Thats Auckland News and Information about Auckland, New Zealand

A design day out!

Urbis Designday is back this Saturday, 20 March, celebrating style, design, and original thinking. See top creative practitioners from the worlds of fashion, art, music, multimedia and architecture collaborate with central Auckland showrooms to create 13 unique installations. Urbis Designday guests can take a leisurely tour of these showrooms in a day of inspiration, colour, and interactivity. Registrations essential.

Lights out in Auckland

At 8:30pm next Saturday, 27 March, towns and cities across the world will celebrate Earth Hour by turning off their lights for one hour to take a stand against climate change. Heart of the City, Britomart, Auckland City Council, MORE FM and WWF are hosting a free event at Takutai Lawn in Britomart from 7.30pm. Bring your picnic rug, bean bags, snacks and candles, and be entertained by some great kiwi acts while we countdown to Auckland CBD plunging into darkness, kick started with a five minute lighting display on the Sky Tower from 8:25pm.

Rock, Clap and Riot in Kingsland

Make sure you don't miss this weekend's Summer Sounds headed by The Datsuns on Saturday 27 February from 2pm. The foursome shot to fame during the garage rock revival of 2002 with their self-titled debut album. The band, lauded by the British music press as "the future of rock", won multiple awards in New Zealand and the UK. Also sharing the stage on the day will be Dunedin legends The Bats and Auckland-based indie maestros, Clap Clap Riot. Check out the Music in Parks website for the whole Music in Parks programme. Plus, become a fan on Facebook and be in to win a great VIP package!

Three great sailing events coming soon

The Auckland Festival of Sailing from 2 to 25 March features three prestigious yachting events - the Omega Auckland Match Racing Regatta, Louis Vuitton Trophy Auckland, and the BMW Sailing World Cup Final. There'll also be plenty of action off the water, including the Auckland International Boat Show, and maritime-themed entertainment, activities and attractions at the Louis Vuitton Trophy event village at Market Square. Keep an eye out next time for information on opportunities to get right up close to the yachting action.

Fish in the night

Experience the Auckland Fish Market at night from 5pm to 9pm this Thursday, 25 February, with live music, lots of free food samples, and fantastic gourmet shopping. This is an evening alive with activity and flavour and a great chance to catch up with friends and sample the many food options on offer.

Meet your local city farmer

The City Farmers' Market brings a bounty of regional produce to town for Aucklanders every week. Fresh, seasonal, quality fruit and vegetables, eggs, meat, olives and olive oils, condiments, coffee, artisan breads, cheese and much more direct from local growers, farmers and makers. Pick up a fresh coffee and some hand-made pastries on site and peruse the selection. Come say hi to your local farmer and grab fresh produce this Saturday, 27 February from 8.30am to 12.30pm on the corner of Galway and Gore Streets.

24HR STAR FESTIVAL

For a gold coin donation, Stardome Observatory will be open for 24 hours with telescope viewing, astronomy presentations and guest speakers from 5pm on Saturday, 27 February until 6.00pm on Sunday 28 February. Members of The Auckland Astronomical Society will be on hand to talk about all aspects of space and telescopes.

See the Twins, Family and Sisters perform at the Zoo

Here's your chance to see New Zealand family favourites The Topp Twins perform at Wild Bean Cafe ZooMusic this Sunday, 28 February from 6pm. This will be a fantastic and lively show, with the award-winning musical and comedy duo riding high on the success of their film Untouchable Girls - the number one documentary film ever released in New Zealand - and their new album, Honky Tonk Angel. Joining them will be the collective talents of The Sami Sisters, and the unique indie sound of Family Cactus.

Sweet sounds at Sturges Park

Be sure to catch Sweet and Irie at Sturges Park in Otahuhu this Sunday, 21 February. With their pioneer South Pacific reggae and honest and soulful songs, this group has gained considerable acclaim from critics, contemporaries and most importantly the community. Also taking the stage is electro-hop trio Kidz in Space, and up-and-coming electro-synth pop band Computers Want Me Dead. Check out the 2010 Music in Parks programme to make sure you know about this and all the great gigs coming up.

More Movies in Parks to enjoy

Head to Glover Park, St Heliers this Thursday, 18 February at 7.30pm to see not only a great film but to hear some fantastic music as well. Not your typical romantic comedy, The Price of Milk, is well worth watching for its amazing cinematography and sensational performances by Danielle McCormack and Karl Urban. Make sure you also get there early to catch the sounds of Sons of Zion who have shared the stage with some of New Zealand's reggae greats Kora, Katchafire and the Blackseeds.