🐝 WellyBuzz: Hidden Gems, Big Laughs & Bold New Bites

Kia ora Welly whānau! 🌞

We’re back with your cheat sheet to the capital’s finest: fresh eats, crafty treats, time-travel tales, and weekend shenanigans galore. Pour yourself a cuppa, take a comfy seat, and let’s dive into the buzz. But first:

🕰️ PSA: Daylight saving ends this weekend!
Don’t forget to wind your clocks back one hour at 3am on Sunday. Enjoy the extra hour of sleep — or an extra hour out on the town. 😉

🔥 Quick Picks This Weekend:
• 🌈 Holi Festival – colour throws, food trucks, and dance in Upper Hutt
• 🍷 Akitu Tasting @ Rosella – lush Pinot Noir + canapés on Sunday
• 🎭 Toxic Avenger: The Musical – mutant laughs + rock anthems at Te Auaha

📲 Get even more Welly goodness
Follow @wellybuzz on Instagram and Facebook for extra events, behind-the-scenes, and late-breaking weekend picks.

🔥 In This Week’s Buzz:

• 🕰️ Welly’s Time Machine – Lyall Bay: From windswept wilderness to surf central

• 🌟 Local Legends – Two small biz gems worth your support

• 🍽️ Food & Drink – Four new or returning bites to try

• 🎉 Events – What’s on in Wellington this weekend

• 🌦️ Welly Weather Watch – Pack a raincoat, but don’t cancel the fun

🕰️ Time Machine: Lyall Bay – Then & Now 🌊

Overlooking Lyall Bay from Melrose, this stunning then-and-now comparison takes us from the windswept hills of 1895 to the bustling seaside suburb of 2020. In the black-and-white snapshot, three finely dressed folks stand gazing over untouched coastline — no airport, no surf club, no queue at Spruce Goose.

Fast forward a century or so and it’s all go — surfers, school runs, strong southerlies, and some of the city’s best sea views. While rooftops and roads have filled the valley, the coastline’s iconic curve and distant hills still anchor Lyall Bay firmly in Wellington’s heart.

🌟 Local Legends: Small Businesses with Big Mana 🛍️

💐 Wellington Apothecary – 110 Cuba Street, Te Aro

A herbal dispensary, natural skincare lab, and serene sanctuary all rolled into one. Tucked inside a historic Cuba Street building, this botanical haven handcrafts teas, tinctures, and tonics on-site — and even offers holistic facials and wellness consults. Founded by three friends in 2014, it's a beautiful fusion of nature, healing, and slow living.
📍 Open Mon–Sat 10–5, Sun 11–4

🪁 Neko Ngeru Cat Adoption Café – Level 1, 215 High Street, Lower Hutt

A cosy café with real rescue cats you can cuddle (and maybe adopt!). Your entry supports their mahi, plus there’s Japanese snacks, a gift shop, and even movie nights.
📍 Open Wed–Sun | Entry from $17 | Ages 7+ only

🍽️ Food & Drink – 4 Must-Try Spots This Week 🍷

🍷 Amuse Snack Bar – 178 Willis Street

New kid on the block! Opened on March 28, Amuse brings a bold splash of European snack culture to the heart of Pōneke. From early espresso to late-night aperitivo, this beautifully curated space serves Tuscan-inspired small plates, seasonal Kiwi produce, and a generous dose of flair. Founded by Dori Raphael, it's a snack bar in the true sense — designed for slow bites, good drinks, and even better vibes.

📍 Espresso to aperitivo | Tues–Fri: 7:30am–9pm | Sat: 9am–9pm

🥢 Apache – 66 Tory Street

They’re back, baby! After closing their doors on Wakefield Street, Apache has made a triumphant return just off Tory Street, right next to Mean Doses. Their new fit-out is sleek, the flavours are still bold, and the vibe? Hanoi meets Paris, with a twist of Wellington sass.

Serving up Vietnamese hawker-style eats with French flair, their menu balances spicy, sour, bitter, salty, and sweet in all the right ways. Highlights include twice-cooked pork belly, crispy dumplings, beef phở, lemongrass ‘bang bang’ chicken salad — and if you're lucky, the bartender might whip up something equally delicious.

