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- π The Food Show, Dita Von Teese & Daffodil Day
π The Food Show, Dita Von Teese & Daffodil Day
Plus Kiri & Lou with a live orchestra, 700 years of whakairo opening at Te Papa, National Poetry Day, two Candlelight sessions and the Lions on Sunday π
Kirstie and Steve
August 27, 2026
WellyBuzz π
Your Wellington Weekend Sorted
The Food Show, Dita Von Teese & Daffodil Day
Plus Kiri & Lou with a live orchestra, 700 years of whakairo opening at Te Papa, National Poetry Day, Wellington On a Plate's last hurrah and the Lions π
π Welcome
Kia ora Wellington! βοΈ
It's the last weekend of winter and it's gone big. The Wellington Food Show takes over Hnry Stadium for three days, Dita Von Teese plays two nights at the Opera House, Daffodil Day collectors are out from today, Kiri & Lou land at the MFC with an orchestra, and the Lions close it out on Sunday. Let's get buzzing! π
π₯ Quick Picks
πΌ Daffodil Day (Thu-Sat) - Collectors out across the region all three days. Midland Park 11am-2pm Thursday.
π΄ The Wellington Food Show (Fri-Sun) - 100+ exhibitors, celebrity chefs and cocktail masterclasses at Hnry Stadium, three days straight.
πΌ Daffodil Dancefloor (Fri) - 15+ DJs donating their time at San Fran for the Cancer Society.
π Dita Von Teese: Nocturnelle (Fri-Sat) - The only NZ city getting a double. Saturday is the night with standard seats left.
β Sea Shanty Society EP Release (Fri-Sat) - Singalong shanties and best-dressed prizes, Petone Friday and Raumati South Saturday.
π Kiri and Lou Live in Concert (Sat) - The claymation faves on a giant screen with a live orchestra behind them.
πΏ He Toi Whakairo opens at Te Papa (Sat) - Over 140 carvings across seven centuries, many never shown before. Free with museum entry.
π Sustainable Fashion Market (Sat) - NZ's biggest preloved fashion market, 40 stalls, gold coin entry. Bring cash.
π½οΈ Visa Wellington On a Plate wraps up (Fri-Sun) - Final weekend of the month-long festival, with ticketed events and pop-ups still running.
π Wellington Lions v Counties Manukau (Sun) - Jonah Lomu Trophy on the line, and kids 0-15 free, three per paying adult.
π¬ NZ Mountain Film Festival (Sun) - Award-winning Kiwi adventure films, Fiordland packrafting to a solo Makalu push.
π°οΈ Welly's Time Machine
π· Whites Bay cable station, the South Island end of the 1866 cable. Photo: Pseudopanax / Wikimedia Commons (public domain) - view source
On 26 August 1866, 160 years ago this week, the first Cook Strait telegraph cable linked Lyall Bay with Whites Bay on the third go - the first snapped, the second came up 32km short. Then on 2 November 1868 every clock wired to the Wellington telegraph struck noon together, making NZ the first self-governing jurisdiction to adopt a national standard time. π°οΈ
Sources: NZHistory on the cable and on standard time
π½οΈ Food & Drink
Hotel Catalina opened in March in a building with a backstory - the 1930s original Wellington Airport terminal, which became the Aero Club in 1959 and got hauled across the runway to Lyall Bay in 2011.
Morning coffees, long lunches, sunset spritzes and late night pizzas, which is about as Lyall Bay as it gets. PΔua arancini, eggs bene on house-made rosti, pizza and pasta.
Run by Jamie Williams and Len Baldwin of Rosie's Red Hot Cantina and Wolf.
Open Monday 8am to 3pm, Tuesday to Sunday 8am till late.
Find them at 30 Cochrane Street, Lyall Bay. hotelcatalina.co.nz
π Events - What's On This Weekend
π
Tonight - Thursday 27 August
Daffodil Day runs Thursday to Saturday. Collectors are at Midland Park 11am-2pm today with a MediaWorks radio activation, then out across the region - donate when you spot one.
π Midland Park, Lambton Quay, and sites across the region | π Thu 11am-2pm | π° Donations
π€ What's Up Welly
Ten minutes each, then a relaxed chat. Tonight it's Eddie Rakanui, Rah O'Reilly of Meow and Meow Nui, and Tania Smith of TEDx Wellington.
π Starfish, Level 6, 222 Lambton Quay, Wellington Central | π Thu 5:30pm-6:30pm | π° Free, no booking needed
π
Friday 28 August
The big one - 100+ exhibitors, celebrity chefs live in the Cooking Theatre, cocktail masterclasses and a pile of show-only deals.
