Let's be honest, nobody really needs an excuse to visit the beautiful Waiheke Island. But if you did, wouldn't an oyster festival be the perfect one? On Saturday 5 November from 12pm, Rangihoua Olive Estate will host the second annual Te Matuku Oyster Festival.
Wander around the artisan food stalls sampling freshly shucked oysters from the Pacific waters of the marine reserve at Te Matuku Bay. Wine will be provided by Passage Rock Wines and Batch Winery in the form of Sauvignon Blanc from Passage and bubbles from Batch. Non-wine drinkers will also be catered for with beer from Alibi Brewing Co.
Celebrity chefs Julie Biuso and Pauline Hooton will be providing cookery demonstrations and you can relax to the sounds of New Zealand bands Rook and Mojo Risers.
So what are you waiting for? Tickets cost $45 and include your first three oysters, a festival glass and a glass of wine or beer. Plump for the $80 ticket and this will also include your return ferry tickets and transfers to and from the ferry terminal.