Need a distraction from election-driven anxiety? Check our list of other things to do on the night, then check back in for the results once it’s all over...
1. What better way to celebrate democracy than at a live gig in one of the most beautiful locations in the country? Lawrence Arabia's rescheduled Covid show sees the indie-pop darling play unplugged with only his piano for accompaniment. Make a weekend of it; stay in nearby Cooks Beach or Front Bay, or catch the ferry over from Whitianga. While you’re there, spend some money at some local businesses like Cooked (delicious Mexican, minutes walk from the venue) or Blue Ginger (the best food in Whitianga). Sunday morning, you can celebrate/commiserate the brave new world you find yourself in with a hike across Shakespeare Point and a swim at isolated, picturesque Lonely Bay.
Lawrence Arabia, 7pm, Eggscentric cafe, Flaxmill Bay, Coromandel.
2. Worried that the cannabis referendum isn’t going to go your way? Soothe yourself with 1972 anti-drug Christian scare film Blood Freak, about how smoking pot turns you into a giant, blood-drinking turkey-headed dope fiend! Also the cinema has a fully stacked bar which helps, on election night.
Blood Freak, 9.30pm, Hollywood Avondale
3. Distract yourself for a few hours with some good food and company at one of Auckland’s buzziest new openings. Josh Emett’s new restaurant Onslow opened on Thursday within new development The International on Princes St, with an elegant fit-out and modern take on ‘refined’ dining. Meanwhile across town at East St Hall, off K’Rd, the mood is more casual with a vibrant dining room and outdoor courtyard, and the promise of dancing and dining.
Onslow, 9 Princes Street, Auckland; East Street Hall, 5 East Street, Auckland.
4. Want some perspective on your problems? Stay in and watch new documentary Totally Under Control, filmed in secret through lockdown thanks to a handful of whistleblowers and some dedicated documentary filmmakers utilising social distancing and Covid protection measures.
Totally Under Control, streaming now on Apple TV
5. If you prefer to completely switch off your brain, pour yourself a glass of French Champagne to watch 10 episodes of Netflix series Emily in Paris, and be quickly consumed by its utter inanity.
Emily in Paris, streaming now on Netflix
6. Dancing freely in a crowd with strangers is a wonderful antidote to stress, and something the world hasn’t done enough of this year. New Zealand is lucky to be able to host events with 100+ people, including concerts - so go dance your heart out at Benne’s sold out Auckland stop of her NZ tour. If you weren’t able to get tickets, she’s live-streaming the show too so you can turn off the political analysis and dance around your living room instead.
Benee, 7pm, Spark Arena, Auckland; and live-streaming from 9pm
