Te Anau and Manapouri are gearing up for a busy Labour Weekend 2022 with plenty of fun activities to suit different tastes and interests.

Stabicraft Te Anau Manapouri Fishing Classic 

The biggest event of the weekend, the Stabicraft Te Anau Manapouri Fishing Classic, is drawing huge numbers from all over Southland and beyond, thanks to its attractive prizes. 

This year marks the 15th anniversary of this popular fishing competition, and the total prize pool of $170,000 is bigger than ever.

The top prize to be won is a Stabicraft boat, bigger and faster than any before, valued at $110,000.

“We already have over 900 online entries and expect that we might exceed last year’s record numbers of 1230 plus,” organiser, Don McFarlane said.

Asked how the event has changed since it started 15 years ago, McFarlane said that the format of the fishing competition hasn’t changed much, but it has grown from year to year, both in terms of prize money and number of entries.

“When we started in 2008, the total prize pool was $50,000, including a small boat. That original boat is still owned by Ken Mitchell of Te Anau and will be on display during this year’s competition,” he said.

The event caters for the whole family, adults and children alike. 

The Stabicraft Te Anau Manapouri Fishing Classic and the Cruise Milford Take a Kid Fishing Competition will run from Friday to Sunday, 21-23 October. Entries can be made online (see link below) or on the day at the Te Anau Rugby Club.

All entries close 5pm Thursday 20th October. 

For more information or to enter the competition click on this link: https://teanauevents.co.nz/event/te-anau-manapouri-fishing-classic 

Dunedin sculptor Kylie Matheson is one of the special guest artists at this year's Manapouri Art Exhibition.

Manapouri Art Exhibition, Show ‘n’ Shine Car Show and Minis

The Manapouri Art Group is hosting its 18th annual Labour Weekend Art Exhibition at the Manapouri Hall in View Street. The theme this year is "Four Decades, 1930s to 1960s". 

The opening night of the exhibition is on Friday, 21 October at 7.30pm. 

The art group secretary Ann Whatley said that members of the art group will dress up in the 1930-60s style and would like the public to take up the challenge and dress up too.

Special guest artists are painter Norman Sinclair and sculptor Kylie Matheson from Dunedin. 

Other invited artists include Lynley Van Alpen, Andi King, Barbara Smith, Fair McKay, Robin Eden, Michael Scheele and many more. 

A classic cars “show’n’shine” display will be held on Saturday from 11am. The Teapot Café will be open during the exhibition.

Admission on Saturday, 22 October and Sunday, 23 October from 10am to 4pm and on Monday, 24 October from 9am to 2pm. Entry to the Opening Night and for general viewing is by gold coin.

For more information contact Ann Whatley on (03) 249 6622 or 021 1867732.

Teams will battle it out on Lake Te Anau this weekend as part of the Waka Ama Challenge.

Ki Uta Ki Tai Waka Ama Challenge 

Another big event is back for its third year!

Waka Ama Challenge - W6 outrigger canoe races will be held at Marakura Yacht Club on Saturday 22nd October from 8am to 5pm.

Teams from all over Te Waipounamu/the South Island will battle it out in waka/canoes on Lake Te Anau. 

A family affair with bouncy castles, entertainment and kai, this event is about supporting whānau to be active, establishing waka ama in the south and connecting people with te taiao/the natural environment to promote well-being. 

For more information and entries click on the link: https://wakaama.co.nz/racecalendar/lookup/2056 

Park Run

Parkrun is a weekly free event for all, walkers, runners, prams, dogs (on hand held leads) and is about having a go and being in the outdoors with others. The Labour Weekend Parkrun will be held on Saturday, 22 October from 9-10am.

To register go to https://www.parkrun.co.nz/ enter your details, print off your barcode and bring it to the starting point at the Lake Te Anau Control Gates. 

Te Anau Kepler Lions Home Show 

A rare opportunity to visit six of Te Anau’s newest homes is being offered by the Te Anau Kepler Lions Club this Labour Weekend.

Organised every 2 years since 2009, the tours have been very popular. This is the seventh Home Tour organised by the Kepler Lions. 

The six show homes, all recently built by local builders and tradesmen, will be open for viewing on Sunday, 21 October from 1-5pm.

Tickets at $30 can be pre-ordered by calling Marina Kitto on 021 0287 5882. Ticket sales and raffles will be available on the day from 12.30pm at Te Anau Club, cnr Pop Andrew Dr and Jackson St. Afternoon tea provided by members of the Kepler Lions at the Club between 2pm-4pm.

Community Markets 

A community market will be held this Labour Weekend on Monday, 24 October, with a large variety of goods available for sale.

The market will be open from 4am-3pm at the Fiordland Community Event Centre.

For more information contact Alana on 027 202 3294, email [email protected]

Fiordland's Sunday Market will also be held on Monday, 24 October, from 10am-2pm at the Te Anau Club.