Auckland this weekend: Doggie day, classics onscreen, ocean swim

The State King of the Bays is a fantastic event for people who want to challenge themselves in the water with a swim distance for everyone.

Looking for something to do this weekend? For the fitness fanatics there is the King of the Ocean Swim or Omaha Classic Run Walk. Or why not head to the Botanic Gardens for their Eye on Nature Day or help out with the clean-up at Glenbrook Beach or experience another culture at Nepal Day? There are classic movies on offer at the Civic all weekend or head to Queens Wharf's first ever block party. Or if you fancy something a little bit different why not take part in the Bed Race at Auckland Domain?

Devonport Dog Parade

Why not head down to the Devonport Dog Parade on Sunday 13th April at the Windsor Reserve, King Edward Parade, Devonport?

All proceeds from the event will go to SPCA Auckland and it promises to be a fantastic day out with fun for the whole family - especially the four-legged members.

Entry is free and there will be lots of prizes up for grabs as well as plenty of entertainment and a chance for you to showcase your canine companion in the parade and the brand new 'Doggy Fashion Show'.

When: Sunday 13 April
Where: Windsor Reserve, Devonport
Cost: Free

The King Koil Great Auckland Bed Race

The King Koil Great Auckland Bed Race is an awesome family fun day featuring a themed novelty fancy dress parade in the morning, followed by the bed race in the afternoon.

Teams steer their specially crafted 'beds' at breakneck speed around a designated 3km course within the volcanic crater at Auckland Domain.

With prizes for best-dressed bed, most entertaining team, fastest racing team and most money raised for charity, the competitive spirit rages strong all day!

There will be a wide range of on-site stallholders and family attractions to ensure the event keeps buzzing from start to finish. The King Koil Great Auckland Bed Race is an annual charity fundraising event and in 2014, racers can choose to raise money for any registered New Zealand charity.

When: Sunday 13 April, 11am-4pm
Where: Auckland Domain
Cost: Free

State King of the Bays Ocean Swim

The State King of the Bays is a fantastic event for people who want to challenge themselves in the water with a swim distance for everyone.

Choose from the State OceanKids 200m swim for 6- to 10-year-olds (including a free safety session run by Surf life Saving New Zealand), the Give it a Go 300m swim, Step it Up 1000m swim or the ever popular I'm Going Long 2.8km swim.

The venue for this iconic event is Auckland's stunning Takapuna Beach, with the shorter distances starting and finishing from the beach. I'm Going Long 2.8km swimmers start at nearby Milford Beach and finish at Takapuna to the cheers of supporting family and friends.

When: Saturday 12 April, races begin from 9.30am
Where:
I'm Going Long 2.8km Ocean Swim - starts 9.30am, Milford Beach

Step It Up 1000m Ocean Swim - starts 11.20am, Takapuna Beach

Give It A Go 300m Ocean Swim - starts noon, Takapuna Beach

State OceanKids - starts 12.05pm, Takapuna Beach

Cost: Entry fees start from $25 - all swimmers receive a free beach towel, swimming cap and sponsor goodies. Enter here.

Classic films at the Civic

From the curators of the NZIFF comes a weekend line-up of classic films made to be seen on the magnificent cinema screen.

Autumn Events in Auckland screen from Friday 11 April through to Sunday 13 April at The Civic.

Six classic films will screen over the one weekend:

Aguirre, the Wrath of God
Dr Strangelove
Funny Face
On the Waterfront
The Third Man
The Wind Rises.

When: Friday 11 April - Sunday 13 April
Where: The Civic, Corner Queen and Wellesley streets, central Auckland
Cost: Adult $18, student, Film Society and Film Industry Guilds $15, seniors $13.50, children $12, five-trip pass (use individually or get a group together and share with friends) $75
Tickets: Ticketmaster or on the door 90 minutes before the film starts.

Queens Wharf Block Party

Queens Wharf is planning its very first Block Party with live music from local emerging bands, a vintage and artisan handmade market, amazing visual installations, live painting and workshops.

When: Saturday 12 April, 3pm-7pm
Where: 89 Quay Street - bottom of Queen Street
Cost: Free

Omaha Classic Run Walk

This is a run/walk event for all the family and for those with a more competitive nature with four courses for all fitness levels that take in the beach setting of Omaha.

There will be entertainment for the kids and loads of prizes.

When: Saturday 12 April, registration opens at 7am, first race starts at 8am

Where: Omaha Surf Lifesaving Club, Broadlands Drive, Omaha

Cost:
10km Run - Earlybird $25, Standard $30, on the day $40
8km Walk - Earlybird $15, Standard $20, on the day $30
5km Run - Earlybird $15, Standard $20, on the day $30
2km Kids Run - Earlybird $5, Standard $8, on the day $8
Junior Beach Dash for under 5s - free

To register click here

Nepal Day 2014

The New Zealand Nepal Society presents Nepal Day 2014 on Saturday 12 April at Mt Albert War Memorial Hall.

This community event showcases Nepalese food, culture, heritage, dance, handicrafts and more.

When: Saturday 12 April, 11am-5.30pm
Where: Mt Albert War Memorial Hall, 773 New North Road, Mt Albert
Cost: Free

Eye on nature - nurturing our forests

Auckland's spectacular Botanic Gardens are the venue for this free event to highlight looking after our forests.

There's plenty to do including hands-on art and craft activities for the kids, live music, maze, games, high school students competing in a Foods of the Forest (from around the world) cooking competition, students from Auckland schools rocking the catwalk in their Wearable Forest Art creations and giant-sized forest insects and organisms created by Auckland Kindergartens and Schools, using recycled materials, in our 'Creatures of the Forest' art competition.

The event will proceed rain or shine.

When: Saturday 12 April, noon-8.30pm
Where: Auckland Botanic Gardens event site, Manurewa, Entrance via Everglade Drive for free parking
Cost: Free

Glenbrook beach clean-up

Help rid Glenbrook Beach of sharp Pacific oyster shells and make it safe for beachgoers and join us for a barbecue afterwards.

The clean-up will involve collecting loose oyster shells off the beach and removing any general rubbish.

Equipment to bring:

bucket and gloves sturdy footwear (jandals are not suitable)
raincoat and warm clothing, or a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen if it's a sunny day.

Please be sure to supervise children around the clean-up site and water, and watch your step on uneven ground.

When: Saturday 12 April, 11am
Where: Meet end of Beach Road, Glenbrook Beach
Cost: Free