DIARY DATES

10

26 Oct & 2 Nov / Hobbiton Beer Festival Combine a tour of NZ’S favourite movie set with specially brewed ales, German-inspired food and an oompah band. hobbitontours.com

27 / First Light Wine & Food Spread across three lovely Gisborne locations (TW Wines, Matawhero Wines and Bridge Estate) here’s a collaboration that brings together 14 different wine varietals, local cuisine and live entertainment. firstlightwineandfood.co.nz 26-27 / Westport Whitebait Festival

It’s Labour Weekend and that means whitebait in Westport. Can you resist the Great Whitebait Cook Off or the famous Whitebait Filleting Competition. westcoast. co.nz/events/westport-whitebait-festival 31 Oct - 3 Nov Taste of Auckland

New restaurant zones this year and a commitment to showcase the very best artisan producers from around the country. Also special guest Marco Pierre White. tasteofauckland.co.nz

11

1-10 / Summer F.A.W.C. The eighth glorious year of this Kiwi favourite – Hawke’s Bay hosts this 10-day culinary festival featuring 75+ mouthwatering events staged in some of Hawke’s Bay’s most stunning locations. fawc.co.nz

3 / Vegan Expo Whangarei’s turn to indulge in tasty plant-based food, master culinary

secrets tips. from veganexpo.co.nz top vege chefs and veganliving 3 year / Waihi of this Vegetarian event showcasing Festival The the best fourth of vegetarian and arts & crafts. and vegan cuisines, live music

facebook.com/events/ waihiacademy

Get 8-9 / along Dunedin to the Craft Forsyth Beer Barr & Food Stadium Festival for kai craft and warm beverages, and welcoming truly outstanding southern hospitality. dunedinbeerfest.co.nz 9 / Hawke’s Bay Wine Auction Hawke’s Bay’s most talented winemakers provide over 40 lots of wine, many of which are being specially blended. With proceeds going to charity, it’s your opportunity to do good and walk away with some of Hawke’s Bay’s finest wines. hawkesbaywineauction.co.nz 15 / Meet The Makers Head to The Hunting Lodge at Waimauku for a four-course dinner and mingle with local growers and producers, chefs, winemakers and gardeners who grow and make their food and wine on site. thehuntinglodge.com

16 / The New Zealand Cider Festival

Heaven for cider-seekers, this festival celebrates all things cider in Nelson’s historic Founder’s Heritage Park. nzciderfestival.com 17 / Toast Martinborough The Wairarapa’s favourite vineyard-crawl event returns with 10 vineyard sites offering wonderful wine, food and music. All participating vineyards are within an easy stroll of each other, or hop on one of the free buses – couldn’t be easier. toastmartinborough.co.nz 23 / Manawatu Food Show Wander the food-truck alley, indulge in gourmet food, fine wine, spirits and craft beer, and watch celebrity chef Nadia Lim at work with cooking demos. facebook.com/ Manawatufoodshow

30 / Beers At The Basin What better way to spend a Saturday than sitting on the grass embankment at the Basin Reserve, having a refreshing beverage listening to some fine tunes, all while basking in the sun. Enjoy some of the capital’s best local craft breweries, wineries, street food and music. beersatthebasin.co.nz 30 / Kapiti Food Fair Enjoy a day out sampling the region’s best food and drink at Paraparaumu’s Mazengarb Reserve. kapitifoodfair.net

12

7 / South Island Wine & Food Festival Christchurch puts on a great welcome for 40 wineries from Marlborough, Canterbury and Central Otago, leading artisan and street food and renowned restaurateurs. winefestival.co.nz