What’s on around the Taupō District - 13 Nov 2025
Taupō Blue Light’s famous Trolley Derby is on this weekend.
November 13: 40+ Mix and Mingle. Tired of swiping? Try something real. If you're single and over 35, this night is for you. This is our last event for the year - Join us for a night of good conversation, real connection, a relaxed vibe with people who get where you're at. Whether you’ve been out of the dating game for a while or just sick of the apps, come join us for a no-pressure night out where the only algorithm is chemistry. 7pm-9.30pm, $25, Cobb & Co Taupō, Adults Only.
November 15: Feel the fear and do it anyway. Taupō Blue Light’s famous Trolley Derby is open for entries. It is a fundraiser for Taupō Blue Light which works alongside Police to ensure all youth are thriving. The Mitre 10 Mega Classic allows competitors to race for glory with a kitset trolley, courtesy of Mitre 10 Mega. When you register, you'll receive a top-quality trolley to customise and make your own. Plus, if you've got a trusty trolley from a previous year, you're welcome to bring it along!
Grab your friends, siblings, or parents because up to four racers can register to race on a single trolley. Age classes: 5-6, 7-9, 10-12, 13-15, 16+ Entry from $20
The Taupō International Motorsport Park Open Class, 16+ Battle of the Brands is ideal for all businesses. The Open Challenge means it’s time to put your creativity, teamwork, and competitive spirit to the test by designing, building, and racing your own creation.
Prizes and bragging rights for the winners! $250 for business team entry.
November 1 - December 8: Taupō Museum premieres Fusion: A Harmony Reclaimed, a new exhibition showcasing the unique work of local sculptor Paul G, who is known for transforming recycled and discarded materials into bold pieces that reflect both resilience and renewal.
Trained in sculpture at the School of Fine Arts in Sydney more than 30 years ago, Paul has called Taupō district home for over two decades. He now devotes his time to creating art in his Tūrangi workshop, using reclaimed wood, steel, and New Zealand’s Omaru stone.
His process is organic, allowing the materials to guide the form and embracing imperfections.
Guided by the philosophy of ‘art for art’s sake’, Paul’s work focuses on the beauty of transformation.
The result is a striking collection of wall masks and sculptures that invite viewers to reflect on sustainability and creativity.
“This is more than an art display,” says museum exhibitions curator Piata Winitana-Murray, “it’s a celebration of ingenuity and the harmony between reclaimed materials and contemporary design.”
Auckland cellists Hyun Jae Lee (pictured) and Qian Wan will perform on Friday night.
Fusion: A Harmony Reclaimed runs at Taupō Museum from 1 November to 8 December. The museum is open from 10am to 4.30pm daily and entry is free for Taupō District residents with proof of address.
October 1 - November 15: Outdoor clothing company Stoney Creek – through the Our Backyard Trust - has teamed up with the Sika Foundation and Helisika to organise the Sika Hind Hunt, running from October 1 - November 15. The contest has a range of categories for hunters who shoot hinds, with prize packages of up to $8500, and a total prize pool of $80,000. There are also non-hunting categories including a ‘Best Live Stag Photo’ contest and activities for children, like a colouring contest and spot prizes. The event will culminate in a community barbecue and prize giving event on November 22.
November 14: Two young Auckland cellists Hyun Jae Lee and Qian Wan will present the midday concert on November 14. The pair will be playing works by Shostakovich, D’vorak, Popper, Walton, Bach and Prokofiev and will be accompanied by pianist Rosemary Barnes. Both are students of the highly successful and respected performer and teacher, James Tennant, and their visit helps extend the long-term association between Tennant and the Midday Concert series. The concert runs from 12-1pm at St Andrew’s Church, 91 Tītīraupenga Street, Taupō, $10 entry, cash only.
Gary Collins, Mike Martin and Patrick McCarty in rehearsal.
November 15: Having survived acute myeloid leukaemia (a type of blood cancer) Taupō Brass conductor Mike Martin thought why not put the band’s next concert on at Izard Hospice House.
Mike, who has been in remission now for two years, says the idea is an afternoon tea with the band from 2.30pm on Saturday, November 15.
“So come along and get a coffee and a cake... And then the concert itself will start at 3pm.”
The programme will feature some good old toe tappers as well as some singalong pieces that will include a chance for audience participation, he says.
“Some of the pieces we are actually playing in the concert on Saturday are ones that the band took down to a district contest when I was in hospital.”
When he brought them out for the band to rehearse again some band members reminded him when they played them last – taking Mike mentally back to his dark days in a hospital bed, but which he can now laugh at.
“Yeah, ‘Always look on the bright side’ and ‘You'll never walk alone’, those sort of real classics.”
The band will give a significant donation to Hospice from out of the $15 entry fee once expenses are covered, he said.
