You're invited to come along to the Manawatu Gorge this Sunday and get a close-up look at the site of the biggest known slip ever to hit a New Zealand highway.

The New Zealand Transport Agency with the Manawatu Events Equipment Trust, in support of the Palmerston North Rescue Helicopter, are inviting the public to come down to the Gorge for a charity open day.

There'll be stalls with food, drink and other goodies, and free charter buses provided. Open from 10am-3pm from the Ashhurst end of Manawatu Gorge at the DoC carpark.  Bring family/friends and a gold coin donation.

This week in Palmerston North City, over 1,300 graduates of Massey University are taking their turn to be recognised for their achievements in grand ceremonies at Regent on Broadway, following which they parade proudly a short distance through the City to pop-up graduation central in The Square.  A special feature of the parades are the loyal, local businesses who stand on the streets to show their support.  Pictured above are two of the friendly i-SITE Palmerston North team.

Each March Palmerston North City celebrates its ethnic diversity through performing arts, food stalls and cultural displays at Festival of Cultures.  It’s a colourful, family-friendly event that attracts thousands of people.

This year for the first time, a new Samoan dance group, Le Masina o Samoa Cultural Group performed.  Whilst some of the members have been part of the festival since its early days, Le Masina o Samoa Cultural Group has new energy and plan to be a permanent feature of many local celebrations, bringing their flavour of graceful, expressive performance.

Group founder, Fealofani Tini-Brown is passionate about Samoan culture in New Zealand.  For her Samoan dancing is a way of keeping close to her family and traditions, and also to inspire others with beautiful costumes, easy listening music and movements that carrry meaning.

The next opportunity for you to see Le Masina o Samoa Cultural Group in action is on 2^nd June at the 50^th anniversary of Samoan Independence Day at the Samoa Congregational Christian Church Hall at 39 Havelock Avenue in Palmerston North.  Also see them on 8th September at World on Stage Concert hosted by the Manawatu Multicultural Council.

Feilding's CBD is adorned with many beautiful murals, most of which were painted by resident artist, Eric Brew.

Join me on a photography walk of Feilding's CBD to see a selection of the murals and find out the stories behind why they were created.

This tour is for users of the smart phone photography app, Instagram. Images taken on the day by attendees will be posted online for others to enjoy.

Attendees are welcome to stay on for a coffee/tea at a local cafe at their own cost.

To RSVP follow manawatu_nz on Instagram and comment on the invitation post.

The new V8 SuperTourers are the fastest V8’s to ever compete in a domestic series in New Zealand and with 575 horsepower, hand built seven litre engines and a 100 kg weight advantage compared to their Aussie Supercar cousins, they will be stunningly quick wherever they race. Round 3 takes place at Manfeild Autocourse in Feilding and will no doubt thrill the local fans and crowds.

As well as the awesome cars, the series has a field of drivers that would be the envy of many international series - let alone anything domestic. Greg Murphy, Craig Baird, John McIntyre, Kayne Scott, Jonny Reid, Paul Manuell and Andy Booth will join the other nine drivers making up the confirmed sixteen car field, have more titles between them than you can shake a stick at, and it is with good reason the series is known as the V8 Series of Champions.

To kick off the two days of racing , on Friday 27^th April Manfeild is offering the public the chance to come and meet the drivers and see the cars at The Square, Palmerston North 11am–1pm.  A driver signing session will take place form 12pm–1pm.  There will be V8 SuperTourer merchandise and tickets on sale throughout the day, plus you chance to win prizes including tickets to the event, hotlaps and more.

V8 SuperTourers is hitting Manfeild April 27th–29^th.  Weekend passes are $45, a one day general admission $30, and children under 12 are free.  Tickets available on www.eventfinder.co.nz , at Manfeild and on the gate.  Friday test day is free.  Gates will be open each day at 9am, see you there!

Images and information courtesy of Manfeild.

Hugging the base of the Ruahine Mountain Range with deep valley views, hilly climbs to the high altitude township of Apiti, The Country Road Manawatu Cycle Classic takes riders on a journey close to Palmerston North City, yet far away in atmosphere - it's a completely different world.

The Country Road is the place people from Palmerston North City and Manawatu go to on the weekend for a break.  If you haven't experienced the dramatic landscapes of the Pohangina Valley, Iron Gates and Peep-O-Day regions, then Saturday provides a great opportunity to spend some time checking it out and cheering on the riders participating in The Country Road Manawatu Cycle Classic.   This 160km ride starts in The Square in Palmerston North at 7:30am and goes through these parts of The Country Road, then Feilding and finishes back in Palmerston North City.  Throughout the day will be The Country Road Market in The Square, featuring locally made craft and food.

