Why not have a boys day out on Father’s Day and enjoy the thrills and buzz of kartsport motor racing and take in the 47th Annual Blossom Sprint Meeting at CHEMZ Raceway, Highway 50 at Fernhill, Hastings over the weekend of September 6 and 7. Kartsport is recognised internationally as a competitive motorsport and appeals to all ages, whether you’re 7 or 70, male or female, looking for family fun or downright serious competition.

Love dad and take him to the 6pm Father’s Day Special at The Dome Cinema in the elegant Poverty Bay Club on Sunday. This charming late nineteenth century space is showing 20,000 Days On Earth and it comes with free fudge and kisses for dad. Settle in on the bean bags or couch with a drink, pizza and some scrummy ice cream. The film rejoices in the life of musician Nick Cave and examines the transformative power of the creative spirit.

Want to have a bit of family-fun or maybe get your own back on dad this father’s day. A short stroll from Napier’s CBD, but a mile away from reality is Laserforce, a high-tech action packed into an adrenaline-powered zone. Fun for everybody and great Father’s day value.

This could be just the place for some good family bonding or to shout a stressed-out dad, who is in desperate need of & R, for a round of golf. Start the day with breakfast or lunch at adjacent No 5 Café and Larder or finish with a refreshment at the well-stocked club house. If golf is not quite dad’s thing there’s lots of options, an 18 hole Mini Putt, Driving Range, Tennis Court and Petanque, and Lawn Bowls.

With the promise of warm summer days on the horizon it’s a great time to lure the family on to the water. Pandora Pond and the Ahuriri estuary offer a safe and sheltered environment for everyone to enjoy a range of water sports. Located at the water’s edge and across the road from the Hawke’s Bay Cycle Trails, Pandora Kayaks hire out a range of equipment for water sport activities, including kayaks, windsurfing and stand-up paddle boards. The shop staff can offer advice for more experienced dads on the right water sports or bike equipment to hire, or where to access more challenging locations in Hawke’s Bay.

It’s time to brush off winter’s heavy wrapping, take a hint from the colours of spring and start to party. The Hawke’s Bay Racing Club have three races lined up for the JB Organics Spring Racing Carnival. On August 30 is the Makfi Challenge Stakes family day where gate proceeds will support the cancer society. Pack a picnic on September 20, and join the club for the Windsor Park Plate. Then on October 4, enjoy the high fashion with the Hunt & Seek Fashion in the Field competition at The Spring Classic.

It’s not spring without daffodils and these ones are for picking. Taniwha is a working farm on SH 2, with a 100-year-old homestead and house paddock and 20 acres of magnificent trees, ponds and yellow daffodils. Over the past 25 years Railene has planted hundreds of different varieties. Entry is free, but the proceeds from the daffodils go to Plunket. From August 31 to around September 28, you’re welcome to call in to pick, walk, ponder or pack a picnic and just enjoy.

Baby animals come hand in hand with the spring season. What safe and better way to see these cute and cuddly creatures up close than at the zoo. There are pigs, sheep, calves, alpacas and lots of birds. You may be lucky and get to see a new-born or even bottle feed a lamb. There are lots of horses too and this can only mean pony rides and horse treks.

Blossoms, colour, community, music, vibrancy, fun and magic. With a taste of Rio the Hastings Blossom Parade celebrates the arrival of spring in Hawke’s Bay and is a street party not to be missed. This year’s theme is Spring: Back to the Future so book out 11am, Saturday September 13 in central Hastings. My favourites – the foam cannon and the hip-swaying Wellington Batucada, AKSamba and SambaTron.

Everyone is invited to the Spring Fair on the big playing fields between the High and Intermediate Schools in Havelock North on Sunday, August 31. Don’t forget to arrive at 10am, before the crowds, so you can enjoy the abundant entertainment options, games and activities and delicious food stalls. For those intrepid bikers I’ve heard a whisper there will be a demo day from Bike Polo Hawke’s Bay so get on your bike and have a go. For more information go to www.havelocknorthspringfair

With the promise of warmer and sunnier days ahead start preparing the soil and garden now and get in some ready colour to sharpen your enthusiasm and brighten your day. Oderings Garden Centres have a winter bedding plant sell-out sale on now until stock runs out.

The days are getting longer and it’s a good time to brush off the cobwebs and hit the trails. Macpac have an array of hiking and outdoor gear and expertise to suit your purpose, whether it’s a climb up the local Hawke’s Bay landmark of Te Mata Peak or a serious multi-day tramp. It makes the job so much easier if you have the right gear.

It may be a month away, but now is the time to get on board and celebrate the arrival of the Hawke’s Bay spring. The theme this year is Back to the Future, retro 50s and 60s - think back to the heydays of the parade when 50,000 people lined the streets. Get out there and start shopping for supplies to decorate a car, motorbike, bicycle or pram and promote your community or organisation, dance group, school, sports team or social club. Check out www.visithastings.co.nz/events/#hastings-blossom-festival-parade for a list of categories and prizes.

