First Spring Festival in New Zealand

New Zealand poet Hubert Church (1857-1932) wrote that spring in this country always comes with suddenness, "like a love too long withheld." After going through one of the coldest winters in years, New Zealanders can only agree.

All of New Zealand is now eagerly chasing after the flowers and warm weather that we dearly missed. From September to November, the entire country plays host to many art and cultural, food and wine and gardening events.

Each region will come alive with their own special event. Highlights include food and wine festivals in Kaikoura and Martinborough, as well as garden festivals in Taranaki and Marlborough.

More: Garden festivals in New Zealand.

New Zealand Arts Festivals

4th Otago Festival of the Arts, 6-14 October

The Otago Festival of the Arts has an excellent line-up of 80-plus events you can attend. The varied programme ensures that there is something for everyone to enjoy, with the festival providing an impressive collection of international and national artists, including some of Otago's finest.

Each day, the Otago arts festival will be finished off with a performance at the Dunedin Town Hall.

For further information about this Otago arts festival, please visit the official Otago Festival of the Arts Web site.

View information on Otago accommodation options and other Otago attractions and activities.

12th Nelson Arts Festival, 13-23 October

The Nelson Arts Festival celebrates the region and New Zealand's top artists. This year, the arts festival offers an excellent line-up of arts events and activities for your entertainment. The programme includes 10 action packed days of theatre, comedy, music, dance, sculpture, workshops and literary lunching. The festivities start off with the Masked Parade and Carnival on Friday October 13.

For guaranteed fun, make sure you come to the arts festival in Nelson to enjoy the entertainment, lively atmosphere and spectacular spring weather. If you are planning on going to at least for events, save up to $60.00 NZD by becoming a Friend of the Festival.

View information on Nelson accommodation options and other Nelson attractions and activities.

New Zealand Food Festivals

Kaikoura Seafest, 7 October

Kaikoura's annual food festival, the Kaikoura Seafest, has grown in popularity over the past 12 years. The Kaikoura food festival is a memorable day of enjoying the region's food and wine coupled with excellent entertainment. This year Anika Moa is a confirmed performer along with Alice's Radio, Double Talk and the Johnny Possum Goodtime band.

Another highlight of the food festival in Kaikoura is cooking demonstrations by Jeremy Griffiths from Cook 'n' with Gas--a talented chef who will whip up all sorts of tasty morsels. Food stalls feature numerous treats: white bait, mussels, crayfish, scallops, kina and all kinds of fish. Other non-seafood delicacies will also be available if you're not into seafood but enjoy the event.

View information on Kaikoura accommodation options and other Kaikoura attractions and activities.

Toast Martinborough, 19 November

Toast Martinborough is an annual wine, food and music festival celebrating the high quality wines produced in the region. Wine and food lovers from near and far gather in the region to participate in the day-long celebration.

The Martinborough area is known for producing excellent Pinot Noir and Sauvignon Blanc although other varieties are also top quality. What better way to spend a Sunday afternoon than by travelling from vineyard to vineyard by foot or on a free shuttle bus sampling wine matched to culinary delights from Wellington and Wairarapa restaurants?

For more information about this Martinborough wine festival, please visit the official Toast Martinbourough Web site.

View information on in the Martinbourough accommodation options and Martinbourough attractions and activities.

New Zealand Garden Festivals

View more information about the garden festivals in New Zealand, including:

• 19th Taranaki Rhododendron and Garden Festival, 27 October-5 November
• 13th Hunter's Garden Marlborough, 1-6 November
• 5th Bayley'S Garden and Artfest, 6-12 November
• Ellerslie International Flower Show, 15-19 November