π Hnry Stadium, 105 Waterloo Quay, Pipitea | π Fri 10am-5pm (also Sat and Sun) | π° $26 adult (+5% online service fee), $18 child 6-12, under 5s free, $22 Fri senior | π All ages
The month-long festival wraps up on Monday. Browse the ticketed events and pop-ups still running across the region.
π Venues across the region | π
Fri to Sun, all day | π° Varies by event
Day two of three. Cancer Society collectors are out across the region again today and Saturday, so keep some coins handy.
π Across the Wellington region | π
Fri and Sat, times vary by site | π° Donations
All free: garden-roller printing with BIG wood type at Wai-te-ata from 10am, Golden Apples of the Sun at Aurelia 12:15pm, then Perverse Verse and the Yearbook launch at 6pm.
π Wai-te-ata Press, Kelburn; Aurelia, 109 Willis St; Unity Books, 57 Willis St; Writers' Studio, 145 Cuba St | π Fri from 10am | π° Free | π Perverse Verse is 16+
It's National Poetry Day on Friday AND a full moon, so Fareham Creative Space are walking under it. Bring a short poem.
π Fareham Creative Space, 80 Underhill Road, Featherston | π Fri 6pm-8pm | π° $5 per person | π Under 15s with an adult
Frenz have rounded up 15+ DJs donating their time to raise money for the Cancer Society.
π San Fran, 171 Cuba Street, Te Aro | π Fri doors 6pm | π° $21.62 GA (incl. fees) plus $1.95 per order, earlier tiers sold out | π Minors with a legal guardian
A world-first show made entirely by members of Aotearoa's ace, aro and aspec community, in its closing weekend.
π BATS Theatre, 1 Kent Terrace, Mount Victoria | π Fri 6:30pm, also Sat 3:30pm and 6:30pm | π° $30 waged, $20 unwaged, $40 extra aroha | π R13, adult themes and flashing lights
Aotearoa's longest-running political satire, back for an election-year edition with six actors playing the Beehive.
π Circa One, Circa Theatre, 1 Taranaki Street, Te Aro | π Fri and Sat 7pm, Sun 4pm | π° $25 to $60 | π Recommended 13+, strong language
Australian klezmer fusion band Chutney make their NZ debut - Eastern European and Middle Eastern roots through folk, jazz, tango and funk. Their album Ajar took triple Gold at the Global Music Awards.
π The Undercurrent, 118 Tory Street, Te Aro | π Fri doors 7pm, music 7:30pm | π° $25, or $15 student on the door | π All ages
The South Pacific's most seaworthy shanty band launches its fourth collection. Lyric booklets at the door, best-dressed prizes.
π Abandoned Taproom, 38 Fitzherbert Street, Petone | π Fri 7pm-10:30pm | π° $35 waged, $15 unwaged | π R18
Ladybug celebrities play their final gigs before the house gets fumigated. Some swearing, loud noises and bug death.
π BATS Theatre, 1 Kent Terrace, Mount Victoria | π Fri and Sat 7pm-8pm | π° $25 waged, $15 unwaged, $40 extra aroha | π M
Preview night before the season proper opens Saturday.
π Circa Theatre, 1 Taranaki Street, Te Aro | π Fri 7:30pm | π° $25 to $60 | π All ages
The capital's premier comedy comp, and a stepping stone for a lot of NZ's stand-ups.
π The Fringe Bar, 26 Allen Street, Te Aro | π Fri 8pm-9:45pm | π° $34.05 GA, $28.92 concession, $39.18 support-the-artists (incl. fees) | π R18
The Queen of Burlesque plays both nights, the only double of the NZ tour. Friday's standard allocation has gone.
π The Opera House, 111-113 Manners Street, Te Aro | π Fri 8:30pm | π° Verified resale only, around $173 when we looked | π 18+
π§ Pola & Bryson (UK)
The Shogun Audio duo bring album Overgrown to Meow Nui for four hours of liquid drum and bass.
π Meow Nui, 92 Vivian Street, Te Aro | π Fri 10pm-2am | π° Current release via Ticketek | π R18
π
Saturday 29 August
Night two of the only double on the NZ tour, and the night that still has seats. Friday is resale only.
π The Opera House, 111-113 Manners Street, Te Aro | π Sat 8:30pm | π° From $49.90, plus $5 to $12.95 handling per order | π 18+
Old phones, laptops, cables or whiteware in the way? Drive through the Zealandia overflow carpark and Echo unloads it.
π Zealandia overflow car park, 15 Birdwood Street, Karori | π Sat 9am-3pm | π° Free
Day two's the busiest of the three, so get in early for a decent run at the Cooking Theatre.
π Hnry Stadium, 105 Waterloo Quay, Pipitea | π Sat 10am-5pm | π° $26 adult (+5% online service fee), $18 child 6-12, under 5s free
NZ's largest sustainable fashion market comes to Waikanae - preloved, upcycled, vintage and handmade. Around 40 stalls.
