Good morning and welcome to Sunday. Kia ora. Kia ngahau me o whanau me o hoa.

The weather forecast is for fine spells, with cloud increasing in the evening and the chance of a shower. Southwesterlies will be turning lighter southeast from the afternoon.

It's a two-clothing-layer day with an expected high of 23 degrees around 3pm, and an overnight low of 14 degrees. Low tide is at 12.26pm and high tide at 6.41pm. Sunset is at 8.32pm.

What's on today?

Papa Moa ready for the parade in Papamoa today

The Pak ‘N Save Papamoa Christmas in Toyland Santa Parade 2020 is on this morning, starting at 10.30am. There will be 54 floats in the parade. Parking is available on Papamoa Beach Rd, and the neighbouring streets or at the Papamoa Plaza. For more information about the parade click here

The Papamoa Lions Club are running their market today from 8am at the Gordon Spratt Reserve.

The Pepi Toot Beach Express is out and about around Mount Maunganui today and tomorrow from 10am. Come for a ride and see the Mount area from a new perspective. More information here

The Scholars Baroque Aotearoa are performing ‘A Christmas Carol' at 4pm at St Peters Anglican Church at Mount Maunganui. This annual favourite includes local personalities presenting a dramatic reading of Charles Dickens' classic and timeless tale, infused with carol singing led by the Scholars Baroque Aotearoa.

Enjoy workshops at Re:Maker, with the community of makers, located at Our Place in Willow St. Click here for more information.

The 112 Extravaganza of Art exhibition is open today from 10am – 3pm at The People's Gallery – Toi ka rere at Tauranga Historic Village. Click here for more information.

A perfect activity of high interest to all - the STEM ‘Discovery' HQ is open today from 10am – 3pm at the Goddards Centre, 27 Devonport Rd, Tauranga and is dedicated to science, technology, engineering and mathematics. STEM HQ brings educational entertainment with a play and learn environment that makes way for sparking curiosity and exploration. Featuring six separate exhibit zones and a ‘feature zone' that changes weekly, there are activities you'll want to keep coming back for. Exhibit spaces include a Space Zone, Sponsors Exhibitor Zone, Light Zone, Engineering Nook, Earth Science Zone, and Mini Maker's Station. STEM HQ will also have an ‘indoor lawn' that hosts rotating activities and featured workshops. STEM ‘Discovery' HQ runs until December 31. Click here for more information

Diana Bomford, Tony Fraser and Hugh Bomford at the Lion and Tusk Museum at Mount Maunganui

Have you been to the Lion and Tusk Museum yet? It's open today from 10am - 3pm at Unit 4, 14 Portside Dr, Mount Maunganui. Come and see a massive display of Rhodesian military history records and exhibits of uniforms, medals and equipment. Opening hours are 10am – 3pm Thursday to Sunday. For more information click here

The Incubator

At The Incubator Creative Hub at Tauranga Historic Village, there are many exhibitions, workshops and events happening daily. For more information click here. Exhibition hours are 10am – 2.30pm.

What else is on today?

A COURSE IN MIRACLES
A powerful transformational interfaith teaching to find inner peace. Stuck in past grievances and resentments? Get over it! Free Internet forgiveness workshop. https://jenniferhadley.com/how-get-over-it. Text02102742502

Archery At Graham Park
Interested in Archery as a sport? Check out our website & Facebook for courses, range times & how to join our club.

Croquet
At Tauranga Domain, Cameron Rd, Sun, Tues, Fri, 12:45 for 1pm start. Beginners welcome. Ph Peter 571 0633

Dickens'
Family favourite! "A Christmas Carol" dramatic reading plus carol singing with Scholars Baroque Aotearoa Chamber Choir. Free/koha. St Peter's Church, Victoria Rd, Mt Maunganui, 4pm.

Enjoy Travel
Safe travel & home-hosting NZ & worldwide. Melbourne, Noumea 2021. Meetings twice-monthly. friendshipforce.org.nz or Barbara 027 315 1136, Jonathan 572 2091

Golf Croquet
At Mt Maunganui, 45 Kawaka St. beside Blake Park. Tue, Thur, Sun. 9:15am for 9:30 start. Visitors, new players welcome. Ph Nev 07 575 5121

INVITATION TO MEDITATE
Follow your own meditation practice with Quaker Friends during an hour of silence.10am-12 in hall behind Brain Watkins House, corner Cameron/Elizabeth Roads. Refreshments. Text 02102742502

Kaimai Canoe Club
Meet other white water kayakers, practise skills at Baywave, kayak the Wairoa release. Ph Joe 021 156 3472

Mah Jong Te Puke
12:45-4pm Lyceum clubrooms, 8 Palmer Pl Te Puke. All welcome. Learners on Thursday. Gig Green 0274 306 383

Maketu Market
Every 3rd and 5th Sunday. Set up from 7am at Maketu Village Green. Phone Maureen 0212671685 or Lyn 021882059.

Ninja Knits Knitting Group
Social knitting group, beginners welcome, sometimes we yarnbomb. 1st Sunday of month, 9:30am-12pm, The Incubator, Historic Village. info@www.theincubator.co.nz. Ph 07 571 3232

QUAKERS
invite you to explore your spiritual journey. Silent worship, refreshments, conversation. 10am N W cnr Cameron Road Elizabeth Street. All welcome. Ph 5433101. www.quakers.nz

Radio Controlled Model Yachts
Sun & Thurs 1:30-4pm. Pond behind 22 Montego Dr, Papamoa, sailing Electron radio controlled yachts for fun. Adult beginners welcome. Graham 572 5419

Scandinavian Club Christmas Service
Saturday 19 December 4pm Evans Rd Community Church, 30 Evans Rd, Papamoa. All welcome, refreshments to follow. Please bring finger food to share. Ph 552 5511

Tauranga Country Music Club
Christmas Club Day, 1pm Senior Citizens Hall, Norris St (behind Pak n Save). Members a plate please. Everyone welcome. Ph Merv 571 6716