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- π Beervana, Tofiga & 2 Motor Shows
π Beervana, Tofiga & 2 Motor Shows
The Dire Straits Experience tonight, four Beervana sessions, Aunty Tala at the Opera House, Norse gods at the Hannah and Burger Welly's last call π
Kirstie and Steve
August 20, 2026
WellyBuzz π
Your Wellington Weekend Sorted
π Beervana, Tofiga & 2 Motor Shows
The Dire Straits Experience tonight, four Beervana sessions, Aunty Tala at the Opera House, Norse gods at the Hannah and Burger Welly's last call π
π Welcome
Kia ora Wellington! βοΈ
The Dire Straits Experience plays the MFC tonight, then the hoppiest weekend of the year kicks off - Beervana takes over Hnry Stadium across four sessions, Tofiga brings Aunty Tala to the Opera House, and Orchestra Wellington teams up with BalletCollective Aotearoa. It's Burger Wellington's last weekend too, and there's two motor shows for the Cancer Society, one Saturday and one Sunday, plus a Ferrari pop-up on Cambridge Terrace. Let's get buzzing! π
π₯ Quick Picks
πΈ The Dire Straits Experience (Tonight) - Sultans of Swing at the MFC - one of just three NZ shows.
πΊ Beervana 2026 (Fri & Sat) - Four sessions across two days at Hnry Stadium - the hoppiest place on earth.
π€ Tofiga - Fresh Since Ages Ago (Fri) - Aunty Tala, Uncle Sam and Kung Fu master Tavita take the Opera House.
π» Orchestra Wellington: Creation (Sat) - Milhaud's jazz-soaked ballet score with BalletCollective Aotearoa at the MFC.
π Daffodils Motor Show (Sat) - Hundreds of cars at Brewtown, free entry, raising funds for the Cancer Society.
βοΈ Winter's Saga (Fri-Sun) - Loki, Odin and Thor beneath Yggdrasil, in dance and physical theatre at the Hannah.
πΈ Tunog Pinoy Wellington 2026 (Sat) - Twelve Filipino bands and artists on one Lower Hutt stage.
πΉ NZTrio: Space Jump (Sun) - FazΔ±l Say, Schumann and a new Keith Moss work at Te Matapihi.
π Burger Wellington final day (Sun) - Last day of the 2026 run - get that final burger in.
πΌ Daffodil Day Motor Show (Sun) - Koha entry at Masterton Motorplex, all proceeds to the Wairarapa Cancer Society.
π°οΈ Welly's Time Machine
π· Johnsonville Hotel, Wellington, circa 1889. Photo: Henry Charles Clarke Wright / Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections 1572-0754. No known copyright restrictions. View source
Beervana fills Hnry Stadium this weekend, but parts of Wellington once voted their local pubs dry! At the 1908 licensing polls, Wellington South (63.5%) and Wellington Suburbs (63.0%) both cleared the 60% threshold for "no-licence" - and Tawa stayed legally dry until it finally voted wet in 1999. πΊ
π½οΈ Food & Drink
Teddy's Tacos opened at the bottom of Cuba Street in February, calling itself New Zealand's first authentic New Mexican taproom and taqueria. They import Hatch green and red chile directly from growers in New Mexico, and there are five house salsas, mild through to properly hot.
Moab Heynekamp runs it, with parents Mic and Molley as mentors and business partners. The beer is the family's own - 20-plus Eddyline taps behind the bar. Handy, on Beervana weekend.
One taco $9, three for $25, green chile cheeseburger $24, burritos $28 to $33. Mic on the heat: "...the focus is not blowing away taste buds with habanero level heat but rather a tasty balance that goes great with tasty beers."
Open Tue to Thu 11:30am-9pm, Fri and Sat 11:30am-10pm. Closed Sunday and Monday, so make it a Beervana-weekend stop.
Find them at 50 Cuba Street, Te Aro. teddystacos.nz
π Events - What's On This Weekend
β‘ On before the weekend
Tonight at the MFC, one of only three New Zealand shows. Dire Straits saxophonist Chris White and singer-guitarist Terence Reis lead a seven-piece through Sultans of Swing, Money for Nothing and Brothers in Arms.
