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- π High Tide, BLACKCAPS v India & Big Top Thrills
Kirstie and Steve
November 05, 2026
WellyBuzz π
Your Wellington Weekend Sorted
High Tide, BLACKCAPS v India & Big Top Thrills π
Plus Sleeping Beauty at the St James, ARTBOURNE in Days Bay, So So Modern's comeback and Bret McKenzie with the Air Force Band. Stacked! π
π Welcome
Kia ora Wellington! πΈ
A huge welcome to all our new subscribers, and a big thank you to everyone who's been reading along - we're so glad you're here! π And what a weekend it is! High Tide takes over Waitangi Park, the BLACKCAPS host India at Hnry Stadium, Sleeping Beauty dances at the St James and ARTBOURNE fills Days Bay with art. Let's get buzzing! π
π₯ Quick Picks
πͺ Weber Bros presents The Circus (Fri) - Last Upper Hutt weekend for the Human Cannonball.
π©° The Sleeping Beauty (Fri) - RNZB's fairytale with the NZSO live and WΔtΔ magic.
π¨ ARTBOURNE 2026 (Fri) - 40+ artists in Days Bay - make it a ferry day out.
ποΈ Upper Hutt Night Market (Fri) - 80+ stalls and 30 food trucks, free entry.
π΄ HIGH TIDE 2026 (Sat) - Two waterfront stages - summer starts here.
π BLACKCAPS v India (Sat) - The 2nd ODI under lights at Hnry Stadium.
π± Go Green Expo 2026 (Sat) - NZ's biggest green living show, free online tickets until Friday.
π Island Bay School Fair (Sat) - Food, shopping and entertainment for the whole whΔnau.
π§Ί PaekΔkΔriki Market Day & Heritage Weekend (Sat) - Monthly market, then heritage trams and Camp Russell in Queen Elizabeth Park.
π©οΈ Air Force in Concert featuring Bret McKenzie (Sun) - Conchords and Muppets songs with the RNZAF Band.
π Sponsor - Reduced to Clear Upper Hutt
Follow Reduced to Clear Upper Hutt on Facebook
Get Ready, Upper Hutt! Reduced to Clear is Opening Soon!
Big savings are coming to town! Reduced to Clear is thrilled to be opening soon at Upper Hutt Mall, bringing its famous range of discounted groceries, snacks, drinks, household essentials and everyday favourites to the local community. Whether you're looking to stretch your weekly budget, discover great-value treats, or stock up on pantry staples, you'll find incredible bargains throughout the store. Reduced to Clear is known for offering brand-name products at prices that help Kiwi families save more on their grocery bills. With new stock arriving regularly, every visit is a chance to uncover exciting deals and unexpected finds. From food and beverages to household products and seasonal specials, there's always something new to explore.
Join the many savvy shoppers who have made Reduced to Clear their go-to destination for unbeatable value. Opening soon at Upper Hutt Mall, this is one store opening you won't want to miss. Come along and see how much you can save!
π The Mall Upper Hutt | π
Opening Sunday 15 November
πΉ Food & Drink
RBar - Cuba Street's pirate-themed rum bar officially reopened over Halloween weekend, now under new ownership and tucked underground at 49 Cuba Street! π΄ββ οΈ
We got a sneak peek at their preview night last week: think glowing green lights, candlelit corners, pirate props and rum cocktails. Gather your crew and drop anchor.
π 49 Cuba Street, Te Aro | @rbar_cuba | See our sneak peek
Sponsored
Earlybird ends Sunday π
Southern Cross Round the Bays is back on Sunday 14 February, and it's Wellington's biggest street party, with entertainment all along the course! π
Run, jog or walk 8.4km around the bays from Waitangi Park to Kilbirnie Park, or go big with the Half Marathon. All ages and fitness stages are welcome, so grab your mates, whΔnau or workmates.
Earlybird pricing ends this Sunday 8 November: 8.4km adults $40, kids $20, Half Marathon $95. From Monday, prices go up!
π Events - What's On This Weekend
π
Friday 6 November
Final weekend in Upper Hutt for the Human Cannonball, the Globe of Death and more.
π Riverbank Park, Riverbank Street, Upper Hutt | π Fri 7:30pm, Sat 2pm & 7:30pm, Sun 11am | π° $25-$200 + booking fee | π All ages
Meet the players from 4pm to 5pm! The fan hub's back Saturday 9am-2pm with cultural performances and a mini market, then a 1:30pm fan walk to the stadium.
