Weekender

Our top picks for your next weekend getaway

Garden parties

The good people of Auckland’s Waiheke Island are opening up their properties for the new Waiheke Garden Festival, which takes place next weekend. This self-drive or cycle event sees some of the island’s most interesting gardens on display all in the name of a good cause: local children’s charity Jassy Dean Trust. There’s also Sundowner event on Saturday evening at Wharetana Bay Homestead from 4pm-8pm with local acts Nikki Ngatai, Aaron Carpenter and Dave Alley ($15 at the gate or free with a festival wristband). Saturday, November 10 and Sunday, November 11, 10am-4pm. Tickets $40 from fullers.co.nz.

Visit waihekegardenfestival.org.nz for more information.

Tiny tour

Tiny Ruins, aka Hollie Fullbrook, has been celebrating the upcoming release of her third record How Much, with a small series of shows around New Zealand with her full band. The band, who have just been on a month-long tour of the UK and Europe, followed by Australia and a support slot around New Zealand with the Chills, have two shows left on the tour and play Auckland’s Galatos on Thursday, November 1 and Wellington’s San Fran Bath House on Saturday, November 3. Tickets $30

from undertheradar.co.nz.

New Zealand’s wartime wahine

There have been lots of stories of late of great New Zealand women and you can hear some more at Waikato Museum next weekend during its Stories of the Women at the End of the Great War event to mark Armistice Day. Part of the museum’s WW100: Remembering WW1 — 100 Years On series, the event will be hosted by social historian and private collector Fiona Baverstock who, along with her husband Keith, has done New Zealand a great service by preserving the women’s stories. 1 Grantham St, Hamilton, Saturday, November 10, 2pm-3pm. Free. waikatomuseum.co.nz

Pretty awesome in pink

Play your part for breast cancer awareness this weekend in Wellington and next weekend in Christchurch at their annual Pink Star Walks. The events celebrate survivors while paying tribute to those that we have lost, and raising awareness and funds for this most important cause. The Wellington event takes place at Frank Kitts Park this Saturday, while Christchurch participants will gather at North Hagley Park next Saturday. Tickets from $35 (children under 6 walk free). pinkstarwalk.co.nz.