Kaiapoi isite Visitor Information Centre

12/06/2026

• 🏔 "Swap the traffic for mountain views this June."
• 🌌 "Winter skies don't get better than Tekapo."
• 🐋 "Whale watching season is calling."
• 🏔️ "Discover Milford Sound without the summer crowds."

June is a great month to explore the South Island New Zealand, because it is the start to some quieter winter experiences. and less crowds. Here are some fantastic ideas - come in and see Anna, and Pauline at the Kaiapoi isite Visitor Centre and we can assist you in booking an amazing trip around our beautiful country.

Milford Sound Winter Magic
"The fjord at its most peaceful."
• Fewer visitors
• Snow-capped peaks
• Dramatic waterfalls after rain
• Photography tours

Queenstown Winter Escapes
"Cosy Winter Getaway."
• Fireside accommodation
• Wine tours
• Hot pools
• Adventure activities without summer crowds

Stargazing & Dark Sky Experiences
Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve
Lake Tekapo
"See the South Island's winter night skies."
• Astrophotography weekends
• Guided stargazing
• Luxury lodge packages

Wildlife Encounters
Otago Peninsula
Kaikōura
"Winter wildlife adventures."
• Whale watching
• Albatross tours
• Seal colonies
• Dolphin cruises

Food & Wine Weekends
Central Otago
Marlborough
"Red wine, roaring fires, and winter menus."
• Winery experiences
• Gourmet weekends
• Mid-winter escape packages

👩‍🦰👩‍🦳For more local events and special packages, pop in for a calendar at 143 Williams Street, Kaiapoi, or visit www.visitwaimakariri.co.nz/events

09/06/2026

📣Matariki Rail Experience- with Great Journeys of New Zealand.
📍 Christchurch or Rangiora to Kaikoura Return
📅 Saturday 11th July 2026
⏰ Depart Christchurch Train Station 3:30pm - return 11:45pm
🎟 $499 per person.

Embark on an unforgettable journey with the Matariki rail experience, where you’ll travel from Ōtautahi Christchurch to Kaikōura for an evening of stargazing and cultural discovery under Te Waipounamu’s (South Island's) stunning night sky.

Celebrate Matariki, the Māori New Year, through an immersive experience featuring expert-led stargazing, historical insights, and the warmth of good company.

Inclusions:
Round-trip train journey Ōtautahi Christchurch ⇄ Kaikōura
Departing Saturday afternoon, returning late that evening
Kai | Dining:
4-course winter-themed dinner with beers and wines (2 courses each way)

In Kaikōura
Full stargazing experience hosted by Destination Kaikōura, the Kaikōura Dark Sky Trust & Moana Skies
A full range of telescopes with trained Dark Sky guides
Complimentary hot drinks
Fire pits for gathering and warmth
Dark sky education space
Access to the historic Fyffe House
Matariki night market

Wet weather plan:
Event to be hosted at Kaikoura Museum
Complimentary access to the full museum and its exhibits
VR headsets for guests to experience the night sky inside
Complimentary hot drinks
Matariki Night Market (under cover)
Local guides and hosts to talk about the exhibits
Training in how to take beautiful sky photos with your phone

Last year this wonderful experience sold out so book soon so you don't miss out!

👩‍🦰👩‍🦳For more local events and special packages, pop in for a calendar at 143 Williams Street, Kaiapoi, or visit www.visitwaimakariri.co.nz/event See less

06/06/2026

📣Footloose The Musical – presented by Rangiora High School📣

📍 𝐕𝐞𝐧𝐮𝐞: Rangiora High School, 125 East Belt, Rangiora

📅⏰SHOW DATES AND TIMES:
Every night Wednesday 10th June to Saturday 13th June at 7pm.

🎟️ 𝐆𝐑𝐀𝐁 𝐘𝐎𝐔𝐑 𝐓𝐈𝐂𝐊𝐄𝐓𝐒 𝐇𝐄𝐑𝐄: https://events.humanitix.com/footloose-the-musical-rhs
*$30 Adults
*$20 Child
*$70 Family Pass (2A and 2C)

80+ students take the stage at Rangiora High School in June presenting – Footloose the Musical.

Footloose is the story of Ren McCormack, a teenage boy from Chicago. He and his mother move to the small town of Bomont. Upon arriving, Ren finds himself at odds with most of the town, including the Reverend Shaw Moore. The Reverend has convinced the town to outlaw dancing, which Ren finds unbelievable.
With the help of Ariel (the Reverend’s daughter) and Willard (a country hick who becomes his best friend), Ren convinces the Reverend to let the teenagers dance, and in the process helps the town to heal from a tragedy that affected them all.

Packed with all the energy and nostalgia of the iconic ‘80’s, Rangiora High School is delighted to bring you their 2026 season of “Footloose – the musical”.
To the rockin’ rhythm of its Oscar and Tony-nominated Top 40 score, augmented with dynamic new songs, it’s dancing travelling from the streets of Chicago to Country Dance Halls, Footloose has something for everyone

Limited time - book so you dont miss out!

👩‍🦰👩‍🦳For more local events and special packages, pop in for a calendar at 143 Williams Street, Kaiapoi, or visit www.visitwaimakariri.co.nz/event

Packed with all the energy and nostalgia of the iconic ‘80’s, Rangiora High School is delighted to announce their 2026 production of “Footloose - the musical”.

