New Zealand Events March 2011

Auckland Festival 2011, 2 – 20 March 2011

The Auckland Festival is Auckland’s premier festival of art and culture. Presented biennially, it celebrates the distinct and unique characteristics of Auckland and its location within the Pacific Rim.

Auckland Festival 2011 will look to build upon the successes of previous festivals, which have won critical acclaim. The 2009 Festival featured an exceptional line-up of internationally acclaimed composers, choreographers, directors, dancers and artists alongside some of New Zealand’s finest artists.

Where: Auckland CBD

Cost of entry: Yes

International Golden Shears Competition, 3 – 5 March 2011

Watch the world’s best, shearing sheep at lightning speed, also wool pressing and handling, held at the Genesis Energy Recreation Centre Stadium. A fantastic cultural experience featuring a unique section of New Zealand’s rural community.

Where: Genesis Energy Recreation Centre Stadium, Dixon Street, Masterton, Wairarapa

Cost of entry: Yes

Martinborough Fair, 5 March 2011

Held in the picturesque Martinborough Square, the fair, reportedly the largest of it’s type in Australasia, comprises over 480 stalls selling artwork, crafts, clothing, food and a host of other top quality products.

Where: Martinborough Square, Martinborough, Wairarapa

Cost of entry: Yes

Motatapu 50km High Country Mountain Bike Wanaka, 12 March 2011

A high country 50km mountain bike. The event runs through the iconic Motatapu, Soho & Glencoe stations starting from Glendhu Bay, Lake Wanaka and finishing at Arrowtown.

The event gives access on one day each year over a route that is not otherwise open to the public.

Where: Start: Glendhu Bay, Wanaka. Finish: Butlers Green, Arrowtown

Cost of entry: Yes

Organisation: Iconic Adventures

Email: info@iconicadventures.co.nz

Motatapu 49km Adventure Run Wanaka, 12 March 2011

The Motatapu Adventure Run follows the DOC Motatapu Track, and is a 2 person team event.

Described in places as merely a "marked route" the track covers 49km of exposed and physically challenging backcountry terrain crossing the Motatapu and Soho Stations.

Motatapu Adventure Run competitors will ascend a total of 2790 metres, traversing four peaks, (the highest point being Jack Halls Saddle at 1275 metres above sea level), negotiating rough tussock covered areas, long steep sidles and river crossings.

Where: Start: Fernburn, Glendhu Bay, Wanaka. Finish: Butlers Green, Arrowtown

Cost of entry: Yes

Organisation: Iconic Adventures

Email: info@iconicadventures.co.nz

Motatapu off road Marathon Wanaka, 12 March 2011

The event runs through the iconic Motatapu, Soho and Glencoe stations starting from Motatapu Station, Lake Wanaka and finishing at Arrowtown.

This landmark event gives access on one day each year over a route that is otherwise not open to the public

Where: Start: Glendhu Bay, Wanaka. Finish: Butlers Green, Arrowtown

Cost of entry: Yes

Organisation: Iconic Adventures

Email: info@iconicadventures.co.nz

Wildfoods Festival, 12 – 13 March 2011

The iconic Hokitika Wildfoods Festival is World famous for it’s extreme culinary experience.

The Wildfoods Festival is a delicious experience that celebrates New Zealand’s indigenous food and lets the festival goer get a ‘wild’ experience that they will never forget.

All this in the beauty of the Wild West Coast with its rugged coastline and bush – this has to be the festival to go to, to round off the Summer months.

Where: Cass Square, Weld Street, Hokitika

Cost of entry: Yes

Auckland Half Ironman, 19 March 2011

The 8th Auckland Half Ironman. The race starts at Maraetai with a 2km swim and is followed by a 90km bike that covers much of the old Auckland Ironman bike course. It finishes with a 21km three lap picturesque run around the foreshore of the Hauraki Gulf.

Where: Maraetai Beach, Auckland

Cost of entry: Yes

Organisation: Media Unlimited

Email: events@mediaunlimited.co.nz

The Tarawera Ultramarathon Run and Relays Rotorua, 19 March 2011

A 50-mile (80km) wilderness trail run in the Bay of Plenty. The course starts at The Redwoods at Whakarewarewa then meanders around Lake Tikitapu (Blue Lake), Lake Okareka, Lake Okataina to Lake Tarawera. From the Tarawera Outlet it’s all downstream as you follow the river past the Falls and on to the township of Kawerau. Very little time will be spent on roads, with the majority being spectacular wilderness trails.

There are three distances – the 100km run, the 50 mile (80km) option or the 56km option which finishes at the Tarawera Falls. You can complete the event as a solo runner or as part of a relay team (2 and 4 person relay options). Buffet aid stations, thermal hot pools at the finish, great prizes.

Where: Redwoods Visitor Centre, Rotorua

Cost of entry: Yes

Organisation: NZ Trail Runs

Email: pcharteris@gmail.com

Wairarapa Wines Harvest Festival, 19 March 2011

This event is endorsed by the entire valley’s wineries – and is a showcase for the region’s best food as well as wines with local producers supplying their finest to premium restaurants for matching to the winemakers pride and joy. To be held at Riverside at the Cliffs, Dakins Road, Gladstone from 11am to 5pm.

Where: The Cliffs – Dakins Road, Gladstone, Wairarapa

Cost of entry: Yes

McLeans Island Vintage Country Fair, 26 – 27 March 2011

Steam Trains, Traction Engines, Veteran and Vintage Vehicles, Vintage Machinery, Edwardian Carnival, Canterbury Axemen, Logging Display, Motorcycle Display, Chaff Cutters, Threshing Machines, Steam Sawmill, Models, Memorabilla, Working Steam Museum, Clydesdale Horses, Hay Baling Demonstration.

Where: Christchurch

Cost of entry: Yes

More Events around New Zealand…

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2011