Travel

The world’s favourite flying car Chitty Chitty Bang Bang – the old bomb with the James Bond-style pimpin’ under the bonnet – will be the guest star at Wanaka Warbirds and Wheels Museum for the month of April. On loan from film producer Sir Peter Jackson, the famous winged jalopy from Ian Fleming’s book and the classic 1968 children’s movie only makes rare appearances.

Four long years after the Canterbury earthquakes forced him off his famous patch in Cathedral Square, iconic orator, thinker and, er, wizard The Wizard of New Zealand has returned to the spot that helped to make his name  and elevated him to the status of the country s favourite and official spellslinger (sorry, Gandalf). If you re in Christchurch, you need to get along for a listen!

You’ve heard of dinner and a movie, but how about dinner in a movie? Lord of the Rings fans can now get their gastronomic geek on and dine like a Hobbit at The Green Dragon Inn by taking an Evening Dinner Tour at the Hobbiton Movie Set in Matamata. With Hobbiton brought into the electric 21st century, the Hobbiton Movie Set experience now offers after-dark tours.

Destination NZ pulls back the beaded curtain on New Zealand s increasingly hot burlesque scene in our extended chat with one of the experienced local and international stars of the form – Wellington-based tasselled temptress Rachel Rouge – to get the lowdown on the local scene, the history, the hottest performers in New Zealand burlesque, and the best stories.

Snug in its heritage building and surrounded by some of Dunedin’s finest boutique shopping in its CBD location, The Finest Quality  Kiki Beware Refreshment Room – or just Kiki Beware for short, if that s a bit much of a mouthful when you re trying to make your lunch plans – is a kooky, quirky and modern boutique cafe that’s quickly become one of Dunedin’s favourite haunts.

If you’re looking for Auckland’s new go-to casual dining destination, head to the corner of Wellesley Street West and Nelson Street to find the City Works Depot. This hub of creative cuisine, situated alongside advertising agencies and branding gurus, utilises repurposed workshops where the Auckland City Council once serviced buses, trucks, and road-building equipment.

Looking to burn some serious plastic and pick up some killer Kiwi threads? For a small country a long way from Paris, New York, or Milan, New Zealand punches well above its weight on the international fashion scene, with top New Zealand fashion designers such as Karen Walker, Trelise Cooper and Zambesi lauded worldwide for their unique take on high fashion.