Where we were

A weekly Monday column looking at events that attracted Aucklanders at the weekend.

WORLD TAI CHI AND QIGONG DAY

Tamaki College Recreation Centre, Glen Innes

A predominantly Chinese crowd, laced with a sprinkling of other nationalities, celebrated the 4th World Tai Chi and Qigong Day - a first for New Zealand.

It was sponsored by the Asia 2000 Foundation of New Zealand and organised by the New Zealand National Tai Chi Chuan Association.

Tai chi is the Chinese art of slow stretching in a range of struck poses to improve flexibility and muscle control, and cut stress.

David Wong, the representative of the organising subcommittee, said he was delighted the ancient Chinese art was becoming increasingly popular.

Auckland's event was the first to get under way of 1000 events in 60 countries.

International organisers had hoped that as the day unfolded, "Tai chi and qigong practitioners will literally breathe together, sending a wave of calming and healing energy to encircle the globe".

VILLAGE ANTIQUE ROAD SHOW

Essex Reserve, Mt Eden

$4000 for a clock?

That was the highlight of the Antique Road Show charity fundraiser in Mt Eden, Auckland, on Saturday.

It was based on the British television programme which has locals turning up to value household objects which they hope will be worth an absolute fortune (and sometimes are).

More than 1000 people turned up at the show to try their luck.

The highlight was a rare ship's chronometer used in the Royal Navy to calculate longitude, which had been in the owner's family since 1922.

It was worth more than $4000, said the experts. The show is likely to be a regular event.

WHANGAMATA BEACH HOP 2004

Coromandel Peninsula

It was a last gasp for a late summer. But what a gasp.

Some 1200 vehicles and 42,000 people turned up for the Whangamata Beach Hop 2004, attracting holidaymakers making the most of the golden weather, as well as locals.

Four years ago the hop pulled 300 vehicles and 3000 people.

That's a long way to come, observed Kevin Black, of sponsor Solid Gold, about the Whangamata Beach Hop 2004.

The hop's 50s and 60s theme brought crowds flocking to see hot rods, restored classics, Harleys, dragsters and lo-rider pushbikes while others danced to rock and roll bands.