π Waikanae Memorial Hall, 7 Pehi Kupa Street, Waikanae | π Sat 10am-2pm | π° Gold coin entry, bring cash
Te Papa's landmark whakairo exhibition opens - 140+ carvings across seven centuries, many never shown publicly. Opening day adds karetao making, live uku carving and a 12:30pm Q&A.
π Te Papa Tongarewa, 55 Cable Street, Te Aro | π Sat opens 10am, drop-ins 11am-2pm | π° Free with museum entry | π All ages
πͺπΈ Spanish Language Celebration
Seven embassies read their favourite Spanish-language literature from 10:30am, music and dance all afternoon, storytime 12:30pm, youth writing workshop 3pm.
π Te Matapihi ki te Ao Nui Central Library, 65 Victoria Street, Wellington Central | π Sat 10:30am-4pm | π° Free | π All ages
πͺ Ponnonam 2026
The Wellington Malayalee Association's Onam celebration, billed as NZ's biggest. An Onasadya of 25+ dishes on a banana leaf - only the 11:30am sitting is left - then a Mega Show with Vidhu Prathap.
π Indian Association Hall, 48 Kemp Street, Kilbirnie | π Sat from 11:30am | π° Up to $55 via TryBooking | π All ages
The claymation duo on a giant screen with Orchestra Wellington playing the Harry Sinclair and Don McGlashan songs live.
π Michael Fowler Centre, 111 Wakefield Street, Te Aro | π Sat 2:30pm | π° Adult from $45.88 (incl. fees), plus handling fee | π Ages 3+
πΆ R&B Fest Wellington
Nineties and noughties R&B anthems at Eva. It's a DJ club night, so the poster artists aren't playing.
π Eva, 31-35 Dixon Street, Te Aro | π Sat 4pm-9pm, last entry 5:30pm | π° Tickets via Fixr, earlier tiers sold out | π R18
Fifteen years of Balkan brass - two trumpets, sousaphone, tapan drum and vocalist Nikkie Rich.
π Vogelmorn Hall, 13 Vennell Street, Brooklyn | π Sat doors 5:30pm, music 7:30pm | π° $30 cover plus booking fees | π All ages
Second night of the launch, this time on the KΔpiti Coast. Same booklets, same stomping, same prizes.
π Raumati South Memorial Hall, 16 Tennis Court Road, Raumati South | π Sat 6:45pm-10:30pm | π° $35 waged, $15 unwaged | π R18
Pole, burlesque and drag from local performers, built around bad-ass career women and questionable vocation choices.
π The Fringe Bar, 26 Allen Street, Te Aro | π Sat 7:30pm-9:30pm | π° $34.05 (incl. fees) | π R18
π Judy's Encore
It's 1967 and Judy Garland's back to rewrite the narrative. Ali Harper sings over 20 hits.
π Circa Theatre, 1 Taranaki Street, Te Aro | π Sat 7:30pm-9pm | π° $60 adult, $50 senior, $40 concession, $30 under 30s, $25 access | π All ages
πΊ 24 Hour Party People
Wellington's longest running indie night. Madchester, Britpop and indie until 4am.
π San Fran, 171 Cuba Street, Te Aro | π Sat 8pm-4am | π° $20, door sales only, cash | π R18
π€ TGF - Dark Club 003
Moody, dark and industrial with Juniper May, Fluffcore, 75 Arrowheads and Mr Meatyboy.
π Valhalla, 154 Vivian Street, Te Aro | π Sat 8:30pm-3am | π° $15 early (entry before 9:30pm), $20 general, plus fees. Super early sold out | π R18
Ed Sheeran and Coldplay on strings, by candlelight in the Cathedral. No entry once it starts.
π Wellington Cathedral of St Paul, 2 Hill Street, Thorndon | π Sat 8:30pm, doors 8pm, 60 mins | π° From $76, lower zones sold out | π Ages 8+, under 16s with an adult
Sixth national tour, closing the Peace Trilogy. Horn-driven hip hop from an eight-piece, with IVRSN.
π Meow, 9 Edward Street, Te Aro | π Sat doors 9pm, 9:30pm-1am | π° Final release $35 (earlier tiers sold out) | π R18
The maestro of Afrobeat and Afropop takes over the Rogue with a high-energy late one.
π The Rogue and Vagabond, 18 Garrett Street, Te Aro | π Sat 9:30pm-11:30pm | π° Free entry, koha for the band | π R18
Bunny Holiday marks ten years in drag, hosted by Anna Diction.
