Labour Day weekend’s a busy one

Damp spells predicted.

Model boats may get a little help from the wind which is predicted to build in Taranaki during Saturday afternoon’s build-up to Labour Day.

The region’s Labour Weekend is looking to be busy but the weather is predicted to be cloudy, and there may be some disappointingly damp spells, particularly on Monday, Labour Day.

Metservice is predicting Saturday to be mostly cloudy with the odd shower, turning to rain in the evening. Sunday will have a few showers and more cloud, with rain more frequent on Monday.

Model boat enthusiasts are expected in Hawera on Saturday and Sunday for the annual Scale Ships Regatta on King Edward Park lake. On Saturday, between

10am and 2pm, there will be origami boat-making and face painting for kids as well, organised by the friends of the park.

For more revs head to Motorama on Saturday at East End Reserve in New Plymouth to see hot rods, street cars, sprint boats, classic cars, trucks, motorbikes and go karts.

All proceeds will be donated to Taranaki Health Foundation for the Open Minds Project and Children’s Artwork Project.

Another fundraising event happening on Saturday will help the Warren/Gilbert family of Inglewood, who lost their daughter Emma, 7, in a road accident recently, and their son Tyler only months before. It takes place at the TET event centre from 11am to

2pm.

There will be food stalls, live music from Roadhouse, auctions, pony rides, zorb balls, face painting, mini cars, bouncy castles, stalls and more.

Meanwhile, thousands of Taranaki Ma¯ori are expected to converge on the small south Taranaki township of Manaia for the biennial three-day Taranaki Tu¯ Mai Festival 2017.

‘‘This is a fantastic gathering of our people representing the eight iwi of Taranaki and our communities as we come together to celebrate our culture and unique identity,’’ Omahuru Robinson, spokesman for Nga¯ Ruahine, which is hosting the event, said.

Rugby fans will head to Yarrow Stadium to see Taranaki take on Tasman in the semi final of the ITM Cup at 7.35pm on Saturday.

Although the Taste Taranaki Festival on Saturday at Pukekura Raceway is sold out, those with a thirst can get along to Ocktoberfest at The Mayfair, New Plymouth, on Saturday from 4-6pm.

Celebrations for the 200th anniversary of the Baha’i faith are being held in Taranaki at Marfell Community School on Saturday with dances of universal peace at

9am and at 2pm a family fun afternoon begins.

On Sunday, the Taranaki Pioneer Village at Stratford has a family fun day from 10am -4pm where people are encouraged to dress for the occasion in Victorian costume and relive yesteryear with live displays in the blacksmith’s forge, wood turning workshop and the print shop.

Those who prefer their entertainment a little more adrenalinpacked can head for Eltham on Sunday and watch kids and a few intrepid adults hurtle down steep Dalziel Rd on home-built trollies from 10am.

The 2017 Maori surfing nationals are on over the weekend. The event begins with a powhiri at Manukorihi Marae on Friday, surfing competition begins on Saturday and finals will be held on Sunday.

There are several markets, including the Under the Mountain Fete, a fundraiser for St Mary’s Diocesan School at Stratford from

10am on Saturday, the Seaside Market at Ngamotu Beach, New Plymouth, on Sunday from 10am, and the regular Taranaki Farmers Market on Sunday morning and SPCA market on Saturday.