Cool Little Town

Women's Day Celebration - Ocean View Restaurant
2026-03-08 10:00 - 12:00 (Pacific/Auckland) | the beachfront hotel, 111 Revell Street, Hokitika, Westland, New Zealand
Join us as we celebrate the incredible women in our community with a special brunch and guest speaker Mayor Helen Lash.Enjoy a delicious buffet brunch, great company, and inspiring conversation as we celebrate International Women’s Day together. $25 per person Complimentary mimosa on arrivalBring your friends, mums, sisters, or colleagues and make a morning of it. We would love to see you there

Childrens Day - Cass Square
2026-03-08 10:00 - 14:00 | Cass Square, Hokitika
Come and celebrate Children’s Day at Cass Square in Hokitika on Sunday 8th March, 10am to 2pm. (Please note this event is one week later than usual)
Everyone is welcome at this FREE family event supported by the Hokitika Community, Air Rescue Trust, Hokitika Community Trust and Wildfoods

Woodstock-Rimu Road - 15km Scratch Race
2026-03-10 17:30 - 19:00 | West Coast Treetop Walkway, 1128 Woodstock-Rimu Road, Ruatapu, Westland, 7883
15km Graded Scratch Race – final race of the series.
Meet at West Coast Treetop Walk and Tower Zipline on Woodstock-Rimu Rd at 5.45pm for:
5.45pm onwards – Sign in.6.15pm – Race Briefing.6.20pm (sharp) – E Grade start6.30pm – Elite Grade start6.32pm – A Grade start6.34pm – B Grade start6.36pm – C Grade start6.38pm – D Grade start
Following racing:– Social Gathering at West Coast Treetop Walk and Tower Zipline.
Series Sponsor: West Coast Treetop Walk and Tower Zipline

Tiki Taane One Man Band
2026-03-13 19:00 - 22:30 | Hokitika Regent Theatre, 23 Weld Street, Hokitika, Westland, 7810, New Zealand
Tiki Taane – Artist, Producer, Engineer, Director, Experimentalist. One of the most well known and diverse artists and producers in Aotearoa NZ, Tiki Taane is considered to be an influential element in the pioneering of Aotearoa’s bass culture, as well as the country’s most prolific genre bending experimentalist. First hitting the scene in 1991, Tiki rose to prominence as the sound engineer and front man for Salmonella Dub, joining them in 1996 til 2007. In 2008 Tiki released his double platinum selling, self produced solo album “Past Present Future” featuring the beautiful acoustic ballard “Always On My Mind” which rose to #1 and broke two all time records – it sat in the Official NZ charts for a record 55 weeks and was also the first ever NZ digital single to acheive platinum sales. Tiki has produced multi-platinum, chart topping singles, albums and remixes not only for himself but for NZ artists such as Salmonella Dub, Six60, Kora, Katchafire, LAB, and longtime friends Shapeshifter – he’s been their exclusive live sound engineer since 1999. Renowned as much for his powerful, live performances as he is for the anthems he writes and produces. Performing a mixed bag of his well known hits and new material, Hokitika will be blown away with Tiki’s ability to unify and connect as he seamlessly delivers a unique live looping performance experience, making him the most diverse producer and performing artist in Aotearoa NZ. DJ Axis is no stranger when it comes to being the support act for her husband Tiki Taane. The two have been an unstoppable duo, throwing down high energy sets here and abroad with charismatic synergy. DJ Axis will be opening things up at the Theatre with her tasty selection of Amapiano, House and Techno, and then closing off the stage with her favourite style to DJ – Drum & Bass. Grab your tickets now and get ready for an epic night of music and great vibes to heat up your mid winter night.