π Frank Kitts Park, Wellington Waterfront | π Fri 3:30pm-6:30pm, Sat 9am-2pm
Tchaikovsky played live by the NZSO, plus a touch of WΔtΔ Workshop wizardry. Saturday's matinee has a free Q&A after.
π St James Theatre, 77-87 Courtenay Place, Te Aro | π Fri 7:30pm, Sat 1:30pm & 7:30pm | π° Adults from $68, kids from $40 (+ fees) | π All ages
π¨ ARTBOURNE 2026
40+ artists in Days Bay for Wellesley College's 10th ARTBOURNE. Make a day of it and catch the ferry over!
π Wellesley College, 611A Marine Drive, Days Bay, Lower Hutt | π Fri 9am-4pm, Sat & Sun 10am-4pm | π° $10 (one day), under 10s free
The Tauranga alt-rock duo launch debut album Echo. Tide. Awake., with special guests including Courtnay & The Unholy Reverie.
π Moon, 167 Riddiford Street, Newtown | π Fri doors 8pm, show 8:30pm | π° $40 + booking fee | π R18
Northland surf-reggae five-piece SOJΓURN play their first-ever Wellington show, with local funk-soul favourites Tahini Bikini.
π MEOW, 9 Edward Street, Te Aro | π Fri 8pm | π° Early Bird $20, GA $30 (+ fees) | π R18
The Aussie indie-rock duo bring new album Carparks to San Fran, on a tour of their biggest rooms yet.
π San Fran, 171 Cuba Street, Te Aro | π Fri doors 8pm | π° $38.09 incl. fees (+ $2.95 per order) | π Minors with a legal guardian
The final night of his One Night Rant tour. The 8pm Fringe Bar show is sold out, but you can watch it live from anywhere.
π Livestream of the sold-out Fringe Bar show | π Fri 8pm | π° Pay what you can, from $5 | π Recommended 16+
π» Korimako Trio
The piano trio mark their first anniversary with Zemlinsky, JanΓ‘Δek, Chopin and Haydn.
π St Andrew's on The Terrace, 30 The Terrace, Wellington Central | π Fri 7pm-9:30pm | π° $53.44, concession $42.86, tertiary $11.14, school students free (incl. fees)
NZ/New York trio blending folk, dream-punk and electronics, with Michaela Tempers in support.
π Vogelmorn Upstairs, 93 Mornington Road, Brooklyn | π Fri doors 7:30pm, show 8pm | π° $15 unwaged, $20 waged, $30 support the artist (+ booking fee) | π R18
Two of Wellington's best tribute acts take Petone right back to the 90s.
π Abandoned Taproom, 38 Fitzherbert Street, Petone | π Fri 8pm | π° $23.25 (incl. fees) | π R18
ποΈ Upper Hutt Night Market
80+ artisan stalls, around 30 food trucks and live music at Trentham Racecourse. Free entry!
π RACE Trentham, 10 Racecourse Road, Trentham, Upper Hutt | π Fri 6pm-10pm | π° Free
10 to 17-year-olds sell their own creations, with earnings going towards sport and music lessons.
π Petone Corps, 72 Cuba Street, Petone | π Fri 4pm-6:30pm
Three nights of live pro wrestling, with family passes and three-day passes on offer.
π The 162, 162 Gracefield Road, Lower Hutt | π Fri 6pm, Sat 5:30pm, Sun 2:30pm | π° GA $12.81, front row $23.25 (incl. fees) | π All ages
The first-ever NZ Minor League Pickleball Championships, with a shot at competing in the US on the line.
π Love Pickle Club, 4A Railway Avenue, Maidstone, Upper Hutt | π
Fri-Sun
π Accomplice
Wellington Repertory Theatre's twisty Rupert Holmes thriller wraps up with its final two shows.
π Gryphon Theatre, 22 Ghuznee Street, Te Aro | π Fri & Sat 7:30pm | π° $19.90-$29.90
π After God
The NZ premiere at Circa, on until 14 November.
π Circa Theatre, 1 Taranaki Street, Te Aro | π Fri & Sat 7pm, Sun 4pm | π° $25-$60
Four artists explore whakapapa, ritual and sound, with free taonga pΕ«oro performances by Alistair Fraser.
π Thistle Hall, 293 Cuba Street, Te Aro | π Performances Fri & Sat 12:30pm & 5pm | π° Free
π
Saturday 7 November
π΄ HIGH TIDE 2026
Two waterfront stages with Hybrid Minds + Tempza, MK, Mick Jenkins and special guest Ocean Wisdom.
