Major community events
These are events in Motueka that are held regularly and involve a wide cross-section of people. Information within each event may include records of past events and/or plans for the next one, depending on the time of the year right now and when the event took place or will take place.
Festival of Lights
This event takes place in June in Motueka, and in 2012 it will be run by Our Town Motueka. For more information: phone Lori Keller at 528 4488
. The Festival's purpose is to lift the town's spirits in the middle of winter and also to promote Motueka to the surrounding area, so that our community and businesses benefit. We have reports and photos of the 2010 event. Information »
Kaiteriteri Mid-winter Festival and Swim
This fun event, a fundraiser for Riwaka School held early in July, is fast becoming a community fixture, with big crowds braving frosty mornings to take the plunge and race their yellow Engelfield ducks down the inlet. Visitors are starting to travel from other parts of the Nelson region to take part. See our story about the 2011 event and also an account by one inspired onlooker.
Arts Council Winter Workshop
Every year the Motueka Arts Council run a series of arts-related workshops during the winter months, usually between mid-July and mid-September. It's an opportunity to learn new skills while helping the winter days to hurry past faster. Currently we are displaying the calendar of events of the 2012 year. Information »
Welcome to the Godwits
Motueka celebrates the return of the godwits from Alaska this year on September 23rd. Every year the birds come to the Motueka Sandspit and Estuary to spend the summer in our area. Information about the 2012 event »
A&P Show
The A&P Association runs it annual show during the first weekend of December each year, with the day for the public being Sunday. The event showcases everything from preserves and cheeses, baking and handcrafts, through to goats, poultry and equestrian. Children and adults alike enjoy the animal nursery, original Merry-Go-Round, and the numerous entertainment and trade sites. Vintage machinery, dog trials, highland dancing all feature as popular attractions.
Information on the 2012 show »
Information on the 2011 show »
The 2013 theme will be the Sea .... fishing, pirates, boating, sand, water, and summer! There will be lots of opportunity for fundraising by not-for-profit/sporting/school groups, and trade sites. The show is set down for sunday 8th December this year.
Starlight Parade
The Starlight Parade is held on the first Friday in December. The parade begins at SportsPark Motueka and runs north along Talbot Street, turning into Pah Street and then south down High Street to the New World carpark. The event is sponsored by New World Motueka and supported by Our Town Motueka. To register a float, contact Jacqui Taylor at ourtownmotueka@xtra.co.nz or phone 528 4488. More details, view photos from the 2010 event, the 2011 event, and the 2012 event.
