Ngarimu Besseling pursues an elusive chocolate fish in a game called koekhappen at a previous Dutch festival in Whangarei Photo / Ron Burgin
Ngarimu Besseling pursues an elusive chocolate fish in a game called koekhappen at a previous Dutch festival in Whangarei Photo / Ron Burgin
Orange rules at Kerikeri Koningsdag
Dust off your funkiest orange clothing and head down to Kerikeri's Kingston House to celebrate the colourful Dutch Festival on April 27.
Northland's version of Koningsdag – or King's Day – includes live entertainment where festivalgoers can dance, drink, eat and celebrate "Dutch style", while wearing orange, the country's national colour.
The event is traditionally held each year in cities all around the Netherlands in honour of the Dutch royal family.
The slightly smaller New Zealand version, held at Kingston House on Hone Heke Rd, runs from 11am to 10pm.
The family fun fair will also have a free flea market and kids' traditional games, followed by belly dances and Indonesian dances, a raffle with great prizes, and a dance party.
It's best to arrive hungry, as there will be food stalls packed with oliebollen (Dutch doughnuts), croquettes, salted herrings, cheese platters, mini pancakes, apple pie, butter cake and cookies, along with an array of Indonesian dishes and treats.
Entry is $2 for adults and $1 for children at the door.
For more information or to volunteer phone 09 401 6563 or email mgansems@gmail.com.
Archaeology week
The spotlight will fall on Northland's archaeology during two events in Whangarei.
The events are part of the third annual New Zealand Archaeology Week, a celebration of the country's archaeological heritage which runs from April 24 to May 5.
People can kick off their exploration of Northland archaeology with the Hatea River Hikoi – a walk 'n' talk led by students from Whangarei Boys High School with back-up from Heritage New Zealand's Northland Manager, Bill Edwards.
Gather at Hatea Drive opposite the Discovery Settlers Motel on May 4 at 10am.
From 2pm the same day, a panel of experts will present six 15-minute talks focusing on different aspects of archaeology during KiwiNorth Floor Talks.
The talks will take place at KiwiNorth's Vintage Car Club rooms and include WWII Camps in Northland, with Jack Kemp and Dr Bill Guthrie, and The Battle of Kororāreka – the start of the Northern Wars by Bill Edwards.
Kaylee Bell, Aly Cook, and Joni Harms and Olivia are among headline acts to play at the 30th Country Rock Festival from May 10 to 12.
YouTube sensations the Harmonic Resonators will also be there as well as Dennis Marsh, Eddie Low, Craig Robertson & 43 Holes, Toner Sisters, The Trail Benders, Brendan Dugan and Gray Bartlett and guitar maestro Che Orton.
Organiser Shirley May says in total, 47 bands from New Zealand and Australia, and even a couple from the United States will be playing this year.
May says she's looking forward to catching up with festival goers and musicians during the high calibre, country music event.
"Where else would you go to see Eddie Low or Dennis Marsh and a bunch of other musicians over three days at seven venues?
"For $80 you get the cream of country rock music."
Street music and line dancing are also popular features of the event. For more information and tickets visit www.country-rock.co.nz or buy them directly from the Scenic Hotel, Paihia Sports Bar, Kingsgate Autolodge, the Paihia Ex-Servicemen's Club, Duke of Marlborough hotel or tavern, Copthorne Hotel or Wards Music in Whangarei.
Successful shave
Hairdresser Stephen Timings and students Rees Fieldman, Magnus Grant, William Scott, Youssef Awad, Connor Nobbs, Ryan McCready, Leanne Stapleton and Cameron Ireland. Photo / supplied
Springbank School has taken part in a fantastic fundraising effort led by its students.
Eight students stepped up and had their hair shaved off by Stephen Timings from Himself the Barbers in Kerikeri who volunteered his time.
The school hoped to raise $1500 for Leukaemia & Blood Cancer New Zealand during the annual Shave for a Cure event on April 12.
But they smashed that figure out of the park, by raising $2350 via the official Shave for a Cure fundraising page.
The total figure, including donations handed in on the day of around $200, meant they raised $2550 and this is set to increase further when the official count is done in the new term.
Jazz it up
Jazz royalty Joy Yates and Dave MacRae play at The Turner Centre Jazz Club on Friday.
The Turner Centre is set to welcome some of New Zealand's finest "jazz royalty" at its popular Jazz Club on April 26.
This month's club will see Joy Yates on vocals and Dave MacRae on piano, along with Frank Gibson on drums, and Bruce Lynch on double bass.
Head along to the New World Theatre Bar; doors open at 5pm and the live music starts at 6pm.
It costs $10 at the door.
Setting sail
Kay Russell and Kerry Payne sailing at last year's WOW (Women on Water) Weekend Sailing Rally. Photo / Great Escape
The second annual WOW (Women on Water) Weekend Fun Sailing Rally is taking place from May 3 to 5.
Women can develop their sailing and boat handling skills, meet new friends and have fun at the event, which starts at the Opua Cruising Club on Friday afternoon.
Participants will sail out to the islands with an overnight stay on Saturday, then return to Opua on Sunday afternoon.
There are many planting projects at various locations in the Bay of Islands from May to October.
The next project is at Moturua Island on May 5.
Email Rod Brown at summerhouse.kerikeri@gmail.com for details.
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