The Summer of Long Weekends is Here!

We’re so lucky to be eased gently back into our nine to five routine - we wouldn’t expect anything less from the cruisey Kiwi summers we love so much. We’re even more lucky this year, as so many of our public holidays are ‘Mondayised’ - meaning that rather than the public holiday falling midweek, in which you would have to give up precious days of annual leave for a weekend away, we get our three day weekends for free! 

The long weekends of Waitangi Day and city Anniversaries are a blessing for being able to make the most of summer, however you choose to. For us, it’s always going to be hiring a campervan and getting out there to explore the best of New Zealand, because we think road trips are awesome and, well, we’re creatures of habit. For some of us, the perfect mini-break is going wherever the wind takes you and throwing any travel itinerary out the window, but we’re here to give you some top tips anyway, just because we love you.

Waitangi and Bay of Islands

To get a full appreciation for the scope and history of Te Tiriti o Waitangi, heading up to the treaty grounds is a must-do at least once. A celebration of the Māori culture and people is a fantastic way to leave your heart feeling full, and the festival which begins at 5am with a dawn service at Te Whare Rūnanga is the best way to kick things off. Throughout the day there are plenty of market stalls, performances, and activities to keep the kids (as well as the adults!) entertained. 

The wonderful thing about Waitangi is that it’s also one of the most scenic spots in our country, which is saying something. The Bay of Islands will have you spoiled for choice for things to keep you busy on your long weekend, whether it’s visiting Kawiti glow worm cave just a stone's throw from Paihia, or plenty of opportunities for horse riding and kayaking around the bays. If you’re wanting to keep things on the affordable end, the rolling hills and scenic shores of the area are the perfect setting for picnics, hikes, and days on the beach (all with plenty of sunscreen of course - SP50+, please!). Te Tii and Sullivan’s Beach are some of our personal favourites, but don’t take our word for it - seeing is believing!

Auckland

If you’re passing through Auckland on an evening around Waitangi weekend - heck, if you’ve decided to forgo a weekend getaway and stay in Auckland - there will be a light show every night from 3rd to 8th February every half hour from 9pm. The light show is an homage to the locations in which the treaty was signed and some of the signatories of the document, and is a project by Te Kaunihera o Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland Council and Vector Lights. 

Of course, over the February period is the Prada cup, and depending on your travel days and the race progression you could be in to watch the Semi-Finals or Finals of the race. Either way, we’d definitely recommend heading down to the viaduct for a cocktail at White and Wongs or a cider at Good George on the wharf. It’s the perfect way to spend a leisurely and sunny afternoon if you’re in the city. If you’re in Auckland but not around the CBD, there’s still plenty to keep you entertained; treat yourself to a day of strawberry picking around the plentiful strawberry farms of Kumeu and Coatesville, followed up by a stroll around Paremoremo reserve and a cider at Hallertau - oh, are you seeing a pattern? Yes, we love a cheeky cider in the summer sun. 

Meander further up north and you’ll find yourself in Matakana, where there’s no shortage of things to do. There are plenty of places to stop for a bite to eat (definitely treat yourself to a delicious ice cream from the cafe on the corner), and the sculpture gardens are beautiful and well maintained. As well as the wonderfully scenic drive and quaint feel of Matakana town, it’s well placed for all sorts of fun activities - whether its a winery tour of the nearby vineyards, or a day trip to nearby Tawharanui. It’s a beautiful place to let the weekend hours slip by without a care in the world - we’re feeling more relaxed already.

Wellington

If on a long weekend excursion you find yourself on the mean streets of our nation's capital, you’ll have plenty to do on Waitangi day. On February 5th at Waitangi Park is the Māoriland event; beginning at 6pm, it’s the largest indigenous film festival in the southern hemisphere. Settle in with a picnic and you’re in for an evening of fantastic entertainment, with a range of short films, the final being the 2016 documentary Poi e: The Story of Our Song. The following day in the same place is a daytime event, with an award-winning line-up of Māori performers, as well as a hangi from midday. 

However you choose to spend your long weekend, we’re sure you’ll have a fantastic time - whether it’s hitting the road for an action packed three days, or taking it easy to reset.