📞 Bookings: 04 499 2999 | ✉️ [email protected]

🥙 Alswaida by Damascus – Press Hall, 78 Willis Street

Welly’s newest street food secret is out! From the creators of Damascus comes Alswaida — a bold new spot serving up authentic Syrian street eats in the heart of Press Hall.

Craving chicken shawarma with creamy thum, lamb mince flatbreads (Lahamb B’ajin), or a vibrant chickpea salad? This is your stop. Run by Hasan and Flora, Alswaida is flavour-packed, fast, and full of heart. Pro tip: add their crispy hand-cut chips on the side — they’re finished with a hit of garlic sauce and totally addictive.

📍 78 Willis Street | 🕒 Mon–Fri 11am–4pm
📞 (04) 333 2700

🐙 Supra – 1/31 Dixon Street, Te Aro

Perched above Dixon Street (entry via Eva Street), Supra is small in size, huge on flavour. Co-owned by Thom Millot (ex-Amok) and tattooist-turned-restaurateur Keith Lin, this intimate spot blends Aotearoa’s best ingredients with a creative, ever-evolving take on modern Australasian cuisine.

Expect bold, refined dishes like claypot octopus rice, beetroot tartare with mandarin and chilli, and Comté toast with burnt onion soup — all made to pair with their natural wine list and prime people-watching perch. For a deeper dive, opt for the tasting menu (veg option available).

📍 1/31 Dixon Street | Entry via Eva St laneway
🍽️ Dinner: Tues–Thu 5–9pm | Fri–Sat 5–midnight
🍽️ Lunch: Fri–Sat 12–2:30pm
📞 (04) 210 0064 | Bookings essential

🎭 Events: Your Weekend Lineup 🎉

Friday 4 April

🧪 The Toxic Avenger: The Musical – A mutant love story packed with laughs, sludge, and rockin’ tunes.
📍 Te Auaha, 65 Dixon Street, Te Aro | 7:30pm, Tue 1 – Sat 5 Apr | 🎟️ From $35

📸 Our City – Photo Exhibition
A Cuba Street love letter in photos, captured by the Wellington Lens Club.
📍 Thistle Hall, Cuba St | 🕙 Daily to Sun 6 Apr until 4pm | 🎟️ Free Entry, prints for sale

🎭 Whose Memory Lights The Dark – A moving story of love, loss, and healing told through fantasy and memory.
📍 BATS Theatre, 1 Kent Tce | 7:00pm, Wed 2 – Sat 5 Apr | 🎟️ From $15 or $40 for the Double Bill

🎸 Battle of the Bands – WLG Heat 3 – Local bands go head-to-head for a shot at the national finals — loud, raw, and ready to rock.
📍 Valhalla, 154 Vivian Street | 7:30pm | 🎟️ $18.20

🎹 Them Sundries Live – Quirky, danceable double-keyboard grooves from top local musos — funk, soul, and feel-good jams all night.
📍 The Rogue and Vagabond, 18 Garrett St | 9:30pm | 🎟️ Free Entry

🎸 Nano Stern Live – Chile’s finest brings soul-stirring folk-rock to one of Welly’s most scenic spots.
📍 Massey Memorial, Massey Rd, Maupuia | 7:00pm | 🎟️ From $15

🌙 After Dark: Mātahi o Rongo – Celebrate autumn with art, culture, and late-night vibes at this free R18 event inside Te Papa.
📍 Te Papa, 55 Cable Street | 7:00pm–11:00pm | 🎟️ Free Entry

🎼 Harmony for Hope – Movie magic meets music in this orchestral fundraiser supporting youth mental health in the Hutt.
📍 Lower Hutt Town Hall, 30c Laings Rd | 5:30pm–9:00pm | 🎟️ From $75

🎤 Karaoke Joe – Wairarapa’s karaoke king brings the tunes — sing your heart out or cheer on the brave!
📍 Club Wairarapa, 20 Essex St, Masterton | 7:30pm | 🎟️ Free Entry

🎭 Airhorn! Comedic Carnage – Welly’s wildest comedy show returns with chaos, clowns, and big laughs.
📍 Newtown Community Centre, Corner Rintoul & Colombo St | 8:00pm–9:30pm | 🎟️ From $15

