New Zealand's Iconic Seafood Celebrations

New Zealand is a country that's known for its iconic seafood celebrations. These events bring together delicious food and music in a celebration of the nation's marine life.

Seafood is a staple of the local diet, with tuatua, kahawai and kiwi among the most popular choices. But if you're adventurous, you can also try other unique foods like crocodile bites or huhu grubs!

Whitianga Scallop Festival

A superb day centred on seafood, music and beverages, the Whitianga Scallop Festival (now known as the Whitianga Oceans Festival) is one of New Zealand?s iconic seafood celebrations. Set against the stunning backdrop of Whitianga Harbour, this event will delight all those with a love for seafood.

A wide range of New Zealand caught seafood will be cooked by renowned chefs, food trucks and the local community and complimented with local and New Zealand beverages. Live bands, buskers and seafood cooking classes will keep you entertained throughout the day.

This is the 16th year of this iconic Whitianga event which has become one of New Zealand?s most famous seafood and kaimoana festivals. This year the organisers are taking a step back and focusing on a selection of seafood from the waters of New Zealand, while leaving the scallop beds to rest and regenerate for now.

Kaikoura Seafood Festival

Kaikoura is a small town on the South Island that is blessed with a breathtaking coastline and snow-capped mountains. It offers visitors an abundance of outdoor activities and a relaxing holiday.

Known for its abundant marine life, Kaikoura is the ideal place to indulge in some scrumptious seafood. The town is also famous for its crayfish, the main ingredient in its traditional cuisine.

The Kaikoura Seafest was a huge highlight for the town and helped boost tourism in the region. Unfortunately, it was no longer run due to lack of volunteers and resources as well as an over-consumption of alcohol by festival goers.

Despite the loss, Kaikoura has thrived as a tourist hot-spot after the harrowing earthquake in 2018. The town is now a year-round destination and offers many things for visitors to do and see. From whale watching to dolphin swimming, there are plenty of exciting and fun-filled outdoor activities for everyone!

Dunedin Seafood Festival

If you love seafood, then the Dunedin Seafood Festival is a must-attend event. The annual event features a great selection of fresh seafood and beverages, as well as plenty of entertainment, crafts, and local cuisine.

The festival takes place along the waterfront, so you can enjoy a beautiful setting as you indulge in the freshest fish and shellfish. If you have any dietary restrictions, you can also find vegetarian options at this festival.

Among the most popular foods at this festival are blue cod, whitebait, and crayfish. They can be fried or grilled and served with fritters on large slabs of buttered white bread.

You can also find a wide variety of other seafood at this festival, including scallops, salmon, and shrimp. The festival also boasts a wide variety of live music, cooking demos, and activities for children.

Rotorua Seafood Festival

The Rotorua Seafood Festival is a great way to sample some of the best seafood that the Bay of Plenty has to offer. It also offers live music and cooking demonstrations throughout the day.

Bluff oysters are an exceptionally palatable delicacy from New Zealand’s small town of Bluff, which is renowned for its intense flavour – saltwater, rocks, seaweed, a meaty sweetness then a rush of intensity, followed by a long, lingering slightly Woolic sweet fresh sea flavor.

It is a popular dish in New Zealand and can be served raw or fried with a dash of lemon, but for the best tasting experience, have them topped with crayfish. There are many other local seafood dishes available including smoked salmon, blue cod, paua (abalone) patties, kina and fresh seafood chowder.

One of the highlights of the festival is the live music from many different artists, including Kiwi legends Jordan Luck and Simon Gault and Roots reggae band The Lost Tribe Aotearoa. It is a fun event for the whole family.