What’s on in Ōtautahi Christchurch
Daffodil Season Garden Tours
Otahuna’s fabled gardens will open to the public on Sunday, August 28, but advance bookings are required as space is limited to 70 places per tour.
Three guided tours will be offered at 10am, 12.30pm and 3pm – each lasting about 90 minutes to traverse the property’s 12 hectares of historic gardens. The property’s daffodil field has bloomed for more than
125 years and now contains about 1.1 million bulbs. The tour will also visit the restored Dutch Garden, Great Lawn, Melon House and the vast potager garden where 120 varieties of fruits and vegetables are grown annually.
Admission is $25 for adults and $5 for children aged 5 to 12, with all proceeds donated to the Cancer Society Canterbury-West Coast division. Tickets are payable on the day by cash only. Admission to the homestead building is not included. Visit Otahuna’s website to book.
Chill in the City
Christchurch’s winter festival, Chill in the City, has returned with the opening of an ice skating rink near the intersection of Cashel and High streets until 5pm on Sunday.
Organised by the Central City Business Association, the festival aims to let people experience all the city has to offer this winter.
‘‘Whether you are looking to get your skates on or want to take in the sights of Scott Base with new hi-def 3-D technology, there is something for everyone,’’ association chairperson Annabel Turley said.
‘‘You can toboggan on real snow at the Riverside Market or bounce around on Disney’s Frozen bouncy castle in front of the Bridge of Remembrance. It is the perfect time to explore all the city has to offer, including the shops, bars, restaurants and laneways.’’
Christchurch City Council head of city growth and property Bruce Rendall said Chill in the City gave families an added incentive to come into town.
Ice skating costs $5 for a 30-minute session while a gold coin donation is required for a hug with the huskies. All money raised goes to the City Mission. Toboggan rides, bouncy castle admission and the Scott Base 3-D experience are free.
Southshore Reserve planting event
Everyone is welcome to join Trees for Canterbury and the regional park rangers of the Christchurch City Council for a planting event at Southshore Reserve tomorrow.
The event is a continuation of efforts to replace plants lost in a fire in 2009 and to encourage birds back into the area by creating a food source with native plantings.
The planting event will be held from 10am to noon at Southshore Reserve and will be followed by a barbecue. Access to the planting site is at the end of Pukeko Place (off Rockinghorse Rd). Bring along family, friends and a spade.
Email info@treesforcanterbury.org.nz for more information.
Jaz Paterson performs
Christchurch songbird Jaz Paterson is performing her last show in the city on Friday, August 26, before moving away to pursue her career further. Paterson is an alternative electronic pop artist and recently completed her first New Zealand tour in support of the release of her 2021 EP, Ache, which blends R&B style vocals with electronic influences. The show at Space Academy is R18. Tickets are $10 to $15 from UnderTheRadar.
Guy Williams: Here Comes Nothing
Comedian Guy Williams’ latest show, Here Comes Nothing!, is ‘‘hopefully about colonialism and sexism’’. ‘‘If you don’t think either of those two things are real, then please don’t come,’’ he said.
Those who think the world’s biggest problem is people being offended too easily also should not attend, he said. ‘‘This show is about you and you will probably be offended.’’ Williams performs at Little Andromeda on September 6, 7 and 8.
Family History Expo
The Christchurch Family History Expo at Tu¯ ranga on August 20 and 21 includes workshops and talks on a wide range of topics. It is jointly organised by the Christchurch City Libraries and Memories in Time.
The programme and speaker details can be found on the Christchurch City Libraries website.
Krishnan’s Dairy
One of New Zealand’s most loved plays returns to Christchurch on September 2 and 3 at the Isaac Theatre Royal.
Krishnan’s Dairy takes a look behind the counter of the corner dairy and discovers a love story as wondrous as the Taj Mahal.
Jacob Rajan juggles multiple characters in a performance that shows why he has won numerous best actor awards.
The show also won the prestigious Edinburgh Fringe First Award and two Production of the Year Awards in New Zealand.
The Scotsman called it a ‘‘piece of absolute enchantment’’, while the Melbourne Age said it was ‘‘comic genius’’ and The Listener said it was a ‘‘groundbreaking work’’ that ‘‘changes the way you see the world’’.
Group and family packages are available. Tickets from Ticketek.