The water off Russell crowded with boats competing in 2013's Tall Ships and Classic Invitational. PHOTO / STEPHEN WESTERN
The water off Russell crowded with boats competing in 2013's Tall Ships and Classic Invitational. PHOTO / STEPHEN WESTERN
A weekly round-up of news snippets, events and oddities from the Bay of Islands and around the Mid North
One of the top events in the Bay of Islands' maritime and social calendars returns on Saturday with more than 80 classic yachts and a handful of tall ships due to take part in a day of light-hearted racing hosted by the Russell Boating Club.
The Tall Ships and Classic Invitational Race started in 1976 with six boats. This year, the 40th time the race has been held, 86 are expected.
The event is contested in two divisions - tall ships (minimum 9.1m/30ft on deck with at least two masts) and classic invitational (minimum 6.7m/22ft, any rig).
Racing starts at noon; multihulls and spinnakers are banned. The course will be determined by the conditions on the day.
The tall ships Spirit of New Zealand, R Tucker Thompson and Breeze will take part, as will about 45 classic vessels. Among them is Reremoana, a Herreshof ketch now owned by Paihia's David Hope-Lewis, which has competed in every race since 1976 bar one.
Sylfia, a steel ketch built by the last Bernard Kuczera of Kerikeri, will return to defend last year's handicap win in the classic.
For just the second time this year an all-comers race will be open to any vessel type, including multihulls (minimum 6.7m/22ft). Spot prizes but no handicap places will be awarded.
Almost as popular as the race itself is the prizegiving, hangi and live bands afterwards at the club's Matauwhi Bay base. The hangi, which caters to as many as 1000 people, is one of the biggest in the country.
Northland's first summer show of 2015 will be held at the Kaikohe Showgrounds at the corner of Ngawha Springs Rd and SH12 this Saturday.
The Kaikohe Agricultural, Pastoral and Horticultural show will feature all the usual indoor, equestrian, livestock and shearing contests, as well as trade stalls, rides and food.
The Kaikohe show is particularly known for its small animals and rare breeds, while its harness section - with horses, ponies and the occasional donkey pulling carts and antique gigs - is said to be one of the biggest in the country.
Entry $10; free to children aged 14 and under.
Free holiday fun
A new school holiday programme kicks off in Paihia and Waitangi next week, hot on the heels of the town's annual Summer Festival.
Wawata Ao Marama Summer Holiday Programme runs from January 13-24. All events are free and aimed at children and youth.
Some activities have an educational element, such as the treasure hunt and Maori culture workshops, while others are pure fun and creativity, such as the messy mural painting. Kids keen on music and dance can learn hip hop dance or help make a music video with a well-known Kiwi singer.
January 13-24 - Local history treasure hunt. Starts at Letz Cafe on Williams Rd. Friday, January 16 - Maori culture, Te Tii Marae field, Waitangi, 12-5pm, all ages. Learn korero tara (legends), waiata (songs) and mahi toi (crafts). Saturday, January 17 - Hip-hop dance workshops with Maunsell Dance Studios, Paihia Memorial Hall, 11am-1pm for 5-10 year-olds; 12.30-2.30pm for 11 years and up. Sunday, January 18 - Kids karaoke with DJ Rache, Paihia Memorial Hall, 11am-12pm for kids aged 5 and under; 12.30-3.30pm for age 6 and up. Thursday, January 22 and Friday, January 23 - Music workshops with Emma Paki, Te Tii Marae field, Waitangi, 11am-12pm for kids 5 and under; 12.30-3.30pm for age 6 and up. Help create (and star in) a video clip in a two-day workshop. Saturday, January 24 - Messy art day, Paihia Village Green, 11am-4pm, all ages. One large white wall and lots of paint, plus a messy version of Twister.
Autospectacular returns
The Far North Vintage Car Club is holding it annual Autospectacular on Saturday, January 10, at the Eastern Rugby Football Grounds on East St, Taipa.
Attractions include classic and vintage cars, hot rods, motorcycles, trucks, swap meet, food, art and crafts, and fun stuff for kids.
This car, once owned by Argentinian dictator Juan Peron and his wife Evita, will be one of the stars at Saturday's Autospectacular in Taipa.
One of the stars of the show will be a 1950s, Italian-built Lancia-Aurelia Tipo B52 prototype, designed to look like a jet fighter without wings. Currently owned by a Whangarei collector, it used to belong to Argentinian dictator Juan Peron and his wife Evita.
A 1987 Ferrari 328 V8 once owned by Shania Twain, and just like the car Tom Selleck drove in the TV series Magnum PI, will also be on show.
The gates will be open from 8am-2pm with the prizegiving, including people's choice award, at 1pm. Show vehicles and drivers get in free; public entry is $5 for adults and $2 children.
Stones on show
A rarely seen silver gelatine print of the Rolling Stones shot in 1968 by renowned Russell photographer Frank Habicht is among the artworks on shown in Kaan Zamaan gallery's Summer Showcase exhibition.
Also on display will be sculptural work by Liz McAuliffe, landscape paintings by Scott McFarlane from his private collection, mixed media work by Rachel Miller and Rob Anderson's contemporary ceramics.
The gallery, on Kerikeri's Hobson Ave, re-opens on January 12. The summer show runs until January 28.
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