TripZilla
New Zealand is not all about picture-perfect scenery and tranquil surroundings — at least not in Wellington, the country’s coolest and most vibrant cosmopolitan city.
From today until 18 Mar 2018, experience the energy of Wellington at the New Zealand Festival 2018, the country’s leading arts festival. Besides a series of spectacular arts performances, the event is jam-packed with unique and unusual activities including A Waka Odyssey, an on-water celebration of the Pacific nation; Future Playground, an interactive, digital light art playground; and Festival Club, a sizzling club night party.
Here are the top must-see experiences at the New Zealand Festival 2018 to wrap up your fruitful New Zealand holiday.
Climb on board a traditional sailing canoe at A Waka Odyssey
Image credit: New Zealand Festival
As part of the week-long A Waka Odyssey celebrating the Pacific’s shared voyaging history, New Zealand Festival kicked off its opening night on 23 Feb 2018 with Kupe. Featuring a thousand-strong haka sailing across the waters of Wellington Harbour in wakas, along with a 250 member choir, Kupe was a sight to behold.
Although this year’s Kupe opening night is over, you can still enjoy a series of fun-filled events at part three of A Waka Odyssey. This includes Brass in the Bay — a free concert by the Wellington Citadel Salvation Army Band performing on waka hourua (traditional double-hulled sailing canoe) at the Oriental Bay beach, and Pasifika Porirua — a free celebration party that rounds up the Waka Odyssey tour, featuring Pasifika-flavoured fun, music and food galore. You get to climb on board a real waka hourua as well!
Brass in the Bay
Date: 27 Feb 2018
Time: 6pm to 7.30pm
Venue: Oriental Bay
Admission: Free
Pasifika Porirua
Date: 3 Mar 2018
Time: 10am to 2pm
Venue: Mana Cruising Club, Ngāti Toa Domain
Admission: Free
Imagine, play and explore digital art at Future Playground
Image credit: New Zealand Festival
Image credit: New Zealand Festival
From embarking on a virtual reality train journey into the afterlife at Manifest 99 to entering the Infinity Room surrounded with mirrors, music and vivid monotone visuals — there is just so much to explore. You can also dance along with animated characters at Pop n’ Lock Dance Machine! With so many things to do, you will surely be spoilt for choice at Future Playground, the dazzling digital wonderland.
This video gives you a sneak peek into the magic of Infinity Room.
Multimedia and digital artists from the United States, Turkey and Canada intertwine art with science by transforming codes into artsy, innovative interactive installations. Amalgamating light, sound, projection, virtual and augmented reality, these art installations explore the new possibilities with technology and push the limits of one’s sense of self, space and time.
Future Playground
Date: 1 to 11 Mar 2018
Time: Sessions start every 15mins, last entry 7.45pm for 9pm closing.
Venue: Shed 6
Admission: $17 to $90 (for more information, please visit here)
Party and dance till dawn at the Festival Club
Image credit: New Zealand Festival
The celebration for New Zealand Festival continues into the late night with a three-week long eclectic music party at Festival Club. Partnering with Garage Project, Festival Club offers free entry for all party goers in a sparkling Spiegeltent surrounds with great music lineups including Cave Circles (DJ Riki Gooch), DJ Anthony Donaldson, DJ Aw B, Disasteradio and The She Jays. Be it house, funk, soul, gospel, R&B, rap, jazz or techno, you can find a mix of the most awesome jams at Festival Club.
Festival Club
Date: Now – 18 Mar 2018
Time: Various show timings (For more information, please visit here)
Venue: New Zealand Festival Club
Admission: Free post-show entry from 9pm most nights
*note: The Festival Club is closed every Monday. Under 18s must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.
Simply buy tickets of two or more to the New Zealand Festival by 18 Mar 2018 and you might even stand a chance to win a relaxing holiday for two to the Cook Islands, sponsored by Air New Zealand and Ikurangi Eco Retreat.
If you can’t make it in time for New Zealand Festival 2018, fret not — there’s always next year! Be sure to sign up for email updates, so you won’t miss out on all the important dates for New Zealand Festival 2019!
For more information on New Zealand Festival 2018, visit https://www.festival.co.nz.