Spring is synonymous with flowers. With an established business in Havelock North owners, Jenn and Natalie have now opened shop in Napier. You will get the same personalised service and if your flowers don’t stay fresh for five days they promise to give your money back. Inspired gorgeous bouquets, gifts and blokey bloom treats for the man in your life.

This established garden hide-away is a beautiful urban retreat. Set on 2.3 acres under majestic century-old elm trees, it’s a unique mix of French country-inspired café and gift shop and Italian-style garden centre. It’s a lovely venue for a wedding and there are buxus, pots of colour and ivy hearts available for hire. The colourful cakes and slices just look too good to eat.

Lucinda Sherratt, is the brain-child behind FIT Fresh Integrative Therapy. A professional Iyengar Yoga teacher, Clinical Nutritionist and Chef, Lucinda specialises in Hatha and Iyengar yoga, with classes across Hawke’s Bay. There’s a yoga style to suit everyone, it not only gives you a sense of inner peace, flexibility and mindfulness, it drags you into the NOW moment. Essential for all.

Medical centres are a one-stop-shop for your physical wellbeing. Part of maintaining a healthy way of life is to pro-actively get a regular doctor’s check-up. Or check-in with the Lifestyle Management clinic and get your nutrition and diet organised. It’s important to identify risk factors and problems early so you can get good treatment or preventative care.

Exercise is important to maintain a healthy lifestyle and sense of well-being. Hawke’s Bay has 200km of well-maintained cycle trails crisscrossing the Heretaunga Plains, linking the main centres of Napier, Hastings and Havelock North. There’s no excuse if you don’t own a bike because Fishbike bike rentals is situated right on the trail. Get friends and family together and smile, laugh, get active and pump out those endorphins – a guaranteed happy fix.

Smoking and other addictions come hand in hand with sickness and low productivity. Give your body a break and help clean up your workplace by becoming smokefree and quitting the habit. Workfit- Better Business Health, run by Sport Hawke’s Bay helps organisations increase the health and well-being of employees.

Join Jamie Oliver’s fresh food revolution and say NO to processed food. A healthy body and mind needs a balanced nutritional diet. Where better to source fresh produce, than straight from the growers at the markets.

A friendly and sophisticated gallery which is well worth a regular visit for the quality of its exhibitions - and it’s free. On now: Momo Kauae: Moko Kauae in Contemporary Art, which explores the connection through the chin moko to the life and land of the Tangata Whenua. Of added interest is the Nga Pou o Heretaunga collection of carved pou (Maori totems) in the adjacent square. Carved by team of 20 artists, the 18 pou represent an ancestor from the region linking the regions’ cultural heritage.

Whether it’s reference and research you are looking for, or if you want to just read a book or magazine, the library offers a warm, quiet reflective space and with the choice of three branches in either Flaxmere, Hastings or Havelock North it really is a focal point for each individual community.

Lots of fun and games in a safe, friendly and fun environment. Grab a hamburger, toastie or chips from the café, a refreshment at the bar, then get your own team together or join in the regular league nights from ages 5 and up, Sunday specials or book the venue for a function or birthday.

Swimming with sharks is so cool. And I really love that they are well fed. If you’re lucky you may get to brush past the biggest shark, Sarah, all of 2.8m. But if getting up close and personal to the killer of the deep is not quite your thing, you can view all the 24 resident sharks and sting-rays from the underwater viewing tunnel of the oceanarium. Lots of exhibits and interactive activities and a great place to fill in half a day with the kids.

There is enough here at this technology museum to entertain any family for hours. Kids of all ages can embrace this technology museum, full of olden-day memorabilia. A touchy feely paradise full of interactive gems.

A well-known face of Havelock North village for more than 20 years, Jacksons has been keeping judges busy at the Bakel’s New Zealand Supreme Pie Awards for 14 years - logging an impressive 13 golds, 4 silvers, 3 bronzes and 8 highly recommended awards for their various creations. Named Bakery of the Year twice - in 2007 and 2008 - I guess you could say they bake the best pies in NZ!

Baking is in John van den Berk’s genes and with 16 years in the business master baker John and his wife Jeanette have transformed Johns Bakery & Cafe into the award-winning business it is today. Try the gold-medal winning steak & vegetable pie.

A Flaxmere favourite and recognised as baking the best pie in NZ at the Bakel’s New Zealand Supreme Pie Awards in 2011. The mince & gravy reigns supreme, the mince & cheese is a winner and the bacon & egg and steak & cheese comes highly recommended.

From humble beginnings BJ’s founder Barry Buckrell opened his first bakery in 1992 and with son James now at the helm the award-winning pastry innovations continue. BJ’s freshly-baked pies are so popular they have two outlets, BJ’s Café & Coffee House and BJ’s Café & Lounge in Havelock North. The pies are guaranteed to be fresh – they are taken out of the warmer after two hours, packaged and sold as seconds.

Just off Gladstone Rd in Peel St, this little street café is said to serve the best gourmet pies in Gisborne and great coffee to match. Owners Alona and Boris also stock Russian delicacies and Russian and Polish pierogi dumplings. The Russian ones are larger, similar to a Cornish pastry and come in five favours.