Activities & Itineraries

Whether you love getting amongst the arts, prefer to eat your way around town, or headbang into the night, Ōtautahi's got something for you. Here are the best events happening in Christchurch in 2025. 

Arts and culture capital of Aotearoa, Te Whanganui-a-Tara is packed with an epic lineup of things to do.

As per usual, mighty Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland is pulling out all the stops. Here’s what’s on in Auckland this week, this month, and this year. 

You’ve made it—the weekend’s here and she’s a vibe

 From meticulously designed neighbourhoods to world-class eats, buzzing cultural hubs, and effortless transport, every moment in Singapore counts. 

With thatched-roof farmhouses and world-renowned udon on her must-do in Japan hit-list, we asked Nozomi Inoue for the ultimate run-down on her favourite hotspots.

Does life feel so hectic right now that you’re missing out on those magical moments with your special someone? Check out these romantic getaways and magical retreats within driving (or ferry) distance from Auckland.

The Urban List guide to the absolute best things to do in Wellington. 

Ōtautahi is an absolute gem of a city—there’s not a lot it doesn’t have. Beaches? Yes. Arts and culture? Absolutely. Outdoor excursions? You bet. A bunch more fun stuff? By the bucket load! So go get out there and explore it with our list of 50 of the best things to do in Christchurch. 

Walking is one of the best ways to make the most of the City of Sails. So grab some sturdy shoes, make use of the kauri dieback wash stations and get amongst the beautiful coastlines, stunning waterfalls, urban strolls and native bush.

Beyond Japan’s neon-soaked cities and 7-Eleven snack havens lies a world of unspoiled trails, steamy onsens, and wellness stays sure to transport you into a world of utter zen.

 Next-gen artists lighting up the city, tropical islands, ancient rainforests and sun-soaked afternoons await.

Here are eight epic day trips from Auckland for you to tick off one by one.

Invercargill may get a bad rap but once you start exploring this southern extreme of New Zealand, you soon realise just how much there is to love. 

One of the side effects of becoming the Editor of Urban List is friends and strangers alike are always sliding into my DMs asking for recs (which I dig, by the way—she loves a flex). So I decided I should really be spilling my secrets here, for all of you, too. 

A bunch of workshops have popped up all over Auckland with every kind of class imaginable.

You don't have to break the bank to have a good time this winter—check out our list of budget-friendly getaways and festivals across the country. 

The Bay of Plenty boasts some of the best sun, sea and sand that New Zealand has to offer. Tucked away along the coveted coastline is Tauranga, home to the iconic Mauao volcano and dreamy Mount Maunganui beach. Affectionately termed “the Mount” by locals, this seaside gem offers watersports for the adventurous, festivals for the free-spirited and mouth-watering eats for the foodies.

Quirky urban cool, natural wonders, arty happenings and more than a few places to quench your thirst, Dunedin is full of contrasts and curiosities.

Your guide on where to eat, stay and play on a Gold Coast adventure.

We sent writer Vicki Young to check out The Chef's Table at Blue Duck Station. 

Matariki a.k.a. Māori New Year is just around the corner (Friday 20 June to be exact). A time of reflection and new beginnings, Aotearoa is busting out all the stops with a treasure trove of ways to celebrate.

Let’s be honest, Mother Nature is one amazing lady. She’s the mastermind behind some of life’s finest things: beaches, waterfalls, mountains, forests…the list goes on. 

Dubbed The Tron, Hamilton is a vibrant city with countless experiences to uncover. From adventurous activities and epic eats to natural wonders and zen retreats, there’s something for locals and visitors alike. Here are the very best Hamilton attractions.

Battling with guy ropes, losing pegs and trying to figure out where you should even position the damn thing makes tenting not a walk in the park. But never fear—fallouts and deflating air beds will become a thing of the past when you get your glamping pants on. 

Whether you'd love to spend your weekend gazing at art-adorned walls with a quizzical look on your face thinking ‘what the heck is that!?’ or simply elevate your mind by marvelling at stunning artwork then we have found the best places for you.

As the adage goes, if the zombie apocalypse comes after leg day, the ‘fittest’ will be the first ones to go. That said, when your survival odds rest on your ability to head for the hills (and actually make it there), it makes sense to put the leg work in today.

We caught up with the Kiwi sports team of the moment, the Black Ferns, to talk game day routines, mental health and pump-up tunes. 

This is your one-stop money-saving guide to ensure you stay on track with your finances while you study. 

Our guide to the shows you simply must hit in the 2025 NZ International Comedy Festival. 

