Labour Weekend 19 - 22 October
Labour Day commemorates the struggle for an eight-hour working day. New Zealand workers were among the first in the world to claim this right when, in 1840, the carpenter Samuel Parnell won an eight-hour day in Wellington.
Powerco Taranaki Garden Spectacular
26 October - 4 November New Zealand's long-running garden festival, the 10-day festival (formerly Taranaki Rhododendron and Garden Festival) will celebrate 25 years in 2012. This festival showcases some of New Zealand's most stunning private and public gardens from large country parks to intimate inner city potagers, sub-tropical and rainforest gardens. www.taft.co.nz/gardenfestnz
Corporate Battle of the Bands
20 - 21 October Thames War Memorial Civic Centre, Thames
Put a band together and enter the NZ Corporate Battle of the Bands to be held this Labour Weekend and be into win a $5,000 cash prize or $10,000 of recording. www.totallythames.co.nz.
Halloween October 31
New Zealand Garden &Artfest 2012
garden &artfest'12
1-11 NOVEMBER gardenandartfest.co.nz
Tauranga Katikati Mount Maunganui Te Puke New Zealand Garden & Artfest Tattoo and Art Festival
24 - 25 November TSB Stadium, New Plymouth The biggest and boldest tattoo event in New Zealand will expose the public to the history, art and culture of tattooing in an exciting, fun and friendly environment. www.nztattooart.com
Taste New Zealand
15 - 18 November Victoria Park, Auckland
Celebrate the start of summer in style at New Zealand's most glamorous food festival. Try signature dishes from Auckland's finest restaurants. Learn from culinary superstars in a series of new Masterclasses and demonstrations. Soak up the festival atmosphere with a drink in hand and sample delicious treats from New Zealand's top producers. www.tasteofauckland.co.nz
1 - 11 November Bay of Plenty More than 80 Bay of Plenty gardens are open for the week-long Bayley's Garden & Artfest. The gardens provide a unique backdrop for a huge display of local artists in venues from small urban courtyards to rambling country estates. The biennial festival also features a two-day village fair. www.gardenandartfest.co.nz
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Jour- ney World Premiere Screening
28 November Embassy Theatre, Wellington Warner Bros has just confirmed the date for the much-anticipated première, and tourism operators in the capital city are bracing themselves for what is expected to be a massive influx of visitors.
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