Wellingtonians and visitors alike will be spoilt for choice with the number and diversity of events happening in the capital from Thursday to Sunday – and Wellington City Council is a proud supporter of them all.
The four-day national kapa haka festival Te Matatini will draw thousands to the city, the Performance Arcade kicks-off with a celebration of live art, shows and music on the waterfront, and everyone’s welcome to pop a manu (a v-bomb splash) at the Welly World Championship dive bomb competition.
Mayor Justin Lester will be busy attending events, and judging (and participating) in Te Pōhutu Nui | Welly Bomb Comp – the Welly World Championships of dive bombing competition.
“It’s been a jam-packed summer calendar with the hundreds of events, arts and activities we support keeping up Wellington’s reputation as a vibrant, multi-cultural, and creative city – while also attracting visitors and giving our residents a great way of life.
“There’s really something for everyone this weekend, so we encourage everyone to get out and enjoy something.
“Follow The Pink Line to the Performance Arcade, embrace Māori ahurea, and come pop your best manu, gorilla or can-opener, and I’ll see you there. Kei a koe,” he adds.
In the Council’s 2018 Residents Monitoring Survey, 72 percent of the 2000 respondents said they’d attended at least one Wellington City Council sponsored event in the past year – up by 4 percent in the previous year’s survey.
Councillor Nicola Young, Associate Arts Portfolio Leader, says one of the Council’s key priorities is investing and delivering arts and events in the capital as it creates a point of difference for the city.
“Wellingtonians take great pride in their city, and that’s largely due to our unofficial title of arts and cultural heart of the nation and – the one we really love – our official title of coolest little capital in the world!”
Some of the events happening over the weekend include:
To cap off the weekend, Wellington will also be going to the dogs, with HUHA Paws in the Park at the Tawatawa Reserve, and a Hug a Pug event happening at Odlins Plaza.
The city will be busy, so consider using public transport where possible, and allow time for getting across town. Please check event websites and social media channels for any weather updates too.