May
6
6:30 pm18:30

Predator Free Waimate Public Meeting

Learn about backyard trapping of rats and mice with Predator Free Waimate. This is the launch of Waimate’s neighbourhood rat trapping initiative. There will be a presentation and discussion, plus a display of suitable traps and a demonstration on safe handling. Plus, a 100-day winter challenge!

For information, contact 021 576 868. (Organised by Ann & Gary Dennison, Andrew Oliver and John Begg).

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May
30
to 2 Jun

Waimate Winter Folk Festival

A homely musical gathering run by Dunedin Folk Club for performers and enjoyers of folk music of all ages and levels of skill, from beginners to seasoned professionals. Unlike most music festivals, we don't employ professionals to entertain us, rather we have the opportunity to create our own entertainment (not compulsory). Online Registration opens April 15 for those staying over. Day passes $45. Half day, $25. Children 12 and under free.

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Apr
25
6:00 am06:00

Anzac Day Services

6am – Hakataramea Dawn Service, Hakataramea Cenotaph; 7am – Waimate Dawn Service, Victoria Park Memorial Gates; 8am – Southburn Service, Southburn War Memorial; 9am – St Andrews Service, St Andrews War Memorial; 10:30am – Waimate Civic Service, Waimate Event Centre and parade to War Memorial Clock Tower; 2pm – Ted’s Bottle Service, Waihao Forks Hotel.

Members of the public are asked to be seated inside the Waimate Event Centre by 10:20am.
Returned Personnel (wearing medals) are invited to assemble outside the Waimate Event Centre at 10:25am. There will be a parade to the Memorial Clock after the service for the laying of wreaths. All members of the public wearing family medals on the right chest are welcome to march with the returned services personnel.

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Apr
22
9:00 am09:00

Soccer Holiday Programme

Open to children aged 4 and up to enjoy some soccer skills, games and fun. Super soccer star coaches and extraordinaires will be a part of the day. 9am to 11.45am ages 4 and up and 12pm till 3pm, ages 8 and up. $60 full day; $40 half day for age 4 and up. Register at sporty.co.nz/waimatesoccerclub. The event is a fundraiser for the Waimate Soccer Club.

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Apr
14
to 17 Apr

School Holiday Programme at The Event Centre

  • Waimate Event Centre (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

Come and enjoy our activities during the first week of the Easter school holidays.
(All children under 14 will need to be signed in by an adult.)
Skating, Monday 14 April, 2pm to 3.30pm. (Bring long socks.) $8
Indoor Wall Climbing, Tuesday 15 April, 2pm to 3.30pm. (Adult supervision required, all equipment supplied.).$8
Indoor Soccer, Wednesday 16 April, 10.30am to 12pm. (Clean sneakers please.) $5
Basketball Hoops, Thursday 17 April, 10.30am to 12pm. (Clean sneakers please.) $5

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Apr
14
to 24 Apr

School Holiday Activities at the Library

The library is offering a varied range of activities for children during the school holidays: All events are free.
Scavenger Hunt, Monday 14 April to Thursday 24 April (or as long as the chocolates last!), weekdays 9am to 5pm, Saturday 10am to 1pm. No bookings required.
Reading with Wolfie, Monday 14 April, 1.30pm. No bookings required.
Origami with Mayuko, Thursday 17 & 24 April for 5 to 8-year-olds, 10am to 11am. Wednesday 16 &23 April for 9 to 12-year-olds, 10am to 11am. Bookings required.
Super Gran Storytime, every Friday, 10.30am to 11.30am. Aimed at pre-schoolers. No bookings required.

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Apr
13
9:30 am09:30

Waimate Self Storage Charity Golf Tournament

Charity golf tournament to raise funds for Waimate St John Ambulance. 18-hole Ambrose format. Registration 9.45am. Shotgun start 10.30am. All golfers and non golfers welcome. Prizes for best dressed and most hits. BBQ and refreshments on course, prizegiving and fundraising auction at the end of the day.
Entries, $80 per four-person team, to office@waimategolfclub.co.nz or phone Ian Dickson on 0211-429-556. Entries close Monday 7 April.

