What's on this weekend?

After my dismal effort at predicting the weather last weekend I'll only say that I hope it doesn't stop you from doing what you want to over the next couple of days. I will be relaxing with a couple of the New Zealand Post Children's book awards Teen finalists. (I've already read The tomorrow code by Brian Falkner which I recommend. It's filled with local landmarks which brings a sense of immediacy to the story.)

So, what's on?

The highlight surely has to be the Youth Day Out on Saturday at the Hibiscus Coast Youth Centre, 214 Hibiscus Coast Highway as blogged on Wednesday. Skate comps, music and dance workshops, DJs with a BBQ and movie to finish.

The Auckland Festival New Zealand Post Family Weekend is on at the Aotea Square in Auckland this weekend. A fun-filled two days of events for kids and their adults, many of which will be free. Wolves, puppets, a giant unfolding truck and tall tales...

Of course the Kumeu Show is on too. It's apparently the largest show in the Southern hemisphere with all the fun of a traditional A&P show. It's chock full of things to see and do, from animals to wood chopping to vegetables to trade stands. (My personal favourite is the sentence that cheerily reads "Food Galore!!") Look out for Tina from Kumeu Library on the scarecrow stand.

On Sunday Dairy Flat hosts the fifth annual Hibiscus Coast Hospice Country Home & Garden Tour. Ten magnificant homes plus one beautiful garden are on the agenda.

Have a lovely weekend.

Youth Day Out 14 March @ Hibiscus Coast Youth Centre

One awesome day is ahead. Make sure you check out this HUGE Youth day put on by YMCA Raise Up and Represent at the Hibiscus Coast Youth Centre. It's all FREE!

The Underground Skate team will be at the park doing their thing too. There's a mini skate comp for non sponsored skaters which will be run and judged by the Us team. Loads of prizes up for grabs with under 14 and under 18 divisions. You can register on the day.

Kicks off midday with:

Skate comps, bball, volleyball, open dance floor, live graff art display, DJ CXL plus more...

Music and Dance workshops 2-4pm

Later in the day, BBQ and performances by:

Nameless Dance Crew

Soul N Coutoure and Shine Forum

Lady Sheeq

DJ CXL

Wrapping up with an outdoor movie @ 8:30pm

All FREE! At the Hibiscus Coast Youth Centre, 214 Hibiscus Coast Highway.

Delivered to you by the Rodney District Council, Underground Skate, 89.9 Times FM, YMCA.

Live from Te Papa

Kia ora from the bottom of the North Island where I have just spent four hours wandering around Te Papa and haven't even touched the surface. This place is absolutely stunning and that's just the bits I have seen. But I am thinking of you all which is why I thought I would touch base.

So far I have shown my age checking out the audio show in the village store, done a tour of the Te Papa marae and checked out the giant squid. They are having a few problems with the squid at present and are having to change over the solution that he is being preserved in. But rather than shut the exhibit away to do that, they have just put a barrier around and you can still view both the squid and how the museum works. That's the kind of place this is.

I'd love to be able to upload some of my photos so far, but it's not that sort of computer so you will have to wait until I get back. On my travels so far I have been to the West Coast, where I found it was almost possible to eat too much whitebait, met some great children's librarians plus authors Joy Cowley, James Roy and our very own Rodney storyteller Stu Duval at the South Island Children's Librarians Conference and then had a couple of days off in Christchurch at the New Zealand Dressage Champs (just supporting).

And don't let anyone say anything about the weather down here. It has been glorious virtually the whole time.

Create your own Eden!

The Rodney District Council is offering free composting and worm farming workshops and advice across the Rodney district.
The workshops will teach participants how to turn kitchen waste into nutrient-rich fertiliser for productive gardens and strong, healthy plants.
If you can’t make one of the workshops, drop into one of our advice centres where experts will be on hand to answer all your composting questions.

Due to popular demand, if you would like to attend one of the hall or community centre workshops, please book in advance by contacting us on 0800 426 5169 or via email customerservice@rodney.govt.nz

Saturday 21st March 9am – 12pm advice centre, Wellsford RD1
Monday 23rd March 7pm – 9pm workshop, Wellsford Community Centre
Saturday 18th April 10am – 1pm advice centre, The Warehouse,Snells Beach
Tuesday 21st April 7pm – 9pm workshop, Mahurangi Community Centre

Tiritiri Matangi Island

I'm glad I was wrong about the weather on the weekend. After taking my niece to Circus Oz on Saturday night we went over to Tiritiri Matangi Island on Sunday. This was the first time either of us had been over so I booked us in on a guided tour. Our guide, Dee, was excellent. She showed us edible plants, pointed out particular trees and had a good eye for the birdlife. Hearing her talk about how much work had gone into making the island pest free made me realise just how lucky I am to have a bunch of squabbling tui outside my window every morning.
A highlight for me was seeing several saddleback birds as I had never seen them before. My niece particularly liked the stitchbirds. We spent several minutes watching them feeding at the special bird feeders.

The library has some books that describe the story of developing the island from farmland to bush area and then into an open sanctuary. Much of the work was done by volunteers who are now an incorporated society. The Supporters of Tiritiri Matangi Island have their own website. They work collaboratively with the Department of Conservation to keep the island in tip-top condition.

If you've never been then I encourage you to go over and have a look around. It's quite different from bush walking on the mainland.

Have you been to Tiritiri Matangi Island? What were your highlights?