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What's Hot New Zealand Seasoned wanderlusters know that for a truly unforgettable travel experience, you need a local by your side. We look forward to hearing from you!

Showcasing the best events, the coolest exhibitions, hottest dining, hippest boutiques, most indulgent day spas along with the best in Kiwi accommodation and outside-the-box things to see and experience. Consider What’s Hot New Zealand your trusty local with the inside word on where to go for the best events, festivals and gigs as well as where to stay, play, dine and party. We’re always travellin

g the length and breadth of our fine country curating a highlights reel of the best of the best for your ultimate NZ bucket list. What’s Hot New Zealand is a pioneer in the digital travel industry with over 22 years under our belts. Proudly produced by the destination-nz.com team at SOMO Creative, our digital mag and website make us leaders in travel, leisure and lifestyle publications with a vast knowledge of New Zealand and the tourism and leisure market. Contact us at [email protected] to find out more about our publications, services, and how we can help you to promote your business to New Zealand and beyond.

DIARY THIS // Ready to skank to Fat Freddy’s? Slurp down a huhu grub? Would you like a gin with that? There’s a full cal...
29/01/2023

DIARY THIS // Ready to skank to Fat Freddy’s? Slurp down a huhu grub? Would you like a gin with that? There’s a full calendar of food, music and the arts around the country over the next few months.

http://bit.ly/3RasSVp

12 TOP GIGS // Music fans across the country have plenty to choose from over the next few months, with everyone from Har...
25/01/2023

12 TOP GIGS // Music fans across the country have plenty to choose from over the next few months, with everyone from Harry Styles to Snoop Dogg and My Chemical Romance heading our way. Here are our top 12.

http://bit.ly/3j0NKlB

Summer Haze festival is bringing Aotearoa icons Fat Freddy's Drop and Shapeshifter to Tauranga and Matakana this summer,...
29/08/2022

Summer Haze festival is bringing Aotearoa icons Fat Freddy's Drop and Shapeshifter to Tauranga and Matakana this summer, along with Aussie rock band King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard. It's going to be one of the definitive live music events of the summer and we are pumped!

Images: Fat Freddy's Drop, photo by Harry A'Court at Inject Design; Shapeshifter; King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard, photo by Maclay Heriot

We caught New Zealand Opera's Call of the Huia in Christchurch on the weekend - be sure to see it in Wellington on the 7...
01/08/2022

We caught New Zealand Opera's Call of the Huia in Christchurch on the weekend - be sure to see it in Wellington on the 7th or Auckland on the 14th of August!

Themes covered include war songs, works by refugees, and locally composed musical scores set to poetry by famous European writers such as Herman Hesse and Ernst Toller.

New Zealand Opera's upcoming show, Call of the Huia, is a fascinating and moving insight into a lost piece of New Zealan...
20/07/2022

New Zealand Opera's upcoming show, Call of the Huia, is a fascinating and moving insight into a lost piece of New Zealand music history. Audiences will be treated to highlights from Michael Vinten's recent collection of pre-1950 New Zealand Art Songs, which were sung by our grandparents and great-grandparents. On in Christchurch Sunday July 31, Wellington Sunday 7 August and Auckland Sunday 14 August. Get your tickets now!

Guns N' Roses and Alien Weaponry. What a combo! Looking forward to these two massive gigs in Auckland and Wellington in ...
11/07/2022

Guns N' Roses and Alien Weaponry. What a combo! Looking forward to these two massive gigs in Auckland and Wellington in December 🤘💀🌹

The band are returning from their North American and European tours to play two massive night of rocks with GnR and The Chats in Auckland and Wellington.

Your guide to spotting the Matariki star cluster in the winter sky. Mānawatia a Matariki!
23/06/2022

Your guide to spotting the Matariki star cluster in the winter sky. Mānawatia a Matariki!

You're looking for a group of seven stars visible with the naked eye (you can see a lot more with a telescope). To find them, start by spotting 'the pot' or Orion's Belt (the bottom three stars of the pot are known as Tautoru) in the east not far above the horizon.

The bad news: The Black Seeds Love & Fire tour opening night in Wellington tonight is postponed due to a couple of band ...
22/06/2022

The bad news: The Black Seeds Love & Fire tour opening night in Wellington tonight is postponed due to a couple of band members testing positive for Covid.