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Apr
12
to 13 Apr

The Amazing Dinosaur Discovery

  • William Boland Park (next to the swimming pool) (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

This national touring event is a 90-minute walk-through that brings prehistoric creatures alive. Family fun for all ages. Featuring 30 lifelike dinosaurs including Tyrannosaurus Rex, a 12m Brachiosaurus neck and robotic raptors. Activities include Dino-mite Playground, Fossil Panning, Learning Lab, Walking Dinosaurs and Rides.
Session times 11am and 1.30pm. General admission $25 (under 2-y-o free). Mega Pass including 8 ride tokens, $35, Family Pass (2 adults, 2 children or 1 adult, 3 children) $88. Ticket office opens one hour before sessions or book at amazingdinosaurdiscovery.co.nz (scroll down for Waimate sessions)

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Apr
5
8:30 am08:30

The Eric Bachelor Cup

The Eric Batchelor Cup is run by the South Island Army Reserves unit and honours a Second World War hero. A sporting round robin sees teams from Waimate High School, Timaru Army Cadets and four Army Reserves units battle it out. Timings: 8.30am-12noon 5km relay run | 8.30am-10am Netball at Victoria Park | 10.30am-12noon Volleyball | 1-3pm Touch Rugby | 3.30pm-4.45pm Tug of War | 5.40pm Trophy Presentations

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The 12th Annual Salmon Run
Mar
16
11:00 am11:00

The 12th Annual Salmon Run

The 12th Annual Salmon Run (no running required!)

Join us for a fun day out! Purchase a ticket, release your numbered plastic fish into the stream, and watch it float to the finish line.

Win $500 cash, a Webber BBQ, or a trailer load of wood! Plus spot prizes!

BBQ lunch & bouncy castle. Get your tickets now!

When: Sunday 16th March

Where: Bridge on Te Maiharoa road (Glenavy)

Time: 11am

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Rock & Hop classic cars at Bushtown
Mar
16
10:00 am10:00

Rock & Hop classic cars at Bushtown

Bushtown is hosting the Caroline Bay Rock & Hop Sunday Cruise featuring 80+ classic, vintage and muscle cars. In addition, watch sawmilling by steam traction engine and visit the Early Settlers display. Walk the Totara Forest and discover artwork by pioneer women. See the ancient fossil log whale bone bridge and the Bushman’s Camp.

Foot traffic only (park outside Bushtown)

Coffee/Tea & sausage sizzle (cash)

Entry by gold coin donation (adults). Children and students go Free.

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Waimate Summer Folk Festival 2025
Feb
6
to 9 Feb

Waimate Summer Folk Festival 2025

  • 36 Gunns Bush Road Hunter, Canterbury, 7978 New Zealand (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

Book Early for the Waitangi Summer Festival!!
This year Waitangi day falls on a Thursday, so the “formal” festival will run from 12pm on Thursday 6th to 12pm on Sunday 9th when we need to pack up and leave the site.

Our guests this year are the duo Blue Sea Above; Dean Holliborn and Tom Bolton who first played together at a previous Waimate Festival and have gone on to create a fascinating fusion of original folk and violin.

Our other guests are the famous (infamous?) Barreltones. Master musicians Reid Hudson, Steve Barkman, Barry Macdonald and Adrian Higgins have been persuaded to reunite for the festival and treat us to their lively mix of folk, country, and blues.

There will also be jam sessions, black board concerts, humour and poetry events as well as blind dates (musical ones, that is) and a water fight.

This is a small festival with a site limit, so please book early to ensure a spot.

For booking details see Christchurch Folk Club website : https://folkmusic.org.nz/waimate-summer-folk-festival-2025/

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Waimate Scottish Society Burn's Night Concert
Jan
25
7:30 pm19:30

Waimate Scottish Society Burn's Night Concert

The Waimate Scottish Society are holding their 61st Burns Night Concert this Saturday evening in the Waimate High School Perry Hall at 7.30pm.

