No images? Click here Kia ora koutou,Welcome to our listing of events and activities happening in the local community this week! Events AnnouncementsWhakatāne's Local Wild Food Festival will be back at Mahy Reserve on Saturday the 24th February 2024! Exciting News: Food and Market Stall Expression of Interest Forms and Cooking Challenge Registration are now OPEN! Food Vendors: Submit your interest here Market Stall and Community Groups: Submit your interest here Team Mystery Box Cooking Challenge: Click here to register your team Individual Cooking Challenge: Click here to register now We will keep you posted when the tickets go live in January! Events This WeekThursday 7th December - Saturday 27th January - Thou Shalt Not... - A Tame Iti Retrospective A close intertwining of art and activism, Thou Shalt Not provides an exploration into the life and works of Tame Iti. One of New Zealand's most distinguished activists and artists, Tame Iti's iconic performative acts of protest offer sophisticated critiques of colonialism. This multimedia retrospective draws a singular reference to the Ten Commandments, serving as a metaphorical framework and echoing the multiple directives that colonial powers have historically forced upon indigenous peoples. Friday 8th December 4.45-7.15pm - Edgecumbe Christmas Night Market Held at Riverslea Mall in Edgecumbe there is so much to see and do, both in the mall and outside! Friday 8th December 7.30pm - Christmas Carols at Ōhope Head down to the Ōhope Christian Camp for an evening of Christmas carols Saturday 9th December - Big Brothers Big Sisters Charity Fishing Tournament Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Bay of Plenty is hosting their inaugural Charity Fishing Tournament Saturday 9th December 9am - Riverside Market The Whakatāne Riverside Market is an amazing gathering of talented local artists and artisans showcasing their crafts and delicious food. It is the perfect place to immerse yourself in the vibrant creative scene and enjoy the local vibe. Come join us and experience the magic! Saturday 9th December 7pm - Tāwharautia Mataatua Tame Iti with Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi and the NZSO present - Tāwharautia Mataatua. An interdisciplinary performance bringing together the classical and the traditional. For all the details check out the FAQs here Sunday 10th December 2pm - The Edgecumbe Choir presents G.F. Handel's Messiah Edgecumbe choir is presenting George Frideric Handel's masterpiece, "Messiah”, for the first time under musical direction of Chalium Poppy. Listening to the music and message of Handel’s Messiah can bring us a sense of inner peace for the troubled present and bring hope for an uncertain future. Sunday 10th December 7.30pm - Carols by Candlelight Come along and sing some Christmas Carols with the EBOP Brass Band! Entry is free, candles available for a gold coin/koha. Words for the carols will be printed in The Beacon. Thursday 14th December 4-9pm - Ōhope Village Extravaganza Join us in the Ōhope Village for our yearly Christmas event. Bring along the family, or have a fun evening out with the ‘girls/boys’. Get some of your Christmas Shopping out of the way and treat yourself to some yummy food and a couple of pre-Christmas drinks before the real craziness of the season starts. Music Events This WeekThe John Doe Duo Friday 8th December 5.30pm - Mata Brewery Shelley Akuhata Friday 8th December 5.30pm - The Comm. Cam Galbraith Saturday 9th December 6pm - Mata Brewery Hanwho Sunday 10th December 3pm - Mata Brewery Ongoing EventsThe countdown to Christmas has begun! Check out Whakatāne.com/Christmas for all the upto date Christmas events or head to Whakatane isite for a physical brochure. Make sure you are following Whakatāne isite on Facebook as they give you 12 Days of Christmas Gift ideas! Now until Friday 15th December - Cram the Van Collecting Christmas gifts, like toys for the kids, non-perishable food items, and pet food as well. And then they'll pass it on to local charities like OSCA, SPCA, The Salvation Army, Foodbank and Women’s Refuge. It’s a great way to give back to the community and to some amazing charities. Friday 1st - Sunday 24th December - The Eastern Bay Christmas Light Glow Trail Visit the Christmas lights around Whakatāne and the Eastern Bay of Plenty. It's not too late to enter your address in the trail!! Every Monday 4pm - Robinson Law Twilight The Twilight season runs every Monday night, from the 13th of November till 18th December resuming again on 8th January, and ending on 4th March 2023 so mark this on your calendars! Whether you are a member or a visitor, you are welcome! You can make up your own team of 4 or just turn up and we will put you in a team. We want to support all our community's events!Upload your events to our website here. Add them to our digital notice boards here. Or contact Kristen at kristen.davies@whakatane.govt.nz for more information and to have your events or activities included in our weekly What's On newsletter. Recurring eventsMarketsŌhope Craft Market - Held at Ōhope Hall on 1st Saturday of every month, 8:30am-12:30pm. Whakatāne Sunday Market - Held at Mitchell Park every Sunday, 8am-1pm. Peace Park Market - Held next to the Whakatāne Museum on Boon Street, last Thursday of every month. Sports & FitnessWhakatāne 5km Park Run - Every Saturday 8am at the Whakatāne Gardens RecreationHā Kākano Preschool Storytime Every Tuesday 10:30-11am at Te Kōputu a te Whanga a Toi Te Pātaka Kōrero Heritage Gallery Guided Tours Every Second Wednesday of the Month 12.30pm & 3.30pm at Te Kōputu a te Whanga a Toi River Edge Park Miniature Railway Running Day First Sunday of every month 10am-3pm at River Edge Park OtherApanui Saltmarsh Clean-up Second Saturday of every month 8-9.30am. Meet at the Carpark on the corner of McAlister & Beach Street FUNDamentals Every Wednesday 6-7.30pm at The Comm Games Nights Believe It or Not Quiz NightMonday - 6:30pm, The Whakatāne Hotel/ The Craic. Wednesday - 7pm, Ōhope Charter Club. Thursday - 6pm, Mata Brewery. Gee Quiz with LJEvery second Wednesday - 6.30pm, The Comm |