The good news: We had a chance to catch up with lead singer Barnaby Weir (read it here 👉 https://bit.ly/3tTYXqd), and the band will be back on the road ASAP.

📷 Pat Shepherd

The Great NZ Toastie Takeover 2022 finalists annouced! Is your local taostie shop on the list? The finalists hail from A...
22/06/2022

The Great NZ Toastie Takeover 2022 finalists annouced! Is your local taostie shop on the list? The finalists hail from Auckland, Ngatea, Okere Falls (Rotorua), Ohakune, Havelock North, Palmerston North, Greytown, Nelson, Christchurch, Queenstown, Twizel, and Dunedin.

Finalist list at www.toastietakeover.com

📷
Brew Union Brewing Company's Pork & Rye. Image: David Le
BEERS' Lamb Margera. Image: Naomi Haussmann
Archie Cafe's Pepper Pig. Image: Tez Mercer
Little Nessie Cafe's Twisted Reuben. Image: David Chadwick
Toastie Ohakune's Owen's Missus Who Takes No SCHMACK. Image: Suraya Hollands Photography

Cook & Nelson

Ballet incoming! This Royal New Zealand Ballet production promises to be something else, with award-winning trio of chor...
23/05/2022

Ballet incoming! This Royal New Zealand Ballet production promises to be something else, with award-winning trio of choreographer, composer and designer behind it.

Choreographer Loughlan Prior: "Our Cinderella story centres around a quest for identity, true love and the courage to be yourself. The characters exist in a society of excess, titles and possessions, in which more is more; a direct parallel to the oversaturation of 21st Century living. Cinderella and Prince Charming must push against the noise in order to re-write their own, authentic ‘happily ever afters’.”

Have you ever done karaoke under an artist-created disco ball in an art gallery to beloved Māori tunes? Well now you can...
23/05/2022

Have you ever done karaoke under an artist-created disco ball in an art gallery to beloved Māori tunes? Well now you can, as part of the Māori Moving Image ki Te Puna o Waiwhetū exhibition at Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū. It showcases moving image works from leading Māori artists, from 16mm film to animation. On from June 4 until October 16.

World of WearableArt (WOW) is BACK for 2022 and tickets are on sale now!We missed it last year, and can't wait to see th...
18/05/2022

World of WearableArt (WOW) is BACK for 2022 and tickets are on sale now!

We missed it last year, and can't wait to see the spectacular hit the stage in Wellington this September.

The brand new voco Auckland City Centre, an IHG Hotel yesterday launched its latest eco-initiative: bamboo bikes hand-ma...
17/05/2022

The brand new voco Auckland City Centre, an IHG Hotel yesterday launched its latest eco-initiative: bamboo bikes hand-made in Ghana. Pretty cool!
🚴‍♀️😎

JUST ANNOUNCED // The Black Seeds are heading around the country on their first national tour in 5 years! They're hittin...
05/05/2022

JUST ANNOUNCED // The Black Seeds are heading around the country on their first national tour in 5 years! They're hitting the road to celebrate the release of their new album, LOVE & FIRE, and we're calling it now - the gigs are going to be epic 🎉🎶🕺

Te Pae Christchurch Convention Centre is leading the way in sustainable tourism - it's just received a Gold Sustainable ...
05/04/2022

Te Pae Christchurch Convention Centre is leading the way in sustainable tourism - it's just received a Gold Sustainable Tourism Business Award from Qualmark in recognition of its sector-leading sustainability credentials! 🏆👏

With Ed Sheeran  just announced today and a slew of incredible international artists heading our way in 2022 and 2023, a...
16/03/2022

With Ed Sheeran just announced today and a slew of incredible international artists heading our way in 2022 and 2023, all our wildest concert dreams look set to come true 😍

We've got Billie Eilish, Dua Lipa, Snoop Dogg, Alanis Morissette, The Killers, Justin Bieber, Guns N' Roses, Foo Fighters, Elton John and Backstreet Boys all on the way.

