Your guide to autumn in Wellington
Autumn is a great time to visit Wellington. The days are calm, sunny, and typically less windy than other seasons. Head out and about to enjoy nature, galleries, cafés, and events.
The Aotearoa literary landscape is placed front and centre at Featherston Booktown. The annual book festival is now in its eleventh year and expects to attract 10,000 to the south Wairarapa town from 8 to 10 May.
The lineup of writers, raconteurs, and thinkers includes renowned Australian author Hannah Kent, Aotearoa superstar Catherine Chidgey, and activist Tāme Iti. You’ll also find former Olympian and popular reading influencer Gemma Flynn, and former All Blacks mental skills coach Gilbert Enoka. Director Jordan Hamel says he is thrilled to bring the festival into its second decade. “There’s an exciting programme, with bold conversations, new innovations, and an incredible array of national and international talent.”
Highlights this year include a live recording of hit political podcast Cross Party Lines, where former MPs Phil Goff and Chris Finlayson dissect issues shaping Aotearoa. You can also see Award-winning poet Tusiata Avia, Journalists Te Aniwa Hurihanganui, Duncan Greive, Mike McRoberts, and Michelle Duff discuss the future of media, and Airana Ngarewa talks about reclaiming te reo Māori.
There’s a vast array of other events covering music, performance, children’s activities, panel discussions, and workshops.
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Top things to see and do in Wairarapa
The Wairarapa region has plenty of reasons to visit. Make it a day trip — there are some great champions of food, art, and experiences on offer around the region.
Wellington’s independent bookstores
Bookworms will be in heaven in Wellington, where independent bookstores are around every corner.
Star Safari
Explore the grandeur of the universe from one of the world’s official International Dark Sky Reserves. Gaze through high-tech telescopes, listen to expert guides, and discover the secrets of the stars.
Top Trails in Wairarapa
Give in to the lure of all that sunshine over the hill in the Wairarapa.
Your Wairarapa winery bucket list
The Wairarapa region is renowned for its award-winning winemakers. There are so many to visit, so you’ll need to make repeat trips. Luckily, many of the wineries have cellar doors and attached restaurants. Sample a drop and grab a bottle to take home.
Aratoi Wairarapa Museum of Art and History
Small but mighty — Aratoi creates a friendly art and cultural hub for the Wairarapa region.
Remutaka Cycle Trail
There’s something for everyone on this exhilarating and historic 122 kilometres cycle trail connecting Wellington to the Wairarapa region.
Beervana
August 2026Hnry Stadium
Aotearoa New Zealand Festival of the Arts
February to March 2028