What's on this weekend

What's on this weekend. Photo / Matt Sephton, Supplied, Thinkstock

Coromandel Winter Festival of Light

We love how all the little towns are creating winter festivals to draw in the off season crowd. Coromandel - long a creative, alternative town - kicks off its winter festival of light, Illume, this weekend. The town's historic architecture is turned into colourful screens telling stories of the area's heritage, there's fire and reflections and a night-time ride through the Driving Creek railway. Concerts, eats, we're picking this one will become part of our winter calendar for years to come.

Details: Coromandel Winter Festival of Light, 355 Kapanga Rd, Coromandel. Tonight until Saturday July 12. illumefest.co.nz

Weekend Life editor Catherine Smith talks to Mel Homer about what's happening around Auckland this weekend on Mix 98.2

Save the planet

It's not if, but when, we need to change our habits to keep the world (and ourselves) healthy and happy. In its fourth year now, the Sustainability Show, has more and more creative and responsible products and innovations, plus seminars and workshops with practical tools. Sections include NZ organic natural, eco building for renovations, new builds and retrovits, cleantech innovation and healthy lifestyle, with plenty of biodynamic, fair-trade, artisan and organic eats too.

Details: Visit organicexpo.co.nz

Matariki Walking

Take a guided labyrinth walk at dawn Sunday, to acknowledge the winter time of quiet before the new year (Sunday, 7am, Path of the Pukeko Labyrinth, Harbourview People's Park, Te Atatu Road pathofthepukeko.org.nz). Or more vigorous sorts can join a cool hike/bike/ako on Waiheke for a two hour guide walk around Waiheke Island. Four experts telling fascinating historical and modern stories. Bookings essential. Saturday and Sunday, 11am. Meet at Matiatia Ferry Terminal, Waiheke Island. Tickets: $39 hikebikeako.co.nz

Mad scientists

School holidays sorted - get the kids along to Motat for the Defying Gravity science roadshow. Nippers can create their own gravity-defying flying machines - including testing in the Motat wind tunnel - or play in the hands-on science roadshow, programming robotics and making mindkits. From Monday until July 20.

Details: motat.org.nz

This weekend's weather

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- nzherald.co.nz