REAL New Zealand Festival, 9th September – 23rd October 2011

If you are (or tragically are not) a fan of rugby, then you will know that the Rugby World Cup 2011 is being contested in New Zealand during September and October. Considered by many New Zealanders to be New Zealand's national sport, this tournament has certainly put a spring into the step of many Kiwis. Coinciding with the rugby is the REAL New Zealand Festival featuring over 600 events and experiences throughout the country.

Starting on the 9th of September, the REAL New Zealand Festival celebrates all things quintessentially Kiwi. You'll find an event or experience near you simply by viewing the REAL New Zealand Festival website. Packed full of information, this website is being constantly updated, so check back on it from time to time.

What To Expect

• A relaxed, casual atmosphere where families and new faces are welcome.
• Springtime weather – With temperatures from 5 to 19°C, it's wise to pack a bit of everything – jandals (Kiwi for flip-flops or thongs) and hiking boots, raincoats and sunhats. (Due to a high UV in New Zealand, sun protection is highly recommended).
• Free, family and paid events.
• Emphasis on the outdoors – lots of active, fun 'have-a-go' sports activities and events.
• Opportunity to celebrate New Zealand's multi culturalism.
• The 'New Zealand Dress Code' is informal and relaxed on most occasions. Smart casual clothes are acceptable at most restaurants and night-spots. Men are not expected to wear suits and ties, except in a few of the top formal bars and restaurants in major cities.

Festival Events

We've picked just a few of the upcoming events to give you an idea of what to expect.

• Whitianga Scallop Festival 17th September - The Whitianga Scallop Festival in the Coromandel is a weekend of indulgence, with over 50 food and wine stalls, seafood demonstrations and cook-offs, scallop sucking and other competitions, as well as live entertainment.

• Auckland International Boat Show 2011 15th - 18th September - The Auckland International Boat Show, owned and presented by the Marine Industry Association of New Zealand, is held both on and off the water at Auckland's Viaduct Harbour and is one of the most recognised boat shows in the Southern Hemisphere.

• Waitaki Golden Oldies Rugby Festival 2011 30th September - 2nd October - Join former international rugby players from New Zealand and abroad who will be in town relaxing and lapping up good old-fashioned Ōamaru hospitality during the Waitaki Golden Oldies Rugby Festival.

• Ohope Beach Touch Rugby Tournament 4th - 6th October - Beautiful Ōhope Beach in the Bay of Plenty is the venue for this two-day beach touch rugby tournament catering for serious teams, fun, recreational teams and those of you who just want to enjoy the atmosphere and watch.

• Arohanui – The Greatest Love 7th - 9th October - Arohanui - The Greatest Love at Wellington's St James Theatre showcases the breadth of expression of Māori cultural identity through Māori performing arts.

• Festival of Sails 17th September - 9th October - The Festival of Sails will feature three weeks of fun sailing events including opportunities for visitors to go sailing on Wellington's beautiful harbour

• Marlborough Wine and Cuisine 6th October - Marlborough Wine and Cuisine at Brancott Vineyard is a showcase of Marlborough's best wine and food at a historic vineyard.

• Style Pasifika - Best of Pasifika New Zealand 18th - 19th October - Style Pasifika - Best of Pasifika New Zealand, an evening entertainment spectacular being held in Auckland, is a showcase of the best of New Zealand's Pacific innovation and creativity through music, fashion, film, entertainers, designers and technology.

• Catch "it!" Bay of Islands Seafood Tournament 20th - 21st October - Catch "it!" and be part of the friendly, competitive vibe of Northland's Bay of Islands Seafood Tournament. There'll be two days of fishing fun and competitions for you to join in on.

• The Story of Ka Mate 29th August - 23rd October - The Story of Ka Mate, the world's best known haka, is an interactive exhibition at Wellington's Te Papa where you'll learn about the haka - what it means, where it comes from, its association with the All Blacks and importantly - how to do it.

• New Zealand Fashion Week 29th August - 3rd September - New Zealand Fashion Week, held annually in Auckland, is the country's foremost fashion trade show along with public events including the Designer Selection Show, and New Zealand Fashion Weekend with its Designer Garage Sale.

• Rugby, Haka, Hāngī Festival 25th September - Join in the fun of the Rugby, Haka, Hāngī Festival at Te Aute College in the Central Hawke's Bay as the locals treat visitors to a friendly game of rugby, lessons in how to do the haka and some traditional Māori food.

• The International New Zealand Merino Shearing and Wool Handling Championships 30th September - 1st October - See top Kiwi The International New Zealand Merino Shearing and Wool Handling Championships will be held at Molyneux Park Stadium, Alexandra, Central Otago.

• Waitangi Welcomes the World - The Festival 18th - 20th October - The Festival, Held on the Treaty Grounds in the Bay of Islands in Northland, is three days of celebration, with Māori cultural events, rugby-inspired happenings and quintessential Kiwi experiences.

• Picton Spring Fest 17th - 18th September - The Picton Spring Fest is a free two-day event featuring Marlborough wine and seafood, great entertainment, hospitality, family activities and more.

• Dunedin Celtic Arts Festival 10th September - 1st October - Join us for the Dunedin Celtic Arts Festival and celebrate Dunedin's Celtic heritage through music, art, performance and culture.

• Hamilton River Festival 9th September - 11th October - The Hamilton River Festival, centred around the mighty Waikato River, is a four-week celebration covering a range of events including sports, arts, cultural history and entertainment.

• Methven-Mt Hutt Spring Festival 8th - 16th October - The Methven-Mt Hutt Spring Festival in Mid Canterbury is an action-packed unique week of events - up at the ski area and down in the town.

• Taste of New Zealand 19th - 22nd October - Taste of New Zealand, in central Auckland, is a spectacularly indulgent celebration of the best restaurants and produce that the country has to offer.

For more information, view the REAL New Zealand Festival website.

Rugby World Cup 2011

Find out more about the dates and games, the venues, the teams, the history and the latest news, plus details of accommodation, tours, transport, activities and attractions local to the games and beyond!