We called on you—our tasteful readers—to give us all the goss on what should be at the top of our list on a trip to Fiji.

From anniversaries and honeymoons, to family reunions and birthdays, there’s one special spot that caters for every important milestone—Singapore.

Steeped in culture and brimming with world-class hotels, Michelin-starred street eats, a vibing nightlife and sun-kissed islands, Singapore is worthy of so much more than just a few hours between flights.

Between the gleaming skyscrapers and perfectly manicured gardens lies a paradise for savvy travellers. Let's dive in, shall we? 

Forget the total routine overhaul, in 2025 we're making small changes that stack up to a better year. 

One of the best things about Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland is the fact that writing a list of the best beaches within a region is absolutely possible.

Myland & Co is a day retreat that's definitely worth forking out for. 

If you’re a bit of a tramping fiend, chances are you’ve lowkey got your eye on crossing off all of the New Zealand Great Walks. If you haven’t done the Routeburn yet, it should be high on your list. 

These are the best festivals hitting Aotearoa this summer. 

If there was a recipe for a banging summer in Tāmaki Makaurau, it’d absolutely involve the sea, some good food, a bit of music and a boogie.

It's official—Onehunga is one of Auckland's most hip albeit underrated suburbs. Studded with historic buildings and delightful villas, this charming neighbourhood has really amped things up in recent years on the eating-out front, with a host of top-notch bars, restaurants and cafés coming to the fore.

Escape on an island adventure to the majestic yet mysterious, Rakiura Stewart Island. 

Kiwi summers are incomplete without heading out to the wild exploring the beautiful nature the land has to offer. Read on to learn about the five spots in Hamilton to relax this summer. 

There are some excellent pet-friendly campgrounds scattered around New Zealand that are happy to welcome both you and your furry ones.

It’s time to double-whammy that precious downtime the same way you “write minutes” for meetings that really could’ve been an email. Our trick? Hybrid venues and sleek multi-purpose experiences. Sure, cocktails and burgers are great, but paired with a raging film club or arcade game? That’s where the good stuff's at. 

This week, and every week henceforth, we encourage you to go beyond learning how to order your coffee in Māori in exchange for a free brew at work, and do something to create a lasting impact for yourself and te reo Māori.

Calling all snow homies, holiday heroes, music-mad, and just plain festy frothers—epic destination festival, Snow Machine is next week. And. You. Don’t. Want. To. Miss. Out. 

Father’s Day is just around the corner (1 September if you’re wondering) and while not all of us have a father we almost certainly all have someone who’s unabashedly cracked dad jokes with reckless abandon.

Summer, winter, autumn or spring, Queenstown is a beauty to behold.

Whether you want to enjoy a picnic alfresco, go for a walk, watch the sunrise or sunset or just get away from it all, here are the top suggestions for reconnecting with nature and filling your wellness cup.

Dig out your swimmers and wrangle your travel buddy, because we’ve done the digging and found a bunch of truly epic travel packages to Fiji this winter. 

A secluded collection of islands stretching across the western side of Fiji, the enchanting Yasawa Islands have a reputation for filling camera rolls with shots of sun-drenched sandy beaches and sparkling turquoise waters.

Here are 52 things to do in Auckland this winter that will (almost) distract you from missing summer.

Since jetting off to the tropics isn't even an option this summer, why not take some time to wander through the Abel Tasman and explore one of Aotearoa’s best landscapes. Grab your boots and your tramping buddy, and try out 10 of the best day tramps the Abel Tasman has to offer.

Want to challenge your taste buds? Read on as we shine a spotlight on dining in the dark. 

Commissioned by Auckland Transport, pockets of Māori mahi toi (art) are woven through the city centre. What starts as a functional project—say revamping infrastructure—becomes a powerful art project. 

We love wining and dining in Ponsonby at the best of times—but throw in some one-off creations, tasting menus, and special prices, and we really don’t need our arm further twisted. So grab your planner and round up your foodie friends, here are all the best events you need to devour this year at Eat Drink Love Ponsonby 2024:

Forget what you know about the Southern Lights. Aurora Australis? Please…we have something much more exciting for you! Come Queen’s Birthday weekend, Queenstown’s waterfront is set to transform into a magical forest wonderland, lit up with interactive light sculptures and illuminated art installations.

Ponsonby Central has long been renowned as a vibrant precinct. Its eclectic restaurants and bars serve up everything from Cambodian to Korean and feel-good American fare. 

At long last, women’s sport is taking centre stage and we are here. for. it. As we head into the cooler months, all eyes are on our Black Ferns and their highly-anticipated 2024 test calendar. 

