What’s on: October and November highlights
A snapshot of events from around the country to inspire, inform and delight.
Elements by Claudia Aalderink, Gilly Sheffield and Kylie Rusk
When: 18–30 October
Where: Turua Gallery, Auckland
A joint exhibition showcasing the work of Claudia Aalderink, Gilly Sheffield and Kylie Rusk celebrates the elements that surround us: our much-loved land and materials, rescued and reused to become beautiful artworks. While Claudia explores the textural qualities of charred recycled beehives, creating a new identity from the weathered boxes, exploring the subtlety of colour, scale, and composition; Kylie’s collection encompasses both her luminous paintings and her lithograph prints with a focus on the much-loved Waitematā Harbour between North Head and Rakino Island. Celebrating rescued iron by turning it into something of beauty, Gilly evolves it from a utilitarian piece of iron – with the stories of Aotearoa woven around it. turuagallery.co.nz
Centuria Taranaki Garden Festival
When: 1–10 November 2024
Where: Taranaki
New Zealand’s largest spring celebration – the Centuria Taranaki Garden Festival is returning. The 10-day festival is a garden lover’s paradise, with 45 private and public gardens to explore around the mountain: from pristine, colourful displays to serene native sanctuaries, park-like estates, and tropical urban oases. Each garden offers a unique experience, with opportunities to meet the owners and hear the stories behind their creations.
Choose from a line-up of over 30 garden events, including creative and practical workshops, guided tours, unique experiences and vibrant celebrations designed to inspire and delight visitors of all ages. gardenfestnz.co.nz
Taranaki Sustainable Trails: Backyards, Builds & Farms
When: 1–10 November (Backyards) & 11–17 Nov (Builds & Farms)
Where: Taranaki
Whether it’s backyards, buildings or farms, explore properties with an emphasis on the environment. Bring your friends and family to discover everything from small shady spaces to thriving market gardens. Participate in practical, affordable and inspiring events designed to spark ideas for enriching your own backyard. If you’re flying in, make sure you take advantage of the EV self-drive tour during your visit.
Interested in agriculture or construction? Take a guided tour of working farms – dairy, beef, orchards or herbs – and engage with growers and farmers about the innovative tools, technology and techniques they’re using to enhance sustainability. While out and about, be sure to visit an eco-conscious build and enjoy a tour and discussion about materials and methods to reduce the carbon footprint. Speak with owners and experts at passive, hemp, tiny, or rammed earth homes to gain a new perspective on the impact a home can have on you and the environment. sustainablebackyards.org.nz
Brews on the Bay
When: 2 November
Where: Caroline Bay, Timaru
Timaru’s Caroline Bay will come alive with an afternoon of tasty food and beverage as they celebrate some of our best food and beverage producers.
Enjoy a range of regional and local ales washed down with great Kiwi music: artists include Assembly Required, The Groove and more – setting the scene for a great day out! Stay on top of the day with the Food Truck alley before browsing, sampling, and enjoying a range of flavours from some of New Zealand’s favourite breweries, cideries and more! brewsonthebay.co.nz
Hanmer Springs Fete
When: 2 November 2024
Where: Queen Mary Hospital Grounds, Hanmer Springs
Hanmer Springs Fete is North Canterbury’s finest shopping event. 2024 marks the sixth year of the exclusive fete and the first time it has been held on a Saturday; ensuring every member of the family can head along to enjoy the stunning historic Queen Mary Hospital grounds.
Stallholders include a curated selection of creators to ensure a day of indulgence. Wander beneath the stunning trees while listening to live music and enjoying the friendly and vibrant atmosphere of this exclusive Christmas shopping event. With an amazing array of products to choose from, you won’t be able to resist taking something home!
A true destination, Hanmer Springs has plenty to offer to take you through the weekend with the incredible Hurunui Garden Festival running alongside the fete, ensuring garden lovers and shoppers have the perfect excuse for a weekend getaway! hanmerspringsfete.co.nz
Cold Silence & Grounded
When: 3–30 November
Where: McAtamney Gallery, Geraldine
Anna Claire Art Jewellery’s exhibition Grounded will appear in conjunction with Mikyung Jang’s sculptural Cold Silence, providing art lovers with plenty to explore and delight in when in Geraldine this November.
Claire’s creative work is inevitably drawn to the land. The pull of the mountains, the water and the ecosystem is her inspiration with many of the stones used in these pieces sourced from the beach at Orepuki; her favourite place on the wild south coast of Te Wai Pounamu. Those who share her love of the wild outdoors will connect to her pieces.
For Mikyung Jang, she draws attention to the intricate relationship between humans and the natural world. She believes that if humans treat nature with love, it will reciprocate. This belief is evident in the earthy tones and organic shapes that characterise her works, which reflect the interconnectedness of all creatures and her profound love for nature.
For those wanting to know more about the collections, a floor talk will be held on Sunday 3 November at 2 pm. mcatamneygallery.co.nz
Bloom
When: 6–10 November
Where: Pūmanawa Gallery, Christchurch Arts Centre, Christchurch
Discover Sue Knowles’ passion for nature as it comes to life on canvas in this beautiful solo exhibition. A devoted gardener and painter, Sue’s work brings the natural world into stunning focus.