Hokitika Wildfoods Festival - 14th March 2026
2026-03-14 10:30 - 19:00 | Cass Square, Hokitika
Hokitika’s Wildfoods Festival is a celebration of the West Coast’s unique wild food and lifestyle, with premiere entertainment
Hokitika’s annual Wildfoods Festival is a celebration of the West Coast’s unique wild food and lifestyle, accompanied by premier entertainment. Visitors can sample a wide array of local natural foods, ranging from some of the weirdest and most exotic delicacies to fabulous gourmet specialties. What’s traditionally found in the heart of the bush and deep in the ocean is served up with a fork for the daring. Apart from hunting the mountains for pigs, deer, thar and chamois and fishing the sea, keen stallholders have not left many stones unturned in their efforts to explore edible possibilities. Even garden weeds have been discovered as herbs useful in festival salads and beverages.
The festival first came into fruition in 1990 when Hokitika local, Claire Bryant, instigated the very first celebration of local wild foods. Her wine cellar was very well stocked with a home brew of West Coast gorse flower wine and people were clamouring for a taste of her rose petal brew. The first event also coincided with the 125th anniversary celebration of the birth of Hokitika in March 1990. Locals and the rest of New Zealand were captured by the magic of the idea – a celebration of Hokitika and the wild foods of the West Coast.
Offering tunes for all tastes, entertainment is comprised of a top line-up of New Zealand musicians playing the main stage.
Those with a creative flair can enter Feral Fashion – a wearable arts style competition modelled on the racing circuits Fashion in the Field. Contestants get creative, forage in their surroundings, and create a wild alter ego to wear to the festival.
If children are not interested in sampling huhu grubs, the Kids Corner will keep them occupied with face painting, a massive inflatable pirate ship, a candy shop and more.
A TASTE OF THE WILD

Old Christchurch Road - 16km Graded Scratch Race
2026-03-17 17:30 - 19:00 | Old Christchurch Road, Westland
Hokitika Cycling Club
16km Graded Scratch Race – final Graded Scratch race of the season.
Meet outside the Arahura Marae at 5.45pm for:
5.45pm onwards – Sign in.6.15pm – Race Briefing.6.20pm (sharp) – E Grade start6.30pm – Elite Grade start6.32pm – A Grade start6.34pm – B Grade start6.36pm – C Grade start6.38pm – D Grade start
Race Sponsor: Westland Pharmacy

Mad Hatter Rally
2026-03-20 - 2026-03-22 | Kumara Sportsground, Kumara, Westland
So what does the Mad Hatter Rally offer??
Fire drums, onsite food and coffee, live music, free tea and coffee, flushing toilets AND of course the rally famous grazing table all for $50.
Come to Kumara Sports ground to camp or book accommodation in the area.
BYO drinks a bonus – NO GLASS

Prima Facie - The Old Lodge Theatre
2026-03-22 19:00 - 21:00 | The Old Lodge Theatre, 11 Revell Street, Hokitika, Westland, 7810, New Zealand
We have big and exciting news: this March, in conjunction with Arts on Tour, we bring you PRIMA FACIE, an award-winning play that tells an important story.This event is likely to sell out, so secure your tickets today from ticketing link below! Age 14+ only.Acclaimed Oliver and Tony award-winning play, Suzie Miller’s Prima Facie is an unforgettable story and one-woman tour de force that has the power to question the structure of the legal system and takes us to the heart of where emotion and experience conflict within the system as we know it.Directed by NZ acting royalty Michael Hurst and performed by Cassandra Woodhouse, NZ Theatre Company is honoured to bring ‘Prima Facie’ to the New Zealand stage and continue the call to action that this story is demanding worldwide.The play: Tessa Ensler loves her job. She’s worked her way up from a working-class background to being a top criminal defense barrister at the top of her game – prosecuting, cross-examining and winning in the courtroom with her quick wit and intelligence. Fighting to defend those pleading not guilty – including securing freedom for men accused of rape and sexual assault.Innocent until proven guilty is, after all, the bedrock of human rights.An unexpected event forces Tessa to confront the very system she has spent her life believing and working within – a system where the lines of patriarchal power and burden of proof are not set up to accommodate the lived experience of sexual assault survivors.Age restriction: 14 and up only.

