Garden designed by Robin Shafer. Photo / Sophie Leuschke
Garden designed by Robin Shafer. Photo / Sophie Leuschke
Your guide to the best things to do in Auckland this weekend.
Blooming beautiful
Auckland Garden DesignFest View 20 of Auckland's finest professionally designed, private gardens, This two-day charity event is a wonderful opportunity to peer behind the fences of some large and small beauties. Proceeds go to Ronald McDonald House, Garden to Table and the Rotary Club of Newmarket CharitableTrust.
Today and tomorrow, across Auckland. Tickets $65 for all the gardens, or $10 for a single garden.
Palmers Planet Mangawhai Garden Ramble Now in its 12th year, this fabulous event raises funds for the Mangawhai Kindergarten and Mangawhai Plunket Group. With 21 gardens to explore from grand to wild, small to vast, native, exotic, traditional and modern. Some have ponds, others have art and historic buildings and several will have stalls and refreshments.
Today and tomorrow. Gardens in and around Mangawhai. Tickets $20 (provides access across two days through 21 properties).
Rotorua District Festival of Gardens More than 45 gardens will be open to view this weekend, some in the town and others in the country. You will see both labours of love and other gardens professionally designed and maintained. Held every two years, funds raised go to the BayTrust Rescue Helicopter. Some gardens will have plants, food and artworks for sale.
Today and tomorrow, 10am-5pm. Gardens in and around Rotorua. Entry to all gardens $30 (under-14s free).
Wander-full Waiheke
Waiheke Literary Festival The annual Waiheke Literary Festival - aka Words on a Small Island - offers up a wealth of book-ish treats with leading authors and poets, films and art exhibitions. With talks by Greg O'Brien, Stephanie Johnson and Nicky Pellegrino, a Carl Nixon play reading and on Sunday, a literary lunch at Cable Bay, featuring Steve Braunias.
Today and tomorrow, various times and locations mainly in Oneroa Village, Waiheke Island. Various prices, including some free events.
Waiheke Walking Festival So many wonderful free guided walks to choose from. Stride out with all sorts of experts and hear about everything from wine to olives, history, conservation and more. From short vineyard strolls to all-day adventures and everything in between, there really is something for everyone.
Until Sunday, November 22, 9am-6pm. Matiatia Wharf, Ocean View Rd, Waiheke Island. Free.
Homing instinct
Auckland Better Home and Living Show With hundreds of products and services, this show is sure to inspire anyone looking to improve their lifestyle in a sustainable way. Featuring the latest eco-trends and innovations for indoors and out, massive show-only specials, free daily seminars, expert advice, plus the chance to win a fabulous show prize.
Today and tomorrow, 10am-5pm. North Shore Events Centre, Silverfield and Argus Place entrances, Wairau Valley. Entry $8 (under-16s free).
Park up
Onehunga Foreshore Opening The restored foreshore is sure to become a popular walking and cycling route following a $30 million development. The 6.8ha of newly created parkland between SH20 and Manukau Harbour includes new beaches, artworks, a boat ramp, a pedestrian/cyclist bridge linking the foreshore to Onehunga's lagoon and reserve. The opening event promises a riot of water-based activities and good times.
Today, 11am. The western end of Orpheus Drive, Onehunga. Free.
Petal power
A tourist smells the roses at the Parnell Rose Garden. Photo / Greg Bowker
Parnell Festival of Roses This one-day festival is jam-packed with things to see, do, taste, try, smell and enjoy from food, art and craft to activity stalls. Take the "Sharpest Nose" challenge, sing and dance to the jazz, learn about pruning, composting and zero waste or learn about lizards, spiders and praying mantis. Plus there's face painting and entertainment from Fairy Claire.
Tomorrow, 10.30am-4pm. Parnell Rose Gardens, Gladstone Rd, Parnell. Free.
Pacific Rose Bowl Festival This annual rose event centres around the New Zealand Rose of the Year Trial, one of only two Rose Trials in the Southern Hemisphere to be judged by public votes. The roses in the trial are clearly marked and all you have to do is take a stroll among the blooms and select your favourite five roses. But don't let the power go to your nose.
Today and tomorrow, Hamilton Gardens, Cobham Drive, Hamilton. Free.
Bike The Bridge Haven't you always wanted to cycle across the Harbour Bridge? Well here's your chance. Now in its 4th year, this is Auckland's largest cycle event, and this year participants get to ride the bridge twice, making a return trip. Open to cyclists aged 11 and over, funds raised will help support people with multiple sclerosis.
Tomorrow, 6am-noon. Smales Farm, Takapuna and Harbour Farm, Westhaven Drive, Auckland. Late entries at Smales Farm today, 9am-4pm. Adults $49, kids $35. Family loop from $14-$20.
Cycle-Powered Cinema Riding into Auckland for the first time ever, this outdoor cinema is powered by pedalling people. Today's film is a special screening of New Zealand film The Art of Recovery, one of many quirky community projects to emerge from post-quake Christchurch. Plus, the Silo Markets will be in full swing.
Today, noon-6pm (raindate Sunday, November 15). Silo Park, Wynyard Quarter, Auckland. Free.
It's a breeze
Kite Day This is one of those family fun times when you're going to want it to be windy, not just sunny. Cross your fingers for a good strong breeze and head for the band rotunda and get set to launch your kite. Either bring your own or try one of the kites provided by the NZ Kitefliers Association who'll be giving demonstrations and lessons.
Tomorrow, noon-4pm. Cornwall Park, Green Lane, Greenlane. Free.
