1. The Chinese have a long history in New Zealand, from the first settler Appo Hocton — who arrived in 1842 — to the new migrants and established communities of today. Explore the stories and experiences of 175 years of Chinese settlement in this country at Being Chinese in Aotearoa: A Photographic Journey, a new exhibition at Auckland Museum which features nearly 100 rarely-seen photographs.
— Sainsbury Horrocks Gallery, Auckland Museum, from February 10. Free with museum entry. Visit aucklandmuseum.com
2. From today until Sunday, the Auckland Domain will be transformed with over 800 hand-made lanterns for the Auckland Lantern Festival. Celebrating Chinese New Year, there will be music, dance and martial arts performances, food and Chinese art and crafts for sale, and lantern-making demonstrations.
— Auckland Domain, Grafton, February 9-12. Visit aucklandnz.com/lantern
3. Invited to a summer wedding and still needing to find a dress? You may be in luck at the TK Store Sample Sale on Sunday. Samples, end-of-line garments and shoes will be massively reduced, priced from $49, $99 and $149.
— 50 Brown St, Ponsonby, Auckland, February 12, 10am-1pm. Visit Facebook.com
4. Polo comes to the inner-city environs of Wellington this weekend, at the Heineken Urban Polo, showcasing a mini version of the sport. Following a couple of games featuring three players per team on the pitch at any one time, there'll be an awards ceremony and music from a DJ so you can party on into the night.
— Ian Galloway Park, Wellington, February 11, from 1pm.Tickets at urbanpolo.co.nz
5. One of the biggest events on the Marlborough calendar is the annual Marlborough Wine & Food Festival, showcasing the best the region has to offer. Taking place at the iconic Brancott Vineyard in Blenheim, the festival features demonstrations by chefs including Annabelle White and Karena and Kasey Bird, culinary masterclasses, and some top-notch entertainment from the likes of Supergroove and Hollie Smith
— 110 Brancott Rd, Fairhall, Blenheim, February 11, from 10.30am. Tickets at Ticketek.
6. Home from LA where she has been dancing with Beyonce, Justin Bieber and Korean pop star BoA, choreographer Rina Chae, with her Street Candee dance crew, will perform at a free K-Pop Night at Auckland Live Summer in the Square show.
— Aotea Square, Queen St, Auckland, February 10, from 6-8pm. Visit Facebook.com
7. A new exhibition by celebrated New Zealand photographer Russ Flatt, titled Take Me to the River, focuses on time he spent time in the US photographing nude men and women outdoors in landscapes that reminded him of New Zealand. The models — a variety of races, ages, body types and gender — are writers, poets and artists who applied for the role or approached Russ during his 2016 Wallace Arts Trust Residency in Vermont.
— Tim Melville Gallery, 4 Winchester St, Grey Lynn, Auckland, from February 10-March 4. Visit Timmelville.com
8. One of the biggest events of the Auckland Pride Festival is the Ending HIV Big Gay Out at Pt Chevalier's Coyle Park. Performing on the Durex main stage all afternoon are the likes of Parson James, Openside, Lavina Williams, Buckwheat, Miss Ribena, Suzanne Paul and more.
— Coyle Park, 528 Pt Chevalier Rd, Auckland, February 11, from midday. Free. Visit Biggayout.co.nz
9. Waimauku's The Hunting Lodge plays host to a new festival, which has attracted a heavyweight lineup for its debut: Dave Dobbyn (with full band), Trinity Roots and Nomad. As well as the excellent musical performances at the inaugural North West Wine, Beer and Food Festival, guests will have the chance to enjoy the wares of five local vineyards and two breweries, as well as food from the North West region which encompasses the area from Riverhead to Kaukapakapa.
— The Hunting Lodge, 307 Waikoukou Valley Rd, Waimauku, February 11, from 12pm. Tickets from $59.50 at Eventfinda
