Need to know: Weekend Planner

Compiled by PHOEBE FALCONER

Weather

Often cloudy today, but it brightens up this afternoon. Periods of rain tomorrow ease to showers, and the northwesterly wind changes to the southwest during the morning. On Sunday, it will be mostly cloudy with a few showers, and fresh southwesterlies.

Sport

This weekend's Super 12 Rugby kicks off tonight when the Highlanders play the Hurricanes at Carisbrook, screened live on Sky Sport at 7.30pm. The Crusaders play the Bulls at Jade Stadium tomorrow, live on Sky Sport at 7.20pm, followed by Reds v Stormers at 9.30pm. On Sunday, the Sharks play the Blues at 1.55am and the Cats play the Chiefs at 4am, both live on Sky Sport.

Six Nations rugby doesn't reach us until 3.40am on Sunday, when Wales play Scotland, live on Sky Sport 2, and Italy plays England at 12.55am on Monday, on Sky Sport.

* The Davis Cup tennis clash between New Zealand and India in Wellington begins at 10am, live on Sky Sport, and coverage continues over the weekend.

* For basketball fans, the Waikato Titans play Auckland at 2.30pm tomorrow. TV One carries the game live.

* NRL Rugby League games start with Souths v Bulldogs at 9.30pm tonight, and Parramatta v Melbourne Storm at 5.30pm tomorrow, both games live on Sky Sport. North Queensland Cowboys play the Warriors at 7.25pm tomorrow, on Sky 1.

Freebie

The North Shore Philatelic Society is hosting a national stamp exhibition this weekend. More than 10,000 pages of stamps from as far away as China, Britain and the United States will be on display, and sponsor New Zealand Post will issue a special Lord of the Rings miniature sheet of stamps today. Pitcairn Island will also launch a set of stamps at the exhibition. The venue is the North Shore Events Centre, off Porana Rd, Glenfield. Free admission.

Road closures

* St Paul St, between Symonds St and Lorne St, will be closed from 6am until 10pm tomorrow, as a tower crane is installed at AUT. Traffic will be redirected to Wakefield St, Mayoral Drive and Wellesley St East. The rain date is Sunday.

* Federal St, between Wellesley St West and Victoria St West, will be closed from 5am until 1.30pm tomorrow for the Sky Tower Vertical Challenge.

* Customs St West, between Pakenham St East and Market Place, will be closed from 7am until 6pm on Sunday for the Red Bull Birdman event.

* Wellesley St East between Princes St and Symonds St will be closed from 6am until 6pm on Sunday as building materials are lifted by crane to a site at the University of Auckland. Detours will be signposted.

Today

* Click go the shears in Te Kuiti this weekend, as elimination rounds in the New Zealand shearing championships continue. The finals of the North Island Shearer of the Year, open wool handling, Inter-island challenge, Icon circuit and New Zealand Open will be held tomorrow. The venue is the Waitomo Arts and Cultural Centre.

* The AUT volunteer tutor scheme needs people to tutor new arrivals to New Zealand, including Afghani refugees. Assistance with maths and accounting is particularly needed. If you can help, phone 846-7773 or 267-6924.

Tomorrow

* Kiwi Valley in Henderson Valley Rd, Henderson, celebrates its first birthday this weekend with sheep shearing, gun-slinging, dance and craft today, and country music, fashion shows and lots of children's entertainment tomorrow. Normal admission prices apply. It is open from 10am until 5pm both days, and daily from 10am till 4pm during the school holidays. Phone 837-2952 for details.

* Learn about composting, worm farming and waste minimisation at the Kaipatiki Ecological Restoration Project's education centre, 17 Lauderdale Rd, Birkdale, from 1pm until 3pm today. The course is free. Call 482-1172 to register. For details on this and other courses visit the Kaipatiki Ecological Restoration Project Web Site.

* Today is Tai Chi and Qigong Day. Mass events will be held around the world, promoting the physical, mental and spiritual health benefits that come from practising these ancient Chinese art forms. Auckland's contribution begins at 10am in the Avondale College gymnasium, 203 Rosebank Rd, Avondale. Admission is free. Use gate three from Rosebank Rd. For further information visit the World Tai Chi Day website.

* A rally for peace organised by the Palestine Human Rights Campaign begins at 1pm in Aotea Square. Everyone is welcome to attend.

* The French Navy patrol boat La Moqueuse is in Devonport, and will be open to the public between 1pm and 2.30pm today and tomorrow. Entry is via the main gate in Queens Parade.

* The monthly arts and craft market at the Corban Estate Arts Centre, 426 Great North Rd, Henderson, opens at 9am and features a variety of ethnic food, local produce, music and entertainment. Interested stall-holders should call 838-4455.

Sunday

* You can have your garden and eat it too. Learn how at a workshop on creating an edible garden at the Regional Botanic Garden from 11am until 1pm. The cost is $8 per person, and no bookings are necessary. Edible plants will be on sale.

* From four hooves to four wheels. The New Zealand 4WD Show opens at 9am at the Auckland Polo Club in Clevedon. Admission is $10, and children under 12 are free. Call 478-4771 for more information.

* A tribute concert to Peter Godfrey in Holy Trinity Cathedral, Parnell, at 2pm will include items by Auckland choirs and organists James Tibbles and John Wells. Tickets are available at the door. For details phone 373-4886.

* The Philharmonic Society Orchestra performs in the Apec Room at Auckland Museum from 3.30pm.

* On your marks, get set, go to the Karekare Beach race carnival. The fun and fashion start at 10.30am, and there will be children's races, pony rides, raffles and an auction, as well as the race programme with sweepstake.

* The Maritime Crew, singers of sea songs and shanties, will entertain visitors to the National Maritime Museum at Hobson Wharf from 1.30pm.

* The New Zealand Tamil Society has organised a poster exhibition and panel discussion on the struggle for human rights and future peace prospects for their people in Sri Lanka. The event begins at 3pm in Aotea Square.

* Hello Sailor, Jordan Luck, Richie Pickett, the Larry Morris Band and Minister of Defence Mark Burton join others in a concert at the Plaza Theatre in Putaruru at 4pm. Proceeds will go to a trust set up by the parents of Private Leonard Manning, the New Zealand soldier killed in East Timor, to benefit Timorese children. Tickets are $20 at the door.

* Skidfest, the ultimate burnout show, was rained out last Sunday, but organisers are having another go. Gates open at 10.30am at the Manukau Velodrome and burnouts start at 11am. Adults $12, children under 10 free and so is the parking.

* The Auckland Wind Orchestra presents The Best of British at 2pm at the University of Auckland Music Theatre in Symonds St. The programme will include works by Holst, Vaughan Williams, Elgar and Percy Grainger. Tickets are available for $15 and $12 at the door or by phoning 579-9366.

* So you really think you can fly, do you? Dozens of would-be aviators will strap themselves into their homemade flying machines and launch themselves off the wharf at the Viaduct Harbour. The fun starts at noon.

* A special reunion gig for Spinning Wheel, with Karen Hunter and Leraine Horstmanshoff, starts at 7.30pm at Temple, 486 Queen St. Tickets are $20 and limited to 35 people. Call 377-4866.

* Sail the Waitemata Harbour on board a heritage vessel. The Ted Ashby sails at 10am, noon and 2pm, and Breeze leaves at 1.30pm and 4pm. Ring the Maritime Museum to book, on 373-0800.

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