Rediscovering her passion for painting in 2017, Sue seamlessly blends her love for creation, colour, and the land she tends so carefully. Her large-scale, close-up portrayals of flowers offer a rare and intimate perspective, capturing the fleeting beauty of each bloom in a way that feels almost alive.
Her works are not merely paintings, but reflections of her deep connection to nature and the stories that every petal, leaf and stem tell. Inspired by the quiet magic of her own garden, Sue’s art invites viewers to step into her world, where flowers are more than decorative – they are storytellers.
This exhibition promises to be a unique experience for those who love both art and nature. Sue’s passion for the land and the beauty it creates is evident in every brushstroke, offering a fresh and compelling perspective on the art of the garden. sueknowlesart.com
Geraldine Summer Fete
When: 7 November
Where: Stover Farm, Main North Road, Geraldine
Held in the sprawling gardens of Stover Farm just 10 minutes north of Geraldine, the summer fete boasts 200 high-quality artisan stalls including homewares, garden and lifestyle items, and much more.
Attracting visitors from across the motu, this beautiful day out is now in its 15th year, with the organisers priding themselves on offering attendees a day of relaxing elegance amongst the spring blooms and towering trees of historic Stover, a working farm that has been in the Mackenzie family for four generations.
Amongst the 200 stalls you will find curated wares showcasing an array of talent and style. So don your best hat and dress for a day of shopping and Pimm’s in a relaxed country atmosphere. geraldinesummerfete.co.nz
Garden Marlborough
When: 7–10 November
Where: Blenheim
Dreamt up by gardeners for gardeners, Garden Marlborough celebrates Marlborough’s stunning landscape as it showcases the very best the region has to offer with a range of garden tours, workshops and social events.
Full- and half-day garden tours encompass everything from compact designer gardens in the heart of town to breathtaking country estates, while workshops provide the opportunity to brush up on skills and horticultural knowledge with local and international experts.
The always-popular Garden Party on the Saturday night is a chance to sip and mingle with speakers, guests and like-minded enthusiasts, before shopping the day away on the Sunday at the STIHL Shop Garden Fete. gardenmarlborough.co.nz
Cross Hills Gardens Country Fair
When: 16 November
Where: Cross Hills Gardens, Kimbolton
Set in 18 acres of the most beautiful private gardens you’ll find a record number of artists, makers, creators, growers and all-around clever people who have travelled from all corners of the North Island to showcase their product … just in time for Christmas! Shop the 200-plus quality stalls, taste delicious food and relax to live music in a fun-filled atmosphere.
A hot tip – make sure you leave yourself enough time for a self-guided tour of the world-class Rhododendron and Azalea gardens! crosshillsfair.co.nz
The Tai Tapu House & Garden Tour
When: 24 November 2024
Where: Various, Tai Tapu
The Tai Tapu House & Garden Tour is back! After a four-year pause this special event will include a stunning array of award-winning houses and gardens within the Ladbrooks and Tai Tapu areas, just outside of Christchurch.
The tour is a joint fundraising event for Ladbrooks and Tai Tapu Primary Schools, and promises to be a great day out for a good cause.
Organisers have curated a selection of strikingly beautiful homes, and are excited to show visitors around formal, landscaped native and woodland gardens.
Food and coffee will be available to purchase along the way, as well as opportunities to buy plants and art, and listen to live music. All while enjoying the splendour of rural properties. taitapugardentour.nz
Auckland Garden DesignFest
When: 23–24 November
Where: Various, Auckland
This biennial festival celebrates New Zealand garden design excellence, while raising funds for Dove Hospice & Wellness, Youthline, Garden to Table, Oke and Rotary Club of Newmarket Charitable Trust.
A roll call of many of Auckland’s most highly regarded design talent sit alongside inspiring up-and-coming designers in this year’s event. Visitors will have the rare opportunity to tour through hand-picked examples of their work and meet with designers at each garden. The wide-ranging work includes an artist’s garden lovingly developed to complement one of Auckland’s oldest houses; the latest in permaculture and a showcase of the growing trend of urban forests. Festival Director Deb Hardy says the weekend is a unique opportunity to ask questions, take advice and be inspired by ideas to enhance your own garden.
The gardens are located in Herne Bay, St Marys Bay, Ponsonby, Westmere, Point Chevalier, Sandringham, Mount Albert, Mount Eden, Remuera, Ōrākei, St Heliers, Glendowie, Castor Bay and Devonport. gardendesignfest.co.nz
Wānaka Fete
When: 30 November
Where: Wānaka Showgrounds, Wānaka
The inaugural Wānaka Fete is set to be a delightful celebration of artisanal producers, delectable cuisine and first-class shopping, set against the picturesque backdrop of the stunning Lake Wānaka.
This much-anticipated event brings together talented artisans and passionate food vendors from across New Zealand, offering a diverse collection of handcrafted goods, local delicacies and unique products.
Visitors can explore an enchanting array of stalls, discovering everything from beautiful artwork and handmade jewellery to gourmet treats, homewares and fashion. With live music adding a joyful rhythm to the air and a bustling atmosphere filled with laughter and conversation, it is set to be a vibrant and charming experience that captures the essence of community spirit and creativity. wanakafete.co.nz