Read all about 'em 🎤 https://bit.ly/3ukuuBd 🎸

Gather your friends and a few bottles of Central Otago's finest - RIPE - The Wānaka Wine & Food Festival is happening in...
21/02/2022

Gather your friends and a few bottles of Central Otago's finest - RIPE - The Wānaka Wine & Food Festival is happening in virtual form this year, and it's going to be delightful 🍷

Great news on the gig front: alt-J are coming to Auckland in September!🤘🎸
09/02/2022

Great news on the gig front: alt-J are coming to Auckland in September!
🤘🎸

Gig announcement! UK alt-rock bad alt-J will headline a massive show at Spark Arena in September. The welcome tour announcement comes ahead of the release of alt-J's new album The Dream (coming out tomorrow, February 11) which packs their latest single ‘The Actor’ and previously released tracks ...

The hats are in! Cuisine Magazine's annual Cuisine Good Food Awards have highlighted 135 of Aotearoa's best restaurants,...
09/02/2022

The hats are in! Cuisine Magazine's annual Cuisine Good Food Awards have highlighted 135 of Aotearoa's best restaurants, and it's basically your bucket list of places you should absolutely visit at least once before you die 🤤 Check out the full list here: https://bit.ly/3gA91NU

📷: Hiakai, Wellington; Mapu, Lyttelton; Scotch Wine Bar & Wine Shop, Marlborough. Images courtesy of Cuisine magazine.

It's one of the biggest festivals on the Kiwi performance calendar, and it's back for 2022! Bread & Circus – World Buske...
18/01/2022

It's one of the biggest festivals on the Kiwi performance calendar, and it's back for 2022! Bread & Circus – World Buskers Festival has locked in dates for an April festival in Christchurch 🤹

Christchurch buskers festival confirms new dates in April

26/10/2021
NEW ALBUM DROP // Kiwi soul singer/songwriter  SMITH's new album Coming In From The Dark is landing tomorrow!! 🎧 We cann...
21/10/2021

NEW ALBUM DROP // Kiwi soul singer/songwriter SMITH's new album Coming In From The Dark is landing tomorrow!! 🎧 We cannot wait to treat our ears to some brand-new Hollie - it's her first new album in five years! 🎶🤩💃

Come next month, Christchurch is getting a brand spanking new art house full of works by incredible Aotearoa artists. Ke...
09/10/2021

Come next month, Christchurch is getting a brand spanking new art house full of works by incredible Aotearoa artists. Keep an eye out for Ravenscar House Museum opening up opposite the Canterbury Museum on November 8.

“If you want to go to shows please get vaccinated!" - that's the official word from BENEE and we can't agree more! Here'...
08/10/2021

“If you want to go to shows please get vaccinated!" - that's the official word from BENEE and we can't agree more! Here's what some of this summer's biggest touring acts have to day on the matter:

“Crowded House were truly blessed to play shows in Aotearoa NZ in March. Live concerts bring joy and freedom that lift the spirits of audience and artists alike. This summer NZ will be open again for concerts but you will need to be vaccinated against Covid. Come on everyone, we’ve had the vaccine, it's safe and it's keeping the ones we love safe.”
– Neil Finn, Crowded House.

“If you want to go to shows please get vaccinated! You’re not just protecting yourselves but others who may be vulnerable! This vaccine has been proven to reduce hospitalisations and deaths. I feel like I need to stand on this to protect my family, friends, band, my crew & my supporters, to keep all of them safe. Without the vaccine there wont be any shows! I’ve had mine! Get urs if u are able to pls.”
– BENEE

“It’ll be seven years since Supergroove last played by the time Electric Avenue rolls around this February. We’re hoping everyone gets vaxxed so we can party together with Lorde and the rest of an almighty line up in Ōtautahi! Ngā Mihi Aotearoa.”
– Supergroove

"Me kaha taatou ki te patu i a Korona ki te rongoaa aaraimate. Kia okaina ia o taatou, ka ora ai te ao puuoro.”
“We should all contribute to fight Covid19 by being vaccinated. Through this, our music industry will flourish again.”
– Theia