π Waitangi Park, 107 Cable Street, Te Aro | π Sat 12:30pm-10:30pm | π° Last Call GA $199 + fees (final 650 tickets) | π R18
The BLACKCAPS take on India under lights. Gates open 1:30pm.
π Hnry Stadium, 105 Waterloo Quay, Pipitea | π Sat first ball 3pm | π° $37.05-$52.05 (+ fees)
Their first new music in 13 years! Bring the whΔnau to the 3pm matinee, or catch the R18 show with Deathtrippa and Welcomer.
π Newtown Community Centre, cnr Rintoul & Colombo Streets, Newtown | π Sat 3pm doors, 3:30pm show (all ages); 6:30pm doors, 7pm show (R18) | π° 3pm: under 18 $10, adult $20; 6:30pm: $30 (+ booking fee)
Vintage finds, heritage crafts, artisan food and Christmas decorations, plus bellringing and the pipe organ in action.
π Old St Paul's, 34 Mulgrave Street, Pipitea | π Sat 10am-2pm | π° Koha entry
Books, plants, pottery, a sausage sizzle, face painting and live music, all for a good cause.
π St Michael's Anglican Church, 81 Upland Road, Kelburn | π Sat 10am-2pm | π° Free entry
The fair's back and running longer this year, with a fantastic day of food, shopping and entertainment for the whole whΔnau.
π Island Bay School, 6 Thames Street, Island Bay | π Sat 11am-3pm
The monthly market's eclectic mix of handmade homeware, vintage treasures, art, food and live music.
π St Peter's Village Hall, cnr Beach Road & Ames Street, PaekΔkΔriki | π Sat 10am-2pm | π° Free
Make a day of it in Queen Elizabeth Park! Ride the heritage trams, visit the Camp Russell US Marines site, and on Saturday drop into Steam Inc's depot open day.
π Queen Elizabeth Park, Mackays Crossing, PaekΔkΔriki | π Trams Sat & Sun 11am-4pm, Camp Russell 10am-4pm, Steam Inc Sat 10am-2pm | π° Trams $12 adult, $6 child, $30 family; Camp Russell & Steam Inc free
Kids can get WΔtΔ Workshop special-effects scars, try on costumes and learn some stunt moves.
π The Dowse Art Museum, 45 Laings Road, Lower Hutt | π Sat 11am-1pm | π° Free | π All ages, under 12s with an adult
π± Go Green Expo 2026
NZ's largest green living show, from eco builds to organic beauty. Free online tickets until Friday, or free entry from 2pm daily!
π TSB Arena, 4 Queens Wharf, Wellington Central | π Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 10am-4pm | π° Free online until Fri 6 Nov, then $4 online or $5 at the door; under 16s free | π All ages
Rare access to the working winding room, a guided museum tour and a hot drink at the top. Just 10 spots per tour.
π Wellington Cable Car, 280 Lambton Quay | π Sat 10am-11:30am | π° Adult $45, concession $35 | π All ages
π A Glorious Storm
Two gospel choirs celebrate their 15th and 30th anniversaries. Bring cash for the raffle!
π St Andrew's on The Terrace, 30 The Terrace, Wellington Central | π Sat 3pm | π° $20, concession $10, kids free (+ fees) | π All ages
A string quartet plays Interstellar, Gladiator, The Lion King and more, lit by thousands of candles.
π Wellington Cathedral of St Paul, 2 Hill Street, Thorndon | π Sat 6:30pm | π° From $69 | π 8+
π€ Myshaan
The Pacific-soul singer comes home from Australia for one of just two NZ shows, with debut album My Love in tow.
π San Fran, 171 Cuba Street, Te Aro | π Sat 7pm | π° Final release $45.90 incl. fees (+ $2.95 per order) | π Minors with a legal guardian
UK dub legends Iration Steppas play their first-ever Aotearoa session alongside Third Eye Hi-Fi and Bigbada Boom.
π Hotel Bristol, 131-133 Cuba Street, Te Aro | π Sat 7pm-1am | π° GA $48.15 (incl. fees, earlier tiers sold out)
Japanese sax-and-electronics ritual music, plus a trio who turn living plants into sound.
π Pyramid Club, 272 Taranaki Street, Mount Cook | π Sat doors 8pm, starts 8:30pm | π° $20, or $35 with donation (+ booking fee) | π R18
π§ Afterhours FM
Local DJs and fresh faces take over Valhalla for a night of club, house and alternative hip hop.