π Michael Fowler Centre, 111 Wakefield Street, Te Aro | π Thu 20 Aug, 7:30pm-10pm | π° From $99 + booking fees | π Recommended 12+, everyone needs a ticket
π€ What's Up Welly!
And this one is on tonight. Love Life More's free speaker series brings Mike Ny (Food Envy, Glou Glou), Radioactive.fm station manager Nick Medder, and Tupe Solomon Tanoai of the Borrin Foundation. Ten minutes each, no stage lights and no PowerPoint.
π Level 6, Equinox House, 222 Lambton Quay | π Thu 20 Aug, doors 5pm, speakers 5:30pm-6:30pm | π° Free, but grab a ticket - seats strictly limited to 30
ποΈ Ferrari Pop-Up Display Suite
Already open as you read this, and running right through to Tuesday. Continental Cars has parked a Ferrari display suite on Cambridge Terrace, latest models up close and specialists on hand.
π 54 Cambridge Terrace, Te Aro | π Daily Wed 19 - Tue 25 Aug, 9am-4pm | π° Open to the public, or book a one-on-one appointment
π
Friday 21 August
πΊ Beervana 2026
Four sessions across Friday and Saturday turn Hnry Stadium into a beer universe of one-off brews and joyful mayhem.
π Hnry Stadium, 105 Waterloo Quay, Pipitea | π Fri 11am-4pm and 6pm-11pm sessions | π° $49-$174 + booking fee | π R18
π Vic Uni Open Day
Tour all three Wellington campuses and the halls, chat to students and staff, sit in on subject sessions.
π Te Herenga Waka Victoria University of Wellington, Kelburn, Pipitea and Te Aro campuses | π Fri 8am-3pm | π° Register via the event page | π All ages
βοΈ Winter's Saga
Fireside tales of Norse mythology in dance and physical theatre, running all weekend. Doors 6:30pm for evening shows, and the Saturday night show has a cast after party. Contains flashing lights. Includes depictions of physical violence and death. Parent discretion is advised.
π Hannah Playhouse, 12 Cambridge Terrace, Te Aro | π Fri 7:30pm, Sat 1:30pm and 7:30pm, Sun 1:30pm | π° $32.25 GA / $22 concession / $16.88 child (incl. fees) | π All ages
Aotearoa's longest running political satire crashes another election party, with PΕneke's funniest picking over the wreckage. Three chances this weekend, including a Sunday matinee if a 7pm start is a stretch.
π Circa Theatre, 1 Taranaki Street, Te Aro | π Fri and Sat 7pm-9pm, Sun 4pm-6pm | π° $25-$60 (+fees), including $30 for under-30s | π Recommended 13+, strong language
Garage Project pours Belgian heavyweights rarely seen here - 3 Fonteinen, Boerenerf, Cantillon. Just roll up.
π Garage Project Wild Workshop, 7 Furness Lane, Te Aro | π Fri 2pm-9pm | π° Free admission, pay as you drink | π R18
Skits bringing back Tofiga's family characters - Aunty Tala, Uncle Sam, Kung Fu master Tavita - plus new faces, with Laban Miller.
π The Opera House, 111-113 Manners Street, Te Aro | π Fri 7:30pm | π° $60 allocated seating (additional fees may apply) | π All ages
The capital's premier comedy competition - catch the rising stars before they hit the big time. Top 10 go through to the final.
π The Fringe Bar, 26 Allen Street, Te Aro | π Fri from 8pm | π° $34.05 GA / $28.92 concession, Gold Card, student (incl. fees) | π R18
One night only. Pianist Takako Kimura, who studied at Massey, returns for an evening linking Wellington and Aomori. Japanese snacks on offer.
π Te Whare Manaaki o Toda, 287 Cuba Street, Te Aro | π Fri 6pm-7:30pm | π° Free admission | π All ages
DJ Matai brings vintage goth, new wave and post-punk, with TV DiSKO and Coffin Nails.