π Ivy Bar and Cabaret, 63 Cuba Street, Te Aro | π Sat 10pm-12am | π° $28.30 (incl. fees) | π R18
π
Sunday 30 August
Club and Communities Day - wear your club jersey, and the first 300 kids get trading cards and a Burger King voucher. The Jonah Lomu Trophy's on the line and Counties hold it. With the Food Show in, fans sit at the southern end.
π Hnry Stadium, 105 Waterloo Quay, Pipitea | π Sun gates 1:05pm, kick-off 2:05pm | π° $20 adult, $10 student, kids 0-15 free (3 per paying adult), $40 family pass | π All ages
π₯ Harbourside Market
The Sunday staple. Fruit, veg, seafood and street food on the waterfront - earlier is better.
π Corner Cable Street & Barnett Street, Te Aro | π Sun 7:30am-2pm | π° Free entry
Keep Hutt Valley Beautiful are working the eastern end. Bags and grabbers supplied, bring gloves. Dog friendly.
π Eastern end of Marine Parade, Petone (Hikoikoi disc golf car park) | π Sun 9am-10:30am | π° Free | π All ages
Last day, closing an hour earlier. Last chance at the show-only deals.
π Hnry Stadium, 105 Waterloo Quay, Pipitea | π Sun 10am-4pm | π° $26 adult (+5% online service fee), $18 child 6-12, under 5s free
Balazs Dolfin and pianist Tony Chen Lin play Webern, Bach, Kodaly, Bartok and Brahms.
π St Andrew's on The Terrace, 30 The Terrace, Wellington Central | π Sun 3pm-5pm | π° $44.30 GA, $10.25 under-26 (incl. fees)
American choral music across 250 years, centred on Randall Thompson's Frostiana.
π St Paul's Church, 1 Langdale Avenue, Paraparaumu | π Sun 3pm-5pm | π° $39.18 GA, $16.58 student (incl. fees)
πΉ NZTrio: Space Jump
Fazil Say's Space Jump, Schumann's Piano Trio No. 2, a new Keith Moss work, and Reena Esmail's raag-meets-Western fusion.
π Greytown Music Group, 57 Wood Street, Greytown | π Sun 4pm-6pm | π° $30 adult, $10 child, door sales only
The Pure NZ programme - 126 minutes of award-winning Kiwi films, Fiordland to a solo crack at Makalu without oxygen.
π Wairarapa Events Centre, Holloway Street, Carterton | π Sun 4pm | π° $20
π Judy's Encore
Ali Harper steps back into Judy Garland's spotlight for Circa's Sunday Special.
π Circa Theatre, 1 Taranaki Street, Te Aro | π Sun 4:30pm | π° $60 adult, $50 senior, $40 concession, $30 under 30s, $25 access | π All ages
The Rogue's Sunday session, this week with saxophonist Oscar LavΓ«n on swing, blues and fifties bar-walking R&B.
π The Rogue and Vagabond, 18 Garrett Street, Te Aro | π Sun 5pm-7pm | π° Free entry, koha encouraged | π All ages, licensed
π³οΈβπ Outing the Candle: A Queer Poetry Showcase
Rounding out National Poetry Day weekend.
π 2/57 Willis Street, Wellington Central | π Sun doors 6pm, poetry 6:30pm | π° Waged and unwaged via Humanitix, door sales on the night
π¦οΈ Welly Weather Watch
π€οΈ Friday 28 August: Mainly fine, but a few showers in the afternoon and evening. Strong northerlies. High 14Β°C, low 11Β°C
π€οΈ Saturday 29 August: Mainly fine, chance of a shower in the afternoon and evening. Northwesterlies. High 14Β°C, low 9Β°C
π€οΈ Sunday 30 August: Mainly fine, chance of a shower from evening. Northwesterlies. High 15Β°C, low 9Β°C
Winter is signing off nicely - three mainly fine days, with any showers holding off until later in the day. Take a jacket for the evenings and you're sorted!
β¨ Extra Sprinkles - Charity of the Week
Vibe - Hutt Valley Youth Health Trust
Vibe is the Hutt Valley's Youth One Stop Shop - free, confidential health, mental health and social work support for anyone aged 10 to 24.
Nurses, doctors, youth workers and social workers under one roof in Lower and Upper Hutt. The free line is 0800 24 28 28.
Donations keep the doors open - vibe.org.nz/donate
Vibe is the Hutt Valley's Youth One Stop Shop - free, confidential health, mental health and social work support for anyone aged 10 to 24.
Nurses, doctors, youth workers and social workers under one roof in Lower and Upper Hutt. The free line is 0800 24 28 28.
Donations keep the doors open - vibe.org.nz/donate
Whatever the northwesterly throws at us, there's a whole lot to eat, sing along to and dance to out there. Go get amongst it.
NgΔ mihi nui,
Kirstie & Steve π
NgΔ mihi nui,
Kirstie & Steve π
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