What's on in Wellington around iPRES 2025
- ipres20254
- 2 days ago
- 9 min read
Your iPRES Local Organising Committee has planned a jam-packed week of all things digital preservation! However, there's heaps of other events happening in Wellington around the same time as iPRES. Sports, culture, food, music - Wellington's got it all!
If you have some time before or after the conference, or if partners or family are looking for things to do while you're diving deep into digital preservation knowledge, take a look at just some of the events happening in Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington.
(Please note that listed events are provided for information purposes only and are not affiliated with or included as part of the iPRES conference. Information about kindred and co-located digital preservation-related events can be found here.)
Sporting Events
Black Caps vs England 3rd ODI (One Day International) Cricket Match Saturday 1 November 2025, 2pm Sky Stadium, Wellington Rivalry reignited - Summer cricket doesn’t get bigger than this! Soak up the electric atmosphere, summer vibes, and world-class cricket, right here at home. It’s the perfect outing for whānau (family), mates, or anyone who loves the game. Tickets from $37 - $52. Wellington Phoenix Football (Soccer) Double Header
Saturday 8 November 2025, 4pm (women’s game), 7pm (men’s game)
Sky Stadium, Wellington Get ready to march to Sky Stadium for an epic double header! The Wellington Phoenix Women kick off their season against Canberra United, followed by the first derby of the season as the Wellington Phoenix Men take on Auckland FC. Tickets from $25.
Aotearoa New Zealand Roller Derby Saturday 8 November, 5pm (Richter City vs Team Australia Reserves), 7pm (Team New Zealand Training Squad vs Team Australia Reserves)
Kilbirnie Recreation Centre, Wellington
We’ve got some derby action coming your way! We’re holding a trans-Tasman double header showdown with our mates from the Team Australia Reserves. The first game at 5pm is Wellington’s own Richter City Roller Derby against the Aussies, followed by a national team matchup between New Zealand and Australia at 7pm. Make sure to grab a Karma Drink or Garage Project beer on your way to the stands. We will also have plenty of tasty, homemade food options to keep you fueled between games, and raffle prizes drawn on the day. Tickets $12-15.
Professional Darts Premier League - Round 6 - Wellington
8 November 2025, 7pmTSB Arena, Wellington
Get ready for the biggest darts tournament Australia and New Zealand have ever seen! Eight elite players from the Australian and New Zealand circuits will battle it out, competing not just for glory, but for a coveted spot in the 2025/26 World Darts Championship, London. This is your chance to dress up, grab your mates and witness world-class darts action LIVE, as the sport’s top talents in Australia and New Zealand light up the oche in a pulsating atmosphere like no other.
Culture and Heritage
Wellington Heritage Festival 2025
Wellington Heritage Festival is back for 2025, with a 22-day-long celebration of over 160 events running from Saturday the 18th October until Sunday 9th November! Some events require booking in advance, but many are open to the public and free. Visit the event website for all the details.
Wellington Rainbow Tour Saturday 25 October, 12pm A guided tour through Wellington’s queer past, organised by Wellington Museum. Discover the legacy of the Evergreen Cafe, meet the ‘Queen of Wellington’ and other iconic queer figures who have shaped the culture of our city. Tours run on the last Saturday of every month from $12.
Paekākāriki Pride Parade
Saturday 25 October, 2.30pm
Join in on the World’s Smallest Pride Parade! Dress in your brightest colours, bring musical instruments, your dog, your friends and whanau and make some noise for the world-famous-in-Paekākāriki Pride Parade, a cute little seaside village 45 minutes north of Wellington, and accessible by train. Assemble at 2.30pm on the sports field at Campbell Park on The Parade.
The Parade leaves Campbell Park at 3pm sharp. We'll finish up at the usual destination of St Peter's Village Hall where we'll cut the ribbon, walk across the crossing and declare it the World's Shortest Pride Parade, and celebrate six years of Pride in the friendliest little village in Aotearoa. Show your pride, solidarity, respect and love for and with your rainbow whanau (family).
Kāpiti Coast Art Trail
1-2 and 8-9 November 2025 Every November, the Kāpiti Coast Art Trail surprises and delights with a wonderland of artist studios, galleries, and shared spaces open to the public. This year the Art Trail celebrates 25 years, with over 140 artists participating! On the first and second weekends of November, embark on a self-guided tour and among the Kāpiti Coast’s art community. Take a leisurely stroll through coastal gardens and arty enclaves. Be welcomed by artists and be inspired by their work.
