Anniversary weekend planner

Compiled by PHOEBE FALCONER

Weather

Showers ease today and there will be a cool southwesterly breeze. Expect cloud and drizzle tomorrow, and fine spells and cloudy periods on Monday.

Traffic

If you are travelling north this Anniversary Weekend, Transit New Zealand again asks that you use State Highway 16 as an alternative to State Highway 1, to help to avoid congestion and delays. You can get to State Highway 16 from the Northwestern Motorway, or from the Northern Motorway via the Silverdale offramp, State Highway 17 and then Kahikatea Flat Rd. Electronic messaging will display when traffic flows are heavy and an alternative route is suggested. If State Highway 1 traffic is heavy, some passing lanes between Wellsford and Orewa might be closed to help to keep traffic moving.

Sport

The soccer Kingz play Adelaide City Force in New Plymouth today, with the game screened live on Sky Sport at 7.55pm.

Tennis at the Australian Open heads into its last days. The women's final screens live on Sky Sport 2 today at 3.30pm and the men's final tomorrow from 1pm on the same channel.

For racing fans, the Wellington Cup will be carried live on TV One from 5pm today.

And there's plenty of cricket, with the State Shield one-day match between Canterbury and Auckland on Sky Sport at 11.50am tomorrow. As well, Sky Sport will carry live coverage of the tri-series second final between Australia and England at 4pm today and a third final if required at 4pm on Monday.

Today

* The 30th Auckland Folk Festival is on this weekend at the Kumeu Showgrounds. A feature of this year's event is the appearance of Irish traditional folk group Grada. Visit the Festival website for full details.

* The annual Parachute Music Festival is on at Totara Springs Christian Centre in Matamata, with local and international artists. Phone (09) 366- 1627 for further information.

* North Shore's summer music series rocks on with Dave Ngawhika and the Larry Morris Band at Browns Bay Beach at 2pm. Tomorrow cabaret comes to Milford Reserve at the end of Craig Rd in Milford from 3pm.

* Hear spectacular singing in a unique venue at Opera in the Pa at Rotowhio Marae in Rotorua. Book at Ticketek on (07) 350-2244.

* The big event in Whakatane this weekend is the summer Arts Festival, opening at 10am today, Sunday and Monday in the War Memorial Complex. Admission is $5 adults, $2 students and the under-12s are free.

* Take a light-hearted look at island life at Waiheke Untamed, a variety show featuring original songs and comedy. The show starts at 7.30pm today and next Saturday in the Artworks Theatre, Korora St, Oneroa. Book at the theatre office on 372-2941.

* Paint the town yellow at Tirau's Sunflower Festival today, in the main street.

* The Ranui Market is held again today from 9am to noon in the Ranui Community Centre on the corner of Swanson and Ranui Station Rds. As well as the regular stalls, music and food, today heralds the first outing of the Stomp the Stomp walking group, a community health initiative setting off from the centre carpark. If you would like to join the group, be at the carpark at 7.30am.

Tomorrow

* An urban safari today takes you to Waikowhai Park near Hillsborough. There are two walks, at 10am and at midday. Meet at the carpark on Waikowhai Rd. Places are limited so bookings are essential, on 379-1341.

* The 95bFM summer music series hits Albert Park in the city from noon until 7pm. Be there and rock.

* And Starbucks Music in Parks has Latin jazz and funk in the band rotunda in Auckland Domain from 2pm to 4pm. At 5pm you can wander over to the Winter Gardens to relax to music from the Auckland String Quartet.

Monday * Find yourself a nice viewpoint to watch the New Zealand Herald-Auckland Anniversary Day yachting regatta, the world's largest one-day regatta. The racing begins at 10am. For a complete rundown of events, visit the Regatta website or phone 0800 REGATTA (0800 734 2882).

* Take a ferry to Waiheke Island and stroll around the Sculpture on the Gulf exhibition. Works by many of New Zealand's leading sculptors line the coastal walkways near the Matiatia ferry terminal. The exhibition is in place until February 9, and all of the sculptures will be for sale.

* Starbucks Music in Parks has a special Anniversary Day concert today, with very special guests Hello Sailor. The gig starts at 4pm in Coyle Park at the end of Pt Chevalier Rd.