Events

Since 1993 the TSB Bank Festival of Lights has wowed visitors with an awesome mix of events, entertainment and of course a spectacular lighting display set against the backdrop of Pukekura Park. At night, fluorescent pebble paths sparkle beneath excited feet, majestic trees and plants glow, and waterfalls and lakes shimmer and shine beneath thousands of lighting displays. But it's the features such as the talking giant, fire poi dancers or the parades that captivate the young and the not so young.

The event will be staged at Westgate Port Taranaki which has in recent years been the home for the New Zealand leg of the ITU World Cup. With an early morning swim, a cycle down Surf Highway 45 and a run encompassing quiet coastal streets close to the venue and including parts of the Coastal Walkway we believe we have the right mix for another stunning Taranaki event.

The event also incorporates the Frontrunner half marathon and 10km run/walk.

Triathlon New Zealand sanctioned event.

Fine Wine, Music and Good Times....

Situated on the lawn of the stunning Okurukuru winery, you can soak up some spectacular coastal views, sunshine and sounds while enjoying a glass of something new and different.

Held in conjunction with a local Lions Club at the stunning Okurukuru winery this event features boutique North Island wineries and local food. Proceeds go to a local charity.

This popular event features a variety of bands playing throughout the day. Transport is provided from both New Plymouth and Oakura.

Sounds Aotearoa is a two-day music event that has three main elements to it - a conference, an expo and artist showcases/performances.

Sounds Aotearoa is designed to: facilitate exposure, networking, capacity building, and business promotion. The two-day event provides an opportunity for musicians, promoters, managers and others to work with industry experts to learn and share with one another. It also enables the public to enjoy some performances by leading musicians.

WOMAD is New Zealand’s pre-eminent cultural, music, arts and dance festival.

People travel from all around the globe to perform and to enjoy 30-hours of music and culture like you won’t find anywhere else in New Zealand. Around 10,000 people gather for an exhilarating weekend of rhythms, sights and sounds in the lush surroundings of what is frequently described as one of the world’s most stunning and spacious venues.

Featuring films under the stars, workshops, “conversations”, and cooking demonstrations by performers (all free) – WOMAD is so much more than a music festival.

A stroll through the Global Village offers international food, art and craft. Kids can get creative and inspired at Kidzone (free) and the whole festival offers a family friendly environment. Most of all relax, unwind and soak up the vibe that is unique to WOMAD!

This new exhibition draws together two strands, his career as a feature filmmaker and a background in fine arts, combining photography, paint and digital imaging to present a range of transformational moments.

 Ward’s ongoing concerns with notions of metamorphosis, light, darkness and immersive experience has led him to create a series of physically imposing works that delve into otherworldly landscapes and transcendent states.
 
This exhibition is the first survey of filmmaker Vincent Ward’s work within the context of contemporary art.

The Carnival is New Plymouth Old Boys’ biggest fundraising event of the year and a great fun day for all. All proceeds go towards keeping Oakura Beach safe this summer for all beach goers.

The Miss Taranaki, Miss Teen Taranaki and Junior Miss Taranaki winners will be announced and performing throughout the day. 

This year’s New Plymouth Old Boys’ Carnival at Oakura Beach will kick start at 11am on the 1st of Janurary 2012 and wrap up around 4pm, the Carnival will also feature a host of attractions for all the family including:

• NPOB Surf Life Saving Display
• BECK Helicopter Rides
• Zumba
• Kidzone Playground & Bouncy Castles
• Treasure Hunt
• Tegel Chicken Tent
• Strawberries & Ice Cream
• Local Artists
• Give Aways
• Spot Prizes

“You could walk naked down Auckland’s Queen St on Boxing Day, but in Waihi there’s a queue to buy fish & chips.”

In what has become a tradition of the New Zealand Christmas and New Year period, Australian rock legend Jimmy Barnes returns to play the summer hot spots. You might ask yourself just why this annual pilgrimage across the Tasman happens -well, the answer is simple. Jimmy Barnes and his family love New Zealand, particularly at this time of year when we are at our most relaxed, our most welcoming and in the mood to party to the finest Rock 'n Roll you can find.

The lineup for Jimmy’s Hot Summer Highway Tour is a monster. Recent inductees to the New Zealand Rock 'n Roll Hall of fame, Dragon play a set that you can scream your lungs out on every chorus! They are a consummate road honed rock band led by founder Todd Hunter. To open the show, the iconic Hello Sailor take the stage with a string of classic New Zealand rock hits and need no introduction.

So bring on the marquees, the mobile stages and the big beer chillers ‘cause there’s a bloody huge rock show rolling down the highway and into town... and you won’t want to miss it!

Tickets are on sale from Ticketmaster and Butlers Reef.

Jay-Z said it best on Reminder, "Men lie, women lie, numbers don't." And even when you take the sea of enthusiastic fans at shows, and the constant messages of online support they post out of the equation, Six60 and Mt Eden still represent two of the most substantial movements to emerge within the New Zealand music scene in recent years.



Fresh off the back of a number one, gold sales certified debut album on Six60's end, and a massively well received North American tour on Mt Eden's side of the court, this summer these two rising powerhouses unite for an eight date summer tour.



With Six60 bringing their expansive live soul, rock, bass sound to the arena, and Mt Eden swooping in to add their emotive dubstep DJ sound to proceedings, between late December and early January fans will have the opportunity to get down in some of the most stunning summertime concert locations New Zealand can offer.



For both acts, between their successes within the realms of sales, touring, online presence and breaking records, 2011 was a watershed year. Six60 now sit with two platinum singles, a gold album and several years of ever growing sold-out tours behind them. Mt Eden, at 70 million plays, are now the most viewed New Zealand artist on Youtube ever. They're also fast building a huge audience for themselves across America, while still retaining pole position on the local festival circuit.



This summer, before 2012 really kicks in, it's time to bring the vibes home and share them with the people who made it all possible, the audience. Two of the best, and eight summertime dates across the North and South Island. Next winter, these are the times they'll still be talking about, Six60 and Mt Eden – loud, live and massive!