Friends of the Wellington Botanic Gardens Walk and Talks - Heritage Trees in the Wellington Botanic Garden
Saturday 1 November, 1:30- 2.30pm This easy one-hour walk will focus on many of the notable specimen trees planted since 1868. The majority of the trees around the duck pond and its surrounds were planted in 1871 and 1872. This is the heart of the Wellington Botanic Garden where all the early plantings were carried out by the first administration. Meet at the Founders' Entrance, Glenmore Street. $5 cost for non-members.
Walk Tours NZ - Georgina Beyer - Diamonds are Forever tour
Sunday 2 November, 1- 2.30pm Georgina Beyer was the first openly transgender Member of Parliament in the world. Born in Wellington, Georgina went on to have an unprecedented local, national and international impact through her commitment to equality and her desire to give everyone the opportunity to reach their full potential in society. Join Walk Tours NZ for this special 90-minute walking tour as we pay tribute to the late Georgina (1957–2023) by visiting locations around central Wellington that shaped her journey. Along the way, we’ll honour some of the city’s LGBTQIA+ heroes and listen to first-hand archival audio clips that showcase her humour and resilience. Free, but pre-registration is required. Limited to 20 people.
Markets
Harbourside Market Wellington Central, Sundays, rain or shine, 7.30 am - 1.30 pm
What better way to kick off your Sunday morning than a visit to Wellington’s open-air food and produce market. Sitting near the waterfront with Te Papa Tongarewa flanking one side, the Harbourside Market is a regular stop for locals doing their weekly grocery shop. Though fresh produce is the main attraction, you’ll find handmade wares, baked goods, live music, and food trucks galore.
Brewtown Farmers Market Upper Hutt, Sundays, rain or shine, 8am - 2pm
Shop for Fresh Produce and Artisan Products every Sunday at Brewtown Farmers Market. From handmade jewelry and soaps, to art prints and clothing, our artisan products are of the highest quality and make the perfect gift for any occasion.
Lamb and Calf Day, Pāuatahanui, Porirua
Saturday 8 November 2025, 10 AM–2 PM at Pāuatahanui School
Lamb and Calf Day isn’t just any country fair — it’s a full-on family day out with something for everyone! Meet adorable lambs & calves, grab tasty homemade treats & food truck goodies, try your luck with raffles, auctions, and classic fair games, explore craft stalls, fairy houses, tie-dye tees & more, and enjoy live music and community vibes all day long!
Wellington Go Green Expo, TSB Arena
1-2 November 2025 Go Green Expo is NZ’s Largest Sustainable Lifestyle Show! This is your one stop shop for everything you need to live a sustainable life. Bringing together the best NZ eco-friendly brands, discover all you need to know to create a lifestyle that benefits you with food and beverage, beauty products, home and building, EVs and more! There’s something for everyone, including allergy friendly, vegan or vegetarian, gluten-free and organic options. You can get free tickets online and often from a supermarket checkout cashier.
Wellington Potters' Association Pop-Up Pottery Market
The Dell, Beyond the Begonia House, Wellington Botanic Gardens
7-8 November 2025
In its 67th year, this year’s Pottery Market Pop-Up will have more than 20 stalls selling their wares, showcasing a diverse range of handcrafted ceramics. It’s the perfect opportunity to meet local makers, discover one-of-a-kind pieces, and take home something special while supporting Wellington’s pottery community. *Weather permitting: the market will go ahead unless conditions are truly terrible, so come prepared to enjoy a creative weekend rain or shine!
Concerts and Gigs
Māori Sidesteps Tues 28 October - 1 November (5 shows)
Circa Theatre, Wellington Contemporary showband The Māori Sidesteps are serving crooning and comedic goodness. With soulful harmonies, satirical skits, and superb song parodies, these fullas have won rave reviews, alongside their hit webseries and TV show – and now you can catch them live on stage at Circa Theatre! The Sidesteps flip comedic nostalgia on its head and weave stunning harmonies with theatrical play, skewering social idioms and shining a cheeky light on what it means to be Māori in 2025. If you’ve ever wished someone would sing what you’ve been thinking about the current political climate, the Māori Sidesteps are here!
The Butlers - New Zealand and Australia Tour
Saturday 1 November 2025, 7pm
Meow, Wellington
The Butlers have announced a five-date tour across Aotearoa this October and November to celebrate a decadent collection of new material while paying homage to the decorated and beloved golden-olds. Nearing a decade of sold-out tours across the country, The Butlers' trademarked infectious energy and presence within the room simply can’t be missed!
