Good morning and welcome to Saturday. Ko te ra tenei i hanga e te Ariki. Ka koa tatou, ka koa hoki ki reira.

MetService is forecasting a fine day with light winds, then northwesterlies from the afternoon.

It's a two-layer clothing day with an expected high of 26 degrees, and an overnight low of 19 degrees. Low tide is at 2.22pm and high tide is at 8.30pm. Sunset is at 8.03pm.

What's on today?

Painting by Constanza Briceno in Papamoa who is one of over 70 artists with work available to view as part of the BOP Open Studios this weekend. Photo: Supplied.

Enter the colourful artistic world of over 70 artists around the Bay of Plenty today and tomorrow with the BOP Open Studios event that's being held over three days this week. Event is free and everyone is welcome. For all the information about the artists and maps visit: www.bopopenstudios.co.nz/

Bethlehem Pottery Club are holding a cash and carry Pottery fair this weekend from 9.30am - 4pm on Saturday and Sunday. All of their members have been invited to submit work for the fair so expect to see a huge range of art pieces and domestic ware. Come and see where the pottery magic happens in their studio and gallery space at 13 Bethlehem Road.

Head to the Tauranga Historic Village for the Asian Food Festival. Join the NZ China Friendship Society Tauranga for a taste of tradition at the 2024 Lunar New Year Tauranga Asian Food Festival  from 11am - 4pm on February 24 and 25.

The Greerton Hall is buzzing this morning with the a friendly market from 8am - 12pm. Photo: Supplied.

Greerton Aquatic & Leisure Centre. Photo: SunLive.

As well as the Greerton Hall Market happening in Greerton today, check out the Splashsave Family Fun Day at the Greerton Aquatic & Leisure Centre. The Splashsave day, funded by Water Safety New Zealand runs from 10am - 2pm.  The Greerton Poll has partnered with Bayswim and Fulton Swim School to bring you a day of family fun and water safety education with free entry, a sizzling sausage barbecue, exciting games, activities, and the chance to win spot prizes. Let's make a splash together and prioritize water safety for everyone!

Oeans 24

Check out all the fun and action of Oceans 24, the festival of Junior Surf Lifesaving.

Taking place on Mount Maunganui Beach from February 22 – 25, this year there are over 700 junior members participating from 46 Surf Life Saving clubs in Oceans 24. Photo: Jamie Troughton/Dscribe Media.

Happening at Mount Main Beach today and Sunday, Oceans 24 is the biggest junior carnival of the season and aims to provide an opportunity for junior members to compete, challenge themselves and celebrate the camaraderie of surf lifesaving in a fun, exciting and safe beach and surf environment.

Check out Oceans, the festival of junior life saving, which is happening on Mount Main Beach on Saturday and Sunday, starting at 8am. Photo: Jamie Troughton/Dscribe Media.

Frocks on Bikes in Katikati

A show of flying hemlines and frills is happening for the first time in Katikati today, Saturday, February 24, with the annual Frocks on Bikes event moving locations from Waihī Beach. Katch Katikati events manager Kirst O’Rourke says the first event was held in 2015 and was such a hit with locals it’s been part of the summer events calendar ever since!

Frocks on Bikes is happening in Katikati today from 10am.  Photo: Supplied.

The event is designed as a family-friendly event coinciding with Bike Month, says Kirst.

“All you need is a frock, a bike, a drink bottle, sunblock and a helmet. Cyclists can choose from either a 9km or a 5km ride, exploring some of the local scenic cycle paths.”

Men (and boys) are encouraged to take part in the free event that has attracted up to 200 riders from as far away as Hamilton in past years. Grab your frock, jump on your bike and enjoy a fun, cycling outing in Katikati with spot prizes up for grabs.

Register and meet at 10am on Saturday, February 24, in the carpark of Talisman Hotel, Katikati.

Self-Righteous Brothers Derek and Nigel. Photo: Supplied.

Derek and Nigel are back with an eclectic selection of blues, country, folk, jazz and anything else that takes their fancy at Jack Dusty's today from 2pm - 5pm. Expect stripped-back takes on Kokomo tunes, a few Bob Dylan/Guy Clark/John Prine songs, some old Delta blues and early ragtime, all with harmonies, some groovy upright bass and a dash of slick and sparkling acoustic guitar.

Free Pocket Sized Play in Red Square

Did you know there’s a free Pocket Sized Play activity for children to enjoy every Saturday in Red Square from 10.30am-1.30pm? Many families have come down and enjoyed pottery making, face painting, hungerball inflatable arena and plenty more.

Keep an eye on mytauranga.co.nz/citycentre for upcoming activities.

Check out https://www.mytauranga.co.nz/its-on-in-our-city-centre for details of other upcoming events.

The Incubator. Photo: Supplied.

At The Incubator Creative Hub at Tauranga Historic Village, there are many exhibitions, workshops and events happening daily. For more information click here.

For more events visit My Tauranga.

The Mission House at The Elms | Te Papa Tauranga. Photo: Rosalie Liddle Crawford.

The Elms | Te Papa Tauranga in Mission St is open from 10am - 4pm. Come and view the Mission House and gardens. For more information click here

Love public art? CITY ART WALK TAURANGA app is a free to download walking tour of 20 public artworks in Tauranga's city centre. For more information click here

Diana Bomford, Tony Fraser and Hugh Bomford at the Lion and Tusk Museum at Mount Maunganui. Photo: Daniel Hines.

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

What else is on today?

Art in the Park

Original art for sale. Coronation Park, Mt Maunganui. 9am - 4pm. Weather permitting. Tauranga Society of Artists

Association Croquet
Sat. Mon. & Wed at Club Mt Maunga nui, 45 Kawaka St. 9.15am for 9.30am start. Newplayers & visitors welcome. Ph Malcolm 027 681 5204

Bay Singles Social Groups
Join a bunch of over 50"s young singles. Weekend dinners, pot-lucks, occasional outings, Have a go! Ph Delia 027 284 8762, Andrea 021 133 0313

Boules - Petanque
Tauranga BOP Club Tawa Street, Mt Maunganui. Social and competitive play. Boules available. New players welcome. Phone Ray 027 756 3565 for times, further details.

Golf Croquet Tournament
Matua Village 2-day open level singles tournament. Tauranga Croquet Club, The Domain. All visitors welcome to watch the competition.

Seniors & Travel Expo
Saturday 2nd & Sunday 3rd March 2024 10am - 3pm FREE ENTRY Mercury Baypark Arena, 81 Truman Lane Mount Maunganui. https://www.seniorsandtravelexpo.com/

St Stephens Jigsaw Library
Every Saturday 10am-12noon. Hire for 2 weeks a variety of 600 puzzles. Cnr of Brookfield and Highmore Terrace.

Taijiquan and Qigong
Sat & Wed 9 am free Taiji / Qigong group. Kulim Park on beach by big rock. All welcome. Ph Petro 021 751 665