Hot stuff down south

By HEATHER RAMSAY

Queen's Park in Invercargill hosts a dramatic production that tells the legend of Maui and his quest to obtain fire from the goddess Mahuika. Fire dance, fire sculptures, flame-throwers, fire wings, fire fans, fire umbrellas and fire fingers illustrate the tale, accompanied by original music and drumming. Performances are at 7pm on July 29 and 30. Tickets cost $5 (adults) and $3 (children).

Contact: (03) 211 1412

Creative Southland

Winter arts

Palmerston North's Winter Arts Festival runs August 14 to 20. The festival combines visual art exhibitions and the performing arts, and includes theme-based activities and promotions in the CBD. This year the theme ties in with the Operatic Society's production of My Fair Lady.

Contact: 021 166 5116

Manawatu

Take the bus

On your next holiday, leave the car behind and grab one of 16 coach passes available from InterCity. InterCity links 600 towns and cities in the country. Passes allow you to hop on and off wherever and whenever the mood takes you. All coach pass services are on air-conditioned coaches, with a commentary provided. The itineraries can be taken in reverse, and you have three months to complete the onward travel. You can buy passes online.

InterCity

Climbing the wall When the weather closes in and you can't ski, chase away cabin fever with a visit to National Park Climbing Hall and Backpackers in National Park. The climbing hall has 55 different climbs that cater for all levels. Gear hire is available, along with instruction. It's open daily 9am to 9pm.

Contact: (07) 892 2870

National Park Backpackers

Living art If you think your pet is as pretty as a picture, you'll love Living Art Sanctuary Wildlife Park in Greerton, Tauranga. The park, beside the racecourse on Cameron Rd, is home to more than 350 hand-raised animals and birds. There are exotic parrots, talking cockatoos, turtles, tortoises, pheasants, waterfowl, highland cattle, kune kune pigs, rabbits and ponies. Streams and wetlands wind through the property, and there's a fernery and picnic and barbecue area.

Contact: (07) 543 3582

Email: liveart@clear.net.nz

Centre of it all

Next time you're heading to the central North Island take a detour off SH30 to Pureora Forest Park, one of New Zealand's finest examples of podocarp forest. Short walks take you through magnificent stands of ancient totara, rimu, matai, miro and kahikatea trees. The forest is rich in bird life, including the rare kokako. Pureora Forest Park headquarters has an information centre and there is a camping area with cabins and toilets. A cairn nearby pinpoints the geographical centre of the North Island.

Contact: (07) 878 1080

Soothing seahorses

Watching one seahorse drift and glide in an aquarium is mesmerising, so multiply that by thousands and you'll understand the effect Seahorse Farm in Napier has on visitors. This aquaculture venture breeds thousands of seahorses for the aquarium and medicinal trades, and visitors can tour the facility and learn about these strange little creatures. Other aquatic species are also raised on site, and a shop sells live fish and souvenirs. Tours are at set times so you need to book. Admission is adults $9, children $5, students/seniors $8, family group (2 adults, 4 children) $25.

Contact: (06) 834 0998

Seahorse Farm

Sanctuary close by

Take a day trip to Tiritiri Matangi and enjoy the peace of this predator-free island. More than three million native trees have been planted, and the island harbours many endangered birds. Fullers runs a day trip to the island on Thursday, Saturday, Sunday and public holidays. Ferries depart from downtown Auckland at 9am and arrive back at 4.45pm. From Gulf Harbour departure is at 9.45am, returning at 3.45pm. Bookings are essential.

Contact: (09) 367 9111

Fullers