03/06/2026

📣 Art on the Quay - Rising from Ruin - Artist Kim Mehlhopt
📅 28 May - 24 June 2026
📍 Ruataniwha Kaiapoi Civic Centre.
⏰ Mon - Thurs: 9am - 5pm
Fri: 9am - 7pm
Sat: 10am - 2pm
Sun: 1-4pm
🎟 Free Event

Kim is a contemporary artist working primarily with oil on canvas, incorporating mixed media to create richly layered, emotionally charged works. Guided by intuition, energy, a deep connection to muse and spirit, bold colour palettes, dynamic movement, and expressive textures she invites viewers into a space that feels both raw and transcendent.

Rooted in a multidisciplinary creative practice as a singer, psychic, and healer, Kim brings a heightened sensitivity of the unseen into every piece. Each artwork channeled through an intuitive process that allows emotion, frequency, and spiritual connection to take visual form. The result is a body of work that is vibrant, soulful, and deeply immersive — designed not only to be seen but felt.

👩‍🦰👩‍🦳For more local events and special packages, pop in for a calendar at 143 Williams Street, Kaiapoi, or visit www.visitwaimakariri.co.nz/events

31/05/2026

📣 Please note we will be closed Monday 1st June 2026 as it is Kings Birthday. We will resume regular hours from Tuesday 2n June at 8:30am.

Have a safe and happy long weekend. 👑

Useful Numbers:
Police – Non emergency 105
Police/Fire/Ambulance emergency 111
Intercity Buses – 03 365 1113
Interislander Ferry – 0800 802 802
Bluebridge Ferry – 0800 844 844
KiwiRail Trains – 0800 250 000
Kaiapoi River Queen Cruises – 027 435 0596
Department of Conservation – 0800 275 362

29/05/2026

📣Rachael King in Conversation with Rachael Craw
📅Thursday 4 June, 5.30pm
📍Kaiapoi Library
🎟Bookings Required, book your free ticket:
🎟https://events.humanitix.com/rachael-king

About the Author - Rachael King

A writer and book reviewer from Aotearoa New Zealand, she is the author of two adult novels, The Sound of Butterflies and Magpie Hall, as well as several books for younger readers. Her children’s novel Red Rocks (reissued as Secrets at Red Rocks) won the Esther Glen Medal and has been adapted into a television series.

Her work is often inspired by her love of Scottish folklore, music, and the natural world. She also writes the junior fiction series Violet and the Velvets, drawing on her own teenage years playing in rock bands.

About the Author - Rachael Craw

Rachael Craw is an award-winning author of speculative fiction for young adults, including the Spark trilogy, The Rift and 2025 release, The Lost Saint.

👩‍🦰👩‍🦳For more local events and special packages, pop in for a calendar at 143 Williams Street, Kaiapoi, or visit www.visitwaimakariri.co.nz/event

25/05/2026

⏳An Update: Don't miss out on this very popular train package - some dates are selling fast!!
📅DEPARTURE DATES: 3-6 July, 24-27 July - SELLING FAST 31 July-3 August, 7-10 August- SELLING FAST, 11-14 September, 18-21 September -SELLING FAST.

21/05/2026

📣Book Fair on NOW 📚

📍St. Bartholomew’s Hall, 23 Cass Street, Kaiapoi

📅 Friday 22nd May 9am - 5pm and Saturday 23 May 9am - 2pm.

🎟 Free Event

A large selection of books sorted into fiction and various non-fiction subjects e.g. Biography/Autobiography sport, gardening, cooking, music. Popular fiction authors sorted by name.

Books $2.00 each or 6 books for $10.00, puzzles $4.00, Children’s books 10 for $2 , D.V.D’s $1

Tea and coffee available.

Donations of good quality books, DVDs, jig saws are most welcome.
Please no tapes or CDs. Donated goods can be left at the Church Hall.

👩‍🦰👩‍🦳For more local events and special packages, pop in for a calendar at 143 Williams Street, Kaiapoi, or visit www.visitwaimakariri.co.nz/event

20/05/2026

📣The Edition -2026 House Concert Series 🎼🎤
📅 Friday 22nd May- doors open 7pm
🎟Cost $20
📍 Details: Address provided once you RSVP Nigel 027 404 7712

After an outstanding performance at Music in the Park Selwyn-we just had to bring Damien and Steve -The Edition -into our neck of the woods. These two are the masters of harmony and your chance to experience them right up close.
This concert takes place in a private Ohoka home the perfect setting for the kind of intimate musical evenings that have been winning hearts across our district.

👩‍🦰👩‍🦳For more local events and special packages, pop in for a calendar at 143 Williams Street, Kaiapoi, or visit www.visitwaimakariri.co.nz/events

18/05/2026

🤔Need a quick escape and getaway? 🌿

Think cosy 1–2 night getaways to Kaikōura, Hanmer Springs, Akaroa & North Canterbury, Methven.

✔ Relaxing road trips
✔ Bus services to Kaikoura, Hanmer Springs, Methven, and Akaroa can be arranged
✔ Great food & wineries
✔ Hot pools, wildlife & coastal views
✔ Perfect for couples, friends, family or a midweek reset

Whether you feel like soaking in hot pools, spotting whales, wandering charming villages or simply slowing down for a night or two - these easy South Island breaks are right on your doorstep.

Come in and see Anna, and Pauline and they can help you plan your perfect short stay getaway ✨