Promote Waipu

19/08/2026

Project Bellbird in Waipu - connecting with local businesses

Project Bellbird is a backyard trapping project with the aim of attracting bellbirds back into the village. The project already has around 140 households across Waipu village taking part, and we’re exploring ways to connect this growing network with local businesses.

One idea is a monthly benefit or special for active project participants that is promoted in our monthly newsletter for free and emailed directly to those involved in the project. Participating businesses would also receive a removable decal showing their support for Project Bellbird and local conservation.

But before the team develops the idea further, they’d like to hear from businesses themselves.

Would your business be interested in participating as a Project Bellbird Supporter?

If so, what sort of incentive could your businesses offer to Project Bellbird households?

What are you hoping to receive in return for your support? (Promotion? Recognition of your support amongst the wider community? Something else?)

Do you have another idea about how businesses could support Project Bellbird?

If you’d be interested in having a conversation about what could work, contact Ellen [email protected] or 022 681 8909.

16/07/2026

Hey hey hey, Waipu Winter Festival keeps bringing out something for everyone!

🥶 Be brave - join the Waipu Cove Surf Life Saving Club Inc Mid-Winter Swim on Saturday 18th at 12pm. Koha entry in return for hot soup and a hot shower afterwards. Spot prizes for best dressed.

😋 The World Famous in Waipu Annual Shortbread Competition is on the 19th July. Bring your best creation down to the Waipu Volunteer Fire Brigade Station at 11am and you could be a winner - categories include Kids, Traditional/Open, and Novelty. Bragging rights and lots of great prizes up for grabs.

🎹Acclaimed international organ artist, John Wells, will be playing in Waipu at St Peter's Church - 2pm Sunday 26th. Brought to you by Bream Bay Anglicans.

13/07/2026

📣📣📣📣REMINDER📣📣📣📣

The 2026 AGM for The Waipu Business and Community Society Inc. (Promote Waipu) will be held at 3.00pm on Sunday, 2nd August at the Waipu Croquet Club.

All Promote Waipu members are welcome to attend and we look forward to seeing you there for drinks and nibbles after the brief formalities. Please do register so we can cater accordingly.

https://www.jotform.com/form/242738865748071

07/07/2026

07/07/2026

Hey Waipu Community!

There's a few fun things happening this weekend in Waipu.

🩷 Friday 10th - Clare and team at the Black Shed Art Space have their opening night of "all the little things" exhibition - a showcase of the work of some talented local artists. Your opening night ticket includes bubbles, nibbles, a DJ and first look at the art! Tickets from [email protected]. If you miss out on a ticket don't fret, the exhibition is running until the end of the month.

❤️ Saturday 11th - The Annual Waipu Vet The Vet Centre Northland - Otamatea Vet Club Tartan Pet Parade is on. Lots of cuteness will be present so make sure you and your fur baby are entered or you're there to watch. - Meet 9.45am at the Pizza Barn.

🧡 Friday 10th and Saturday 11th - Waipu Caves Farm Park are holding special nighttime glowworm cave tours for Matariki. Make the most of this special time of year and book via their website - www.waipucaves.nz

💚 Looking for kids activities? Surf Shack Waipu are holding tie dye workshops, Waipu Scottish Migration Museum have a kids upcycling session and then there is the 'World Famous in Waipu' Waipu Volunteer Fire Brigade Shortbread Competition. Check out detail below.

18/06/2026

Last Friday Promote Waipu hosted The Great Debate at the WAIPU HOTEL. After many laughs and well formed arguments involving the benefits of a breeze around ones nether regions, and general Scottish tight arsed-ness, it was declared that, indeed, Kilts are more appropriate than boardshorts in Waipu.

Such a fun event! Congratulations to the winners - Team Kilts (Bruce Larsen - Captain, Lorna Murray, and Joanne Jory). Commiserations to our losers Team Boardshorts (Elijah Purnell - Captain, Rick Stolwerk, and Paula Alexander.

12/06/2026

Waipu Winter Festival July Calendar is out!

