What's on this weekend

Simon Gault gives a cooking demonstration at the Food Show. Photo / Dean Purcell

Need ideas on what to do this weekend? We've handpicked five of the best things to do around Auckland.

1. Four real

Can it really be only four years since the waterfront opened up to us. Oh, right, Rugby World Cup has come around again. We've fallen in love with Wynyard Quarter, it's already knitted into the fabric of the city, so we'll be there for the birthday celebrations.

Everything from yoga to cycling, free Sealink ferry sailings, workshops, marching bands, circus performers, outdoor cinema, carnival rides and so much more.

Details: Today, 8am-5.30pm. All around Wynyard Quarter.

2. For dog's sake

We all love the work that seeing-eye dogs do, but we're even more impressed by the help that Assistance provide to all sorts of disabilities - independent living and a companion, what a perfect combination. For this weekend's fundraiser Woof and Walk grab your best friend - hairy or human - and head to Cornwall Park for a fun, family friendly dog walk. With a sausage sizzle, coffee, ice cream, entertainment and surprise celebrities, there'll also be prizes for best dressed dog, fastest sausage eater and most obedient dog.

Details: Tomorrow, 1pm, rain or shine. One Tree Hill Domain, Cornwall Park.

3. Dig this

A glorious winter's day is the perfect day to head across the gulf on the ferry to join the Rotoroa Island volunteer planting day - it's not all digging, there's time to explore too. Ferry numbers are limited, so be sure to mention that you're a volunteer when you book to get the discount.

Details: Tomorrow, 8.45am-5.15pm. 360 Discovery ferry terminal.

4. Eat up

The Food Show offers folks the chance to taste, sample and buy from a huge range of food, drink and kitchen equipment. It's as if someone took the delicatessen and supermarket of your dreams, added an upmarket kitchenware shop and rolled them all into one. Demos from celebrity chefs are always a treat. While you're there, head across to the the Logan Campbell Centre to watch school kids cook their two favourite dishes and present them to the judges, Simon Gault and Brett McGregor in the Kids Can Cook Championship then watch top national and international chefs compete in the Salon Culinaire competitions.

Details: Today 10am-6pm, tomorrow 10am-5pm. ASB Showgrounds, 217 Greenlane West, Greenlane. Tickets from: $15-25 (under 5s free).

5. Sounds cool

This weekend's Pick & Mix pairs Jam Bus Recording Studio with Play It Strange, where the kids can join a live recording session with a band, plus a workshop to teach modern recording technology, from different microphones, to mixing and mastering music with the recordings available for download after the show.

Details: Recording session 10.30 am, workshop 11.30am.
Today, 10.30-12.30pm. Aotea Centre. Tomorrow, 10.30am-12.30pm. Bruce Mason Centre, Takapuna.