Five Films for Freedom - Hokitika Regent Theatre
2026-03-25 19:00 - 21:30 | Hokitika Regent Theatre, 23 Weld Street, Hokitika, Westland, 7810, New Zealand
Join us for a special screening of Five Films For Freedom, the world’s widest reaching LGBTQIA+ online celebration. A partnership between the British Council and BFI Flare, London’s LGBTIQIA+ film festival, Five Films For Freedom makes five LGBTIQ+ short films available to watch online for free anywhere in the world. Since its launch, the films featured in the programme have been watched online by over 26 million people in more than 200 countries and principalities, celebrating global stories in support of LGBTQIA+ communities around the world. Hokitika Regent Theatre is delighted to host this free public screening in collaboration with the British Council New Zealand and the Pacific. The films selected for this year’s programme are from the UK, USA/Mexico, France, Vietnam and Brazil. I HATE HELEN (Dir. Katie Lambert, UK, 7 min) PG Priya hates Helen. She hates her in the canteen. Hates her in science. Especially hates her at swimming. Mostly, Priya hates the way Helen makes her feel. A short film about the tidal wave of gay lust some girls feel in school and letting those feelings just wash over you. RAG DOLLS (Dir. Amy Adler, USA / Mexico, 12 min) U Married couple Rosalinda (born with spina bifida) and Diana (who has cerebral palsy) navigate life in Puebla, Mexico, where disability intersects with discrimination and poverty. Abandoned by family, underserved by government support systems, and facing persistent homophobia, the women have built a life centred on mutual care and protection. Observing a single ordinary day, the film follows their routines, a romantic date, and moments of reflection on their enduring love. ROOM 206 (Dir. Laurie Bisceglia, 16 min, France) PG After undergoing gender-affirming surgery, Clair no longer cares what the world thinks. Reclaiming his body becomes a path toward self-recognition for the first time in his life. This documentary accompanies him not only through physical change, but towards emotional renewal and a new beginning. SWEAT (Mô Hôi) (Dir. Edward Nguyen, Vietnam, 15 min) U On the eve of leaving rural Vietnam, farm worker Hung prepares to illegally cross the border in search of refuge abroad. Defined by routine and labour, his final day with Hoang, a fellow worker, reshapes his understanding of desire, intimacy and selfhood. THEO (Dir. Monica Palazzo & Joana Galvão, Brazil, 15 min) U Brazil, 1986. During the World Cup, seven-year-old Theo quietly navigates school life while defying rigid gender expectations. Between silence and rebellion, they begin inventing their own way of existing.

Westland Rally 2026
2026-03-28 | Hokitika
Westland Rally 2026
Event Timetable

SS1: Lady Lake 1 (12.88kms)
9:10am

SS2: Mitchells 1 (17.92kms)
9:45am

SS3: Old Ch Ch Rd 1 (5.04kms)
10:45am

SS4: Adairs 1 (4.16kms)
11:20am

SS5: Kariere 1 (10.91kms)
11:55am

SS6: Adairs 2 (4.16kms)
1:00pm

SS7: Kariere 2 (10.91kms)
1:35pm

SS8: Old Ch Ch Rd 2 (5.42kms)
2:55pm

SS9: Mitchells 2 (17.96kms)
3:35pm

SS10: Lady Lake 2 (12.59kms)
4:15pm

Never Not Now - Old Lodge Theatre
2026-03-28 19:00 - 21:00 | The Old Lodge Theatre, 11 Revell Street, Hokitika, Westland, 7810, New Zealand
A rock ‘n’ roll stand-up comedy show.Ōtautahi-based comedian Steven King explores life, love, luck, and the passage of time through the lenses of his glasses, thinks about it for a while, and now presents it to you in a live show of absurdist comedy and indie-rock.“Never Not Now” — touring Aotearoa in 2026.

Hunt for the Wilderpeople - 10 Year Anniversary Party
2026-03-31 18:00 - 20:00 | Hokitika Regent Theatre, 23 Weld Street, Hokitika, Westland, 7810, New Zealand
Taika Waititi’s Hunt for the Wilderpeople will return to Hokitika for it’s 10th anniversary of its original release. Anniversary screenings across Aotearoa will be a communal experience to celebrate this modern Aotearoa classic with the film being shown in a 4K version, starting with a nationwide celebration on Tuesday 31 March.
A decade on from its 2016 release, Hunt for the Wilderpeople remains New Zealand’s highest-grossing local film at the box office and holds a place in the country’s cultural identity.