🛍️ Tea Pea Warehouse Sale – Up to 80% off homewares, fashion, kids’ goods & more from your favourite boutique brands.
📍 35A Box Hill, Khandallah | Wed–Fri 10am–4pm, Sat 10am–3pm | 🎟️ Free

🎶 Parked in Dub at Vogelmorn – Chill Friday session with Reggae, Dub & Rocksteady vinyl vibes.
📍 Vogelmorn Bowling Club | From 5:00pm | 🎟️ Free Entry

Saturday 5 April

🌈 Holi Festival of Colours – Upper Hutt’s most vibrant celebration!
Colour throws, live performances, food trucks, music & dance—fun for the whole whānau!
📍 Harcourt Park, Upper Hutt | 12:00pm–5:00pm | 🎟️ Adults $10, Kids $5, Under 5 Free

🌬️ 100 Winds – CMNZ Series – A powerful fusion of dance, string quartet, and Māori storytelling exploring the shifting winds of identity.
📍 Soundings Theatre, Te Papa, 55 Cable St | 7:30pm–9:00pm | 🎟️ From $15

🎤 Steve Wrigley & Ben Hurley – Two comedy legends, one stage, all the laughs — a classic Kiwi double act you don’t want to miss.
📍 The Cavern Club, 22 Allen St, Te Aro | 7:00pm–8:30pm | 🎟️ $44.30

🟣 Relay For Life – Walk to fight cancer
Overnight team relay raising funds for Kiwis affected by cancer.
📍 Sky Stadium | Sat 5 Apr 3pm – Sun 6 Apr 8am | 🎟️ $30

🚴‍♀️ Park 2 Park Guided Ride – Cruise the new Island Bay to city bike route with Pedal Ready and boost your city cycling confidence.
📍 Switched on Bikes, 15/22 Herd St | 12:00pm–2:00pm | 🎟️ Free (e-bikes available from $10)

🚲 Park 2 Park: Community Ride – Explore Welly’s newest bike route with Pedal Ready, stopping at cool local spots like KaiCycle and Newtown Community Centre.
📍 Switched on Bikes, 15/22 Herd St | 2:30pm–4:30pm | 🎟️ Free (e-bikes available from $10)

♻️ Electronics Drive-Thru Recycling Day – Drop, Donate & Go
Declutter responsibly! Free drop-off for most devices, with small fees for large or hazardous items.
📍 QV House Carpark, 22 Nevis St, Petone | 9:00am–3:00pm | 🎟️ Free Entry

🎪 Deity Aerial Hoop Competition – NZ’s top aerialists defy gravity in this one-night-only circus spectacle on the Kāpiti Coast.
📍 Te Raukura ki Kāpiti, 34a Raumati Rd, Paraparaumu | 6:00pm–9:30pm | 🎟️ From $46.62

🎸 Caburlesque – Women of Rock – Burlesque, pole, and cabaret celebrating the fiercest female rock icons of all time.
📍 The Fringe Bar, 26 Allen St | 8:00pm–10:00pm | 🎟️ From $30

🔮 Unleash Your Voice – A full-day workshop blending voice empowerment with astrological magic to awaken self-expression.
📍 Paekākāriki Memorial Hall, 98 The Parade | 10:00am–4:30pm | 🎟️ $231.40

👗 Sustainable Fashion Market – Score preloved, vintage, and handmade fashion at NZ’s biggest thrift pop-up.
📍 Kai Tahi, 20 Parumoana St, Porirua | 10:00am–2:00pm | 🎟️ Free Entry

🔮 Divine Connections Expo – Psychic readings, healing, crafts, and good vibes at this holistic wellness market for all ages.
📍 Te Whaea, 11 Hutchison Rd, Newtown | 10:00am–4:00pm | 🎟️ Koha Entry

🎶 Jennifer Reid (UK) – Raw, rousing 19th-century work songs and ballads from Manchester’s industrial past, live in Featherston.
📍 Common Ground Gallery, 50 Fitzherbert St | 7:00pm–9:00pm | 🎟️ $20

