Events & Entertainment

With the election just over a week away, it’s easy to get a bit fatigued by everyone’s good ideas. 

The 2026/27 Bowls Taupo summer season, which recently opened with the first bowl delivered by Mayor John Funnel, is now in full swing.

About a dozen artists filled a laneway in Taupō over Labour weekend, turning the forgotten spot into a collection of surprises

Forget everything you have ever learned about weather and seasons – as far as Taupō is concerned, it’s Labour Weekend and summer is here. 

Sean and Evelyn Duffell drove up from Wellington earlier this week to prepare for Graffiato. 

Fine dining has reached new heights in the Central Plateau with Whakapapa repurposing part of its restaurant into a high-end experience. 

Graffiato is back for its 16^th year and will be a little bit different this time around with all the artists working on the same laneway. 

Next week’s Trinity Concert is a celebration of the work local students have put into their Trinity College of London music instrumental exams. 

A star-studded line-up has been announced for the Summer Concert in Taupō at the end of January.

When it comes to staying fit, Taupō’s Laura Grant is taking it to the next level – literally. 

Taupo's Micah Wallace has picked up three gold medals and a silver at the AIMS Games — and that's on top of holding a world title in BMX. 

What a night it was at the 2026 Stella A.C.E. (Awards Celebration Evening) - proudly sponsored by Livingstone Building. 

After more than 40 years working with clay, artist Fiona Tunnicliffe says she is still resisting instructions, breaking the occasional rule, and finding humour where she can.

The Taupō School of Music’s Big Music Day – a day of rehearsals for dozens of students followed by a concert – is back again this week.

Boxer Kyle Merewether is set to fight for the New Zealand Cruiserweight Title against current champion John Parker. 

If you or your family are guilty of spending too much time on devices, several of Taupō’s community groups have organised an antidote.  

Regional tourism agencies Destination Great Lake Taupō (Love Taupō) and RotoruaNZ are leading a government-funded campaign to promote a series of new food tourism trails

Taupō’s annual Santa Parade won’t be going ahead this year unless a new organiser can be found.

Join in with some great people helping to plant more native plants at Hipapatua.

Once a mutual match has been made, one of the first questions is often surprisingly.

New Zealand Blood Service will be holding multiple mobile drives at Great Lake Centre, 5 Story Place, Taupō over the upcoming months.

The cost of putting on events looks like it will hit both of Taupō’s fireworks shows this year.  The cancellation by the Taupō District Council of the town’s annual Big Bang New Year’s Eve fireworks display was last week being put down to costs and environmental concerns. 

At just 17 years old, I had the incredible opportunity to represent New Zealand on tour in South Africa with the New Zealand Ladies Polocrosse team (in June).  It was an experience I’ll never forget, and one that I’ll be proud of and cherish for the rest of my life. 

Taupō's Stella Awards are back, with 47 finalists set to be narrowed down to 11 winners including a public vote category for the first time.   The awards recognise businesses across the Taupō District that deliver outstanding customer experience at every point in the process — from the first social media scroll to the time the customer walks out the door.  

A second book by Taupō writer, Tom Clarke, has just been released. Entitled Great Tales of Aotearoa, it is the second in a series of books by the writer recounting forgotten or unknown stories from pioneering New Zealand and significant events from the early 20th century.  Tom is a former journalist and before turning to writing non-fiction books, spent five decades working in broadcasting and media across TV, radio, print journalism, PR, marketing, and business management. 

Treats of Taupō won Food, Beverage or Lifestyle Event of the Year at the New Zealand Event Awards. 

Treats of Taupō debuted in 2024 and was held again at the end of September 2025. 

Taupō music lovers had a rare treat on Friday when the New Zealand String Quartet performed at the monthly lunchtime concert at St Andrews.  

The programme, designed to be readily approachable, consisted of a collection of works by Henry Purcell, Anthony Ritchie, Fanny Mendelssohn (the elder sister of the more famous Felix), Benjamin Britten, Antonin Dvorak, and three folk dances from the Danish String Quartet.

Founded in 1976, its first concert was held in Taupō-Nui-a-Tia College’s hall performing Handel’s Messiah and has continued to perform for the next 50 years. 

Taupō Choral are once again singing excerpts from Handel’s Messiah in our special 50th Jubilee concert, Taupō Choral Solid Gold, to be held on November 15, 2026, while the second half of this concert will be selections from the many concerts past. 

The Global Games New Zealand Junior Rugby Festival has been named Sports Event of the Year and Sustainable Event Initiative of the Year at the New Zealand Event Awards. 

Global Games founder Tyrone Campbell says the awards mark the realisation of an idea that first took shape while travelling overseas nearly two decades ago. 

The new manager at Craters of the Moon is encouraging locals to come back for another look at the geothermal park in Wairakei. It’s fitting that Pip Dixon has a background in emergency response management, tourism management and regional council work in Hawkes Bay.