Salmon and Wine
One of Twizel's most popular events, the Salmon and Wine Festival. Pictured here in 2017.
What's on in twizel
Meridian Swim Ruataniwha
Meridian Swim Ruataniwha is an exciting open water swim event on beautiful Lake Ruataniwha near Twizel in the heart of the Mackenzie Region. The inaugural event was held in 2023 and is back for 2024!
The key changes for 2024 are:
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The event is on 3 February 2024 with the first swim event starting at 9.00 am. This should avoid swimming into the sun.
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The Mt Cook Alpine Salmon swim has been extended to 3,800m to cater for those training for Ironman.
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The minimum age for entrants has been reduced from 18 years to 16 years.
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There is no limit on the number of entries.
Hard Labour Weekend
The Meridian Twizel Hard Labour Weekend has its origins back in 1985 when a half marathon was started as a fundraiser for kids sport. It has morphed through a number of different events at different sites to what we have today – three events (mountain bike, kayak and off-road run) over two days. Competitors can enter individual events or for the really keen, complete all three events and become a Hard Labourer.
Apart from providing some really good events in a very relaxed atmosphere, the weekend still has its focus on fund raising for local kids sports teams (snow sports, rugby, netball and rowing) which are burdened with the costs of travel and purchase of equipment.
Find out more about the 2023 event here.
Mackenzie Summer Sounds
Nestled on the banks of Lake Ruataniwha, MacKenzie Summer Sounds is New Zealand’s most idyllic festival.
Hosting a plethora of New Zealand’s biggest names in the entertainment industry, you are guaranteed to be singing and dancing your way into the new year in our strategically placed outdoor arena.
Hato Hone St John Regional Youth Competiton
From 22-24 September, over 200 people will be descending on Twizel for the Hato Hone St John Regional Youth Competition.
On Saturday, 110 competitors will participate in emergency scenarios before a colour party and prizegiving on the Sunday.
Spectators are welcome throughout the weekend.
99th Hydro Thunder Masport Cup
No major speedboat trophy has ever been won easily and without doubt the Masport Cup would be the most difficult to win in New Zealand.
As the second oldest motorsport trophy in the Southern Hemisphere, it is one of the hardest trophies to win and it comes to Twizel this November.
Twizel Kindergarten's Garage Sale Trail
Something exciting is happening in Twizel this Labour Weekend!
How does it work exactly? Your household signs up to have a garage sale on the designated day and pays a $10 registration fee to be included on the trail map. Thifters then pay a gold coin donation for the map on the day and then set out to find a pre-loved bargain!
If you don't have a full garage of stuff to sell, or if you live outside the 'old town' limits, you can pay a reduced $5 registration fee to have a stall at a central market point.
The proceeds from registration and map sales go to the Twizel Kindergarten, but everything you make from your garage sales belongs to you!
Meridian Rowing Centre Timetable
South Island Rowing Inc. are a voluntary organisation that operates and maintains the Meridian Rowing Centre on the shores of Lake Ruataniwha.
Every year they host a number of rowing regattas, private events and the SI Canoe Sprint Championships.
Parents Hub
Whether you need support, or something to keep your little ones busy, there's no shortage of things for parents in Twizel.