The New Zealand Herald Summer Race Day
11am, Ellerslie Racecourse, 80 Ascot Ave, Remuera, Auckland. It is free.
Christmas is over but there's no need to sit around feeling glum when there's racing to enjoy. The family fun includes a swing ball park, bouncy castle and a range of hot and cold food. Beverages are available to buy or you can bring your own picnic if you'd rather. Don't forget the sunscreen.
Puhoi Farmers Markets
9am-1pm. Puhoi Domain, Puhoi Rd, Puhoi, Auckland. Free. puhoinz.com
Located in the heart of historic Puhoi village, stock up on delicious food and drink and enjoy live music and the festive atmosphere. Why not make a full day of fun in this delightful neck of the woods with a walk, a kayak trip, a quiet drink in the pub, or a picnic at Wenderholm Regional Park?
John Newton Panel and Paint North Island Stock Cars
7pm-10pm, Paradise Valley Raceway, 105 Paradise Valley Rd, Rotorua. Tickets: $10-25. rotoruaspeedway.co.nz
Ripping round a 344m dirt oval, these stockcars weigh between 1400kg and 1500kg and are legally allowed to hit each other in their efforts to win the race. The event attracts around 100 cars and if you can't go tonight, they're racing tomorrow, too.
Mt Maunganui Summer Carnival
Until January 4. 1pm-7.30pm. Blake Park, Maunganui Rd, Mt Maunganui. mahonsamusements.co.nz
Enjoy all the fun of the fair at this year's Summer Carnival. Favourite rides include the dodgem cars, the hurricane and carnival games and plenty of great prizes can be won. Don't worry if you get peckish because carnival staples like hot dogs and candy floss will be available, too.
TSB Bank Festival of Lights
Until January 24. Pukekura Park, Fillis St, New Plymouth. Free. festivaloflights.nz
Opening tonight, the festival includes a range of performances, night and daytime activities and events for children and families including scavenger hunts, beach digs, sporting events and magic shows. A favourite is the twilight Movies in the Park as you bask in the light of illuminated trees.
Harcourts Taupo Ice Rink
Until January 26, 7pm-10pm. Harcourts Taupo Ice Rink, 20 Northcroft St, Taupo. Entry: $8.50-$20. laketaupocharity.co.nz
After a three-year hiatus, the ice rink returns to Taupo this summer so prepare yourself for some icecapades on Northcroft Reserve.
New Year's at Casita Miro Waiheke
7.30pm-midnight. Casita Miro, 3 Brown Rd, Onetangi, Waiheke. Tickets: $180.
This end-of-year party features fabulous entertainment from the UK's Urban Soul Orchestra as well as promising a night of fine food, music and dancing. Ticket price includes sangria on arrival, a sumptuous banquet dinner, entertainment plus a glass of bubbles at midnight. (R18)
Leigh Sawmill New Year's Eve Party
9pm. Sawmill Cafe, 142 Pakiri Rd, Leigh, Auckland. Tickets: $50. sawmillcafe.co.nz
See in the new year at Leigh Sawwill with Swamp Thing alongside DJ legends Manuel Bundy and Cian. Be warned, Swamp Thing's energetic live performances will have even the laziest party-goer dancing so make sure you're wearing comfortable shoes.
New Year's Eve Fireworks Paihia
Midnight-12.15am. Marsden Rd, Paihia. Free. paihianz.co.nz
New Year will go off with a bang in the Bay of Islands. The magnificent display in the Paihia Bay can be viewed from Paihia, Opua, Russell and Waitangi.
Britomart Beach Party
Britomart, Cnr Gore and Galway Sts, Britomart, Auckland. Tickets from $59. grapevinyl.co.nz
Britomart Beach Party brings the beach to Auckland this New Year's Eve with four tonnes of sand and more than seven music zones featuring international and local music acts creating a 14-hour party - and you don't even have to pitch a tent. (R18)
The New Zealand Herald's New Year's Day Races
January 1, 11am. Ellerslie Racecourse, 80 Ascot Ave, Remuera, Auckland. Various ticket prices.
Start the New Year in style with a day at the races as New Zealand's racing royalty head out in their glad rags for a day at the races. Children will be entertained between races with the Tip Top Popsicle Planet, NZ Herald Giant Games and Ellerslie Swingball Park.
Tiritiri Matangi Lighthouse turns 150
January 1 and 2. Tiritiri Matangi Island, Hauraki Gulf. For details visit either tiritirimatangi.org.nz/lighthouse-150 or 360discovery.co.nz
Visitors can take a lighthouse tour, visit the restored signal tower and hear the only working diaphonic foghorn in New Zealand. On January 1, celebrations will start just after dark (arrive on the 1.30pm ferry, the last ferry leaves at 10.30pm) and on January 2 the foghorn will blast and the signal tower will be open.
The Biggest Little Circus
Until January 11, various times. Paihia Village Green, 60 Marsden Rd, Paihia. Free (donations welcome). paihianz.co.nz
An action-packed, high-energy, high-skilled explosion of street theatre. There's audience participation if you're up for it, juggling, daring aerials and unicycling all with a small cast of three, this really is the biggest little circus show anywhere.
Whangamata Summer Festival
January 1, 1pm. On the beach in front of Williamson Park, Whangamata. Free. thecoromandel.com
Grab your bucket and spade and head to the Fusion Sandcastle Competition. With great prizes this is loads of fun for all ages. Register your team at 12.30pm and then let your imagination run wild.
Opera in the Park
January 1, 8pm-11pm. Williamson Park, Whangamata. Donations appreciated. thecoromandel.com
Enjoy delightful music in the great outdoors with The Garden Opera Company from Hamilton. Bring a chair or a blanket and a donation and prepare to be soothed. If it rains, the concert will relocate to the Whangamata RSA on Port Rd.
ASB Classic
January 3-10, ASB Tennis Centre, 1 Tennis Lane, Parnell, Auckland. Tickets from $20. festivaloftennis.co.nz
The ASB Classic and Heineken Open welcome some of the world's best players to Auckland. Venus Williams, Caroline Wozniacki and Sara Errani are part of the ASB line-up.
Australian philanthropist donates McCahon, Binney and Killeen art to fundraising auction.