π Valhalla, 154 Vivian Street, Te Aro | π Fri 8pm | π° $10 early bird / $12.50 GA (additional fees may apply) | π R18
π Cumbia Blazera
Eleven players deep, back at the Rogue with bilingual cumbia. Vamos a bailar!
π The Rogue and Vagabond, 18 Garrett Street, Te Aro | π Fri 9:30pm-11:30pm | π° Free entry | π R18
A free, casual flow-style class for all levels including beginners. BYO mat and book ahead, and get there early - the door closes promptly at start time.
π Thistle Hall, upstairs hall, 293 Cuba Street, Te Aro | π Fri 7am-8am | π° Free, booking required | π All ages
A joyful Friday morning singalong across all genres. No fees for support people accompanying singers with additional needs.
π Aro Valley Community Centre, 48 Aro Street, Aro Valley | π Fri 10:20am-11:50am | π° $15 casual / $60 five-class pass / $100 term
π
Saturday 22 August
Orchestra Wellington and BalletCollective Aotearoa take on Milhaud's La CrΓ©ation du Monde, where European art music meets Harlem jazz. Plus BartΓ³k and Nielsen.
π Michael Fowler Centre, 111 Wakefield Street, Te Aro | π Sat 7:30pm, pre-concert talk 6:30pm | π° Stalls from $61.17 incl. fees; under-35s $35, students $20, children $15 via Ticketmaster
Round two. Fresh pours and the kind of chaos only Beervana delivers.
π Hnry Stadium, 105 Waterloo Quay, Pipitea | π Sat 11am-4pm and 6pm-11pm sessions | π° $49-$174 + booking fee | π R18
π Daffodils Motor Show
Vintage through 60s classics, Aussie muscle and Japanese models, under the awnings so a shower will not spoil it. Free entry, but bring your wallet - a fundraiser for the NZ Cancer Society's Wellington branch, run by the Wellington Vintage and Classic Car Club.
π Brewtown, 27 Blenheim Street, Upper Hutt | π Sat 10am-1pm | π° Free entry for the public ($20 to display a car) | π All ages
Twelve Filipino bands and artists on one stage - Farid, Heneral, JC Pineda, Juan43, Margaux, Sierra Padre and more.
π Lower Hutt Little Theatre, 2 Queens Drive, Hutt Central, Lower Hutt | π Sat doors 3:30pm, music 5pm-10pm | π° $27.53 incl. fees ($25 + $2.53) | π All ages
A two-day introduction to mirimiri and romiromi with Jolie Davis (NgΔti KurΔ«, Te Rarawa). Register by email.
π Manawa Ora, 236 Middleton Road, Glenside | π Sat and Sun from 9am | π° $650 for the two days, morning tea and lunch provided
A 60-minute walk, flat with well-graded steps up through Camellia Gully, covering the plants' origins, cultural uses and the hybridisers behind the collection. Bookings required.
π Wellington Botanic Garden, meet at the Founders' Entrance, 101 Glenmore Street, Kelburn | π Sat 1:30pm-2:30pm | π° $10.25 (incl. fees), free for Friends of the Garden | π All ages
Pieces of Molly tour their single Alligator, with Dead Queens and Dream State Empire.
π Valhalla, 154 Vivian Street, Te Aro | π Sat from 8pm | π° $25 + booking fee | π R18
π€ Find Your Tribe
Best on Tap close their run with long-form improv about finding your people.
π BATS Theatre, The Stage, 1 Kent Terrace, Mount Victoria | π Sat 7:30pm | π° $25 waged / $15 unwaged / $40 Extra Aroha | π R13
π Under Milk Wood
Wellington Young Actors take on Dylan Thomas's classic Welsh seaside town.
π BATS Theatre, The Dome, 1 Kent Terrace, Mount Victoria | π Sat 4pm and 7pm | π° $25 waged / $15 unwaged / $40 Extra Aroha
Last day of the pour. Belgium's best alongside Garage Project's own, with hot dogs and bretzels to soak it up.