Run clubs are gaining popularity and for good reason. Fitspo is dead—and real, authentic, cool breeze, crisp air, blood pumping, good-for-you activity is in. 

Piper-Heidsieck is throwing its support behind the Australian Open by hosting a sip-and-play pop-up at M Social in Auckland's Waterfront.

Need a hand navigating your local eats? We’ve teamed up with BNZ to ask local chef Kia Kanuta about his holy grail locations.

From turquoise-hued waters to secluded beaches and lakes where you can try your luck at fishing, here are our picks of the best camping spots in Tauranga and the surrounding areas. Don’t forget your tent and sunscreen—jandals optional.

If you’re looking to squash that nervous energy this year we’ve compiled five cat cafes around New Zealand so you can catch up on some much needed cuddles.

Summer is here and good times are just around the corner, which means it's the perfect time to switch off, uncover new places and rediscover beloved gems on a chilled-out staycation.

So, you’ve put up the tree, locked in the menu for the big day, and sorted an outfit for the work party. Wondering what else to add to your Christmas bucket list this year? If a series of holiday markets hosted by the city's premier shopping destination sounds like your cup of festive tea—then listen up.

So if you don’t know your drop kick from your dropout, don’t worry, you can still get some skin in the game.

Get your boots on, carbohydrates packed and bring a positive headspace because you’ll need it—here’s everything you need to know before tackling the summit of Mount Taranaki.

A town in the shadow of an incredible picture-perfect volcano, and with a mix of art and adventure on offer, New Plymouth makes for a great weekend getaway.

Friends are great. Always there to listen and advise, help you pick out killer outfits and approve romantic partners.

Explore the volcanic heart of the Tongariro National Park on an epic one-day tramping adventure.

Explore the volcanic heart of the Tongariro National Park on an epic three to four-day tramping adventure.

We want to help you live the dream in WA, so we asked the passionate locals who call it home to share all their must-visit experiences across this stunning state. Dive into our guides to the best places to play, eat and stay, steeped with local knowledge and all the tools you need to plan the trip of a lifetime.

We’ve got the buzz on the best luxury hotels around the country, so you can be drinking champagne in a spa pool as soon as physically possible. Start packing those bags.

When the mercury rises, post-hibernation spring soirées begin to sprout—and we're here for it. To celebrate, we've teamed up with Johnnie Walker Scotch Whisky to help you craft a few new cocktails and knock the socks off your next event. 

There’s nothing better than strolling through a buzzing market with a coffee in-hand and a basket jam-packed with fresh produce and quirky finds. Total bliss, right?

The FIFA Women’s World Cup has kicked off in New Zealand. Held every four years, the event showcases talent from 32 countries—making it the largest women’s sporting event in the world. 

Take yourself on a journey of unparalleled luxury and gastronomic delight. 

Could Devonport be Auckland's most charming suburb? Its old-fashioned villas, picturesque gardens and character buildings are straight out of a storybook, while it also happens to be located right beside the sea and beneath the watchful eye of not one, but two volcanic mountains. 

If you’re anything like us, your resolution to get fit may seem like an uphill battle—literally. But here in the City of Sails, we’re lucky enough to be sitting on a whopping 53 volcanoes, and they all offer striking views of our wonderful city. 

Rid yourself of life's stresses at this tranquil oasis. 

Want to experience a ‘true’ winter this year? Luckily you don’t have to venture far to experience the gleeful joy of gliding on ice.

To make running even more of a breeze for you,  we’ve also put together a list of the best accessories to help take your running game to the next level—from head to toe.

The Queen Charlotte Track is a three-to-five-day tramping and mountain biking track that traverses the beautiful Marlborough Sounds.

There are few places more scenic than New Zealand’s rugged coastlines, crystal-clear lakes and luscious forests—and there’s no more peaceful time of day to enjoy them than first thing in the morning before the droves of crowds and tourists soak up all the serenity.

If you’ve got kids in tow, Wynyard Quarter has a multitude of experiences the whole family can enjoy. Whether it’s scoping out the hottest playgrounds, getting cultured with diverse artworks, or enjoying a leisurely weekend picnic, there’s plenty to see and do.

You’ll be surprised at how far you can go without your own four wheels. Here's a list of trips from Auckland you can take when you don’t have a car

A hub for arts and culture, Nelson isn’t short on delicious cafes, eateries and breweries either.

If you’re in the mood for a little (or a lot of) amazing animal action, we’ve got you covered. Here are 15 of the most amazing places to see animals in Auckland.