News

Ways to keep busy this weekend

12 September 2025

Welcoming Week

Looking for things to do in Christchurch? Here's our low-cost guide to keep you busy this weekend.

Pool Gathering for Families

Come along to Te Pou Toetoe: Linwood Pool on Friday evening for the Pool Gathering for Families event as part of Welcoming Week 2025. Make a splash, enjoy a memorable evening at the pool and make new friends.

Free pool entry is available for those who have registered. This session will be on from 6.30 – 9pm. Welcoming Week continues over the weekend until 14 September with a range of events to connect newcomers to Christchurch with long-term residents.

Te wiki o te Reo Māori - Kiriata Huna

Join us to celebrate Te Wiki o te Reo Māori with this special movie event - Kiriata Huna. Walk with us in the footsteps of a fearless leader whose journey paved the way for generations to sand strong in their whenua (land).

Bring your popcorn and all the movie trimmings to Tūranga this Saturday at 1pm.

Mātaki Mai Māori Film Festival | Rewi's Last Stand

Head down to Alice Cinema’s at 209 Tuam Street for the Opening Event of the Mātaki Mai Film Festival 2025. Rewi’s Last Stand (1949), Rudall Hayward’s groundbreaking film, is a romantic drama set against the 1864 British invasion and Battle of Ōrākau, where Rewi Maniapoto and 300 supporters resisted the advance of 1,500 imperial troops during a three-day siege.

Around this historical event, Hayward wove a fictional love story between a settler, Robert Beaumont, a young Māori woman. This film will be on from 6pm Sunday. Ticket prices start at $15.50, your ticket for this screening includes a drink and nibbles.

Kickstart Bike and License Expo

The Kickstart Your Motorcycle Journey Bike and License Expo is riding into town again this year, so dust off your two-wheel steed, grab your gear and come on down to the Air Force Museum on Sunday.

Explore a wide range of LAMS bikes and gear, chat with local retailers, and get advice on fast-tracking your licence with Ride Forever. Join free, expert-led seminars to sharpen your handling skills and pick up practical riding tips. Bring your bike, your mates, and your questions.

Christchurch Baby Expo

The Christchurch Baby Expo is back at Wolfbrook Arena this weekend. Bringing you the best baby brands, and unbeatable deals - all under one roof. Discover all you need to know for you, your pregnancy or your young child.

A huge range of products and services, amazing expo-only specials, seminars and workshops with knowledgeable speakers, plus goodie bags, giveaways, kids' activities, a pram trial track, prizes and more. The expo will be on from 9am – 4pm Saturday and Sunday.

Ranfurly Shield on show

The famous ’log o wood’ Ranfurly Shield will be on show at the Bridge of Remembrance from 10am-12pm this Saturday, 13 September! There will also be some ticket giveaways for Sunday’s shield defence against Tasman at Apollo Projects Stadium.