Need to know: Weekend Planner

Compiled by PHOEBE FALCONER

Weather


Weather in the Auckland area this weekend promises to be fine and sunny, with a few cloudy periods and light winds.

Sporting action

* NPC rugby games kick off tonight with the Auckland-Northland clash at 7.30 (times are for Sky Sport live coverage). Tomorrow, Canterbury host Wellington (2.30 pm), Waikato are home to Otago (Sky Sport 2, 2.30 pm) and Taranaki host Counties-Manukau (7.30 pm). Southland are home to Bay of Plenty on Sunday (2.30 pm).


* The Smokefree netball final is live from Invercargill on TV One at 7 pm on Saturday.


* Parramatta and Newcastle clash in the NRL grand final on Sunday. Sky Sport coverage of the league showpiece starts at 8.30 pm; kickoff is at 9.30 pm.


Favourite freebie

The Auckland Book Collectors Fair is on tomorrow from 9 am at 132 Grange Rd, Mt Eden. There's a signed copy of Ronald Biggs' autobiography Odd Man Out and a copy of A Cellarful of Noise, signed by Brian Epstein.

Today


* School holiday activities: There are still vacancies for children aged from 10 to 13 in some of the Hansells Cooking for Kids classes next week. The sessions run from 9 am to noon and from 1 pm to 4 pm; phone 302-3433 for details. There is a treasure hunt at Devonport Library at 10 am today. Join the fun and hunt for the mystery prize.

* The Lion Red Raw Battle of the Bands roars into life tonight at the Powerstation. Of the 200 bands that entered, only 13 remain. The winner will record and release a single.

* There are two big dance parties in Auckland tonight: Judgment Day at the St James and Slinky at Alexandra Park grandstand. Both start at 10 pm.

* More than 2000 competitors are expected at the Cook Islands Kia Orana Festival of the Arts, which begins with a parade at 10 am in the Mangere Town Centre carpark. Phone 634-6998 for information.

* Call 0900 33-100 to make an automatic $20 donation to the Red Cross. Visit the Red Cross website for details.

* A charity golf tournament to raise funds for the Physically Disabled and Able-Bodied Association swings into action at Howick Golf Course at 12.30 pm.

* North Harbour hosts the national synchronised swimming competition at the Waitakere City Aquatic Centre today and tomorrow. Details from Emma van der Sluis on 473-1755.

* The Manukau City Council celebrates the International Day of the Older Person with activities at the Auckland Regional Botanic Gardens. Phone 279-4332 for details.

Tomorrow


* A world music workshop starts at 10 am at the Corelli School of Music, 50 Anzac Rd, Browns Bay. Phone 810-9727, or e-mail richardflute@hotmail.com


* The Howick Orchid Society is holding its annual show from 11 am to 4.30 pm tomorrow and from 10 am to 4 pm on Sunday at the Howick Intermediate School hall, Botany Rd, Howick.


* The Florestan Trio performs works by Schubert, Ravel, Faure and Beethoven at the Auckland Town Hall at 8 pm.


* Find out about building, extending or renovating at the World Architecture Open Day, from 10 am to 3 pm. To find out which practices and projects are open in your area, call 377-3445 or visit the Open Day website


* Market stalls in Aotea Square and a concert in the ASB Theatre, Aotea Centre, are part of the Moon Festival, a traditional Chinese festival celebrating autumn in the Northern Hemisphere. For details call 274-9801.


* A rally and march to oppose United States preparations for attacks on Afghanistan is planned to start at 4 pm in Queen Elizabeth Square. Phone (021) 455-762 for details.


Sunday

* Riverside Ave, Pt England, between the intersections of Riki Rd and Anderson Ave, will be closed between 8.45 am and 9.45 am for the Rock'n'Roll 15km road race. The race starts in Riverside Ave and finishes with activities in the Pt England Reserve.


* There's a free family concert in the Auckland Town Hall at 2.30 pm, featuring City Organist Dr John Wells and Indra Hughes.


* Enjoy a free tour of the Threatened Native Plants Garden, a new collection at the Botanic Gardens, Hill Rd, Manurewa. Also: the garden's spring plant sale starts at noon.


* There will be a screening of The Hurricane at the Academy Cinema, Lorne St, at 6 pm. This will be followed by a talk by wrongly imprisoned former boxer Rubin "Hurricane" Carter, on whose life the 1999 movie is based. Phone 373-2761 for bookings.


* The Takapuna Croquet Club holds a family fun day from 10 am to 3 pm at 8 Auburn St, Takapuna. Phone 489-2051, 410-7884 - or just arrive.


* Mozart and More is the title of a concert by the Auckland Chamber Orchestra at 6 pm in the Concert Chamber of the Auckland Town Hall. Phone 307-5000 for bookings.


* Project Twin Streams (to protect the Oratia and Opanuku Streams) will be launched by Waitakere City Mayor Bob Harvey at the Falls Hotel, Alderman Drive, Henderson, at 2.30 pm. Sunday's event includes tree planting and ecological walks along the lower reaches of the Opanuku.


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