Lots of great favourites - Waipu Cove Surf Life Saving Club Inc Mid-Winter Swim and Waipu Volunteer Fire Brigade Shortbread Competition and Waipu Scottish Migration Museum Whisky Tasting and Waipu The Vet Centre Northland - Otamatea Vet Club Tartan Pet Parade - are back, plus some new events!

👉 Waipu Caves Farm Park - Mud Run 👣 and Matariki Glowworm Tours✨
👉 Learn to Weave a P**i Kete with master weaver Hanna Carrington.
👉 Warm-up in Waipu Pharmacy with a mulled wine and shortbread plus in-store discounts.🍷
👉 Create a knitted/crocheted project with the Waipu Twisted Stitchers 🪢.
👉 Aerial yoga returns for July as well, if you missed out last week - get in!
👉 Just in time for the school holidays Waipu Surf Shack Waipu are hosting kids tie dye workshops.
👉 Waipu Scottish Migration Museum are also hosting a craftng workshop during the school holidays.
👉 Yum food and impressive kapa haka performances are guaranteed at the Matariki Festival hosted this year by One Tree Point School. ✨
👉 Men in Kilts 🏉 and Tarts in Tartan 🏐 will be hosting Hikurangi at the Caledonian Park.
👉 If you're curious about Te Tiriti o Waitangi and NZ History - then there is a workshop for you.

Still plenty of events happening for the rest of this month as well. Check out both calendars 👇👇👇

20/05/2026

What's Coming Up - Waipu Winter Festival June 2026

👑 31 May, 9am - Come on down for the King's Birthday Waipu Street Market. This will be the last Street Market until Labour Weekend in October.

🤸‍♀️ 💲 2 June, 5pm - Join the team at Bream Bay Pilates for Aerial Yoga. This is suitable for beginners through to experienced. Get in touch for more information and to book: [email protected]

🫱 💲 9-12 June, 6pm - Claire Nicholls and Monique Wheat at the Black Shed Art Space will be holding adults handbuild clay classes, make your own creatures, mugs or dippings bowls. See Waipu Winter Festival calendar below for more details.

There is plenty more to come throughout June and July!

05/05/2026

Warm up your winter because June in Waipu is absolutely buzzing! ❄️✨

https://www.promotewaipu.co.nz/waipu-winter-festival

From creative workshops to high-energy fundraisers, our community proves that the colder months are the perfect time to get active and stay connected.

Here is a glimpse of what makes Waipu such an incredible place to be this June (July Calendar coming soon):

🎭 Entertainment & Heritage
12 June | The Great Debate: Get ready for a laugh at the Waipu Hotel with the classic showdown: "Kilts are more appropriate than board shorts in Waipu".

20 June | Seafaring Stories: Dive into local history with "More Seafaring & Shipwreck Stories" organised by the Waipu Scottish Migration Museum.

🎨 Creative & Wellness
9 June onwards | Clay Workshops: The Black Shed Art Space is hosting a range of handbuild sessions where you can create everything from "Night Creatures" to coral reefs and mugs.

2 June | Aerial Yoga: Start the month off right with a unique yoga class at the Heritage School.

11 June | Garden Wisdom: Learn how to grow your own food at the Fertiliser and Compost Workshop at Hammer Hardware.

🤝 Community & Fundraising

11 June | Trivia for a Cause: Put your thinking cap on for the Razza Riddler Pop Quiz to support the Bream Bay College Japan exchange trip.

Local Traditions: Don't miss the monthly Community Bingo at the Razza - all welcome, last Wednesday of each month

7 June | Charity Markets in Ruakaka - all stall proceeds go to Hospice.

Whether you’re a local or just visiting, there is something for everyone to enjoy this month. We’re loving it! ❤️

https://www.promotewaipu.co.nz/waipu-winter-festival

11/04/2026

The blustery weather today has turned our attention to the 2026 Waipu Winter Festival.

The Festival runs from King's Birthday weekend through to mid-ish July. If your organisation or business are running an event or would like to run an event that will get our community out and about in the quiet winter months, we'd love to include it in our calendar!

You can register it here: https://form.jotform.com/secretary637/wwf2026

If you'd like more information or would like to see last years calendar for inspiration, get in touch [email protected].