Paul Hickey: Trent and Lizzie do us proud at the final

Kids dug fast for hidden Easter goodies at Hannah's Bay yesterday. Photo / Stephen Parker

Writing this week's column is my final responsibility before sitting back to watch the Black Caps in the Cricket World Cup final. I must admit to a wee bit of nerves - but whatever the outcome of the match, you have to congratulate B Mac and his team for the joy they have provided the country over the past couple of months.

I didn't realise until a couple of weeks ago that Black Caps fast bowler Trent Boult was born in Rotorua, so we'll claim him as a local. And, of course, it's great to see that Lizzie Marvelly got the call up to perform the anthem at the final, as no-one does it better.

As a nervous flyer at the best of times, I'm certainly glad I'm not flying anywhere for a holiday anytime soon. The latest tragedy that appears to have been pilot suicide throws a new and scary element to air travel for me, and I am sure plenty of others. It also shows to those who said something like this could not have happened a year ago with the missing plane just how it is actually possible.

Mind you, travelling on our roads can be just as scary right now, and I'm not talking about the tourist drivers. Not sure whether there's something in the water at the moment, but too many close calls for me lately.

It wasn't the flashest of weekends weather wise, but thank goodness the rain gave us a bit of a small window of opportunity to hold our "2015 The Hits Easter Beach Dig" yesterday morning at Hannah's Bay. Thanks to all those who braved the conditions and brought their children along for a bit of fun. We had to rush it a little, but at least no one got too wet. We've got a short video up now at www.thehits.co.nz/rotorua if you want to see the kids running for the dig start.

Easter is just days away, and for some of us it means two short weeks at work. For the kids, it means the end of the first school term - where is the year going? Easter means a heap of events in town and for me it's all about the big two-night speedway meeting up at Paradise Valley Raceway on Saturday and Sunday. The downside is I will miss our only local game in the ANZ Netball Championship this year. It is always a great atmosphere at the Energy Events Centre, so if you're not going to be at the stockcars with me, get along to support our girls - especially our local star Sam Sinclair as they take on the Mystics. The Hits is proud to be supporting great local events, so listen to my show this week to win tickets to these two Easter events, and keep an eye on our Facebook page too.

-Paul Hickey is the host of the locally based 9am-3pm show on The Hits Rotorua 97.5FM. Follow on Facebook The Hits Rotorua and on Twitter @paulhickeynz