The great New Zealand summer calendar is generously sprinkled with some sure-fire seasonal hits to add a bucketload of fun to your family holiday. I’ve rounded up a selection of signature events and exhibitions, strung across the nation, that you may well want to thread into your domestic summer holiday plans. 

String Auckland and January into one sentence and it’s tennis that springs to mind. Yes, the ASB Classic at Stanley St. But there’s another prime-time sporting spectacle waiting in the wings later in summer – SailGP. After this year’s debut, SailGP Auckland will roar back into town, with high-octane racing action in front of some of the world's most passionate fans on the 14th and 15th of February, off Wynyard Point. Elevated allocated Grandstand seating in the shoreside Race Stadium ensures fans are close enough to smell the salt as the high-tech, high-speed flying F50s do battle just metres from downtown Auckland on the Waitematā Harbour.

SailGP on the water in Auckland. Photo / Supplied

Sticking with the water, head to the Auckland War Memorial Museum for this summer’s banner exhibition, Sharks, created by the Australian Museum. It opens in a fortnight, running until April. The exhibition blends science, storytelling, and immersive design. It’s a chance to see sharks in a way you never have before, with lots of cutting-edge technology including a 360-degree view of the underworld, through the eyes of a Hammerhead Shark.  

For something completely different in Auckland – art lovers will be swooning over the American pop art at Auckland Art Gallery. Their big summer exhibition is Pop to Present: American Art from the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. The exhibition has just opened and runs to March, with over 50 compelling works including Jackson Pollock’s iconic drip painting and pieces from luminaries like Andy Warhol and Roy Lichtenstein. 

If you’re heading to the Capital, add this to your do-not-miss list. Wellington Museum is playing host to Fat Freddy’s Drop, Based On A True Story. The 20th Anniversary Exhibition opened last week and explores the creative process, community, and cultural impact of Fat Freddy’s landmark album, which went straight to number one and remains the longest-charting album in New Zealand history, clocking up over two years in the Top 40. Immerse yourself in the music, magic and memories of a true Wellington original. 

It might well be our favourite Kiwi summer headliner for families, the TSB Festival of Lights. It transforms New Plymouth’s Pukekura Park into a lavishly illuminated night-time wonderland. It opens December 20, for five weeks of free art, nature, music and good vibes. 36 nights of lights. Free to the public, the TSB Festival of Lights is New Zealand’s favourite, and longest-running light festival, with a host of massive lighting installations. Check out the lights from a different perspective, floating aboard a ‘glow’ rowboat, available to book each night. Over 150,000 people flock to the annual festival – half from out of town.  

The TSB Festival of Lights. Photo / Supplied

I also have a major soft spot for New Zealand’s summer beach carnivals, including the big daddy, the Caroline Bay Carnival, which celebrates its 115th outing this year. Opunake, Waihi Beach, Whitianga and Kaiteriteri all stage beach carnivals in the first half of January. Picton has joined the pack with their annual Maritime Festival which unfurls across the Picton foreshore in mid-January, with a stack of summer fun from raft races and live music to fireworks and food stalls. Then there’s Katikati’s Avo Fest, right in the nation’s avocado capital on January 10. Think avocado ice cream, tasty food, delectable drinks, live bands and cooking demos with celebrity chefs. 

But Timaru’s big bash is in a league of its own, running from Boxing Day for a fortnight, with a daily and nightly programme of family fun, live entertainment, fairground rides, talent quests and competitions. There’s a traditional, down-home vibe to the carnival that hits the sweet spot like an ice-cream sandwich.  

For a complete change of scenery, if you happen to find yourself on the wild West Coast in late January, make a date with Driftwood & Sand. Staged annually at Hokitika beach, this incredibly creative festival, transforms the beachscape, as participants compete to construct the most artistic, whimsical and wondrous sculptural pieces, washed up from the Tasman Sea. The size and audacity of some of the sculptures is absurdly good. The next festival is held from January 21-25.  

Hokitika beach driftwood. Photo / Supplied

Speaking of the West Coast, there’s nothing quite like the annual horse races at Kumara. The legendary Kumara Gold Nuggets Raceday returns on January 10 with live bands, local kai, kids’ entertainment and a best dressed showdown. The atmosphere is buzzing, the racing action is thrilling, and the winner takes home real gold nuggets. My father’s horse, Treybon, actually won the feature race a year ago. It’s a family-friendly race day, festive and frothing with West Coast spirit. 

Towards the latter part of summer, wine buffs should make a date with the Marlborough Wine & Food Festival, New Zealand's longest-running wine and food festival, now in its fourth decade. It’s next outing is set down for February 14. Blenheim accommodation will book out, so lock in your in plans, pronto.  

Trip you way around the country with the low-fares leader. Jetstar’s domestic network encompasses Auckland, Hamilton, Queenstown, Dunedin, Christchurch and Wellington. When you book on www.Jetstar.com, you're guaranteed the lowest fare. With their Price Beat Guarantee, if you find a better fare online, they’ll beat it by 10% - and that includes Jetstar flights you find on other websites. As the low-fares leader, only pay for you want by tailoring your inclusions on meals, baggage and seat selection. Join Club Jetstar for member-only fares and exclusive sale access. Christchurch to Auckland one-way fares start from $65. 

Mike Yardley is Newstalk ZB’s resident traveller and can be heard every week on Saturday Mornings with Jack Tame.