Tom Sainsbury - Lessons not Learnt
Sunday 2 November 2025, 7:30PM The Opera House, Wellington
Tom Sainsbury is a multi-talented New Zealand comedian, actor and writer, bringing his razor-sharp wit to Wellington, with his new show ‘Lessons not Learnt’. Tom’s comedy is distinctively Kiwi. It often reflects New Zealand’s culture and idiosyncrasies through a satirical lens. In front of the camera, he’s starred in Taskmaster NZ, Wellington Paranormal, Snackmasters, Shortland Street, along with countless theatre productions. Whether he’s playing a dodgy small-town mayor, a passive-aggressive flatmate, or a ghost-hunting cop, expect razor-sharp character comedy. LGBTQ+.
Kaylee Bell - Cowboy Up Tour Tuesday 4 November 2025, 7.30 pm Michael Fowler Centre, Wellington
Kiwi country-pop powerhouse Kaylee Bell brings Nashville polish to the city. Wellington will be getting its ‘yeehaw’ on for a much-anticipated concert this November. New Zealand country-pop force Kaylee Bell rides into town to set up at the Michael Fowler Centre. Fans can expect a full-throttle live show featuring hits from her three studio albums, the most recent being ‘Nights Like This’ released in 2023. Have a listen out for viral, banjo-infused hits like Cowboy Up, Red Dirt Romeo, Boots N’ All, and Good Things.
An Evening with the Cowboy Junkies
Thursday 6 November 2025, 7.30pm
The Opera House, Wellington
Canadian band Cowboy Junkies returns to Wellington with its special mix of alternative country and folk-rock. Formed in 1985 when a lot of music was flashy and loud, the Canadian band has stayed their gentle course with whisper-close vocals and subtle instrumentation. Cowboy Junkies prove that there continues to be an audience waiting for something quiet, beautiful, and reflective. Cowboy Junkies will perform a range of songs from their four decades and 29 albums.
Tina: The Ultimate Tribute to the Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll
Friday 7 November 2025, 8pm
The Opera House, Wellington
In ‘Tina: The Ultimate Tribute to the Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll’, you’ll hear all her energetic rock and rhythm and blues hits. Simply The Best, What’s Love Got To Do With It, River Deep Mountain High, Proud Mary, We Don’t Need Another Hero, Private Dancer, It Takes Two - you’ll hear them all and see why Tina became one of the 20th century’s biggest names in music. South African Caroline Borole will pick up the microphone to pay homage to Tina Turner. She has previously been seen on ‘South African Idols’. Joining her on stage will be a band with a wild brass section. There’ll also be backing vocalists and dancers to make this simply the best tribute to the Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll.
High Tide Festival
Saturday 8 November, 1pm - 10:30 pm Waitangi Park, Wellington
Ride the soundwave as a world-class, multi-genre music festival takes over Wellington’s waterfront - High Tide is back and bigger than ever! The genre-bending, multi-stage music festival is heading to Waitangi Park in November. Festival-goers can hear a mix of music from drum & bass, to house, grime, and hip-hop, all among Wellington’s beautiful waterfront.
Tahuna Breaks Reunion Tour 2025
Saturday 8 November 2025, 7-10pm
Meow, Wellington
The grooves. The energy. The Funk - After nearly a decade off the circuit, Tahuna Breaks are reuniting for a limited run of shows in November 2025. Known for their high-energy performances and genre-fusing sound — from funk to soul to roots and electro — Tahuna Breaks are a guaranteed crowd-mover. Tahuna Breaks became a household name on the New Zealand live scene throughout the 2000s and 2010s. Their signature blend of tight horn lines, slick grooves, and undeniable stage presence made them a standout on major festival stages including Rhythm & Vines, Homegrown, WOMAD, and Splore, as well as international appearances in Australia and the UK.
Guns 2 Roses - World’s Best Guns N’ Roses Tribute
Saturday 8 November 2025, 8pm
San Fran, Wellington
Guns 2 Roses, the UK's most notorious Guns N' Roses tribute band established in 2002, is set to perform in New Zealand for the first time. They will play the classic GNR debut album "Appetite For Destruction" in its entirety top to bottom, along with a set of fan favourites. Having sold out shows worldwide, Guns 2 Roses aims to recreate the energy of GNR's 1988 NYC Ritz performance. For fans of classic GNR, this is a performance not to be missed.