The evening is in celebration of Robert (Robbie) Burns birth in Alloway Ayrshire Scotland on the 25th January 1759 and his life
Robbie has become one of Scotland's most iconic literary figures and most revered national poet.
The legacy he left behind has had a profound effect on future generations around the world and continues to inspire and influence contemporary artists This year is 266 years from Robbie’s birth.

Highlights include the Address to Burns (The Immortal Memory) this year will be given by Jan Dugdale.
The Star of Robbie Burns will be sung by Dougall McLachlan  and the Address to the Haggis will  be by Gordon Pringle from Oamaru.

The Midlands Choir has been invited to perform this year at our concert.

This is a choir made up of ladies and men from all over Mid and South Canterbury area.

Other entertainment for the evening will include the Waimate Highland Pipe Band, Waimate Highland dancer Kate Murphy, the Waimate District Community Choir.

 Leo Zoutenbier Piano Solo also from Oamaru Dougall McLachlan Vocal Ewan Penny Violin and Jean Barkman Vocal all from Waimate Jean Dougall and Ewan are going to do a musical item and singing item together.

Come along and enjoy a great night of high quality entertainment and try a piece of haggis with your supper.

ADMISSION: ADULTS $15 | Children free

Contact: Gavin and Jain Cain at 03 689 7136

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Community Christmas Dinner
Dec
25
12:00 pm12:00

Community Christmas Dinner

Knox Presbyterian Church Waimate is hosting a community Christmas Lunch at Knox Centennial Hall.

This is a free event for the community. with 84 spaces available.

RSPV to Jacqui 022 548 4329 or the Waimate Community Christmas Dinner Facebook Page - www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61566728991695

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Strawberry Fare
Dec
14
9:30 am09:30

Strawberry Fare

A highlight on the calendar every year, the Strawberry Fare boasts entertainment, stalls, food and of course - strawberries!

Located on Seddon Square and Boland Park, get all your Christmas shopping done and enjoy the summer weather.

Keep an eye on the facebook page www.facebook.com/WaimateStrawberryFare for a full list of what is available.

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Positive Waimate Christmas Parade
Dec
7
11:00 am11:00

Positive Waimate Christmas Parade

Don’t miss Santa’s first visit for the year as he makes his annual appearance at the Christmas Parade.

He will be joined by members of the community who are all dressed up for the occasion, as they parade from the St Patrick’s Church down Queen Street to Seddon Square.

The parade will be followed by a Family Fun Day and of course, the Waimate Community Market.

This year’s theme is “Christmas Around The World”.

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Xmas Poker Run
Dec
1
10:00 am10:00

Xmas Poker Run

Grab your motorbike or custom/classic car for Waimate2gether’s Xmas Poker Run.

Beginning at the Waimate Bakery at 10am, have a fun day exploring the district and raising funds for the Waimate Trail.

Waimate - Enfield - Duntroon - Waihao Forks - Waimate

$30 entry

For more information visit waimate2gether.co.nz, or contact Jo on 022 088 7730 or jo.waimate2gether@gmail.com

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Bowls and BBQ Night
Nov
28
6:00 pm18:00

Bowls and BBQ Night

Waimate2gether are hosting a Bowls & BBQ Event as a fundraiser for the Waimate Trail.

  • $40 per team (teams of four)

  • Spot prizes

  • Give bowls a go

  • Social evening

Waimate Bowling Club I 206 Queen Street

Contact Jo to Register: 022 088 7730 or jo@waimate2gether@gmail.com

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Waimate Scottish Country Dance Club 65th Birthday Ceilidh Night
Nov
21
7:00 pm19:00

Waimate Scottish Country Dance Club 65th Birthday Ceilidh Night

The Waimate Scottish Country Dance Club is hosting a Ceilidh Night (traditional Scottish dancing) in honour of the club’s 65th birthday!

With International musicians Marian Anderson and Max Ketchin it promises to be a great evening.

Thursday 21 November from 7pm at the Pavilion, A&P Showgrounds, Waimate.

$5, plus a small plate for supper.

Any queries to waimate@dancescottish.org.nz

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