Summer's on its way and there's a lot to look forward to in Rotorua.
We reveal today the impressive line-up that will join UB40 at the Lakefront in January.
Rotorua is the only stop on the reggae legends' seven-concert New Zealand tour where they will be joined by the arrayof special guests, which is nice recognition of the support locals have given UB40 and reggae musicians in previous years. It's especially welcome given we no longer host the Raggamuffin concert.
The line-up has something for young and old, from the old school Herbs and Ardijah to Beau Monga, the X Factor winner.
And if reggae is not your thing, there's the annual Lakeside concert in February which is always a brilliant night out, plus many other sporting, musical and cultural events to come over the new few months.
Daylight savings has settled in and - bar the occasional gripes about getting kids to bed while it's still light outside - it's amazing to observe the difference sunshine and light evenings makes to people's mood.
Is it just me or do people have more of a spring in their step this week?
The streets are full of people out getting in shape for summer, Eat Streat has that summer feeling and bright summer clothes are appearing in shop windows. It helps that the city streets also getting in the summer time mood.
The tulip festival officially gets under way on Friday, but the streets are already full of colour. And next week the Green Corridor is officially launched, potentially bringing families out to walk, cycle and scoot their way around town on a summertime evening. Or to be a white elephant, depending which camp you're in.
Maybe it's just the optimism of spring, but I for one hope it's a jumbo-sized success.