π Garage Project Wild Workshop, 7 Furness Lane, Te Aro | π Sat 2pm-9pm | π° Free admission, pay as you drink | π R18
Studio L'amour showcases the best new burlesque talent in town. Book ahead.
π The Fringe Bar, 26 Allen Street, Te Aro | π Sat 7:30pm-9:30pm | π° $34.05 GA / $39.18 front row (incl. fees) | π RP18
π Lil' Freaks
PΕneke's alternative drag show, hosted by Ness Quick. No stag dos.
π Ivy Bar and Cabaret, 63 Cuba Street, Te Aro | π Sat 10pm | π° $23.25 GA / $10.25 drag discount (incl. fees) | π R18
π
Sunday 23 August
Cars, bikes, tractors, trucks and static engines on the dragstrip, prizes for Best British, Best Bike and Best Tractor, plus food carts and a barrel train.
π Masterton Motorplex, 21 Manaia Road, Solway, Masterton | π Sun public gates 10am | π° Koha entry for the public (EFTPOS available) | π All ages
Last day of Burger Wellington 2026. If there's one you've been meaning to get to, this is it. Visa Wellington On a Plate runs to 31 August.
π Venues across the Wellington region | π Sun, final day of the 3-23 August run | π° Varies by venue
π₯¬ Harbourside Market
Wellington's Sunday institution - fresh produce, coffee and a wander on the waterfront.
π Corner Cable Street and Barnett Street, Te Aro | π Sun 7:30am-2pm | π° Free entry | π All ages
πΉ NZTrio: Space Jump
FazΔ±l Say's Space Jump, Schumann's second piano trio, a new work written for NZTrio by Keith Moss, and Reena Esmail's fusion of raags and Western classical.
π Te Matapihi ki te Ao Nui, 65 Victoria Street, Wellington Central | π Sun 7pm-9pm | π° $64.80 GA / $34.05 student (incl. fees) | π All ages
ποΈ Εtaki Market
An outdoor market on SH1 opposite New World - craft, plants, produce, antiques and food trucks.
π Εtaki Market, Main Highway (SH1), Εtaki, opposite New World | π Sun 10am-2pm | π° Free entry | π All ages
Ben Maurice's 24-minute south coast surf documentary won Best Kiwi Film at this year's Aotearoa Surf Film Festival, and this is the last chance to catch it. Three years of filming around work, family and whatever the swell was doing, with Sam Curtin and Bryce Wilson among the locals.
π Parrotdog Bar, 60-66 Kingsford Smith Street, Lyall Bay | π Sun 3pm | π° Free, no tickets needed
Tours through the barrels and tanks, six beers and snacks to match. Max 12 a session.
π Garage Project Wild Workshop, 7 Furness Lane, Te Aro | π Sun, tours from 2pm - check what is left when you book | π° $60 + booking fee | π R18
Gigi Crayford closes her debut EP tour with taonga pΕ«oro, folk noir, poetry and te reo MΔori - four songs honouring different Atua MΔreikura.
π St Peter's on Willis, 211 Willis Street, Te Aro | π Sun 6:30pm | π° $20 + booking fee, or $25 + booking fee with the EP | π All ages
Four Wellington artists in years 11 to 13 close their showcase. A 10am talk on composition, then meet the artists.
π Inverlochy Art School, 3 Inverlochy Place, Te Aro | π Sun 10am-12pm | π° Koha entry (registration is free) | π Best suited to ages 13+
Metiria Turei moderates a panel with Maria Bargh, Kassie Hartendorp and Jack McDonald.
π The Dowse Art Museum, 45 Laings Road, Lower Hutt | π Sun 11am-12pm | π° Free, registration required | π All ages
πͺ Axe Throwing 101
Thirty minutes of training then 90 minutes of free throwing, plus an Axe Addict card good for $25 sessions after.
π Sweet Axe Throwing Co., 60 Cambridge Terrace, Te Aro | π Sun 2pm-4pm | π° $69.92 (incl. fees) | π R12
Walk with the council's weed specialist to learn which invasive plants could next threaten Εtari's forest. Book ahead.
