Good morning and welcome to Saturday. Kia ora. Kia ngahau me o whanau me o hoa.

Around Tauranga today there are a wealth of activities, markets, exhibitions and parks to explore as well as plenty of beach vibe to enjoy. Check back on SunLive during the day for updates on traffic, weather and news, and remember to send in your photos of your summer fun activities.

The MetService is forecasting showers developing this morning in the Bay of Plenty. These will become heavy with possible thunderstorms this afternoon and evening. Also expect northerly breezes.

It's a one-clothing-layer day with an expected high of 23 degrees around 3pm, and an overnight low of 16 degrees. High tide is at 10.30am and low tide at 4.34pm. Sunset is at 8.41pm.

NZTA Traffic update:

SH2 Paeroa to Tauranga traffic congestion

Traffic is expected to be busy in both directions through this area between 10am and 5pm on both Saturday January 2 and Sunday January 3. Road users are advised to expect delays and allow extra time for their journeys or consider travelling outside these periods. Please drive to the conditions.

SH29 Kaimai Ranges traffic congestion

Traffic is expected to be busy in both directions through this area between 10am and 4pm on both Saturday January 2 and Sunday January 3. Road users are advised to expect delays and allow extra time for their journeys or consider travelling outside this period. Please drive to the conditions.

What's on today?

Waihi Beach Antique, Collectable & Retro Fair. Photo: Supplied

The annual Waihi Beach Antique, Collectable & Retro Fair is on today at the Waihi Beach Community Centre Hall, 106 Beach Rd, Waihi Beach. There will be for sale a large selection of vintage and retro china, glass, jewellery, books, toys, postcards, vinyl records, tools, dolls, furniture and more. Light refreshments are on site with home baking to tempt you whilst you take a shopping break. This is fundraising for the maintenance of the Community Centre. Entry fee for adults is $4. For more information click here

Come and relax and soak up the sun and fun at the New World Summer Festival at the Tauranga Racecourse. Pack a picnic or enjoy a bite to eat at the on-course food outlets, with a tasty array of options to keep the troops happy. There are free all-day activities for the kids, live music, fun on-track entertainment and exciting thoroughbred racing action.

Skatescool Tauranga are running a public roller disco session for all ages and abilities, featuring a limbo competition and cha cha slide dance from 1pm – 3pm every day of the school holidays at 2 Roxanne Pl, Poike. Hot food and cold drinks are available on site. Entry is $11, with $4 skate hire. Spectators and under 5s are free.

Come to the Summer Carnival at Jordon Field at Memorial Park this evening. Ride your heart out nightly with a super pass from 6pm – 10pm for unlimited rides. Entry to the carnival is free, and pay per ride. The Summer Carnival opened on Boxing Day and runs until January 5.

The Pepi Toot Beach Express is out and about around Mount Maunganui today and tomorrow from 10am. Come for a ride and see the Mount area from a new perspective. More information here

Enjoy workshops at Re:Maker, with the community of makers, located at Our Place in Willow St. Click here for more information.

The Little Big Markets are on today from 9am -2pm at Coronation Park, Mount Maunganui.

Artwork by Mary Transom

At The Incubator Creative Hub at Tauranga Historic Village in 17^th Ave, you'll find ‘The Artful Stitch' - a cohesive collection of spectacular textile art by four of the top Bay of Plenty and nationally acclaimed textile artists - Mary Transom, Lois Parish Evans, and Melanie Martin and Marilyn Muirhead. These exhibiting artists have enjoyed success through top International exhibitions such as The World Quilt Show, and the International Quilt Show, and in prestigious fine art exhibitions and competitions worldwide. Exhibition is open until Monday January 11 from 10am – 3pm.

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.

Mark Taipiri will be performing today from 6pm -9pm at the Matua Bar in Matua. For more information click here

The Bay Dreams ‘Pre Party' is on tonight from 8pm – 1am tomorrow morning at Trustpower Baypark. Delta Heavy, Truth, Trei, Villette, Zeisha and Skye will be taking the crowds through the night for the ‘BD Pre Party'.

What else is on today?

Bay Singles Social Club
Join a bunch of over 50 years young singles. Weekend dinners, pot-lucks, occasional outings. Have a go! Ph Delia 0272848762 Andrea 0211330313

Beth-El Messianic Family
Celebrate Shabbat the Sabbath (Sat) as Messiah Yeshua (Jesus) & all early believers did. All Welcome 10am Otumoetai Primary Hall. Joel van Ameringen 021768043 www.BethEl.org.nz

Meditation On The Beach
Meditation On The Beach Meditate for peace. Follow your own meditation practise surrounded by the tranquil sounds of nature & group energy. 8-9am. Text 0210 274 2502 to confirm & for venue

Otumoetai Tennis Club
Adult tennis. 1.30 pm. Bellevue Park , Windsor Road (adjacent to swimming pool). New players and visitors welcome. Ph Victor 0275771818 a/hrs.

Sunshine Sequence Dance Group
Come & enjoy tea dance, Sat 31st October, Baptist Church Hall, 13th Ave. 5-9pm. $5pp. BYO food, plates, cutlery, non alcoholic drinks. Dawn 579 3040

Tauranga Farmers Market
7:45am-12 at Tauranga Primary School. Rain, hail or shine. Direct from the producers, fresh regional produce & artisan foods.