From markets to manu – what’s on in Aotea this summer

For a small population, the island has a lot to do, especially over the summer months. Learn something new, appreciate art or become an adrenaline junkie in the name of charity.

Here are our top summer picks which come to life thanks to a helping hand from Aotea / Great Barrier Local Board.

Zero waste workshops

From basic car maintenance sessions to furniture upcycling, Anamata runs low-cost, educational workshops funded by the local board to help you give items a longer life and save them from landfill. Keep an eye out on the Anamata Facebook page for upcoming workshops which will give you a chance to improve and fix your stuff!

Close up of someone using a tool to fix a piece of furniture

Anamata Zero Waste workshops

Food resilience workshops

The island’s food resilience co-ordinator organises low-cost, short courses to encourage growing your own food and other practices to help locals become less reliant on external food sources. Past workshops have included how to grow plants for free, keeping laying hens, and pruning fruit trees. The food resilience website will list upcoming workshops when they are scheduled.

Growers and Makers Markets

Head along to the monthly Growers and Makers market at Claris Conference Centre for locally grown and handcrafted goods. There’s also the opportunity to become a stallholder at any of these markets by contacting Caity Endt at foodres@anamata.nz. Usually on the first Saturday of the month, the schedule can be found on the food resilience event calendar.

Two women talking in a gallery gift shop, one holding a dog and the other holding a book

Aotea Arts and History Village

A major source of arts and culture on the island, the arts and history village offers a wide variety of exhibitions, talks and workshops to get involved with. The gallery often champions local artists and themes, with guest appearances from further afield. The local board funds some of the operational costs of running the village. See what’s on.

Manu Competition

What better way to get into the spirit of raising money for charity than making a big splash in the sea? The Manu Competition at Port Fitzroy is one of Aotea Family Support Group’s fundraising events, and is supported by the local board. Each summer, the island’s more adventurous individuals pay a few dollars to show off their dive-bomb techniques for a chance to be crowned manu champion by the judges.

Manu Comp, Sunday 1 February at Port Fitzroy Wharf from midday.