The South Canterbury Outstanding Food Festival (SCOFF) is back for 2025 running over 17 days this year. With specials offered at eateries across South Canterbury, you are sure to delight your tastebuds.
Mark your calendar now!
Car parts galore for your project. Come and have a rummage. Set up a table and sell your own for $10.
8.30am. Club rooms on Harris Street
Save the date! The Community Market is hosting a car boot sale with all proceeds being donated back to the community. This event is held alongside the weekly market. Proceeds to the Waimate Volunteer Fire Brigade, special guests on the day..
$10 per site. Bookings Essential.
Text - 027 460 2849. DM Facebook - Waimate Community Market. Email - wcmisecretary@gmail.com
Something for everyone…. plants, jigsaws and much, much more.
Support the Cancer Society by heading along to the Daffodil Day Breakfast at the Waimate Town and Country Club. Friday 12 September, 7:30-9:30am.
Fundraiser: $25 per ticket.
Bookings essential, call Liz on 027 451 6684 or Ann on 027 413 9174.
Using the Main Ring (Day 1*)
Starts with set up by course designer Tony Hutton, with rounds commencing around 9.30-10am.
Starting height 60cm to be raised as needed with all levels catered for.
Ground fee $15 per horse. $10 per round. $17.50 for open yard if used.
Covered yards and overnight stays available through the A&P Association.
Entries close 8pm Saturday 13 September. No entry without payment.
*The event will be repeated on 21 September.
Click here for event page and how to pay.
Save the date for days of fun.
Grab a map and head around town to see the marvellous creations made by creative locals for the Waimate Scarecrow Hunt. Guess the character and write it on the reverse of your map. Once you’ve found every scarecrow and completed your form, return it and be in to win a prize. Maps will be available from Value Village nearer the date. People’s Choice voting for the ‘best’ scarecrow.
Email jess.cp95@gmail.com to register or for further information.
There are plenty of activities at the Waimate Event Centre for your energetic children and those that like a challenge or to learn something new.
Indoor Climbing: Tuesday 23 September and Friday 3 October, 2pm to 3:30pm. $8 each session, adult supervision required.
Skating: Wednesday 24 September and Monday 29 September, 10:30am to 12pm. And Thursday 2 October, 2pm to 3:30pm. $8 each session.
Hoops: Thursday 25 September and Tuesday 30 September, 10:30am to 12pm and 2pm to 3pm. $5 each session.
Indoor Soccer: Friday 26 September and Wednesday 1 October, 10.30am to 12pm. $5 each session. Clean sneakers please.
No bookings required for any of the activities. For more information call the Event Centre on 03 689 7771.
Information, children’s activities, fun giveaways and free sausage sizzle.
All welcome
Seddon Square, 25 September, 11am to 1.30pm
Contact Multicultural Aoraki for information: 03 687 7332.
Town meets country at this vibrant show. Expect to see animals of all kinds for showing and action in the form of showjumping. Displays, stands and stalls for information and shopping. Plus, the NZ army team from Burnham will be showing off the equipment they used during the August training exercises in Waimate.
New Zealand’s premier gravel bike race.
Taster: 51km, 31% gravel. Snack: 84km, 44% gravel. Entree: 137km, 69% gravel. Main: 248km, 75% gravel. Choose your route and enter or just turn up and watch.
For information, and to enter go to Edition Zero Gravel.
Bring your children to this fun movie and support Waimate Kindergarten.
SMURFS - When Papa Smurf is mysteriously taken by evil wizards, Razamel and Gargamel, Smurfette leads the Smurfs on a mission into the real world to save him.
All tickets $12. Sunday 31 August 2pm. Run time 1hour 32 mins. G rated.
Come one come all for a special ingleside/concert by the Waimate Scottish Society. Songs, dances, pipes and instrumentals. Something for all tastes.
30 August at 7.30pm. Cost $10 per adult, children free. Supper included.
Community information eventing by Environment Canterbury to share an update about the nitrate situation in the region and what is being done to address the issue. Science, consents and land management staff will be there to present the plan and answer questions.
Tea and Kōrero at Glenavy Hall. Tuesday 26 August, 6.30pm.
Celebrate the Vintage Car Club’s National Day with a quiz night at the club rooms at 4 Harris Street. Teams of no more than six. $10 per team member.
BYO drinks. Supper after the quiz provided.
All proceeds to the Cancer Society.
Contact 027 689 1002 for more information.
It’s the Vintage Car Club’s National Day and across New Zealand, hundreds of vehicles will be on the road or on display to raise money for the Cancer Society.
9am till 12pm: public display at Seddon Square, Queen Street. Everyone welcome, no matter what kind of car you drive. Sausage sizzle/BBQ at the community market. Gold coin donation please.