"We can reunite with . My favourite part of music making is playing live but we gotta do it safely, and if you haven’t already heard, us artists won’t be able to do our work and you won’t be able to enjoy live music, festivals or the arts without getting vaccinated. I want to be part of incredible live shows where you, my friends - audiences and artists, venues and crew - are all as safe and protected as possible. We can reunite with . I know what it’s like to feel hesitant about vaccines but for me getting vaccinated against Covid means that I am doing my best to protect my friends, whanau and myself. If you haven’t already been vaccinated please do it now. If you’re scared or hesitant it’s OK - book a consultation with your GP and they can advise you. We’re all in this together - I can’t wait to play for you really soon".
– Reb Fountain

“For me getting the vaccine is all about protection - protecting the people who I love who cannot get vaccinated because they’re immunocompromised. Or because they’re ineligible, like my daughter who’s just about to turn 4. And after almost two years of not being able to tour internationally the vaccine gives me the best protection to be able to do the job that I love. I cannot wait to be on stage playing music again here in Aotearoa, and the best way for us to get to that summer of gigs and dancing is to be vaccinated. For our whanau, for our communities, and for ourselves.”
– Ladyhawke

"Sadly, our tour was cut short by the covid lockdown, keen to get it finished & start making plans for the future. Get your vax folks so we can all get back to gigging and groovin.”
– Mako Road

“Looking forward to playing live in Aotearoa soon, love to see you there."
– SIX60

Let's get back to live Aotearoa!

Food, wine, and  Feelers  - does it get much better than this? South Island Wine & Food Festival has just announced its ...
07/10/2021

Food, wine, and Feelers - does it get much better than this? South Island Wine & Food Festival has just announced its lineup for the Christchurch festival in December, and it's looking awesome, featuring PRINS, Anna Coddington, Kaylee Bell and Jack Page alongside those Kiwi music legends, The Feelers. Got your tickets yet? 🍷🎶☀️

Ballet fans, we've got some news that will make your toes twinkle! 🩰 Royal New Zealand Ballet has just announced its 202...
04/10/2021

Ballet fans, we've got some news that will make your toes twinkle! 🩰 Royal New Zealand Ballet has just announced its 2022 season, including incredible performances such as a contemporary new take on Cinderella, all-time ballet classic Swan Lake, and the shimmering showcase of talent that is Venus Rising.

In July 1996, destination-nz.com (now What’s Hot New Zealand) was launched. It was the realisation of our big dream for ...
27/07/2021

In July 1996, destination-nz.com (now What’s Hot New Zealand) was launched. It was the realisation of our big dream for an online hub people could use to find the very best of our great country.

Our website has been around since the stone age of the internet – 1996! This month is our 25th birthday and we’re looking back on quarter of a century of helping people find the best of Aotearoa. In July 1996, destination-nz.com (now What’s Hot New Zealand) was launched. It was the realisation...

Wowser! TIME Magazine has named Northland and Christchurch as two of the world's 100 greatest places!
22/07/2021

Wowser! TIME Magazine has named Northland and Christchurch as two of the world's 100 greatest places!

Discover game-changing destinations across the globe

Who's amped for New Zealand Fashion Week?!The Miromoda Showcase, highlighting Māori and Pacific fashion will be running ...
22/07/2021

Who's amped for New Zealand Fashion Week?!
The Miromoda Showcase, highlighting Māori and Pacific fashion will be running on Wednesday 26 August, with a bonus show on the Saturday.

The Miromoda Showcase celebrates Māori fashion and will feature designs from Taylor Pumphrey, Taongahuia Maxwell, Jacob Coutie, Sosefina Masoe, Ravai Titifanue, Charleigh Te Peeti, Mitchell Manuel, Tessa Lont Bailey, and Rosette Hailes- Paku.

Heads up: L.A.B are hitting the road in January with three massive shows in Auckland, Christchurch and New Plymouth!They...
19/07/2021

Heads up: L.A.B are hitting the road in January with three massive shows in Auckland, Christchurch and New Plymouth!

They'll be joined by the likes of Shapeshifter, The Black Seeds, Katchafire, Ladi6, Sir Dave Dobbyn and more awesome kiwi musicians. Tickets on sale next week - read more at What's Hot New Zealand.

They'll be joined by huge names including Shapeshifter, Katchafire, The Black Seeds, Sir Dave Dobbyn and Ladi6.

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