KEY POINTS:
Into the night
The Around the Mountain Relay is a fun night/day event for teams between 10 and 16. Runners, walkers, or both, complete a 150km circuit around Mt Taranaki. The 21 legs range from 5km to 11km. No age limit but those under 13 must be accompanied by an adult. Starts 9pm on November 14.
Contact: (06) 758 8200.
On the web: www.mountainrelay.co.nz.
Start of summer
Concerts, parties, exhibitions, food and wine events, a sculpture symposium and a 4WD rally are among the events at the Coromandel Pohutukawa Festival, November 21-December 7. Events run throughout the peninsula.
Contact: (07) 868 0471.
On the web: www.pohutukawafestival.co.nz
Weekend on Waiheke
This weekend, Art out There runs in conjunction with the Waiheke Olive Festival at Rangihoua Estate. Visitors can enjoy live music, taste olive oil and learn about olive processing, as well as browsing a wide selection of garden art. The Jassy Dean Garden Safari is a self-drive tour encompassing beautiful private gardens not usually open to the public. A SeaLink deal gives free entry to the events when two people travel to Waiheke with a car. Valid November 6-10.
On the web: www.sealink.co.nz; www.jassydeantrust.co.nz, www.rangihoua.co.nz.
Coming up roses
Parnell will be abuzz with rose-themed activities this weekend during the Festival of Roses. A free bus will loop around the festival circuit every 30 minutes, 10am to 6pm, taking in the Rose Gardens, Parnell Road, Jubilee Building and Parnell Farmers' Market.
On the web: www.parnell.net.nz.
Taste of the west
Stock up on goodies at the Paparoa Farmers' Market with veges, fruit, olive oil, seafood, honey, pickles and sauces and native plants all for sale. Runs on the Village Green, Paparoa, 9am-noon every second Saturday, including this weekend. Contact: (09) 431 7290.
Email: rowlandz@xtra.co.nz.
