The weather forecast today is for showers, some possibly thundery with hail, becoming less frequent from the afternoon.

There is an expected strong southwest change late this morning.

There is a heavy rain watch in place for the Bay of Plenty ranges east of Opotiki.

It's a two-clothing layer day today with a high of 17 and an overnight low of 6 degrees. Humidity is 91 per cent.

High tide is at 1.10pm and low tide is at 7.20pm.

There's a sea swell of 1m this morning, dropping down to .4m later in the day, with a sea temperature of 18 degrees. Sunset tonight is at 5.05pm.

If you're going fishing the next best fish bite time is tomorrow between 7 and 9am.

In NZ history on this day in 1861 the first major gold rush in Otago began. Gabriel Read gained fame and provincial government bonuses when he found gold near the Tuapeka River, a tributary of the Clutha River in Otago.

In 1966 the coronation of the first Māori Queen was held.

Princess Piki, the daughter of King Koroki, was selected as the sixth Maori monarch − and first Queen − during her father's funeral, in accordance with Kingitanga protocol.

She assumed her mother's name, Te Atairangikaahu.

In world history on this day in 1430 the Burgundians captured Joan of Arc and sold her to the English. In 1533 Henry VIII‘s marriage to Catherine of Aragon was declared null and void. In 1785 Benjamin Franklin announced his invention of bifocals.

In 1915 Italy declared war on Austria-Hungary. In 1934 gangsters Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow were killed by Texas Rangers.

Today is the birthday of John Bardeen, physicist, co-inventor of the transistor. Born in 1908, he once said "The combined results of several people working together is often much more effective than could be that of an individual scientist working alone."

To get involved in some of the many activities happening around the Bay, please check out our What's on page.

Have a great day!