π Valhalla, 154 Vivian Street, Te Aro | π Sat doors 8pm | π° $10 + booking fee | π R18
Ness Quick's drag class of 2026 serves every American high school classic, from the jock to the theatre kid.
π Ivy Bar & Cabaret, 63 Cuba Street, Te Aro | π Sat 10pm (doors 9pm) | π° GA $23.25 (incl. fees) | π R18
π
Sunday 8 November
The RNZAF Band and Bret McKenzie play Conchords, Muppets and Black Seeds favourites. Family-friendly!
π Michael Fowler Centre, 111 Wakefield Street, Te Aro | π Sun 2:30pm | π° Adults from $29.56 (+ handling fee)
Last day of the giant sculpture trail before the bees head to auction for Life Flight.
π 30+ giant bees and 20+ community bees across the city - free map app | π
Last day Sun 8 Nov | π° Free
Ford Trophy one-day cricket at the Basin, the day after the BLACKCAPS ODI.
π Cello Basin Reserve, Sussex Street, Mount Cook | π Sun 10:30am
ποΈ Coffee & Cars: Supercars
Season 9 opens with a Supercars theme, food trucks and coffee. Code CARS20 gets 20% off museum entry.
π Southward Car Museum, 250 Otaihanga Road, Paraparaumu | π Sun 10am-1pm | π° Free
π Steiner School Fair
Handmade crafts, artwork, plants, gifts and delicious food, plus performances and activities.
π Raphael House Rudolf Steiner School, 27 Matuhi Street, Tirohanga, Lower Hutt | π Sun 10am-3pm | π° Free | π Under 12s with an adult
Run, walk or cheer along the coast, with 21km, 10km and 5km courses plus a 2km kids' run, all buggy and wheelchair friendly. Late entries are still open online.
π Finish at MacLean Park, Paraparaumu Beach | π Sun from 8am | π° 21km $95, 10km $69, 5km $45, kids $20, plus $10 late fee (+ fees)
MFOR celebrate ten years together with a free Sunday afternoon gig. Cool tunes, hot licks and the bar's open!
π San Fran, 171 Cuba Street, Te Aro | π Sun doors 5pm | π° Free
Watch serious 4x4 machines tackle the toughest terrain, with food and drinks all day. No dogs.
π 216F Ahiaruhe Road, Carterton | π Sun 9am-4pm | π° $15 (10+), family $30, under 10s free (door sales only) | π All ages
Neon lights, face painting and a disco floor for little movers up to 7. Every koha supports the Hub.
π The Circus Hub, 11 Hutchison Road, Newtown | π Sun 2pm-4pm | π° Koha (suggested $10) | π Up to 7 years, with an adult
Pole students of every level, from beginners to advanced, take the stage in a cabaret-style showcase.
π The Fringe Bar, 26 Allen Street, Te Aro | π Sun 4pm | π° $28.92 (incl. fees) | π R18
π Heads Up - Next Week
π¬ Songs of Solidarity: Wandering, a Rohingya Story - A mutual aid fundraiser screening of the Rohingya documentary, with Hafsar Tameesuddin, as part of the Songs of Solidarity Festival 2026.
π Light House Cuba, 29 Wigan Street, Te Aro | π Wed 11 Nov, arrive 5:15pm | π° Waged $25, unwaged $20 (+ $1.50 booking fee)
π¦οΈ Welly Weather Watch
π§οΈ Friday 6 Nov: A few showers, turning to rain for a time in the morning, northerlies. High 20Β°C, low 15Β°C
π¦οΈ Saturday 7 Nov: A few showers, northerlies dying out in the afternoon. High 19Β°C, low 13Β°C
β
Sunday 8 Nov: Partly cloudy with isolated showers, northwesterlies developing in the morning. High 18Β°C, low 12Β°C
Mild with showers around, and Sunday the pick of the weekend - pack a raincoat for High Tide and the cricket! β
β¨ Extra Sprinkles - Charity of the Week
KΔpiti Youth Support - A Youth One Stop Shop giving 10 to 24-year-olds on the KΔpiti Coast free health, mental health and social support, plus alternative education and training. Know a young person who could use a hand? Text 027 248 2744 to book, or call 0800 333 879. kys.org.nz
Rain or shine, there's heaps on - get out there and enjoy it all. See you next Thursday!
NgΔ mihi nui,
Kirstie & Steve π
NgΔ mihi nui,
Kirstie & Steve π
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