What is
Fungi Fest?
A month-long festival of events that use creativity to explore the fantastic world of Mycology. Launched in Tauranga (BOP) 14th March 2024.
Includes:
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Expert talks
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Creative workshops; pottery, metalwork, woodwork, painting, textiles and more!
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Food events
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Film events
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Fungi walks and photography
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Fungarium building workshops
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Free community workshops
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PLUS one big community festival day on Sunday 21st July!
Part of the festival is held in collaboration with Envirohub Bay of Plenty’s Sustainable Backyards program.
Tauranga City Library hosts our fungi information talks and is home to our all-ages colouring in competition with the 2024 version created by avid fungi hunter and mushroom Artist Julie Davies.
What is Mycology?
Mycology is the branch of biology concerned with the study of fungi, including their taxonomy, genetics, biochemical properties, and use by humans.
Fungi can be a source of tinder, food, traditional medicine, as well as entheogens, poison, and infection. Mushrooms are considered a kind of fungal reproductive organ.
Fungi also plays a critical role in the global carbon cycle because of their ability to break down complex organic biomolecules and pollutants.
With around 90,000 species, and thousands described every year, it is estimated that there might be more than one million fungal species in the world, which makes the fungal kingdom one of the most important.
Interested in becoming a stallholder, food vendor or performer at our community festival day? Fill in the application form now...
2024 Highlights
Fungi Fest Special
We love a good special! For the duration of the festival, participating local foodies created some very special limited time only dishes, a 'Fungi Fest Special'. Order yours, snap a photo with it and upload it here (or send it to us on social media) and you will go in the draw to win a prize from that business (details below).
Only available during the month of Fungi Fest NZ!
Creamy mushrooms on ciabatta with poached egg, sprinkled with parmesan and basil.
Mushroom lovers unite and head down to IDK Cafe, a local secret tucked away in the Spring Street Arcade. A family run cafe with really great food and a warm and welcoming atmosphere.
Location:
IDK Cafe, 46 Spring Street, Tauranga.
Coconut mousse, pineapple compote, spiced rum sponge and white chocolate.
Not a fan of mushrooms but love a good dessert? Then this is the special for you! And you may as well try one of their amazing dessert cocktails while you're there.
Location:
But First Dessert, Shop 6/109 Devonport Road, Access via Elizabeth Street, Tauranga.
Like Mycorrhiza:
Food, Film, Knowledge & Connection
Attendees immersed themselves in an evening of culinary delights, film, live entertainment and meaningful connection. A delectable three-course mushroom centered meal and an enlightening film exploring the importance of fungi. Live music by the talented Sade Clarke and a fungi themed quiz with some strange questions and wonderful prizes.
Colour in to Win!
Check out the 2024 fungi filled colouring in competition created by avid fungi finder and creative genius Julie Davies! With great fungi activities on the back. Download the PDF to print at home by clicking HERE. Judged by Julie Davies and the Fungi Fest NZ team.
The winners:
A huge thank you to Emma James-Ries of Turned & Burned Aotearoa for donating a collection of wooden mushrooms and for overseeing the colouring in competition entries - you're a legend! And to Affixed NZ for the fungi pins and patches. Thank you to Te Ao Mārama - Tauranga City Libraries for hosting our colouring in competition in their spaces - you guys rock! And an extra special THANK YOU to Julie Davies of Joolzart for donating 2 of her amazing Fungi colouring in books.
