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

It's a fine day ahead apart from some evening cloud. Also expect some westerly breezes.

A two-clothing-layer day, there is an expected high of 21 degrees around 2pm, and an overnight low of 11 degrees. High tide is at 9.46am and low tide is at 3.47pm. Sunset is at 7.23pm.

What's on today?

Bring along your pet to the annual SPCA Animal Blessing Service at the Anglican Parish of Gate Pa this morning. St Francis of Assisi and his love for creation and all creatures will be celebrated at a service starting at 10am. Bring your dogs on a lead, cats in a carrier, birds in a cage, or a photo of your pet is also acceptable. A sumptuous morning tea will be served following the service. St George's church is located at 1 Church St, Tauranga.

Little blue penguin. Photo: Paul Cuming

Come and join the Rena Remembrance Cleanup and Trust Open Day, and learn about how to protect the little blue penguins nesting around Mauao. Simply meet and register from 1pm – 3pm on the grass area in front of the Mount Maunganui Lifeguard Service building, wearing good footwear. Gloves, buckets and hand sanitiser will be provided. For more information click here

For those who love to cycle, the Powerco Pedal & Pump Papamoa 2020 event is on today. A free family cycling day out for all ages, from 9am – 1pm. Enjoy the beauty of Te Wairakei Storm Water tail at your own leisure. Click here to find out more.

Come along to the Bay of Plenty Pet and Animal Expo at Baypark, Mt Maunganui which runs from 10am – 4pm. There will be alpacas, lambs, reptiles and much more on site along with lots of handmade crafts, toys and fibre. Come and see the incredible ‘Dancing Dogs Troupe' performing live. Perfect for those wanting some advice or those just wanting a great day out. Click here for more information

The ImpacTauranga Rangatahi exhibition can be viewed at The Incubator Creative Hub in Tauranga's Historic Village, 17^th Ave. Click here for more information.

Also at the Incubator Creative Hub is the exhibition ‘Diverse Marks' by local creative stitch artists, Liz Wilson, Pauline Shilton, Jo Ann Ingram and Linda Inglis and ceramic artist Anya Fischer.

Ninja Knits will be hosting a knitting and crochet workshop at the Incubator Creative Hub from 9.30am. More here

Come and enjoy the workshops at Re:Maker, with the community of makers, located at Our Place in Willow St.

The Brain Watkins house is open today. This historic house museum is located on 233 Cameron Rd and open from 2-4pm. $5 adult, children free.

The Tauranga Society of Artists are holding their 2020 Art Expo at the Tauranga Boys' College this weekend. Come and check out the winners of the Trustpower Supreme Award. There is also a ‘Tiny Art' section and a display by the Tauranga Floral Art Group. Gold coin entry and all art is available for sale. Exhibition runs from 9.30am – 5pm. For more information click here.

A perfect school holiday activity as well as 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

Wharf St archeology finds on display at Tauranga Library

Visit Tauranga City Library from 9.30am – 4pm to see archaeological finds from 107 Wharf St that illustrate fascinating phases of the Tauranga's history from Maori to British Imperial troops to colonial settlement. 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?

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

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

Bible Seminar
1:45pm Greerton Senior Citizen's Hall, Maitland St, Greerton. Title: Faith that God is looking for in people. Interactive, Q&A. All welcome. Mary 573 5537

Brain Watkins House Open
Historic house museum, 233 Cameron Rd. 2-4pm. $5 adult, children free. Group tours school classes by arrangement. Ph 578 1835

Cold Wax Workshop
Cool way to paint. 9am-12:30pm at The Artery, Historic Village. Used by painters of the Renaissance period. [email protected] Ph Sue 0210 239 4549

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

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

Honest Liars Improv Comedy
Improvised comedy with no script. Everything is made up on the spot. The Jam Factory 7pm $10 www.honestliarsimprov.co.nz

Mah Jong Te Puke
12:45-4pm, Lyceum Rooms, 8 Palmer Ct. All players welcome. Beginners session available. Ph 027 430 6383

Ninja Knits Knitting Group
Social knitting group, beginners welcome, sometimes we yarnbomb. 1st Sunday of month, 9:30am-12pm, The Incubator, Historic Village. [email protected]. Ph 07 571 3232

Papamoa Radio Control Yachts
DF65s sailing daily, pond behind Monterey key 1-3pm. All welcome. Ph Dusty 021 076 1252

Quakers
Invite you to meet, to explore your spiritual journey. Silent worship, refreshments & conversation. 10am NW cnr Cameron Rd & Elizabeth St. All welcome. Ph 543 3101 www.quakers.nz

Soul Food
Relax, unwind, reflect, refresh, enjoy! Share in a selection of sacred & inspirational writings & music from around the world. Ph 543 0434

SPCA Animal Blessing Service
Come with your pets to our annual SPCA Animal Blessing Service. 10am, St Georges Anglican Church, 1 Church St, Gate Pa. https://www.facebook.com/events/697716124179498

Taize @ St Georges
Quiet service based on the style of worship from the Taize Community, 7pm. 1 Church St, Gate Pa. https://www.facebook.com/events/264326614595099