EVENTS/NEWS The airline that brings New Zealand together.

AUCKLAND

Friday, 9 September The Civic

The Best Foods Comedy Gala has moved to September and is now at The Civic! - so come celebrate Aotearoa’s biggest night of comedy in the city centre.

Making it a night to remember will be Aotearoa’s selfproclaimed ‘humble’ king of comedy Tofiga Fepulea’i. Tofiga has graced screens and stages around the world with his unique brand of Pacific Island-style comedy, both as a solo act and as part of the legendary Laughing Samoans. The biggest-selling act at last year’s Comedy Festival, he has also brought down the house in massive rooms across NZ. Come watch him do it again at the Best Foods Comedy Gala this September. For more information and to book tickets, visit www.comedyfestival.co.nz

Saturday 10 and Sunday 11, September The Cloud – Auckland Waterfront www.chocolatecoffeefestival.nz

Join the very best of New Zealand’s craft, artisan and boutique producers at the Chocolate and Coffee Festival over two delicious days, where you can sample, purchase and explore the latest products and innovations - and give your tastebuds a real treat.

Friday 4 and Saturday 5, November Auckland CBD www.thebeerfestival.co.nz

The Beer Spot brings your undisputed tappy place back to the Auckland CBD for The Beer Festival!

It’s all about taking the fear out of beer and experiencing the joy and wonders of exciting and flavoursome beers, wines and ciders, all produced by local, independent producers. Meet the brewers and winemakers and discover their incredible talents and origin stories and learn how great beer gets its game!

Thursday, 6 October 2022 Kiri Te Kanawa Theatre, Aotea Centre www.apo.co.nz Fencing, fighting, torture, revenge, giants, monsters, chases, escapes, true love, miracles - this has it all! Experience one of the most beloved films of all time as never before with the power of the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra performing Mark Knopfler’s unforgettable score live in sync with the movie.

KĀPITI COAST

WHAKATĀNE

5-6 and 12-13 November 10am – 4pm 2022 www.kapiticoast.govt.nz/arts-trail Launched more than 20 years ago, the Kāpiti Arts Trail is a free annual event that sees artists across the district open their doors to share Kāpiti’s vibrant art scene with art lovers and the art curious alike.

Sunday, 13 November 2022 www.kapitihalf.co.nz Explore the Kāpiti Coast for a running festival including a 21km half marathon, a 10km, and a 5km plus bring the kids for our 2km kids kick it 2k. Make the most of your stay by enjoying all that Kāpiti has to offer.

Friday, 30 September and Saturday 1 October from 7pm Whakatāne Little Theatre

The Les Femmes queens are back - and this time they are serving high drama in this dragged-out murder mystery romp like no other. Each night the queens will be joined by a special guest tasked with helping the audience solve a murder most foul. Expect ridiculous characters, hilarious twists and outrageous drama! For more information and to book tickets, visit www.eventfinda.co.nz

WHANGANUI

Saturday 8 to Sunday 30, October 2022 whanganuiheritagetrust.org.nz Whanganui puts on the amazing Heritage Month in October and the focus this year is transport! Things kick off on October 8th with a huge river festival showing steamboats, the paddle steamer Waimarie, the MS Wairua and many other heritage vessels. The fun continues with a heritage vehicle parade through the city on Labour weekend, as well as a ‘parkup’ of heritage vehicles and an antique market - and be sure to visit Bushy Park for high tea and take in the museum He Awa Ora tour focusing on waka and exhibitions. Check the website whanganuiheritagetrust.org.nz for the full programme of over 40 events.

After twice being cancelled at the last minute due to COVID-19, the organisers of the Kāpiti Women’s Triathlon are determined their 40th-anniversary event next year will be one to remember. There will be finishers medals to mark the 40th, which will be held on Sunday, February 26, starting from Marine Gardens, Raumati Beach. You can find all the details and registration info at: www.kwt.org.nz

Global micro mobility company Beam has launched a trial of e-scooters in Whanganui, with up to 100 e-scooters introduced across the city to provide a fun and fast way to explore all the great landmarks Whanganui has to offer. The e-scooters are available for use seven days a week, and during the trial the scooters will be operational from 6am to 10pm within parts of the Whanganui central business district and surrounding suburbs, improving transport options and connections for both leisure and commuting. The launch follows a successful Beam Safe Academy at the Whanganui River Markets, where attendees were able to trial the e-scooters and familiarise themselves with the safety features. Attendees also had the opportunity to contribute to how the trial will work, including suggesting where designated parking or “virtual docking” sites for the scooters could be situated. The trial will run until March 2024.

More than $200,000 has been allocated by Auckland City Council to eight environmental projects under Franklin Local Board’s Infrastructure and Environmental Services work programme. Predator Free Franklin Te Ara Hīkoi and Waiuku Zero Waste have received funding, and $10,000 has been allocated to continue research into the pekapeka-tou-roa long-tailed bat. The waterways protection fund has also been given a boost, including $13,000 allocated to the Papakura Stream, and Te Korowai o Papatūānuku, which continues to support biodiversity and water quality improvements along the Awakura and Awaruaiti streams, through pest control, fencing and planting was also a recipient. C.R.E.S.T, which protects shell barrier ecosystems along Franklin’s coast, with the Clarks, Rangiriri, Elletts, and Seagrove Trappers undertaking pest control to protect wading birds and their southern Manukau Harbour shell habitat received funding, and the budget is rounded off with $8,000 as the board’s contribution to the Manukau Harbour Forum, which brings nine boards together in efforts to restore the harbour’s mauri.

The Chatham Islands Food Co has won gold medals for its blue cod, pure pāua mince and pāua pies in this years Outstanding Food Producer Awards, making it the Supreme Champion 2022, and marking the first time in the award’s six-year history that seafood has taken out the top award. Company founders Delwyn and Gigi Tuanui say the Chathams produce some of the world’s best seafood and they have built a business model on sustainably harvesting it. The business processes its kai moana on the island, freezing in the flavour as soon as it is landed and sharing it with seafood lovers across New Zealand via it’s online store at chathamislandfood.com