[As published in May/June 2026 BayBuzz magazine]
The days are shortening up, the nights fall quickly and everyone wants to go-home-stay-home and watch something on a streaming service, watch the weather come in, watch the wintry days roll by. Here at BayBuzz, we’ve come up with a list of ideas to stave off the cool weather inertia. Get out and about, and warm up with these.
Hit the cinema
There’s a chance you’re reading this and you can’t remember the last time you saw a new release on the big screen, right? Get thee to the multiplex! Gobble popcorn, slurp a big soft drink. Or for something more nutritious or a little fancy, head to the Globe in Ahuriri, Cineverse in Hastings or Focal Point in Havelock North.
It’s festival time too. Check out the Resene Architecture and Design Film Festival at MTG Century Theatre from May 15 to 27. The L’Oréal French Film Festival Aotearoa rolls in to Ahuriri and Havelock North on May 27 and runs until June 21. The Italian Film Festival screens in Napier and Havelock North in July – August.
Pub Quiz
A little friendly competition and camaraderie with a mid-week pint? In Havelock, the Rose & Shamrock’s is on the first Tuesday of the month. In Napier The Rose hosts one on Wednesday nights and Three Wise Birds Pavilion’s is every Thursday. Keep your ear out for special quiz nights elsewhere; make sure you’re signed up to the BayBuzz Wednesday events newsletter so you don’t miss out.
Visit the new Vinci’s
Have you been yet? Pretty much the coolest thing to happen in Napier in recent memory. Same marvellous pizza and smiley service, but now the place is bigger, better, even more joyful. Every design element has been thought through, and you can pour your own wine or cocktail from a tap embedded in the wall!
Indy Night
Since kicking off the initiative in March, a bunch of independent businesses in the Napier CBD are open late (till 7pm) on the first Friday of each month. Any given Indy Night could offer a book launch at Wardini’s, an exhibition opening at Boyd-Dunlop Gallery or Tennyson Gallery, specials at the restaurants and cafes, and live music. Next one will be June 5th.
Cold swim
Ocean, pool, lake, hey – jump in the river! Shock yourself out of the winter blues with a bracing dip. Bonus points if you proceed and follow up with a sweat session in a sauna.
Head for the hills
Pick a crisp, clear day and make a mission to Sunrise Hut, Kaweka Forest Park or Bell Rock. Even hoofing it up Te Mata Peak or to the Bluff Hill Lookout is going to warm you up, blast away the cobwebs and build your appetite for brunch.
See something live on a stage
Again, keep an eye on the listings in our Wednesday events newsletter and get on and book! There are Small Hall Sessions around the region; Napier Municipal Theatre hosts the Rock Tenors on May 17; Footnote New Zealand Dance brings Modern God to Toitoi on June 3. The more we go to shows, the more shows will come to Hawke’s Bay.
Catch a Hawks game
The Big Barrel Hawks are playing at home (Rodney Green Arena) on May 9 against the Otago Nuggets, June 4 against the Nelson Giants, June 13 against the Franklin Bulls and June 22 against the Southland Sharks. Thunderous and fun, a perfect winter outting.
Invite friends to the Bay
Playing tourist in our own region is good fun. And even better when you do it with proper tourists or newbies. Introduce out-of-towners to some of the gems we know about but rarely actually partake in because we’re local and we don’t. Take them wine tasting. Walk at Ocean Beach. Eat somewhere you haven’t made it to yet (Ari in Hastings? Goldie’s in Napier?). Do an Art Deco Trust walking tour. Drive to a country pub for lunch. Go to the iSite, scan the brochures and pick an activity.
