New Zealand

'Lucky bastards': 7 times international DJs went full tourist mode in NZ

They're just like us! Loves a drink at a novelty bar and can't say no to a round of mini-golf.

With New Zealand's borders slowly reopening and COVID restrictions on gatherings easing comes the realisation that big gigs are back on the cards.

We'll soon be saying haere mai to a bunch of overseas acts who, for obvious reasons, have been itching to get down to our little corner of the world to play some shows and festies for us.

Wilkinson just dropped an epic video of the "life-changing" mountain-biking trip he went on with Shapeshifter's P.Digsss in Queenstown last year and it got us thinking - famous DJs bloody love us here in Aotearoa, and we've got the Instagram content to prove it.

From A.M.C putting up a storm at Holey Moley, to Grafix taking on a classic Kiwi Bungy jump, here are seven iconic times international DJs got their tourist on in NZ:

Kmotionz chills on a bean bag in downtown Auckland UK DNB producer Kmotionz was absolutely fizzed to be in NZ early last year, where he played his first show back after 10 months cooped up in lockdown. No wonder he was keen to get out and about in the CBD, where he kicked back on a well-placed bean bag in Aotea Square.

"So happy to be out playing again and very grateful to be able to do this over here," he wrote on Instagram at the time.

Koven enjoys a cuppa in Queenstown Electronic duo Koven were clearly feeling fed up with the pandemic in June 2021 when they posted a throwback to their trip to Aotearoa from 2017.

"Queenstown, New Zealand, 2017.... look at those lucky bastards!!!!" they captioned the wholesome snaps, which showed them getting outdoorsy, taking in the scenic vistas and enjoying a good cuppa with the mountains of the South Island as a backdrop.

Grafix nails a Bungy jump Bristol-based DNB DJ Grafix liked NZ so much he stayed for months on end, even headlining George FM Snow Ball in Ohakune before bidding a fond farewell to the Land of the Long White Cloud in October last year.

He posted a photo dump of some of his favourite memories from his time here, including playing a bunch of shows, doing a Bungy jump and watching the sunrise over the beach.

"About to fly back home to the UK after 4 months in Aotearoa. It's been hands down one of the best tours I've ever done," he said at the time.

"Thank you to everyone who came to see me play, you guys are amazing."

He even included the emotional Gandalf goodbye scene from Lord of The Rings in his post, so you know he was vibing with us.

Josh Butler pisses on a fence in Tamaki Makaurau House DJ Josh Butler got fully into the spirit of the Kiwi road trip when he stopped to relieve himself on the side of the road in April last year.

"A wee with a view," he captioned the snap of his toilet break.

Skream, Prospa, Wilkinson + Friction wine and dine on Waiheke This crew of dance music legends did what any bougie Aucklander should during the summer months when they helicoptered over to Waiheke for a long boozy lunch.

If Skream's post from earlier this year is anything to go by, they also hired a private plane at some point?! How the other half live, eh?

"Had an amazing, amazing time in NZ (despite a minor hiccup) Been going for years but witnessed a different side of it this time!" he wrote on Instagram.

Kanine takes a chopper ride to Waiheke DNB don and part-time George FM weather presenter Kanine also casually jumped in a helicopter for a jaunt over to Waiheke Island, but he made sure he had time for more low-rent tourist activities too, like posing with the Sky Tower and checking out the beach.

A.M.C gets his putt on at Holey Moley mini golf Celebrities, they're just like us! They buy overpriced drinks at novelty bars and pose for silly photos at mini-golf!

Around the same time the Titan Records head honcho was playing both shows and golf in New Zealand, he also made time for a Backseat Bandits session with George's own Sin and Brook, which you can check out here.