5 things to do this weekend

Welcome to Viva Local Life. This week, Carly Gibbs has some great tips on how to feed hungry teens at home during these school holidays. And apart from the usuals such as baked beans, two-minute noodles and toast, teens can feast on crockpot pulled pork — great for all sorts of meals — homemade pizza, hokien or udon noodles. Read more, plus, try a recipe on pages 4 and 5.

On this page we also have some suggestions on how to keep kids occupied these holidays. There are also some great foodie events as part of the Flavours of Plenty festival happening now.

Elsewhere, on page 6, Alice Taylor of Masterchef NZ fame, brings us a recipe for delicious ginger cakes with nashi pears.

And, of course, our usual features including puzzles.

Have a fantastic weekend.

1

CARNIVAL: The Mega Fun Carnival is back these school holidays at the Rotorua Village Green — and it’s free. The fun beings today with rides, carnival games and fairground food, and it will be open daily from 1pm to late afternoon then 7pm till late, depending on weather and turnout, until Sunday, April 21. Check Facebook for updates.

2

CHOIR: The Tauranga Civic Choir is singing the Faure Requiem and other French music, starting at 4pm today at St Peter’s Church in Spring St, Tauranga. It’s $25, cash only at the door.

3

MARKET: The Rotary Charity Market at Kuirau Park has been operating every Saturday morning, 7am to 2pm, wet or fine, for 37 years. The stalls sell vegetables, takeaway food, coffee, meat, jewellery, clothing, gift cards, and more — and the proceeds go to various community undertakings. Stall sites cost $30.

4

LEARN TO BBQ: Unleash your inner pitmaster at the Big Smoke BBQ Masterclass, a four-hour culinary adventure at Mount Maunganui that is part of Flavours of Plenty. It runs from 1pm to 5pm tomorrow, tickets via eventfinda.

5

SALAMI SECRETS REVEALED: In another Flavours of Plenty event at Mount Maunganui tomorrow, you can indulge in the savory world of salami at El Jefe Meat’s salami-making workshop, running from 10am to 1pm. Tickets via eventfinda.