Kia ora and welcome to Saturday!

The weather forecast is showing a fine start to the day, then cloudy periods developing in the late morning with northwest breezes. It's a two-clothing layer day with an expected high of 17 degrees, and an overnight low of 12 degrees.

On Sunday May 19 we're expecting morning cloud with a chance of showers, then fine for the remainder of the day. The week ahead is generally fine with light winds.

In Te Puke today from 11am – 3pm, the much-awaited Te Puke Throwdown – National Dance Battle is happening. This National Youth Week event will be held at the Jubilee Park and will showcase some of NZ's best street dancers as they battle for supremacy. There will also be a car being covered in graffiti street art, dance workshops and plenty of fun and food. More here

Today you can come and get a free rat trap from Sydenham Botanic Park in Millers Rd, Brookfield between 2 and 4pm. You'll also get to meet the local Otumoetai Predator Free community leader Mark Simpson and pick his brains for trapping advice. More information here

Shakti in the Park are holding an event at Coronation Park, Mount Maunganui from 10am – 2pm. Come and celebrate Tauranga's growing cultural diversity. More information here

Mike Maynard's exhibition ‘Coloured Images' opens today at The Incubator Creative Hub, Tauranga Historic Village starting at 11am. More here

US artist and animator Dash Shaw will be speaking at the Tauranga Art Gallery today at 10.30am. His most recent film animation, My Entire High School Sinking into the Sea, is showing as part of the Mega World exhibition; Anti-heroes. Check it out here

The Wahine Riders are embarking on a memorial ride in memory of Hiria McRae who died in a motorcycle accident. The ride will also be an opportunity to collect funds for Women's Refuge, a charity that Hiria was passionate about. Hiria's Memorial Ride will go from Maketu to Rotorua. More here

The Education Expo 2019 opens today at 10am at the Queen Elizabeth Youth Centre, cnr 11^th Ave and Devonport Rd, and runs until 3pm. Door entry is $5 for adults and free for children. There will be food stalls, bouncy castle, entertainment and place space, as well as exhibitors, books and a children's author. For more information click here

Bethlehem Tertiary Institute are holding their graduation today with a procession starting at 1.30pm along Devonport Rd and the ceremony at the Holy Trinity Church starting at 2pm. For more information about graduation day visit: www.bti.ac.nz/gradday.html

Western Bay of Plenty District Council are hosting a two-hour worm composting workshop from 1pm-3pm today. More details here

Tauranga Rowing Club are holding their prizegiving event today at WatersEdge Lounge at the Tauranga Rowing Club. Doors open at 3.30pm. Check out more information here

The Gym in First Ave are hosting the Women's Street Smart Self Defence Workshop today and tomorrow. The two day workshop runs from 10.30am – 4.30pm both days. To find out more click here

For more of what's happening today see below:

Art On The Strand
Original art for sale. The Strand, Tauranga. Weather permitting. 9-4. Tauranga Society of Artists.

Bay Network Singles Club
Single, over 50? For weekend dinners, barbeques, outings. Ph Jonathan 572 2091, Maureen 021 112 3307

Car Boot Sale
Tauranga South Community Patrol Car Boot Sale Greerton Village School 151 Greerton Rd Setup 7am. Single site $5, Double $10. Ph Jude 281 2389 or 021 185 0586

Car Boot Sale
Fundraiser Carboot Sale - all proceeds towards building a school in Kenya. May 18th, BTI carpark. $20 entry on the day. Coffee/sausage sizzle available.

Ed Byrne Comedy Show
Irishman, Ed Byrne, is back with a brand new show 'Spoiler Alert'. 7:30pm Baycourt. Go on, spoil yourself! Tickets & info at www.baycourt.co.nz

Exhibition - Elizabeth Haider
Many Facets. Elizabeth Haider, sculptor, print maker, painter & weaver at The Incubator Gallery. Opens at 11am. Runs until 26th May

Exhibition 'The Incredible World'
Beautiful resin art by Svetlana Kloogh. Must see! Solo Exhibition at The Art Lounge NZ Gallery, 117 Willow Street. Tue-Sat 11am-4pm

Free First Home Seminar
Free First Home buyers seminar @ the Smart Business Centre: 65 Chapel St, Tauranga. Saturday 18th May, industry specialists talking about the process to first home buying.

Galilee Mission Concert
Fund raising concert for Galilee Seamens Mission at St Andrews Church Macville Rd, Mt Maunganui, at 2pm

Greerton Hall Market
Last Saturday of the month. 8am-12pm. Stalls inside/outside. Discounts for charity groups. Refreshments available. Ph/txt for site. Tricia 543 1487 or 027 908 2952, www facebook.com/greertonhallmarket

Jam Session/Open Mic
3rd Saturday of every month at Mount RSA. All genres welcome. Backing band available. Keith Dickson 021 170 239

Jigsaw Puzzle Library
10am-12 noon. Choose from of 300 puzzles. Hire $1 per 1000+ puzzle, 50c under 1000. Cnr Highmore Tce & Brookfield Tce. Ph 576 0698

LOL Laughter Wellness
We don't laugh because we're happy, we're happy because we laugh! Come join us. Arataki Community Ctr, Zambuk Way, Mt Maunganui. 11-11.45am. Ph: Trish 0220366768 or Email: lollaughterwellness@gmail.com

Mike Maynard - Coloured Images
Exhibition- The People's Gallery -Toi ka rere. Opens 11am, runs until Sat 25th May. All proceeds to Stroke Foundation.

Petanque
1pm Tuesday & Saturday 45 Kawaka St, Club Mt Maunganui. No Equipment needed, come & try this low-impact sport. Jo Ann 578 3606

Tanya Batt Book Launch
12pm-1pm at QE Youth Centre, 11th Ave. Tanya's new book, The Time Of Your Life. Free admission.

Taoist Tai Chi
Beginners Tai Chi classes Mon-Sat, 15 Koromiko St, Tauranga. Also KatiKati, Mount, Papamoa & Te Puke. For times visit www.taoist.org or ph 578 9116

Taoist Tai Chi Tauranga
Beginners Class: 8:30-10am, at 15 Koromiko St, Judea. All welcome to join in any time. Great for stress, balance, flexibility. Friendly group. Ph 578 9116

Tauranga Synchronised Swimming Club
Have a go at synchro! Beginners train Saturday mornings at Baywave. Supportive & friendly environment. First lesson free. Ph Jo 027 543 1697, www.taurangasynchro.co.nz.

Te Puke Scottish Society
Monthly dance, War Memorial Hall, 7.30-11pm, Saturday 18th May. Air conditioned hall, great supper, meet other dancers, live band. Subs due. Ph: Valerie 573 7093

The Sociables
A group for females & males in their 30's, 40's, 50's that meet up to dine out or participate in local activities. email tamizan.nanji@gmail.com

Women's Self Defence Workshop
Two day workshop Sat & Sun 10:30-4:30 at The Gym, 107 1st Ave. 13+ years. Ph Charlie 027 368 9245 or info@selfdefencecourses.co.nz