π Εtari-Wilton's Bush, meet at the Visitor Centre, 150 Wilton Road, Wilton | π Sun 2pm-3:30pm | π° $10.25 incl. fees, free for Εtari-Wilton's Bush Trust members | π All ages
Hear the new record from this all-female quartette - blues, roots, folk and swing.
π Studio 73, 73 Main Street, Greytown | π Sun 4pm-6:30pm | π° $34.05 (incl. fees) | π All ages
Hutt City's Family History Month centrepiece - research help, archives and discovery for anyone chasing their whakapapa. Talks 11am and 12:30pm.
π Walter Nash Centre, Taine Street, Taita, Lower Hutt | π Sun 10am-3pm | π° Free, no booking required | π All ages
π Heads Up - Next Week
Landing after this weekend, before our next edition.
π³οΈ IDEA Forum: Capital gains tax, what's the right thing to do?
Brad Olsen (Infometrics), Dr Marjan Van Den Belt (2019 Tax Working Group) and Oliver Hartwich (NZ Initiative) go three ways on whether NZ should have a CGT. First of the new IDEA Forums.
Brad Olsen (Infometrics), Dr Marjan Van Den Belt (2019 Tax Working Group) and Oliver Hartwich (NZ Initiative) go three ways on whether NZ should have a CGT. First of the new IDEA Forums.
π The Ballroom, Foxglove Bar and Kitchen, 33 Queens Wharf | π Mon 24 Aug, 5:30pm-7pm, doors and canapΓ©s from 5pm | π° Free, but RSVP through the link
π Two shows open at BATS
We're Weird For Other Reasons is a world-first production made entirely by members of Aotearoa's ace, aro and aspec community. Sharing the building, Bug Songs Not Love Songs is a queer musical comedy about two ladybugs playing their last gig. Both run to 29 August.
We're Weird For Other Reasons is a world-first production made entirely by members of Aotearoa's ace, aro and aspec community. Sharing the building, Bug Songs Not Love Songs is a queer musical comedy about two ladybugs playing their last gig. Both run to 29 August.
π BATS Theatre, 1 Kent Terrace, Mount Victoria | π Tue 25 Aug, 6:30pm and 7pm | π° $30/$20 and $25/$15 | π R13 (We're Weird)
π¦οΈ Welly Weather Watch
βοΈ Friday 21 August: Fine, but cloudy in the morning. Northerlies. High 13Β°C, low 10Β°C
π¦οΈ Saturday 22 August: Partly cloudy, a few showers developing in the morning. Northwesterlies. High 14Β°C, low 11Β°C
π¦οΈ Sunday 23 August: Showers, some heavy, clearing to fine in the morning. Strong northwesterlies, easing in the morning. High 14Β°C, low 9Β°C
Friday is the pick of the three. Saturday turns showery from the morning and Sunday starts wet and blustery before it clears, so take a raincoat to the motor shows and the Beervana queue.
β¨ Extra Sprinkles - Charity of the Week
Based in Taita, Youth Inspire gets rangatahi aged 15 to 24 across Lower Hutt into work, education or training, and runs Road Ready Rangatahi, a community driving school for learner, restricted and full licences.
By their own published figures that's 1,497 education and training placements and 993 employment placements from 2014 to January 2025, plus 845 learner licence passes since 2019.
They need volunteer mentor drivers (over 25, full licence for two-plus years, police vetted). Call 0800 759 037 or chip in at givealittle.co.nz/org/youth-inspire. More at youthinspire.co.nz
By their own published figures that's 1,497 education and training placements and 993 employment placements from 2014 to January 2025, plus 845 learner licence passes since 2019.
They need volunteer mentor drivers (over 25, full licence for two-plus years, police vetted). Call 0800 759 037 or chip in at givealittle.co.nz/org/youth-inspire. More at youthinspire.co.nz
Grab a jacket, grab a mate, and go make a weekend of it. If you only do one thing, make it that last Burger Wellington before Sunday night. π
NgΔ mihi nui,
Kirstie & Steve
WellyBuzz π
NgΔ mihi nui,
Kirstie & Steve
WellyBuzz π
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