🐾 Dominion Cat Show – Paws, purrs, and pedigree galore — meet stunning cats and learn about your favourite breeds.
📍 Whirinaki Whare Taonga, 836 Fergusson Dr, Upper Hutt | 9:00am–3:30pm | 🎟️ From $2 (Under 5s Free)

🛼 Roller Derby: Home Brew – Craft beer meets fierce hits as Stone Cold Classics and Craft Heads battle it out on the track.
📍 Kilbirnie Rec Centre, 101 Kilbirnie Cres | 5:00pm–8:00pm | 🎟️ From $12 (Kids Free)

🔮 Mystic Market Carterton – Crystals, tarot, healers, and mystical goodies galore — discover something magical in the Wairarapa.
📍 Carterton Events Centre, Holloway St | 10:00am–4:00pm | 🎟️ Free Entry

🎸 Foo Fighters Tribute – Everlong – A high-energy night of Foos hits, with support from Dónal Gunning and Kāpiti rockers Intercite.
📍 Pinetree Arms, Cnr McLean St & Seaview Rd, Paraparaumu | 7:30pm–11:55pm | 🎟️ $20

🔥 The Big Latino BBQ – Celebrate the final stretch of summer with music, food, and Latin vibes in the lush bush of Ōtari.
📍 Ōtari-Wilton’s Bush, 160 Wilton Rd | 11:30am–3:00pm | 🎟️ Free Entry

🛍️ Paekākāriki Market Day – Art, eats, crafts, and community vibes at this charming seaside village market.
📍 St Peters Village Hall, Cnr Beach Rd & Ames St | 9:00am–2:00pm | 🎟️ Free Entry

🎷 Swinging Saturday – Live jazz, Broadway ballads, and bebop grooves to soundtrack your Saturday night.
📍 Nolita, 203 Cuba St | 9:00pm–11:00pm | 🎟️ Free Entry

🥕 Wairarapa Farmers' Market – Fresh produce, live music, games for the kids, and country charm at the historic Solway Showgrounds.
📍 Judds Rd, Masterton | 9:00am–1:00pm | 🎟️ Free Entry

🍎 Pick Your Own Apples – Wander the orchard rows and fill your basket with fresh fruit at this charming Greytown family-run spot.
📍 Molewood Orchard, 17 Mole St, Greytown | 9:00am–4:00pm, Sat 5 & Sun 6 Apr | 🎟️ Free Entry (Pay per kg)

🌿 Foraging for Wild Edible Weeds – Learn to safely identify, harvest, and enjoy Wellington’s wild greens with a guided walk and a cuppa.
📍 Innermost Gardens, Lawson Pl, Mt Victoria | 10:00am–12:00pm | 🎟️ Info via @homegrownbotanica

🍂 Autumn Poems & Colours – Stroll through the Botanic Garden as poems and golden leaves set the scene for a seasonal sensory treat.
📍 Wellington Botanic Garden, 101 Glenmore St | 2:00pm–3:00pm | 🎟️ $5 (Cash Only)

Sunday 6 April

💍 Kapiti Wedding & Events Expo – From bridal gowns to gourmet bites, discover everything you need for your next big celebration.
📍 Paraparaumu Memorial Hall, Aorangi St | 10:00am–3:00pm | 🎟️ Free Entry

🎉 Wallaceville Community Open Day – Fun for the Whole Whānau
Bouncy castle, food stalls, games, a firetruck, and local community services all in one family-friendly afternoon!
📍 Grant Bush Reserve (Buddle Rd Playground), Wallaceville | from 2:00pm | 🎟️ Free Entry

🎷 Sunday Jazz – Swing into the golden age with smooth live tunes, wine, cheese, and books in a cosy bohemian setting.
📍 The Undercurrent, 118 Tory St | 3:30pm–4:30pm | 🎟️ $16.58

🎶 Colossal Chorale – Uplifting choral magic from Mozart to Māori waiata, crowned by Bernstein’s brilliant Chichester Psalms.
📍 Te Raukura ki Kāpiti, 34a Raumati Rd, Paraparaumu | 4:00pm–6:00pm | 🎟️ From $18.85