Our hot tips are to pick up a copy of The Country Road brochure from i-SITE Palmerston North, then head to Apiti via Feilding then Kimbolton (make sure you have a full tank of gas and some spare change before leaving Feilding) and meet the riders in Apiti.  Also, telephone ahead to book in to visit Mageo Gardens & Woodcraft on Bryce Street.  This private garden thrives in the cool climate, giving gardeners and wannabe 'green thumbs' inspiration.  Highlights are the plants growing out of recycled items (tea pots, gardening gloves), year-round colour, and the pyrography workshop/shop.

Square Affair was a wonderful, family event that had something for every member to enjoy - classic cars, cupcake decorating, fashion, Dr Seuss, dolls, movies, model trucks, Meccano and Hornby Trains, to name some of the attractions and items on show.

Today I spent a lot of time with the Square Affair team at Hotel Coachman, where we welcomed people dressed up for fashion events and High Tea.  It was a beautiful setting for a very elegant and enjoyable day.

A highlight for me at Wheels of the 50s-60s was the 56 Buick Super with a caravan of the same era.  What a great way to travel!

Retro dishes were very popular over the weekend, with at least two of the cafes selling out of their special menu items. Everyone loved them.

To all the people to attended Square Affair, particularly from out of town, it was great to see you.  Enjoy the rest of your Easter holiday!

Palmerston North City was a magic place to be on Saturday of Easter weekend.  It was brimming with families, people who lived through the 1950s, and young people dressed up in 1950s inspired outfits.

I hosted a lovely couple from Wellington on an Instagram photo tour of the CBD.  We had a great time.  Check out some of our images below.

Square Affair exhibitions start from 9am today. See you there!

Palmerston North City is turning the clock back to the 1950s this weekend and celebrating the best of the era at Square Affair - A Retro Festival.  The swell folks at MoreFM are giving away an iPad to one lucky winner.  All you need to do is tune into Mike West in the Morning on MoreFM on your wireless and attend Square Affair.

About Square Affair Retro Festival 2102

The festival has started with Classic Movies and The Lorax showing at Downtown Cinema. The main exhibitions and events are on Sat 7 and Sun 8 April from 9am-4pm.

Exhibitions, competitions, parades, entertainment and a comprehensive film programme will keep the whole family entertained.  The festival will be hosted in and around The Square with most venues within walking distance of each other. Double-decker and classic buses will provide easy transport between venues at a small cost. Palmerston North City will be buzzing with the energy of the 50s-60s.

To book your tickets and find out more information visit www.squareaffair.co.nz

I've only ever heard about the taste of food cooked in a coal range or wood-fired oven.  Today for the first time I tasted homemade date scones made in a coal range.  They were hands down best ever scones I've ever had...moist, soft and perfectly flavoured.   I'm a fussy scone eater so this means a lot.  As for making scones, I haven't mastered that yet.  Flat rock cakes would be a better description.  I even did that to Tui Flower's recipe.  (Blush)

The scone kiosk where I bought those $2 beauties was themed turn of the century inside - just beautiful..and beaming out at me were two friends - one from Taranaki (the owner) and the other from Levin.  So, an all round delight.  They were part of the festivities of The Great Manawatu Steam Fair 2012 near Feilding - a two-day, family-friendly event organised by the Steam Traction Society, which reportedly has the largest collection of working steam traction engines in the Southern Hemisphere.

The $7 entry fee was worth the few hours I spent there watching steam traction engines of all types juddering, hopping, and rolling along.  Amongst the static displays was a working forge, behind which stood a seasoned worker showing off early welding techniques over a roaring hot and sparking fire at waist height.  I didn't get too close, but admired his dedication to work in such hot and seemingly dangerous conditions.  My favourite engine was the hopping Lanz Bulldog, circa the 1940s, I think.  Its powerful, single piston engine made it continuously jump.

Providing entertainment on the day was a small group of Morris dancers, who had gathered in Feilding from all over New Zealand to celebrate the equinox.  They were really excited to perform and proud to wear their pristine white costumes decorated with bells and flowers.

On the way home and just up the road I stopped in at Austin Mews - a display of 60 Austin cars.  Unfortunately the owner wasn't there when I visited, but I certainly appreciated being able to have a look at this impressive 'man shed'.

The Great Manawatu Steam Fair is on tomorrow still, so go along if you get a chance.