DIARY DATES
MARCH
1-31 / PRINCES WHARF OYSTER FESTIVAL Make the most of oyster season with events at Euro Bar and Restaurant, The Culpeper, Coley and Punch and The Crab Shack throughout March. / oysterfestival.co.nz /
2 / DOG POINT CLASSIC KIWI PICNIC Picnic among the vines and olives at Dog Point vineyard in Renwick, matching wine with picnic fare by Arbour Restaurant. / dogpoint.co.nz /
2-16 / It’s time for the annual PLATE OF ORIGIN competition, so hotfoot it along to Manawatu to try out those dishes going head to head. / plateoforigin.co.nz /
7-10 / EUROPEAN WANDER This new festival features the whole shebang from Italy to Germany, Romania to Hungary, Cyprus to Luxembourg all collected at Auckland’s Victoria Park. / heartofthecity.co.nz /
8-24 / MELBOURNE FOOD & WINE FESTIVAL Always worth heading over the ditch for, there are too many treats to pick out just a few. Not confined to the city, there’s a huge programme throughout the whole of Victoria.
/ melbournefoodandwine. com.au /
9 / WAIRARAPA WINES HARVEST FESTIVAL Head to the beautiful riverside setting at ‘The Cliffs’ on the banks of the Ruamahunga River – why not have a weekend away? / wairarapaharvestfestival.co.nz /
9 / HOKITIKA WILD FOODS FESTIVAL Wild Food turns 30 and it shows no signs of slowing down. Famous West Coast hospitality, culinary ‘delights’ and the Feral Fashion contest. / wildfoods.co.nz /
9 / MARCHFEST This craft beer and music festival coincides with Nelson’s 3rd annual Beer Week (March 2nd - 9th). All the beers available are specially commissioned for the event and have never previously been tasted by the public. / marchfest.com /
10 / NORTH CANTERBURY WINE & FOOD FESTIVAL
Grab your mates and head to Glenmark Domain for featured vineyards from Banks Peninsula through to Cheviot, including Waipara and Waikari and stalls from local producers, regional and Christchurch chefs and restaurants. / ncwineandfood.co.nz /
15-16 / NEW ZEALAND COFFEE FESTIVAL Java-heads can look forward to master classes with top baristas and roasters, and don’t forget one of the best espresso martini bars in town. / nzcoffeefestival.co.nz /
16 / WHANGAREI FRITTER FESTIVAL Who doesn’t love a good fritter? You’re promised gourmet fritters and fine wine, and stakes are high for the Best Fritter Trophy.
/ facebook.com/fritter.festival /
16 / HAVELOCK MUSSEL & SEAFOOD FESTIVAL
A whole ocean of fun, live music and entertainment, delicious food, fine local beer and wine and stunning seafood. / havelockmusselfestival.co.nz /
21 / CLYDE WINE AND FOOD HARVEST FESTIVAL
A celebration of locally produced wines, held on Easter Sunday just before the major grape harvest kicks off. / promotedunstan.org.nz /
23-24 / FERMENT! Auckland’s first ever fermentation festival covers everything from chocolate, tea, kimchi, kombucha and cider to salami, kefir, sodas, cheese and bread from more than 60 artisan producers. / ferment.co.nz /
30 / MANGAWHAI FOOD & WINES FESTIVAL Relax and unwind in a picturesque olive grove and enjoy dancing, food and local wine.
30 / AKAROA HARVEST FESTIVAL The Peninsula’s best producers will be at Potter’s Croft, with everything from award-winning olive oils and preserved lemons to Frenchstyle pâté / akaroa.com /
APRIL
5-7 / THE FOOD SHOW CHRISTCHURCH Here’s where to go to stock up on the best food, drink and kitchen equipment and learn how to cook like a star at home. / foodshow.co.nz /
5-14 / WELLINGTON NIGHT NOODLE MARKETS Get to Basin Reserve for pop-up Asian-style noodle markets. / nightnoodlemarkets.nz /
6 / A TASTE OF MATARANGI A fabulous day of glorious food, wine and music by the beach what could be better? Proceeds to charity - even better! / atasteofmatarangi.co.nz /
6-7 / BETTER FOOD FAIR
A part of the Go Green Expo that focusses on organic, vegan, paleo, gluten-free and raw food. In Auckland in April, then Christchurch in August and Wellington in November. / betterfoodfair.co.nz /
7 / KAI FEST MOTUEKA
A colourful and noisy parade celebrating earth, water, air and fire kicks off this harvest time festival. / motuekakaifest.nz /
21 / CLYDE WINE & FOOD FESTIVAL This annual festival celebrates wines from the world’s most southerly vineyards.
/ promotedunstan.org.nz /
28 / PIE, PINT & PINOT
Beer and pies, a match made in heaven. These are locally made gourmet pies paired with craft beer (or wine if you must). / arrowtownautumnfestival.co.nz /