Information for your day

Compiled by PHOEBE FALCONER

Harbour watch

Boaties and others using the Manukau Harbour are asked to keep clear of the area between Puketutu Island and Ambury Park from now until at least August 24. The area is becoming a construction zone as Watercare starts the last stage of decommissioning the old Mangere Wastewater Treatment Plant's oxidation ponds. Sludge has been dredged from the ponds, and removing a seawall will soon return 250ha of seabed to natural tidal flow.

As a precaution, do not swim or collect shellfish in the upper Manukau Harbour between Blockhouse Bay, Ihumatao and Mangere Bridge from now until at least August 24.

Policies outlined

Social Policy and the Voluntary Sector is the topic for a political party forum today organised by the Auckland District Council of Social Services.

Those expected to outline their policies and discuss issues include Ruth Dyson (Labour), Bob Simcock (National) and Sue Bradford (Greens). Venue is the Beth Shalom Hall, 180 Manukau Rd, Epsom from 2pm to 4.30pm. Queries to co-ordinator Angela Maynard at a.maynard@xtra.co.nz or phone/fax 445.9996.

Lane closures

* Be careful on the Newmarket Viaduct on the Southern Motorway tonight from 9.30pm to 5.30am. Alternate southbound lanes will be closed to allow upgrading work.

* The northbound Manukau offramp will be closed from 10pm to 5.30am. So will the Redoubt Rd onramp southbound and the Ellerslie-Penrose onramp southbound.

* On the Northwestern the Western Springs offramps westbound and eastbound will be closed from 10pm to 5.30am.

* But in central Auckland the section of Grafton Road leading from the bottom of the gully up to the University of Auckland and Symonds St is back on its original alignment.

The art of plants

Botanica, an exhibition just started at the Gus Fisher Gallery, draws extensively on public and private collections of historical and contemporary scientific botanical documents and visual art.

It includes specimens collected by Joseph Banks and Daniel Solander, scientists on Captain James Cook's ship Endeavour, and swaying sunflower sculptures. The gallery at 74 Shortland St is open weekdays 10am to 5pm and Saturdays 10am to 3pm. Free admission. Runs until August 31.

Musical progress

A panel of speakers from the local music industry will discuss the progression of New Zealand music and global trends at a Musical Melting Pot tomorrow night at 7pm at the Cellar Corban Estates Art Centre.

Speakers include Andrew Featherstone of Intergalactic Records and organiser of the national Battle of The Bands; hip hop and rap musician Bill Urale (King Kapisi); and Greg Booth, senior lecturer of Ethno Musicology at the University of Auckland. Gold coin entry.

The centre is at 426 Great North Rd, Henderson. Contact Diane Blomfield Ph 8384455. Fax 838.4488. Or info@ceac.org.nz

Coastal plan

Better coastal management in the Auckland region is the subject of a public meeting at the Auckland Regional Council, Vodafone Building, Pitt St, tonight at 7pm. The plan is already attracting views from a wide range of conservation groups and other beach users and is open to anyone in the Auckland region.

Language fest

Celebrating International Languages Week the University of Auckland is running films in different languages in the Old Choral Hall, Symonds St from 12.30pm to 2.30pm or longer if necessary.

The university's schools of Asian Studies and of European Languages and Literatures has lined up a French film Gazon Maudit for today, with a German film Run Lola Run on Wednesday. A Taxing Woman (Japanese) runs Thursday and Tango, (in Spanish) is on Friday. Free entrance, and all films are subtitled.

Dam progress

The upgrading project for Cosseys Dam in the Hunua Ranges will be the subject of an informal meeting held by Watercare Services tonight. Venue: Hunua Hall, Main Rd, Hunua, 7pm to 8.30pm. Queries to Jim Bell 0274774098.

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