Ru Paul's Drag Race - Down Under Edition
Starting 1 May 2021
In a Southern Hemisphere first, Ru Paul’s legendary reality show will have its own Down Under edition. Filmed in Auckland in early 2021, fierce drag queens from New Zealand and Australia will compete to be crowned Down Under’s first Drag Superstar. If you haven’t already seen the flagship American series (available on Netflix) or one of the international versions such as the UK edition (available on TVNZ On Demand), you’ll find that Drag Race blends comedy, creative artistry and heart. You can expect lots of laughs and lip sync battles in the weekly episodes. Ru Paul will be joined by longstanding judge and best friend Michelle Visage, as well Aussie comedian Rhys Nicholson.
Watch online at www.tvnz.co.nz or on TVNZ 2 at 8.30pm on Saturdays.
2021 NZ International Comedy Festival
4 – 23 May 2021
If you are looking for entertainment, look no further than the NZ International Comedy Festival. The annual event has been held each year since 1993, hosting the best of local and international comedy acts. The comedy festival is a great opportunity to see both well known acts and emerging talent in action. We recommend making a night of it with some friends – enjoy a nice meal out before heading to a gig for some giggles. Just remember to book tickets in advance! Many shows sell out, so you may not be able to buy tickets at the door for your preferred show. This year’s event will be mainly held in Auckland and Wellington, however Samoan New Zealander Tofiga Fepulea’I will also take his ‘Sorry bout it’ performance to Christchurch and Dunedin.
For more information visit www.comedyfestival.co.nz
Eat, Drink, Play
6 – 16 May
This new 10-day food and drink festival was introduced to support the hospitality industry in Wellington after what has been a very challenging year for many establishments. Over 100 restaurants, bars and venues will be hosting special events, performances and more for this fun new festival. Unlike other food events, there is a real focus on unique experiences and entertainment at Eat, Drink, Play. The programme includes disco mini golf, fire dancers, high teas, themed quizzes, musical acts and a whole lot more!
For more information visit www.eatdrinkplay.co.nz
Open Christchurch 2021
15 – 16 May 2021
For one weekend only, you can explore the best of Christchurch’s architecture. Over 40 buildings are opening their doors to the public so you can explore their design and gain unique access to special places within the garden city. Whether you are interested in heritage buildings or bold modern designs, there will be a building and event for you! You can even sign up a guided walk to explore Christchurch’s art, architecture and identity with local iwi Ngāi Tahu. Best of all, most of the events are free!
For more information, please visit www.openchch.nz
Bluff Oyster Festival
22 May 2021
Were you lucky enough to get a ticket for this year’s event? If so, you are in for great food and a fun time at this unique festival dedicated to the local delicacy. Bluff is a town on the very southern tip of the South Island, less than 30 minutes from Invercargill. The oysters from this coastal region are known as some of the best in the world and are only available for a short period each year. At this annual festival, food fans feast on the world-famous oysters, enjoy live music and are entertained by oyster shucking competitions. If you make the trip to Bluff, we recommend taking the opportunity to explore the wider region. Stewart Island is only an hour’s ferry journey away and is home to a range of birdlife including kiwi, penguins, and albatross.
For more information visit www.bluffoysterfest.co.nz
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We want international students to enjoy studying and living in our amazing country as much as we do. We’ve created this blog so you can explore and experience the best New Zealand can offer. If you would like to read previous blogs, you can find them here.