Events on This Weekend
Friday Mar 29 - Monday Apr 1: The Great Easter Egg Hunt, Rotorua Museum. Become a detective and follow a series of clues. You will need to search Rotorua Museum to find the missing Easter eggs and the elusive Easter Bunny.
Friday Mar 29: Keeping backyard
chickens healthy and happy. Hannah's Bay community gardens, 5.30pm to 6.30pm. Email denisel@clear.net.nz or call (07) 345 5592 to register.
Saturday Mar 30: The Saturday Morning Rotary North Market. Open every Saturday next to the playground in Kuirau Park from 7am to 1pm. A range of produce, food, goods and entertainment, with proceeds going back to the Rotorua community.
Saturday Mar 30: Blue Sky Market. Arts and crafts market at Arawa Park Racecourse, from 9am to 4pm.
Saturday Mar 30: Microwave preserving course. RSVP to Linton Park Community Centre on (07) 348 0757.
Saturday Mar 30: Friends of the Rotorua Library book sale. From 9am to 1pm in the Old Tea Kiosk in Kuirau Park next to the playground. Thousands of books and magazines with all proceeds going to the Rotorua District Library.
Saturday Mar 30 - Sunday Mar 31: Hickey Contractors Easter Extravaganza, Paradise Valley raceway. Superstocks, stock cars, modifieds, minisprints, production saloons. From 6pm. Adults $20, children $10, family tickets $45.
Saturday Mar 30 - Sunday Mar 31: The Soundshell Market. Featuring a range of crafts, souvenirs, variety, imported products, antiques, curios and collectibles. From 9am to 3pm at Rotorua Lakefront. Free parking and free entry. For enquiries call (07) 332 5782.
Saturday Mar 30 - Sunday Mar 31: Antique and Collectibles Fair in support of the Rotorua Community Hospice Trust. Saturday 10am-5pm, Sunday 10am-4pm. Everything is for sale. Rotorua Convention Centre, entry $6 for adults, accompanied children free.
Saturday Mar 30 - Monday Apr 1: Model Railway Show. Check out model railways on display at the Rotorua Model Railway Club's annual show at Arawa Park Racecourse on Fenton St. From 9.30am to 4pm Saturday and Sunday, and 9.30am to 2pm Monday. Entry is $6 for adults and $3 for children 12 and under. $18 family pass.
Sunday, Mar 31: The Zultimate Easter Egg Hunt at Zorb Rotorua from 10am. For all ages, the free event will provide entertainment with face painting, prizes and lots of fun.
Sunday Mar 31: Rotorua's Heritage Village - Te Amorangi Museum. Open every Sunday and Thursday from 10am to 4pm. Check out the forestry displays, steam engines, the historic 1925 Douslin House and Evansville on 1920 Street. For details call Allan on (07) 345 6884.
Sunday Mar 31: Music at the Rotunda. Free entertainment in the Government Gardens from 1pm to 2.30pm. Today featuring the Rotorua Symphonic Band and Rotorua Highland Pipe Band. Cancelled if wet. More information at www.creativerotorua.org.nz.
Free Things to do in Rotorua this Easter:
From tomorrow until Monday, 9am to 5pm, The Great Easter Egg Hunt is on again at Rotorua Museum. Entry is included with Museum admission, which is free with proof of Rotorua residency.
Head along to the Rotorua combined churches' Easter service at the City Focus at 10am.
Join the Ngongotaha Combined Churches Procession of Witness as they parade the "Cross of Christ" through the township to mark Good Friday tomorrow. Assemble at the scout/guide hall on the corner of Western and Ngongotaha roads at 1.15pm for a 1.30pm start.
Wai-o-Tapu Thermal Wonderland. Free to Rotorua residents with photo ID and proof of address.
The library is free to Rotorua residents and there's no fee for children's books.
Walk in the Redwoods. A variety of tracks of different lengths, some providing views of the city
Take a drive to Hamurana Springs and go for a walk to the spring. Play spot the trout as you walk by the stream with points.
Get baking. Baking can be fun for all ages, start with something simple like cutting out biscuits and decorating them with icing or sprinkles. Older children can try cupcakes, muffins or a delicious cake.
Take the children trout fishing on one of the lakes or rivers in the district.
Pack a picnic and head to one of Rotorua's picturesque areas - lakes, forests or parks.