Proceeds to the Cancer Society.
(There is a quiz night at 7pm at the clubs rooms on Harris Street. See separate event listing.)
For information, contact Don and Maureen Chamberlain on 027 249 6525
Jean Barkman, local poet and musician, shares her poems in this National Poetry Day event. The guest poet will be followed by an open mic for you to read your own poems.
Free entry. Spaces are limited, please book by 16 August. Phone 03-689-0071 or email library@waimatedc.govt.nz.
The Barn is hosting another quiz night, this time raising funds for the Waimate Christmas Parade, organised by Positive Waimate. Teams of up to six. $10 per person.
There will be a raffle with lots of prizes during the evening.
Waimate Vintage Car Club is holding a Scooter Run with proceeds to the Cancer Society.
Meet at the Waimate Club Rooms on Harris Street, Waimate at 9.30am for a 10am departure.
BBQ lunch included after the run.
$20 entry fee.
Entry forms available from Barry 027 485 2032 or Owen 021 294 2158
The Lions Club of Waimate invites you to meet the Waimate District candidates for the local government elections.
Waimate Regent Theatre, Tuesday 12 August, 7pm to 9pm.
Have questions for the candidates? Send them to waimatelionsclub@gmail.com
Neighbourhood Support South Canterbury would like to create a sub-committee of likeminded people who want to see their community become safer and more resilient by sharing ideas and feedback. This is the first meeting and a chance to share issues and concerns.
Everyone welcome: Wednesday 6 August, 10:30am to 11:30am, Waimate Library Reading Room.
A light morning tea will be provided.
For more information, please contact coordinator Zoe Kirk on scns@xtra.co.nz or text/call 027 6688 114.
Interested in community housing in Waimate? This meeting will discuss if there is enough support to form a committee to investigate the building of an Abbeyfield Community House in Waimate. All welcome.
For more information, go to abbeyfield.co.nz or phone Russell on 027 668 8563
Are you prepared for an emergency? Come along for a chat with Council’s Emergency Management Officer. Learn about natural hazards in your area; impacts and consequences; preparing for an emergency and your community response plan.
Tues 5 August 7:30pm-8:30pm Glenavy Hall.
Skatescool is bringing its skate lessons and roller disco to Waimate for the first time.
6pm: Two 50-minute group lessons, for beginners and confident skaters.
7pm: 90-minute roller disco for all ages, all levels. (Arrive early if hiring skates).
Roller skates and blades available.
Lesson + Disco Combo $20; Lesson or Disco only $15; Skate hire $5
For information visit skatescool.co.nz or call 09 434 4414.
Stage Lights and Silos is Waimate High School’s very own Broadway revue, a toe-tapping, heart-thumping celebration of musical theatre, showcasing iconic songs from a range of beloved musicals. Door sales available.
Tickets at Humanitix
Rock Hunt, 5pm: Prize rocks hidden in the Totara Forest. Lolly scramble and cooking sausages and marshmallows over a fire.
Pioneer Games: Horseshoe throws, gumboot throws, slippery pillow pole and other old-time games.
Fright Night, 6pm: Stay after dark if you dare. Glowsticks and hot soup available.
Bulletproof Convertible are bringing a showcase of their all-original high energy music to The Barn. The band brings the Dead Rockers Ball to halls around the South Island as fundraisers for various organisations so if you’re looking to fundraise, head along to see what you can expect if you book them. Or just come along and enjoy.
Expect a mix of country & Blues with a solid smattering of punk rock on top.
Tickets are $25 from the Barn or $35 on the night.
Junk to Funk 2025 invited creatives of all ages across South Canterbury to transform recycled materials into funky, functional masterpieces for display, judging, and community celebration at the South Canterbury Eco Centre. Entries are now closed but don’t miss the public viewing and see if you can spot entrants from our district.
Public Viewing: Friday 25th 10am – 5.30pm & Saturday 26th 10am – 2pm July 2025
Beef + Lamb New Zealand presents this workshop at the Southern Canterbury A&P Showgrounds. Subject: Worm Wipeout: Smarter Strategies for Drench Resistance & Pasture Power. It is set to be a practical afternoon with leading vets and agronomists tackling drench resistance head-on. Also covered is pasture rotation and selection to reduce parasite burden.
Speakers include: Mark Challoner, Ryan Luckman (Dagi), Dave Robertson (Blue Cross Veterinary), Charlotte Westwood and Richard Goldie (PGG Wrightson Seeds).
Information and Registration here
Registrations are open from now until August 1st for anyone interested in making a scarecrow for the Waimate Scarecrow Hunt which runs from September 20th to October 5th. Choose a character for your scarecrow and get creative. Maps will be available at Value Village so that people can head around town to see the many and varied creative interpretations and vote for their People’s Choice.
