Good stuff

People, happenings and things locally and abroad that we applaud.

Summer festivals are seriously good fun and what we’re loving is how here in New Zealand more and more are becoming sustainable too.

It’s great to know as you dance to music at Sundaise that the entire stage is powered by the sun thanks to Sunsonics, an innovative and efficient solar-powered generator. Or that the Globelet goblet made in New Zealand from recycled plastic that you are drinking from at Splore will be recycled and reprinted after the festival (unless you want to keep it).

Splore has taken things a step further this year too, announcing that from 2017 the festival will be water bottle-free. That means bottled water won’t be sold onsite. Instead, you have the option to take your own water bottle to the festival, or buy a Globelet water bottle to keep and refill from numerous water stations that will be dotted about the festival. You will also be able to pay for a ‘premium refill’ of chilled sparkling water at the bar, if that’s your preference.

Splore has also ditched compostable plates for 2017 – because they still have to go to landfill – and will now be using reusable serveware. For its 2017 festival Sundaise is also asking food vendors to serve food and drinks into peoples own containers (plates and cups), and is providing free filtered water to refill drink bottles.

WOMAD, which has teamed up with a carbon offsetting partner ekos.org.nz, has also decided not to sell plastic water bottles at its 2017 music festival and has partnered with Globelet too.

Globelet is the brainchild of plastic lover and environmentalist Ryan Everton. Each year his company, which produces cups and now reusable water bottles for festivals from recycled plastic, stops more than 150 tonnes of plastic cups going to landfill each year. For WOMAD and Splore Everton has partnered with company Meet PAT who manufacture some of the world’s best portable event-based and permanent water bottle refill stations and drinking fountains. “The hope is more major events in Australasia and New Zealand will open up to the idea of getting rid of disposable bottles, and offering a waste-free and more enjoyable drinking option,” says Everton.

Splore highlights

· New Zealand Dance Company The company will perform Lumina on Friday night in the Yealands Living Lounge, and a family show on the beach on Saturday.

· Dress up party Always fun, the costume theme for this year’s Saturday night party is ‘strangely familiar – the family reunion’.

· Breakfast Club A hearty sit-down beachside brunch to enjoy with your friends and a Bloody Mary. Bookings essential.