The Ten Best Things To Do This Labour Weekend

Labour Weekend, it's the final national public holiday before yuletide fever kicks in, and commemorates the reason why we traditionally have an eight hour working day. New Zealand workers were among the first in the world to claim the right to have eight hour working days after carpenter Samuel Parnell felt the need to knock off a bit earlier in 1840. In more recent times the Labour holiday has been an opportunity to stretch your working legs over an extended three-day weekend, and celebrate all those other days of not working for more than eight hours a day.

Days off are rare, so we've outlined the ten best ways to celebrate your long weekend in (and around) Auckland before getting back to the eight hour slog.

1. Whips n Spurs Fiesta De Las Razas

Whips n Spurs Fiesta De Las Razas - it may sound like some crazy Spanish sexual fetish, but in fact it’s THE party event of the racing season. Nine thoroughbred races, George FM DJs and prizes are all highlights of the event, which kicks off at Ellerslie Racecourse from 12.30 on Saturday 26 October. Mexcellent.

2. FEAST

Those planning a road trip over the long weekend could make the trip to Gisborne’s much loved wine and food festival, Feast, taking place between the vines of Waiohika Estate on Sunday, October 27. As well as the region's best food and wine on offer, punters can let their hair down to New Zealand rock royalty The Exponents, as well as Ahoribuzz, The Kaleidoscopes and Haki. The weather is looking good, so maybe it is time to head east.

3. GRAFFIATO STREET ART FESTIVAL

The country’s top street artists will leave their mark on Taupo over the long weekend as part the of Graffiato Street Art Festival. The festival aims to dispel the negative vibes around those who paint public walls and will feature pop-up exhibitions, collaborative community projects and a talented artist line-up including Aussie aerosol muralist Beastman, Auckland graffti artist Askew as well as Benjamin Work, BMD, Cinzah Seek, Dager, Ed Bats, Eno, Erin Forsyth and heaps more.

4. ARMAGEDDON

Superheroes, fantasy creatures and gamers will take over the ASB Showgrounds when the Armageddon Expo rolls into town from October 25 - 28. 50,000 people attended the 2012 event making the most of amusement rides, advanced gaming previews, trading card tournaments and cosplay. International names attending this years expo include Evanna Lynch - Luna Lovegood in the Harry Potter films, David Morrissey - the governor in The Walking Dead and Billy Boyd - Pippin in The Lord of the Rings trilogy. For those who can't make it, a live stream will feature on the Armageddon website.

5. WAITAKERE FESTIVAL

Attention all Westies. The fourth outing of the Waitakere Festival will take place on Sunday 27 October with a line-up curated by music influencers Cheese on Toast and PIKDAT. Performers on the day will include Dave Saunders of seminal New Zealand band The 3Ds - backed by Auckland indie-trio Street Chant, 10-piece big band Sal Valentine and the Babyshakes, local hip-hop collective Eddie Numbers, Tiny Ruins, The Eversons, Dictaphone Blues and Miss June. Keeping an eye out for Mother Nature, the festival will take on the challenge of being the first festival in Auckland to go Zero Waste. Word also has it that the organisers are on the look out for an official Festival Tattoo Artist to ink up all the staff. And, the very best bit - it's totally free.

6. FANG FEST

Thirty new and established punk bands from across the country will come together for the inaugural Fang Fest from Friday through Sunday, transforming Auckland's St Kevins Arcade into the festival's hub, with gigs taking place between the Wine Cellar, Whammy and Bar venues. An all ages event will be held at 4b Cross Street on Saturday afternoon, with the festival coming to a close with free movies and hot chips in the Wine Cellar on Sunday night. The line-up includes Bloodbags, Trust Punks, Shitripper, Parents, Mean Girls, Tourettes, PCP Eagles, Sex Pest and heaps more.

7. ODDISEE

American-based Sudanese rapper Oddisee will perform at Auckland's Cassette Nine on Friday, October 25. A member of the Low Budget Crew, Diamond District, and as a solo artist, Oddisee has performed with The Roots, produced for Jazzy Jeff and De La Soul and collaborated with Flying Lotus and Hudson Mohawke. He has released more than ten records with various labels, the most recently released an instrumental album titled The Beauty In All. Support from Raiza Biza, Times x Two, Tony Douglas and Dylan C.

8. 'IT' BAY OF ISLANDS FESTIVAL

The fourth Bay of Islands festival will be held in pristine holiday destination of Paihia on Saturday 26 October. Competitions such as Kina Sucking, Oyster Shucking and Pie Eating are highlights as well as cooking demonstrations and the fresh local seafood on offer. Dave Dobbyn will sign off the festival strumming all the favorites that recently saw him inducted into the NZ Music Hall of Fame.

9. OKERE FALLS BEER FESTIVAL

Held at the sustainably-minded Okere Falls Store on the edge of Lake Rotoiti, the Okere Falls Beer Festival boasts being the most authentic German beer-fest outside of Europe. Organisers have imported beers especially from a 700 year-old brewery in Germany to accompany the Bavarian cuisine and a 30-piece traditional Oompah band. Entry to the festival from October 21 through 24 is free, while Friday 25 October costs $15, and Saturday 26 October is $25 (which includes a traditional ceramic beer stein).

10. ANNUAL PIHA MARKET

If you're in need of some refuelling after a jam packed weekend then Piha's famous annual market is the place to be with homemade food, coffee, vintage crafts and art on offer, and of course the amazing West Coast beach. The market will take place at the Barnett Hall, right next to the beach. All proceeds go to the Piha Community Preschool.