The One - Book Launch Event - Hokitika Regent
2026-03-31 19:00 - 21:00 | Hokitika Regent Theatre, 23 Weld Street, Hokitika, Westland, 7810, New Zealand
An Evening with Samantha Beneke Green Room, Hokitika Regent TheatreTuesday 31 March7:00pmFree entry
After three books, countless late nights, and a world built in shadows…
It all comes down to this.
Join local author Samantha Beneke for the launch of The One, the final book in the Captive Hearts trilogy. A dark, emotionally charged vampire romance series that began with The Pet.
This intimate evening in the Green Room will include:
A live reading from the final book A behind-the-scenes look at how the trilogy came to life Q&A with the author Signed copies available on the night Trilogy bundle specials
Whether you’ve followed Kate and Alexander from the beginning, or you’re brand new to the series, this is your invitation into a world where love is dangerous, loyalty is tested, and immortality comes at a cost.
Book One will be FREE on Kindle on launch day, the perfect time to begin.
Come celebrate the final chapter of the Captive Hearts trilogy with friends, readers, and the Hokitika community.
Seats are limited, RSVP to secure your spot.

The Wild West Backyard Ultra
2026-04-04 | Hokitika Beach, Beach Street, Hokitika, Westland, New Zealand
Come and experience New Zealand’s most scenic Backyard Ultra, running between the ocean and the mountains, on the wild West Coast
Saturday, April 4th, 2026 (Easter Weekend)
Start time: 9:00 AM
Location: Hokitika Beachfront

A unique Backyard Ultra between the Tasman sea and the Southern Alps.

1 loop 6.7km on the hour, every hour. Run till you drop.

Last runner standing.

Friendly, grassroots, and stunningly scenic.

Capped at 150 runners.

This event is affiliated and performances can count toward national teams / world championships.

Entries open Monday December 1st 2025
Entries close Sunday 22nd March 2026

Pricing from 1 December – $150

Pricing from 1 March – $200

$1,000 Course Record Prizes 🏆

We’re excited to announce $1,000 cash prizes for both the Female and Male course records (only the last Female and Male standing) at the Wild West Backyard Ultra.
If you break the course record, you’ll take home $1,000 cash. This means, yes, the course records have to go in 2026!
This prize is about celebrating exceptional endurance, grit, and pushing limits on our iconic Hokitika Beachfront course. Whether you’re racing for the win, chasing a personal best, or testing how far you can go, the course records are officially on the line.
Think you’ve got what it takes?

This event is an affiliated backyard ultra and performances can count toward the NZ Team selection for Big’s Backyard Ultra
The course consists of a small out and back followed by a longer loop. The course starts at the Hokitika beachfront, towards the tip. The course is flat and fast, with a total of 10 – 12 meters of elevation per loop!

Easter Pairs Stableford Tournament - Hokitika Golf Club
2026-04-04 - 2026-04-05 | Hokitika Golf Club, 206 Golf Links Road, Hokitika
Easter Pairs Stableford TournamentJoin us for the annual Easter Tournament at Mahinapua Links.Limited to the first 54 pairs of men, ladies or mixed pairsSaturday 4BBB Stableford, Sunday individual Stableford.$90 per player, great prizesEmail entry to Simon at hokitikagolf@xtra.co.nz

Easter Fun at the Westland Industrial Heritage Park
2026-04-04 - 2026-04-05 | Westland Industrial Heritage Park, 9 Brian Waugh Lane, Hokitika, Westland, 7810, New Zealand
Join the fun at the Westland Industrial Heritage Park this Easter with an Easter Egg Hunt along with train rides and a BBQ!
The park will be open Easter Friday, Saturday and Sunday for gold coin entry with the Easter Egg Hunt and Trains now happening on Monday. There will be trains visiting from Christchurch too!
Normal hours resume for the school holidays with the park open on Wednesdays and Saturdays every week.

Jody Direen - Lake Mahinapua Hotel
2026-04-04 19:00 - 21:00 | Lake Mahinapua Hotel, 962 Ruatapu Road, Hokitika, Westland, 7883, New Zealand
Jody Direen returns to the garden at Lake Mahinapua Hotel for a special single release party celebrating her new track, West Coast.
Known for her dynamic stage presence and cinematic country-pop sound, Jody brings her full band to Mahinapua for a night of high-energy songs, big hooks and stories shaped by land, lineage and the wild edge of the Coast.
Set beneath the trees in The Garden (weather permitting), this is an upbeat autumn show — dance under the stars or kick back with your favourite tipple and enjoy the atmosphere.
Venue:
The Garden at Lake Mahinapua Hotel (weather dependent). If the weather turns, the show will move indoors.
Getting there:
A courtesy coach is available (first in, first served — book via info@mahinapuahotel.nz).
If the coach fills, please book Hokitika Taxis on 03 755 5075, or make a night of it and stay onsite. Alternatively, book a room for the night!
Don’t miss this chance to see one of Australasia’s most vibrant country stars live. Mark your calendars, buy your tickets, gather your friends and get ready for a night of incredible music!
Date & Time: April 04, 2026, at 7 PM (Doors open at 5:30 PM—book a table for dinner!)
R18

