Your guide to summer in Wellington

Creativity on show 

Kick off your summer with an exhibition like no other. ‘The Art of Banksy’ runs at Tākina until 20 January and displays the world’s largest collection of Banksy art. Dubbed a “guerrilla street artist”, Banksy is one of the world’s most famous artists. His works are often anti-establishment and poke fun at the culture or politics of the time. All 150 works on display are original and authenticated. 

Following closely on Banksy’s heels is a different kind of creative event. Artworks from classic stories and films spanning 100 years of Walt Disney Animation Studios are showing at Tākina. The international exhibition ‘Disney: The Magic of Animation’ opens on 20 February. The team at the Walt Disney Animation Research Library has selected over 600 artwork treasures from their vast collection. See artwork from ‘Steamboat Willie’ (1928), through to Disney’s latest release, ʻMoana 2ʻ (2024). 

Across the road from Tākina, Te Papa hosts the global premiere of ‘Vivienne Westwood & Jewellery’. The exhibition contains an impressive collection of over 500 archival and runway pieces from the British fashion brand’s bold and rebellious designs. 

Book a ticket to fun 

Get ready to be bowled over. The BLACKCAPS and WHITE FERNS are walking up to the crease this summer. The New Zealand summer cricket 2024-25 season runs until 26 March. England, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, and Australia will all spar with the New Zealand women’s and men’s teams. If you’re still craving the buzz of a crowd, then two days celebrating Aotearoa’s music scene on the waterfront is for you. Jim Beam Homegrown spreads across five waterfront stages and two epic days. The lineup of bands and DJs ranges from reggae, roots, and hip-hop, to rock, pop, electronic, and drum and bass. Kick off your weekend with Synthony on Friday night, and an impressive lineup of Kiwi talent on Saturday. 

You’ll surely need a quiet moment after all that fun in the sun. Settle in for a meal at one of Courtenay Place’s restaurants. Dragonfly, with its intimate dining areas and bamboo courtyard, is an atmospheric spot. Its pan-Asian cuisine is designed for sharing. Nicolini’s is a classic trattoria-style restaurant. The Italian restaurant’s mission has always been to bring age-old Neapolitan recipes to the city. Drawing inspiration from Hawaii to Aotearoa, Lulu offers a distinctly Pacific hospitality experience. Its mantra is ‘Oceanic eats, drink, party’.

Wairarapa wows with wine and wool 

There are always plenty of good reasons to head over the hill to the Wairarapa region but this summer, there are two more. Toast Martinborough is back on 19 January and it’s fresher than a chilled Sauvignon Blanc on a hot day. Enjoy all the food, wine, and music that the eight participating wineries have to offer. 

Further north in Masterton you can catch a sporting event with a difference. The Golden Shears runs from 27 February to 1 March 2025. The world’s premier shearing, wool handling, and wool pressing championship always attracts big crowds. Doesn’t matter if you’re a towny or from the country — everyone will want to ‘up the bahs’.   

On your way back into Wellington, check out some of the fantastic walks in the Hutt Valley. The Cannon Point Walkway is an intermediate-level trail through the Akatarawa Forest. It leads to the Birchville Dam and spectacular views of the Hutt Valley. The Hutt River Trail runs from Petone to Te Marua in Upper Hutt. The flat, well-maintained trail is popular with families, cyclists, walkers, and runners.