With Aotearoa now at the Red light setting, many major events have had to be either cancelled or postponed, but that doesn’t mean New Zealanders should cancel the rest of their summer.
Here’s a list of five fun things you can still do at Red.
Events can still go ahead in the Red traffic light setting but with My Vaccine Pass requirements and a limit of 100 people. Click here for more on events at Red.
In the Shade festival
Fiona Clark at Elam School of Fine Arts, early 1970s / Photo: Liam Van Eeden
In the Shade is a summer film festival at The Hollywood and Academy Cinemas in Tāmaki Makaurau.
This indie festival, which goes to February 3, was created to fill the gap left when the NZ International Film Festival was cancelled for Aucklanders last year.
The lineup includes Croatian film Murina featuring Cliff Curtis and Fiona Clark: Unafraid, a documentary on the groundbreaking photographer who captured Auckland’s queer scene in the 1970s, and the Icelandic folk horror Lamb.
The festival has confirmed it will go ahead with more spacing and a little more time in the schedule. Check out the movie list and times on the In the Shade website.
Skate competitions
Man having fun at roller disco, DigitalVision / Photo: Getty Images
With roller skating back in fashion, why not head to a skating event near you to check out our local talent?
The Upper Hutt Medal Tests kick off on the weekend of January 29 at Upper Hutt Skating Club.
If you’re in Waikato, check out the Banked Track Championships at Hamilton’s Melville Park, on the weekend of February 5. You can find all skating events on the NZ Federation of Roller Sports website.
Te Tīmatanga
Tangaroa Paul, Te Tīmatanga / Photo: Auckland Pride
Te Tīmatanga is a large-scale public art activation in Tāmaki Makaurau that commemorates 50 years of pride in Aotearoa. More than 16 takatāpui artists will feature their work publicly on display across Karangahape Rd, Aotea Square, Albert Park, Britomart, Commercial Bay, the Viaduct and Silo Park.
Auckland Pride made the difficult decision to cancel the Pride festival planned for February.
However, they did confirm that a small number of festival events that can cater to the red light setting, like Te Tīmatanga, will still go ahead.
Albert Park will be the centre for Te Tīmatanga, with online delivery of pre-recorded performances and tours.
Zealandia twilight tour
Zealandia at Twilight / Photo: Chris Helliwell
Take advantage of the summer hours at Zealandia and take in a twilight tour of the Wellington bird sanctuary. You could hear the evening birdsong and see what comes out in the night on a 2.5-hour tour.
A perfect date idea or group activity as tours cater for up to 12 people. Visit Zealandia to find out more and book a tour.
Aronui Festival
Rutene Spooner, Hardcase Hori Housie / Photo supplied
Rotorua is home to Aronui Arts Festival, New Zealand's premiere indigenous arts festival. Vocal powerhouse and comedic genius, Rutene Spooner, headlines Aronui with his show Hardcase Hori Housie on February 18.
After postponing events in 2021 due to lockdown, Aronui is back and going ahead in red.
The Aronui Māori Market will be a great chance to find locally made arts, crafts and kai at Te Tākina Marae, Mourea, on Saturday February 19. Aronui runs from February 18 to March 4, for the full list of events head to the Aronui website.
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