Lego - Build a Pirate Scene
2026-04-07 14:00 - 16:00 | Westland District Library, 20 Sewell Street, Hokitika, Westland, 7810, New Zealand
Westland District Library
Lego – Build a Pirate Scene
No registration – everyone’s welcome
Children under 8yrs old must be supervised by a caregiver at all times

Nadav David: Cosmic Unity
2026-04-07 19:00 - 21:00 | The Old Lodge Theatre, 11 Revell Street, Hokitika, Westland, 7810, New Zealand
7 April 26 | Old Lodge Hokitika | ES MI CAMINO — Music, Stories, and Medicine from the Jungle | 7pm
An intimate evening of live music and storytelling with Nadav (COSMIC UNITY), sharing songs from the album ES MI CAMINO, recorded in Peru with musicians from around the world.
Through guitar, voice, and story, Nadav weaves experiences from his time living and working with indigenous communities and plant-medicine traditions in the Amazon. This is an invitation to listen, feel, and journey together through sound and spirit.
Tickets
Early Bird — $25
General Admission — $30
You are warmly invited to come as you are, slow down, and enter a shared musical space of connection, reflection, and presence.

Design an Authentic Treasure Map
2026-04-09 14:00 - 15:00 | Westland District Library, 20 Sewell Street, Hokitika, Westland, 7810, New Zealand
Westland District Library
Design an Authentic Treasure Map
No registration – everyone’s welcome
Children under 8yrs old must be supervised by a caregiver at all times

Ocean Film Festival - Hokitika Regent Theatre
2026-04-09 19:00 - 21:30 | Hokitika Regent Theatre, 23 Weld Street, Hokitika, Westland, 7810, New Zealand
The 13th annual Ocean Film Festival World Tour returns to Aotearoa this April with six inspiring films celebrating ocean adventure, conservation and surf culture. Highlights include The Raftsmen, chronicling a record-breaking raft journey across the world’s largest ocean; The Kelp Collector, an intimate Australian short about marine preservation; and Antarctica: Domain One, narrated by surfing legend Kelly Slater. The family-friendly 2026 tour promises breathtaking cinematography and powerful stories that connect audiences to the beauty and vulnerability of the sea.

Family Karaoke Disco
2026-04-11 13:00 - 18:00 | Grey Power Hokitika, Cnr Stafford and Revell Street, Hokitika
Get Ready to Shine – Family Karaoke Disco!
Looking for something fun to do with the whānau? Come along to a Family Karaoke Disco in Hokitika!
Join us for an afternoon filled with music, laughter, dancing, and karaoke. Whether you love singing your heart out or just want to enjoy the vibes, everyone is welcome.
All ages welcome Light refreshments provided Family-friendly fun for the whole community
Saturday, 11 April 1:00 PM – 6:00 PM Greypower Community Hall, Hokitika
Tickets on the door:• $10 Family Pass• $5 Single
A portion of ticket sales will go towards supporting the Greypower Community Hall
For more information: 022 385 1506
Bring your friends, bring your whānau, and come along for a great afternoon of music, karaoke, and dancing!

At Grey Power Rooms, cnr Stafford and Revell Streets Hokitika.

Mr Fungus - Hokitika Regent Theatre
2026-04-14 11:00 - 13:00 | Hokitika Regent Theatre, 23 Weld Street, Hokitika, Westland, 7810, New Zealand
“New Zealand’s Loudest Mime” Mr Fungus is on tour across Aotearoa, with silly show that will amuse and delight kids of all ages. Featuring visual and verbal comedy, juggling and mime, with scrumptious and catchy backing soundtracks, Mr Fungus will bring the silliness and fun to your town. Thrillingly ridiculous and a seasoned pro, Mr Fungus has played to packed theatres and festival venues throughout Europe and Australisia, in a career spanning four decades.