To register and for further details email jess.cp95@gmail.com
Waimate District Hunt & the Southern Canterbury A&P Association Invite you to a sparkling night of lights, dancing, dinner and live music. Single tickets $80. Tables of 10 or 12 available. Pick up and drop off vans available by arrangement. Doors open 6.30pm. Seated for dinner by 7pm.
For tickets and information, contact Julie Dee on 021 689 089.
THE SALT PATH: Based on the Sunday Times best-selling memoir by Raynor Winn, The Salt Path is the true story of one couple who, with nothing left to lose, undertake a 630-mile trek along stunning, rugged coast from Dorset to Somerset via Devon and Cornwall.
Fundraiser for the Waimate Croquet Club at 4.30pm on Sunday July 13 at The Regent Theatre. Rated M (drug use and offensive language). Running time: 1 hr, 55mins. All tickets: $15 (no comps). Cash only.
Head down to the Waimate Showgrounds for the Waimate Poultry Club Winter Show featuring chickens, ducks and every poultry in between. Expect impressive plumage, heritage breeds and enthusiasts of all ages showing off their darlings.
Friday 4 July 2pm to 5pm & Saturday 5 July 10am to 3pm. Adults $5. Under 12s Free
Skating - $8
Monday 30 June 2.00pm – 3.30pm
Monday 7 July 10.30am – 12.00noon
Thursday 10 July 2.00pm – 3.30pm
Climbing - $8
Tuesday 1 July 2.00pm – 3.30pm
Tuesday 8 July 2.00pm – 3.30pm
Indoor Soccer - $5
Thursday 3 July 10.30am – 12.00noon
Basketball Hoops - $5
Friday 4 July 10.30am – 12.00noon
Wednesday 9 July 10.30am – 12.00noon
*No bookings required for all activities
Reading with Wolfie: 30th June, 1.30pm to 2.30pm: Bring your animal-loving children along to meet Wolfie, who works with our Senior Animal Control Officer in our Dog Safety Programme.
SuperGran Storytime: Fridays, 10.30am to 11.30am.
Teddy Bears Storytime: Thursday 10th July, 10am to 11am – Bring you favourite Teddy Bear to the Library for special Tedday Bear stories.
Board Games: 30th June to 12th July – games will be set up throughout the library.
No bookings required
Lovers of country music won’t want to miss this tribute night at the Regent celebrating three icons of the genre (Dolly Parton, Kenny Rogers and Johnny Cash). Tickets $35 from Eventfinda or Centrepoint Craft and Fabrics (67 Queen St, Waimate).
Don’t hesitate to get a team together and enter this charity tournament with 100% of event profits going directly towards providing meat and milk to local families via Meet the Need.
Four player Ambrose event on Thursday, 26 June from 10am-3pm.
Playing an 18-hole ambrose round with prizegiving and an auction after the golf. Prizes for: longest drive; winning team; closest to hole on a par 3; Hole-in-1 on hole 2 (with a prize of $1,000 thanks to GolfStop).
Register your team at Meet the Need Golf Day.
Hunters gather for the annual pest quest competition. Whether your target is possums, pigs, wallabies or stags, there are prizes to be won. Heaviest boar. Ugliest red stag. Ugliest fallow buck. Highest tally rabbits and hares. Average wallaby tally, Site entry $30 adults, $10 under 16s. Free barbecue, spot prizes an lucky draws.
Weigh in 22 June 11.30am to 3pm at Waihao Forks Hotel.
Entries by 2pm Thursday 19 June. Contact Nick Henderson on 027-4917-312.
Funeral planning workshop that presents new, alternative and highly affordable options. Death without Debt is a national organisation campaigning and educating around funeral debt and dignity. Workshop topics include: funeral planning, wills and powers of attorney; advance care plans and probate; when you need a coffin and when you don’t and coffin alternatives; pros and cons of cremation vs burial and steps to reduce dependence on the funeral industry.
$25 per person, $30 for two, $35 family or group of three. Or by donation if you are hard pressed. Cost includes refreshments and 60-page booklet. Register at deathwithoutdebt.org.nz or by emailing info@deathwithoutdebt.org.nz
Experience a Hautapu Ceremony with Te Runanga o Waihao to celebrate Matariki. Share in the special occasion with whānau, surrounded by warmth, connection and kōrero. Coffee and kai will be available after the ceremony. Pause, gather, reflect and look to the future with hope.
Make your own way or join the 6am bus departure from outside the Norman Kirk Memorial Pool.
Get along to support players in the Knottingley Giants Disc Golf Tournament. With 135 players registered for the event over a 27-hole course, the park will be busy with players, supporters, spectators and discs!
