What I’d do
NZ Dance Company founder Shona McCullagh shares her weekend
1 Indulge in a spot of stargazing — as research for The New Zealand Dance Company’s Matariki season, called Kiss the Sky — at the Summer Night Sky at the Observatory. eventfinda.co.nz/2017/the-summer-night-sky/auckland/royal-oak
2 Head to Leigh ( my happy place) for the last time this summer before The New Zealand Dance Company gets really busy with festival performances at Splore, Hamilton Gardens and Womad. We lived in Leigh for nearly a decade when the kids were growing up and managed to hang on to our one- star house with a five- star view of Little Barrier, Great Barrier and the Coromandel ( on a good day). It’s our paradise. leighbythesea.co.nz
3 Head to Matakana Markets. The whitebait fritters sing like sirens to my husband, John, plus friends run the green smoothie, pies and crepe stalls ( good to have a balance), so every now and again, we just can’t resist. The dog- sitting service always makes me smile and the music is often fabulous too. visitmatakana.co.nz/village/farmers-market
4 Visit Piece Gallery. John and I recently bought a present for my brother- in- law at this stunning gallery in Matakana Village that specialises in New Zealand glass and ceramics works of wonder. I’m sure the owner was delighted that we finally progressed from being window- shoppers. piecegallery.co.nz
5 Seeing as I might not feel like cooking for the hordes at our house over summer, fish ’ n’ chips at Matheson’s Bay from the quite honestly super- amazing Leigh Eats. Wax and Rachael have done a fantastic job of making this reincarnation of the local chippie really work at 18 Cumberland Rd in Leigh. The bestest treat after a swim on a hot afternoon at Matheson’s Bay ( which has the most reliably delicious swimming possible, at any tide).