Taupō Brass was finding its niche as an ensemble type of band, said Mike.
While not the same as a large band that sits 35 members on stage there were so many different arrangements available now that 10 players “can put on decent sound on and away you go.”
He was also keen to change the perception of a static band just sitting there and performing.
“Were keen to play some other fun stuff. Do the more sort of entertainment concert.”
The band was already in the planning stages for its participation in next year’s Music in the Botanical Gardens with this in mind, he says.
October 25 – December 8: Taupō Museum is proud to present Beyond the Surface: Taupō Harbour Reimagined, a new exhibition by the Taupō Mixed Media Artists, opening in the Main Gallery. Taupō artists reimagine the waterfront.
November 13-14: Taupō Cossie Club. Thursday 6.30pm Texas Hold’em and on Friday night is the Members Draw for $1000 and live music with Derex Band from 6.30pm.
Now until February 15: Lava Glass is proud to host Artful Minds, an inspiring group exhibition showcasing the work of emerging and professional artists and makers from Taupō. United by a shared commitment to creativity, collaboration, and growth, the Artful Minds collective represents a community of artists with - quite literally - minds full of art. Smart, passionate, and deeply connected to their practice, these artists bring a diverse range of work that reflects both individual expression and collective support. All artworks will be available for purchase, offering a wonderful opportunity to take home a unique piece from this vibrant creative community. The exhibition runs until February 15 at Lava Glass.
November 15: For the very first time, we’re bringing you Mates in Motors: a brand-new event celebrating everything we love about cars, community, and good times. Whether you’re a die-hard enthusiast or just keen for a catch up with other contractors who have interests in performance or classic cars, bikes, trucks come along and help us kick off a new tradition. Don’t miss your chance to be part of the inaugural Mates in Motors—gather your crew and be there for year one!
The event is about raising awareness and money for suicide prevention. Unfortunately, the construction industry loses 1.5 people a week to suicide and 98% of them are our men.This is a free event to attend for the public however there is a fee of $100 per vehicle to display your vehicle with all money raised going towards our mates at Mates In Construction https://mates.net.nz MATES in Construction has one simple but hugely ambitious aim – to reduce the number of lives lost to suicide in the construction industry. Join us to celebrate all things Mates and Motors and for a small donation you might even get to cruise the lakefront in one of the vehicles on display including classic and modern Mustangs, Corvettes, Camaro’s and many more, Contact Vikkey at waikato@civilcontractors.co.nz for more information or to register
November 16: Market Central has moved to Riverside Park until mid-December while Northcroft Reserve is upgraded. Held every Sunday, Market Central is a vibrant and exciting market. It is open from 9am-1pm, with many talented creators, makers, food vendors, growers and entertainers.
November 17 – 21: Red Cross Christmas raffle. Inside Pak’nSave, Red Cross is selling raffle tickets for generously gifted items from Taupō retailers and businesses, in aid of national and world disaster support. Each ticket will be eligible for each of the draws, which will be held on December 8.
Sing in the Summer Concert.
November 23: Sing in the Summer Concert. The sun is starting to shine, Santa is getting his sleigh ready, and Taupō Choral is gearing up for its Sing in the Summer concert.
Held at St Andrews Church on Sunday, November 23 at 3pm, this will be a fun concert that features songs to singalong to, and a few Christmas favourites.
‘Sweet Caroline’ will be joining us, and you can sing away your ‘Song Sung Blue’.
‘I’m a Believer” that you will have a great time with your family and friends, and yes, it’s almost here...so there will be some ‘Mistletoe and Wine’ and a ‘O Holy Night’ to warm you up for the Christmas season.
You will even learn what happened in ‘The Twelve Days After Christmas’.
Will true love survive all those gifts?
Taupō Choral will entertain you with some songs performed by them as well.
This concert will be a great way to see out spring and sing in the summer months, with all its promises of holidays, barbecues and Christmas.
Tickets are available on the door for $20, under 18’s are free.
Join our Friends of Taupō Choral and pay $50 for a yearly subscription (three concerts), saving you $10.
Taupō Choral is always looking for new members, so if you like to sing, come join us.
We meet regularly at St Pauls church on Rifle Range Road, Wednesdays at 7.15pm throughout the year to practice, and we perform three concerts per year.
For details, please follow us on Facebook, or contact us: taupochoralsociety@gmail.com
December 28: Taupō Racing Club. Horses, hats and a whole lot of fun at the biggest race day of the year. The Malcolm Flowers Insurances Summer Festival, featuring the $100,000 Harcourts Taupō Cup. Taupō Racing Club on Centennial Drive. Harcourts Fashion in the Field, Free children’s entertainment, food vendors and bars, Punters Club, live music and more.
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