Cultural Activities

New Zealand has a rich culture with a thriving art scene. So browse through your many options and enjoy those cultural activities that most capture your imagination

Heritage and Culture

New Zealand doesn’t have a long history – in fact we’re the youngest country in the world. But we still have a rich cultural heritage.

Take a step back in time when you explore all the fascinating influences that have made New Zealand the multicultural mix it is today.

• Heritage Attractions
• Cultural Attractions

Other activites to check out…

In general, if you are interested in taking a course of any type check out www.xtend.co.nz for a directory of adult learning courses.

Arts and Crafts

Check out these resources for different activities:

• Pottery www.nzpotters.com
• Quilting www.nanzq.org.nz 
• Embroiderers’ Guild www.anzeg.org.nz 
• Beading www.nzgba.org.nz/wp/
• Weaving
  
  • www.creativefibre.org.nz
  • Click here to connect with weavers throughout New Zealand
     
• Flax Weaving Click here for a list of courses and tutors
• Print Making www.printmakers.co.nz 
• Painting
  
  • www.artschools.co.nz
  • www.watercolournewzealand.co.nz
  • www.nzartguild.co.nz
     
• Flower Arranging www.fasnz.org.nz

Galleries

New Zealand has a diverse art scene, and you’ll find everything from commercial galleries to public galleries or artist-run spaces around the country.

Browse through your options using these links:

• www.artfind.co.nz
• www.artlist.co.nz

Gardens

Most New Zealand home owners are lucky enough to enjoy a sizable garden. There are also a variety of public gardens around the country – check out some of them at www.gardenstovisit.co.nz.

And sniff out our official garden organisations and societies below:

• Cactus and Succulent Society: www.cssnz.org
• Heritage Roses New Zealand: www.heritageroses.org.nz
• National Rose Society: www.nzroses.org.nz
• New Zealand Iris Society: www.nziris.org.nz
• National Dahlia Society: www.nzdahliasociety.50megs.com
• Herb Federation of New Zealand: www.herbs.org.nz
• National Daffodil Society of New Zealand: http://daffodil.org.nz

More about garden societies in New Zealand here.

Viticulture

New Zealand produces internationally acclaimed wines and taking a winery tour is a popular activity.  Find out more about New Zealand wineries here.

Or find a winery using these links:

• NZ Wine
• Wines of NZ

Museums

From large museums in the main cities to small, privately run museums, you’ll always find one to visit on a rainy Sunday afternoon.

Check out a directory of New Zealand museums at www.nzmuseums.co.nz.
 

Performing Arts

From traditional Maori performing arts to contemporary dance and plays put on by aspiring playwrights, you’re spoilt for choice with the performing arts scene in New Zealand.

Check out some of New Zealand’s Performing Arts Schools, competitions and traditional performances below: 

• The Performing Arts School of New Zealand
• Performing Art Competition Association of NZ
• Maori Performing Arts

For information on upcoming shows and performances, check out the what's on page on NZNow.

Photography

With all the beautiful things to see in New Zealand, it makes sense that so many people want to capture them through photography.

Find out more at the Photographic Society of New Zealand.