🥗 Seeds to Feeds – A Community Feast in Newtown
A vibrant whānau-friendly evening picnic celebrating diverse cultures, local food, and community spirit—BYO plate and share in the magic.
📍 Newtown School, 16 Mein St, Newtown | 3pm | 🎟️ Free Entry

🪓 Axe Throwing 101 – Learn the ropes, sling some steel, and unleash your inner Viking at Sweet Axe’s intro session.
📍 60 Cambridge Tce, Te Aro | 2:00pm–4:00pm | 🎟️ $59.68

🏃‍♀️ Porirua Grand Traverse – Take on hills, harbour, and coast in this iconic multisport event with options for all fitness levels.
📍 Whitireia Polytechnic, Wineera Dr, Porirua | 8:00am–3:00pm | 🎟️ Info & entries online

🏎️ Formula 1 Japanese Grand Prix – Live at The Lanes
Catch every lap of the 2025 F1 Japan GP with food, drink specials, and epic Sunday race-day vibes.
📍 The Lanes Bar & Bowling, 238 Wakefield St | 5:00pm | 🎟️ Free Entry

🎷 Jazz in the Vines – Smooth tunes, great food, and local wine at this laid-back vineyard gig featuring student band Cantaloop.
📍 Gladstone Vineyard, Carterton | 11:00am–4:00pm | 🎟️ Free Entry

🎏 Matsuri Gala & School Fair – A lively fusion of Japanese culture and classic school fair fun with food, games, performances & a $4k raffle.
📍 Crofton Downs Primary, Chartwell Dr | 11:00am–2:00pm | 🎟️ Free

🛸 Sci-Fi Sundays: Stargate – Travel through time and space in this cult classic at Space Place, with popcorn and an optional star talk.
📍 Space Place, 40 Salamanca Rd | 6:00pm-8:00pm | 🎟️ $25

🍷 Akitu Tasting at Rosella – Enjoy an elegant afternoon of Central Otago pinot noir paired with curated canapés, hosted by Wendee de Ryke.
📍 Rosella, 18 Majoribanks St | 2:30pm-5:00pm | 🎟️ $95

🪈 Pipes at Pukeahu – A powerful free concert of Scottish classics and contemporary tunes from two top pipe bands.
📍 Pukeahu National War Memorial, Buckle St | 1:00pm–3:00pm | 🎟️ Free

🧺 Ōtaki Craft Market – Local art, handmade goods, live music, and delicious kai at this bustling Sunday market.
📍 58 Main Highway, Ōtaki | 10:00am–2:00pm | 🎟️ Free

🏍️ Te Omanga Hospice Charity Ride – Bikes, Bites & a Mystery Route
Ride with purpose! Join fellow bikers for a scenic mystery tour, live music, great food, raffles, and fundraising for a meaningful cause.
📍 Te Omanga Hospice, 136 Woburn Rd, Lower Hutt | from 9:00am | 🎟️ $25 per rider/pillion (includes ride patch)

📅 Mark Your Calendars

🎨 Paint, Sip & Clip – Chill, create, and claw your way to happiness.
Spend your Sunday morning (27 April) decorating your own ceramic accessories dish (using underglaze, not paint!), sipping your favourite brew from Eva’s Garage, and walking away with a brand-new Lekkie Hair Claw from their unreleased collection. Hosted at the vibey Eva’s Garage in Te Aro, it’s the ultimate creative mate date or solo reset.

📍 Eva’s Garage, 3 Eva Street | 🕚 11am–1pm | 🎟️ Tickets here

🌤️ Welly Weather Watch

🌦️ Fri: Rain easing to fine. Breezy northerlies. High 20°C
🌤️ Sat: Partly cloudy, evening northerlies. High 20°C
🌧️ Sun: Showers, some heavier in the afternoon. Fresh northerlies. High 18°C

📲 Want even more Welly goodness?
Follow @wellybuzz on Instagram and Facebook for weekend vibes, local highlights, and things we couldn't quite squeeze into the newsletter — it’s all there!

That’s a wrap for this week! Thanks for buzzing with us. Support local, stay curious, and say kia ora to someone new this weekend.

Ngā mihi nui,
Kirstie & Steve 🐝

📩 Want your biz in WellyBuzz? Email us: [email protected]
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