Kaiapoi isite Visitor Information Centre

08/07/2026

Kaiapoi isite is MOVING!

Waimakariri Libraries are working to transition the service to Kaiapoi Library, 176 Williams Street.
While the booking services are expected to resume after 31 August, brochures will be available from 13 July to ensure visitors and residents can continue to access tourism and local information.

Please direct email enquiries to [email protected]
Tel: 0800 965 542

The isite at 143 Williams St is now closed.

Thank you for your patience as we move our office to the new location.

Anna and Pauline

04/07/2026

📣The Made North Canterbury Pie Trail 🥧 🥧
📣 Pie JULY 2026 🥧

Back and running throughout July for the second year, with 18 pie stops across North Canterbury.

From Rangiora to Hanmer Springs and Parnassus, discover award-winning pies, hidden gems, and local favourites. Find your go-to pie or hit the road and try somewhere new.

📍 Explore all 18 participating pie stops
📸 Share your pie adventures by tagging and
🎁 Be in to WIN a YETI Chilly Bin!
🏆 Up for a challenge? Hit the trail, review your pie stops, and earn the ultimate pie bragging rights!

Whether you stick with the classics or like to try something new, the Pie Trail has something for every pie lover. 😋

👉 Visit www.ncpietrail.co.nz to explore the trail and start planning your pie mission!

30/06/2026

📣Matariki Ahunga Nui ✨
📅Friday 10 July 2026
⏰11:00am – 2:00pm
📍 Kaiapoi Club Ground Floor
🎟Entry: Free

Celebrate Matariki in North Canterbury with a family-friendly day of entertainment, market stalls, food vendors, and activities for the whole whānau.

Enjoy live music and performances on the ground floor of the Kaiapoi Club from 11.00am (see programme below). Upstairs, browse more than 40 North Canterbury arts and craft stalls, view entries in the Kaiapoi Matariki Art Competition, and support our talented local rangatahi. Lift access is available via the northern entrance.

The Kaiapoi Club car park will host around 15 food vendors offering a wide range of meals, desserts, and drinks.

Don't miss the popular Kaiapoi High School Hāngī, including a vegetarian option. Hāngī tickets must be pre-purchased through Humanitix. We recommend booking early to avoid disappointment for the Hāngī,.

Event entrances are located on both sides of the Kaiapoi Club.

Accessible parking is available near the food vendor area, with vehicle access from Hilton Street opposite the Kaiapoi Fire Station.

Free public parking is also available via Hilton Street. Metro Route 1 (Rangiora–Cashmere) stops on both sides of the Kaiapoi River bridge, with services operating every 30 minutes on public holidays.

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

26/06/2026

📣Kaiapoi Lights: lights alongside the Kaiapoi River! 💡🔆
📅Kaiapoi Lights is 4 nights of a special Matariki Light Path (8,9,10,11 July).

Kaiapoi Lights will include performances and information about Matariki and the historical significance of the Kaiapoi area. There will be special lighting displays and projections that will turn the park and path into a beautiful wonderland for people of all ages to visit and enjoy!

Please note: Wednesday 8th July and Thursday 9th July Kaiapoi Lights will be open from 5pm till 7pm,

Friday 10th July and Saturday the 11th of July from 5pm until 9pm.

On Matariki (Friday 10th July) you will be able to walk the short distance from Kaiapoi Lights to the Matariki Kaiapoi celebration in Norman Kirk Park and see the fireworks at 7pm!

Get your tickets for Kaiapoi Lights at humanitix

There will be special lighting displays and projections that will turn the park and path into a beautiful wonderland for people of all ages to visit and enjoy!

22/06/2026

📣Oxford Winter Lights Festival 2026 ❄️🏔⛷🔆💡
✨Celebrating Matariki Herenga Waka
📅 Saturday 27th June until Sunday 12th July 2026
🎟 Free Event
​
This winter, Oxford will once again come alive with light, creativity, culture, and community spirit as the Oxford Winter Lights Festival returns for 2026.​

Running from Saturday 27th June until Sunday 12th July 2026, the festival invites locals, businesses, schools, and visitors to embrace this year’s Matariki theme: Matariki Herenga Waka – The Mooring Place of Canoes​

This special theme reflects connection, arrival, togetherness, and the strength of community. Entrants are encouraged to interpret and display the essence of Matariki through light displays that embody whānau, kai, celebration, community, and new beginnings.

Whether through colour, storytelling, creativity, or cultural inspiration, the festival aims to transform Oxford into a glowing celebration of the Matariki season.

​​​Join Mārama the Kiwi on her adventures in Oxford this June and July. Explore the Oxford Winter Lights Festival with her.

✨ Meet Mārama the Kiwi ✨

Oxford Winter Lights Festival 2026 is proud to introduce our newest little guiding light… 🥝🏮 Mārama the Kiwi!

More information about the event can be found at www.oxfordnewzealand.co.nz

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

19/06/2026

📣 Great Journeys of New Zealand - kids special
KIDS25 is back for the winter school holidays. for the following train journeys:
📅 🚂 TranzAlpine
🚂 Northern Explorer
Travel between 4 July and 19 July 2026.

Bring the kids along for just $25 each way and settle in for a journey with room to breathe and views worth the window seat. From crisp mornings to snow-tipped peaks, winter in Aotearoa is best enjoyed together.

Swap the drive for a hosted rail journey and focus on the moments that matter:
☕ Coffee from the onboard café
🃏 Cards and activity books at your seat
🏔️ Snowy landscapes rolling by outside the window
💛 Time together without the stress of winter roads

Helpful things to know:
• Valid for children aged 14 and under
• One full paying adult must travel with the child
• Scenic Class only
• Subject to availability

Book early 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/events

16/06/2026

📣Chamber Gallery Rangiora presents - Douce Ambiance -Eclectic Gypsy Jazz​
📍 141 Percival St Rangiora
📅 Sunday 21st June 2026
⏰4:30pm-6pm
🎟 Humantix

"A brilliant, gifted ensemble...truly inspiring,"

"A Joy of a concert!"

The versatile Douce Ambiance trio comprising of Cathy Irons (violin), Dougal Canard (double bass, guitar), and Dan Robertson (piano) are all set to delight audiences again.​

Included in their spectacular programme of flamenco, Irish, light jazz and Gypsy, a highlight will be the performance of two of Piazzolla's most captivating and exciting works - the sweet and gentle Tanti Anni Prima "Ave Maria, and the contrasting Escualo "The Shark," an intense and rhythmically compelling work. Escualo was inspired by the composer's passion for shark fishing and from the very opening, it will have you hooked!

All the musicians have performed with the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra and have a wealth of international experience between them. Cathy, Dougal and Dan share a deep interest in both the classical and contemporary worlds, shown through their strong musical connection in performances and their wide selection of repertoire.

Douce Ambiance have toured several times throughout New Zealand to full houses and standing ovations, and will be touring South Island in October 2026.A breath-taking concert that captivates from start to finish. Book your tickets at Humanitix to experience this stunning performance.

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
• W**e 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 & W**e Weekends
Central Otago
Marlborough
"Red w**e, roaring fires, and winter menus."
• W**ery 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 w**es (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