Join the Indian community as it celebrates the renewal of life with an explosion of colour, dance and food, writes Catherine Smith.

Rhythm & Vines founder Hamish Pinkham has won the Pacific Asia Travel Association's award for young tourism leader of the year.

Take a look at some of the artists that will be playing at the 2014 Laneway Festival on January 27.

If the annual cheese roll in England or wife carrying competition in Finland is too boring for you, here are five very strange ones that might be worth visiting, even if it's just to tweet a pic from.

The Gympie Music Muster is held in the Sunshine Coast's Amamoor State Forest Park, with nine stages and 50,000 people in attendance.

Elisabeth Easther has found some stellar ways to observe Matariki this year.

Another year, another northern summer of music festivals approaches.

Talented young pianists performed for the crowds along the Auckland waterfront at the weekend, in a taster for an international festival.

In the months ahead Aucklanders can sample the city's vibrant cultures, writes Alexia Santamaria.

The Auckland Arts Festival Trust wants the event held every year instead of every two.

Although no one doubted the need for rain ... did it have to come on the final day of Womad? And two days after a drought had been declared?

As summer fades into autumn and the season of mist and mellow fruitfulness, it's time for hay to be saved, harvests to be gathered and, best of all, have festivals to attend.

While some may choose to flee their city this weekend, for those that remain the city's waterfront will be the place to be on Auckland's anniversary, writes Sir Bob Harvey.

New Year's Eve celebrations are in full swing today, with music festivals, parties and fireworks displays happening in all parts of the country.

The Producer's Market at Taste is the chance to discover exciting new flavours and ideas.

We get the lowdown on favourite foods, kitchen gadgets and dinner guests.

As India's festival of lights approaches, Danielle Wright explores the rich culture of India in Auckland.

Avondale's Ambrish Desai, tells Paul Charman why Diwali is so close to his heart and how he will be celebrating with his wife Maithilie and their son Jay.

Scottish community leaders say Auckland's mayor is paying more attention to new migrant communities than traditional settler heritage.

Catherine Smith discovers the culinary delights of Hawkes Bay, soon to be revealed in a 10-day festival.