Woodville's Kiwiana Festival, on September 25, is a family-friendly event featuring stalls selling everything from pickles to baking, skin care, clothes and jewellery. Local cafes will serve up great food, while the Tararua College jazz band will provide the music. A highlight will be "equestrian vaulting", where young riders perform gymnastic feats on horses.
Contact: (06) 376 0217, Email info@tararua.com
Footsteps of a hero
Coromandel's new Walter Callaway Trail follows the story of a remarkable New Zealander and hero of the Boer War, who was born and raised in the Coromandel. His Maori ancestry and involvement in the region's logging and gold mining industries means the route covers much of the region's history. The trail includes his birthplace in Kikowhakarere Bay, war memorials, museums and special exhibitions.
Best foot forward
The Body Festival, Christchurch's annual event of dance and physical theatre, runs September 24 to October 16.
It offers a range of performances and workshops in venues across Christchurch and the Selwyn District. It includes Garden Variety, a free, family-orientated performance event that takes place before Rugby World Cup games.
Spring at Stonehenge
Stonehenge Aotearoa near Carterton is an intriguing, full-scale adaptation of Stonehenge that incorporates elements of astronomy, navigation and star lore from ancient civilisations. On September 24, the observatory celebrates the spring equinox with Ostara, an ancient Celtic ceremony, while on October 1 there's a Spring Equinox Fair, which features musicians, dancing, games, food and stalls. Everyone is encouraged to dress the part, whether as pixies, fairies, elves, hobbits, knights, damsels, or kings and queens.
Simply indulgent
Indulge Marlborough, on September 30, combines the launch of the new vintage of Marlborough's sauvignon blanc with an extravaganza of food, entertainment and high-end fashion. Regional delicacies such as oysters, crayfish, salmon and blue cod will be matched with the region's best wines, while the highlight of the catwalk event will be the launch of the Kate Sylvester 2012 winter collection.
By Heather Ramsay
