The sound of gunshots will echo through the Western Bay of Plenty as duck shooting season officially starts today.

The season can run for up to three months, depending on the region, and for the majority of participants it's a good opportunity to bag a few of the 4.5 million mallard ducks that populate New Zealand's ponds and wetlands.

Duck shooter season starts today.

The duck season in Western Bay of Plenty runs from today to June 3, however pukeko, swan, quail and pheasant can be shot until late August.
Eastern Region senior Fish & Game officer Matthew McDougall says the recent heavy rain combined with the drought means larger concentrations of larger bodies of water.

He says hunters targeting those areas are likely to encounter larger bird populations.

MetService media and communications meteorologist Daniel Corbett says while many places will have a dry start this week, wet conditions are expected from the Bay of Plenty northwards.

'On Sunday, rain or showers spread to most places, with some heavy falls possible, and with snow to about 400 metres in Otago and Southland.

'The weekend's wet weather is largely the result of a low moving from the Tasman Sea onto the country.”

He says the cold conditions over southern New Zealand on Sunday are in the wake of the advancing cold front from the Southern Ocean.

'For the coming week, unsettled will be a good word to describe conditions over northern and possibly central New Zealand as well.

'Over the south of the South Island, once the wet period is over early in the coming week, it should be fine - and cool or cold - for a few days.”

Parafed BOP is having a Have a go day at the AST Arena Baypark from 10-2pm. There is wheelchair basketball, boccia, table tennis, wheelchair rugby, indoor bowls and a para triathlon to try out.

Saturday 4 May

2013 Christian Singles

Born again friendship group meet monthly socially. Plus 1st & 3rd Tues of month at McCafe Mt Maunganui 10am. Email: [email protected] or 021 182 7972

60s Up Social Group

Promoting enjoyment of life for the older person. First Sat of month at Papamoa Sports & Recreation Centre, Parton Rd, Papamoa from 12pm. Bring a small plate of finger food for shared lunch – optional. www.60supmovement.org.nz

Art in the Park

Coronation Park, Mt Maunganui 8.30am - 5pm weather permitting. Tauranga Society of Artists offer for sale a variety of art to suit all tastes.

Bay Association of Sea Kayakers

Tanners Point to Kauri Point & Matakana Island. Bevan 576 8885

Beauty for Ashes Seminar

'Loving difficult people” at Otumoetai Baptist Chapel 9.45am - 3pm. Door donation (no eftpos or childcare).

Book Sale

Withdrawn library items including fiction, non-fiction, DVDs, audio books, magazines & children's books at bargain prices. May 4 only at rear entrance of Mt Maunganui Library, 398 Maunganui Rd 9am - 3pm. Eftpos & cash sales only.

BOP Shirley Club

Games morning May 11 at Classic Flyers, Jean Batten Drive, Mt Maunganui 10am. To confirm attendance 571 4441

Christian Creative Ministry Papamoa

Actors, artists, dancers, musicians, poets, singers & songwriter group. Pauline 575 5556

Come Dance the Night Away

Sequence & old time dancing, Greerton Hall 7.30-11pm. Great music & supper. $5 entry. All welcome. Run by Tauranga Social Dance. Garry 543 0051

Free Introduction to Nichiren Buddhism

A way to indestructible happiness. Every Sat at Otumoetai Plunket Room, 59 Otumoetai Rd 2.15-3.30pm. [email protected] www.sginz.org

Omokoroa Boat Club

Tim & the Rockets, rock n roll with the Tim Armstrong Band 8pm. Tickets $15 from the Club. Held under special license. All welcome.

Poinsett Piano Trio

Presented by Tauranga Musica at Baycourt 3pm.

Requiem & Selected Anthems

By John Rutter, musical director at St Peters Anglican Church, Victoria Rd, Mt Maunganui May 4 7.30pm & May 5 2.30pm. Ticket prices $20 in advance or $25 at door. Book tickets with Gail 574 2990

Taichi Qigong

Every Sat in Memorial Park between mini golf & playground 10am. Free to join. All welcome.

Tauranga College (Co-Ed)

And Tauranga District High School Past Pupils Celebrations May 18-19 2013. Its not too late to enrol. 576 6750 or email: [email protected]

Tauranga Farmers Market

Tauranga Primary School cnr 5th Ave & Cameron Rd every Sat 7.45am - 12pm. Fresh & artisian produced food. Trixie 552 5278 or www.taurangafarmersmarket.co.nz

Tauranga Hobby Show

May 4 & 5 at Memorial Hall, Queen Elizabeth Youth Centre cnr Devonport Rd & 11th Ave 10am - 4pm. Admission $6, children under 14 yrs free.

Tauranga Model Railway Club (Inc)

Hobby Show May 4 & 5 10am – 4pm at Memorial hall, QEII Youth Centre. Adults $6, children under 14 free.

The Healing Power of Meditation

Afternoon meditation course. Learn effective methods to oppose the inner causes of stress, tension & sickness. Cost $36 (includes afternoon tea). Bookings essential. May 18 at Mount Senior Citizens Hall, 345 Maunganui Rd 12.45-4pm. www.meditateintauranga.org or 09 846 5829

The Little Big Markets

Mount Sports Centre cnr Hull & Maunganui Rds, Mt Maunganui 9am – 2pm. Art, craft, live music. www.thelittlebigmarkets.co.nz