Crochet a Pirate Eye Patch with Marj
2026-04-15 10:30 - 11:30 | Westland District Library, 20 Sewell Street, Hokitika, Westland, 7810, New Zealand
Westland District Library
Crochet a Pirate Eye Patch with Marj
No registration, everyone’s welcome
Children under 8yrs old must be supervised by a caregiver at all times

Pirate Escape Game - Captain on the Loose
2026-04-16 17:30 - 18:30 | Westland District Library, 20 Sewell Street, Hokitika, Westland, 7810, New Zealand
Westland District Library
Pirate Escape Game – Captain on the Loose
Aimed at 8+yrs old childre.
Registration ESSENTIAL by email library@westlib.co.nz or 03 755 6208
Children under 8yrs old must be supervised by a caregiver at all times

The Great Western Murder Mystery
2026-04-18 19:00 - 23:30 | Hokitika Regent Theatre, 23 Weld Street, Hokitika, Westland, 7810, New Zealand
NZ’s Longest running comedy show comes to Hokitika’s Regent Theatre with an interactive Murder Mystery! Dress up Western and try to solve this dastardly deed!

Energy Healing Workshop
2026-04-25 10:00 - 16:00 | Greenstone Retreat Kumara, 45 Greenstone Road, Kumara, Westland, 7832, New Zealand
Greenstone Retreat – Kelly MacNeill
Learn Energy Healing for yourself, friends and family
Whatever your level – come for some interactive, energetic fun
Connect to your surroundings, nature, each other and the great cosmos
Grounding, Attuning, Permission and Protection – all in there
Healing for yourself – in there
Healing for others – in there
This is Sacred 7™ work – the first of many events. A springboard to Sacred Purpose.
Just bring yourself, some sustenance, layers of clothing – and an open heart and mind
Let the fun begin
Kelly is an energetic dynamo – a natural healer and channel – her process grounded in the teachings of The National Federation of Spiritual Healers (NFSH) – now The Healing Trust – UK.
If you are are newbie – Training Courses are in development to enable you to take these skills to a wider audience. Come along to this workshop and get a feel for it
If you already work in a healing environment – CPD and further training are on their way – these workshops and courses will elevate you – on all levels Come have some fun
AROHANUI
$160 for a WHOLE DAY with me
It is easy to Book Online (you can choose to pay now or later) – just go through the ticket link here – choose the School – Workshops and Tuition option – choose your workshop (Energy Healing) and date (25th April) – time (10am) and go through to checkout. Simples
Limited spaces. Intimate and powerful

Oceana Miniature Horse Family Fun Day
2026-04-26 11:00 - 16:00 | Kumara Racecourse, Otira Highway
Kumara Racecourse – gold coin entry
Display and judging of miniature horse jumping and obstacle course
Get up close with our miniature horses
Hobby horse competition for adults and children
Children’s competitions
Erzsi’s eats & espresso

Aotango - Hokitika Regent Theatre
2026-04-27 19:00 - 21:30 | Hokitika Regent Theatre, 23 Weld Street, Hokitika, Westland, 7810, New Zealand
‘Ao’, meaning ‘world’ in Te Reo Maori is at the epicentre of AOTANGO. Enjoy their seamless fusion of world music and tango, in an eclectic mix of styles presented by musicians who call Aotearoa their home. Based in Tamaki Makaurau, AOTANGO features violinist Andrew Beer (APO Concertmaster), pianist Somi Kim (NZTrio), double bassist Gordon Hill (APO Section Principal), jazz guitarist Sam Swindells and award-winning accordionist Grayson Masefield.

The Pink HAMMER
2026-04-29 - 2026-05-02 | The Old Lodge Theatre, 11 Revell Street, Hokitika, Westland, 7810, New Zealand
A heartwarming kiwi comedy with a dramatic twist…
A play by Michelle Amas, directed by Sally Richardson
Weds 29th & Thurs 30th April
Fri 1st & Sat 2nd May
7pm at the Old Lodge Theatre Hokitika
Drinks, refreshments and licenced bar available
