Looking for something to do on a Friday night? Then head down and have a hangi pie and browse the stalls at the new Whakarewarewa Friday Night Markets.
For the duration of the Rugby World Cup, and possibly longer if successful, Rotorua's Living Thermal Village will host the markets offeringarts and crafts, food stalls and a free cultural performance by Te Pakira Kapa Haka Group.
Whakarewarewa Thermal Village Tours general manager Julia Schuster-Rika says there would be something for everybody to enjoy at the night market, held in the carpark outside the village.
She says there was a lack of events to cater for both locals and visitors to the city on a Friday night.
"We wanted to create a community event and atmosphere at this end of town for the locals, and give visitors a cultural background to Rotorua and Whakarewarewa," she says.
"There's the Thursday night markets in town and the Lakefront markets on some Saturdays, so we wanted something for Friday.
"New people that come here are used to a lot of activity from wherever they might come, so this gives them somewhere to go and still experience the cultural background of Rotorua."
She also hopes it can prove an attraction for visitors to Rotorua for the Rugby World Cup.
Ms Schuster-Rika says there will be a huge selection of hot food to choose from for the cold nights. This includes food with a cultural flavour such as hangi meals and pies, mussel fritters, as well as food stalls provided by regulars at the Thursday night markets.
"It's a real mixed bag. Hopefully everyone is just going to have a good time. Anyone looking for a real cultural experience or flavour, it will all be here."
Whakarewarewa Friday Night Markets begin tomorrow from 5pm-8pm, with a free cultural performance from 6pm.
