit helps spark research and support for Kiwis facing cancer.

👉 You can donate online here, pop some change into a collector’s bucket, or sign up to volunteer for an hour. Every daffodil counts, and every dollar makes a difference. 🌼

Wellington’s got everything this weekend – from daffodils to drum & bass, ABBA to artisan eats. So grab a coat, grab your mates, and go make some memories. Winter’s signing off in style – let’s give it the send-off it deserves. 🐝✨

Ngā mihi nui,
Kirstie & Steve