Your guide to the weekend and beyond
BLAKE’S BANDIT
Black Magic, the yacht that Sir Peter Blake sailed to victory in the 1995 America’s Cup, has been on display at the New Zealand Maritime Museum for some time but only now has Blake’s first boat, one he built with his own hands when he was just 17 been available for the public to see. The restored Bandit, a 7m keel yacht built by Blake, his brother Tony and their friend Crawford Duncan, is newly on display in the Blue Water Black Magic gallery, where it will remain permanently or until the apocalypse. Daily, 10am-5pm. New Zealand Maritime Museum, Auckland Viaduct. Entry is free for Auckland residents with proof of address.
MAKING RAINBOWS
The Rainbow Machine, a remarkable collaboration between architects and artists Shahriar Asdollah-Zadeh, Patrick Loo and Sarosh Mulla and scientists from Callaghan Innovation is making rainbows all over Auckland this weekend. The large installation houses eight lenses that refract light so children (or anyone) can play with the sunlight and create rainbows. It’s at Silo Park for the summer but will be going on a little excursion to support the rainbow community at the Big Gay Out at Coyle Park. Daily until March 31, Silo Park, Auckland. Tomorrow at Big Gay Out, noon-9pm. Coyle Park, 528 Pt Chevalier Rd, Pt Chevalier.
ZOOLIGHT
Ever wondered what the animals at the zoo get up to at night? Now’s your opportunity to find out with Open Lates at Auckland Zoo. Spend the evening strolling past lions and tigers and birds, oh my, or attend a keeper talk or animal experience with flamingos, otters, seals, Tasmanian devils and more. The zoo cafes will be open, including the newly refurbished bistro-style Old Elephant House. Sounds like the perfect place to impress a date. Tonight, February 14, 21, 28 and March 9, 14,
21, 28, 4pm-8pm (last entry at 7pm). Auckland Zoo, Motions Rd, Western Springs. Tickets $12,
0-3 years and Friends of the Zoo annual passholders free.
WAKA AMA
For the 27th year in a row, hundreds of waka ama competitors will race from Okahu Bay to Mangere Bridge Waterfront Reserve, tracing the path _
Tainui navigated into the Isthmus of Tamaki Makaurau. _ _ As well as an historic event honouring tupuna Maori, it’s a great family day out with live music headlined by Smashproof and 1814, food and fun all happening at the finish line. There will also be a powhiri to welcome the competitors after the race. What a_ great way to spend a meaningful day with your whanau. Today, 10am-4.30pm. Mangere Bridge Waterfront Reserve, Waterfront Rd, Mangere Bridge.
ALBERTON
One of our favourite monthly markets is on at Alberton.
There will be delicious produce, scrumptious preserves, a pop-up deli from
Cazador, tasty sweet treats and more available from the market stalls, plus Kraken Crumpets, Grownup Donuts, Ola’s Latin Food and Sisi’s Pastry will be there with their street food selections.
Also on site is live music, balloon twisting and other fun activities for the kids. Tomorrow, 10am-2pm. Alberton, 100 Mt Albert Rd, Mt Albert.
SO MUCH PRIDE
It’s Pride month in Tamaki Makaurau and Auckland Museum is celebrating with a family fun day. The love-is-love vibes will be celebrated with live music, face painting, a photo booth, candy floss, a balloon artist, crafts and children’s stories read by drag queens
Anita and Kia. The exterior of the museum is being lit in rainbow colours nightly until Wednesday as well. Today, 11am-3pm. Auckland Museum, Domain, Auckland. Free with museum entry.
VEGAN GOODNESS
Some of you may think that the phrase “vegan goodness” is oxymoronic but gone are the days when vegan food all tastes like cardboard. Don’t believe us? See for yourself at the Auckland Vegan Food Festival where a tasty array of vegan food trucks will be parked and live music will be whetting your aural appetite. If you decide to go full hippie, there’s also a wee eco and plant-based market. Trucks include Rolling Pin, Wise Boys Burgers, Double Dutch Fries, Vege Bang Bang, Otherside, Lalele Organic Gelato and many more. Tomorrow, 10am-6pm. Eventfinda Stadium, 17 Silverfield, Wairau Valley. Tickets $10 from eventfinda.co.nz
BUBBLE WEEKEND AT MOTAT
We’re not sure what bubbles have to do with transport or technology but they sure are fun to blow and pop and that’s the only justification we need for Motat’s annual bubble weekend. There are bubbles of all sizes, bubble-related crafts, experiments, displays and more. Take the kids or the grandkids and witness their little minds being blown. Today and tomorrow, 10am-4pm. Motat, 805 Great North Rd, Western Springs. Usual entry fees apply.