Types of leisure programmes

Festivals

There are a wide range of festivals in New Zealand. One is the Allshorts Film Festival (right). This festival celebrates the country’s audio visual arts, where all are welcome to submit a short film of all genres. This festival is a great opportunity and platform for those who want to their work to be seen by many, and perhaps a chance to become the next successful director.

Another festival is the Auckland Arts Festival which celebrates its 4^th anniversary this year. This festival definitely provides world class entertainment such as dance, music, film, visual and theatre. Some of the famous dancers that are participating in the 2011 festival include Gregory Maqoma and Jerome Bel. The theatre also offers 10 different shows that are able to capture the heart of many. Below is an advertisement on the festival in 2011.

Auckland Arts Festival 2011

Source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gFyVrhwFuDE

Famous for her food and wine, there are also various festivals that revolve around these two elements. Famous for her food and wine, there are many festivals dedicate to these two elements as well. Held in Martinborough Wine Village, Toast Martinborough (right) is a festival that celebrates the release of new vintage of wines. In this festival, one can hover around the different boutique vineyard and immerse themselves in the different fun entertainment that awaits them. Another food-related festival is the Tauranga Moana Seafood Festival. This festival allows family to enjoy the top-grade seafood delicacies, and at the same time taking part in the fish filleting and mussel opening competition. With various cooking demonstration designed for parents, children can also take part in treasure hunt and monster sandcastle competition as well. This festival is truly a place where family can develop better relationship.

The Hawke’s Bay Wine and Food Festival is a “must-not-miss” festival when travelling to New Zealand. The bay has produced world-class wines, and this festival is a platform to showcase these different wines. This festival brings exhibitors together for this event, and interested buyers can have a direct contact with them. Not only that, workshops about matching wine and food to seafood cooking is offered to capture the hearts of many. Top New Zealander performers will also be there to provide entertainment.

The longest running wine festival in New Zealand is the Marlborough Wine Festival. Held in Monata Brancott Estate, it has created excellent reputation in producing world-class wines. This festival will definitely engage you as it provide wine tutorials and give you a chance to enter the “fashion in the vines” too. With its beautiful setting, this event is no wonder, the longest running wine festival. Catch a glimpse of what is expected at this festival in the video below.

Marlborough Wine Festvial

Source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tW_ZyxmbAAs

Events

One of the events that are highly sought by international tourists is the 7in7 Challenge event. As from the name, this event last for seven days where runners will run in New Zealand’s picturesque and scenic landscape such as the Glendu Bay and Lake Wakatipu. Runners and spectators will be able to witness the different landforms of New Zealand including icy rivers and valleys.

Held during summer, the Annual Auckland Dragon Boat Regatta is another spectacular event. Holding it for the 26^th time last year, this event is opened to everyone where all including corporate teams can compete for the prestige title. This event will enhance work dynamics of the team, and also foster company pride and team spirit as well.

Also in summer, the Waitangi day is another event that is celebrated by all New Zealanders. This event commemorates the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi. Being a national holiday, various celebrations all over New Zealand can be seen during this day. Traditionally, the Maori will have cultural performances which include music, dance and other entertainment. The official celebration of this day is at the Waitangi Treaty Grounds in the Bay of Islands. The New Zealand International Grand Prix is another sports event. It is a motor racing event that has been held since 1950. Although with the emergence of Formula One, this Grand Prix is still prestige in many people’s eye. Click on this link to find out more about the Grand Prix - http://www.nzonscreen.com/title/new-zealand-grand-prix-1961

Sports

New Zealand’s national sport is Rugby, which will be touch on later. New Zealand is renowned for her outdoor sports. Just to mention a few, mountaineering, river rafting, canoeing, kayaking, zorbing and scuba diving. First-class climbing areas can be found in New Zealand such as Mount Egmont and Mount Ruapehu. There are park field centres in each of these area equipped with relevant information such as weather forecast. Mountains such as Mount Cook are famous with experienced climbers. Climbing seasons in New Zealand are from November to April, while the current trend is more people attempting winter climbing because of the challenge it sets.

River rafting is another famous sport in New Zealand. Rivers in New Zealand offers a wide range of mixed pleasure – from peaceful drifting to strong current wasting the raft away. It is a paradise for rafters, especially River Wairoa. This river meanders down from Kaimai Range to the ocean near Tauranga. Some highlights of this river include the “Waterfall” and “Rollarcoaster” (King, 2000). The most popular rivers for rafting are Kawarau and Shotover Rivers near Queenstown. Some of the basic equipments needed are life jackets and crash hats, depending on the level of grade of the rivers where higher graded rivers requires advance rafting equipment.

Below is a video on river rafting.

River rafting

Source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rftaCZvz908

Blessed with crystal-clear-water lakes, New Zealand is often called an angler’s paradise. Well known for her fishing activities, New Zealand has boundless fishing spots. In the North Island, rainbow trout are as common as pigeons, while for the south island is it not uncommon to find brown trout. Lake Taupo, New Zealand’s largest lake has offers fine fishing location. For fishers who are interested, it is encouraged to bring their own fishing gear – fishing tackle and waders. With response to fishing, the big-game fishing is a popular sport that runs from Cape Runaway to North Cape. Many international fishers will participate in hope to win the trophy. Some of the main game fish includes tuna, yellowtail and kingfish.

Scuba diving in RikoRiko Cave, New Zealand

Source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pZ1VRB1-lN0

Scuba diving is an excellent sport in New Zealand too. Blessed with rich marine ecosystem, coral reefs, sponges and fishes can be found underwater. The wealth of the ecosystem is breathtaking and exhilarating. When the weather is suitable, visibility underwater is about 9 to 12 meters (King, 2000). There are more than hundred different scuba diving sides, while some famous diving spot are the Bay of Islands, Cook Strait and Milford Sound. It is recommended that diving should be carried out during between January and April where conditions are ideal. New Zealanders are water people – Sailing is the sport embarked by many of them. Auckland is also known as “The City of Sails” because many people living there owns a yacht or boat, and a trip round the coastline of this country is truly breathtaking.

Bungy jumping is another adventurous sport. One will jump off a high bridge for a freefall, with some stopping just before you hit the water, or submerged in the water momentarily. The famous Bungy jumping operators can be found in both Queenstown and Auckland. Below is a video about bungy jumping in New Zealand.

AJ Hackett Bungy Jump

Source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fft4j_q4DMQ&feature=player_embedded