Food, fireworks and dancing were the focus at Napier’s Sound Shell on Saturday night as revellers celebrated Diwali, the ancient annual Hindu “festival of lights”. Organised by the Hawke's Bay's Indian community and the region’s Multicultural Association, the family-focused evening of events featured a range of cultural and Bollywood performances, along with food stalls selling a wide range of dishes from different regions of India. The night ended with a fireworks display. Hawke's Bay Today photographer Paul Taylor was there to capture the fun and festivities.

It was another season of despair on the other side of the Manawatu Gorge for the Hawke’s Bay Magpies when they lost 29-3 to the Turbos in Palmerston North yesterday in their Championship tier top-of-the-table clash in the ITM Cup competition. Paul Taylor captured some moments at a blustery FMG Stadium.

While the weather gods weren’t exactly smiling the fashion followers certainly were at the third and final day of the JB Organics Hawke’s Bay Racing Spring Carnival on Saturday. Fancy frocks, heavenly hats and beaut bow-ties set the style for Fashion in the Field and Hawke’s Bay Today photographer Paul Taylor was there to capture the colourful couture.

About 6000 people turned their backs to the cold wind and enjoyed a day at the races on Saturday. The JB Organics Hawke’s Bay Racing Spring Carnival saw quality horses and top jockeys compete, while the punters battled it out at the tote hoping for that one big collect. Paul Taylor was there to capture the action on and off the course.

It was a tiring but exhilarating day out in some spectacular countryside for participants in Saturday’s Staples Rodway Cape Kidnappers Challenge.Teams and individual competitors run or walked up to three 10km and 11km legs, during which they crossed beach, farmland, bush and water. Money raised from the event will benefit the 4 Friends Afterschool Programme administered by Sport Hawke's Bay and community police. Hawke's Bay Today photographer Glenn Taylor was on hand to capture the day’s pain and glory.

It was dubbed the Battle of the Bays at McLean Park on Saturday — the Magpies up against the Bay of Plenty Steamers for the Ranfurly Shield. The Magpies swooped and grouped, ducked and rucked, dived and high-fived while the Steamers simply ran out of the stuff that makes up their name. The famous Log o’ Wood stood proudly on the sideline while the battle was waged, and to the delight of the large crowd was safely tucked away again. Photographer Duncan Brown was there to capture the unique atmosphere.

The weather for the second meeting of the Hawke’s Bay Spring Racing Carnival series may not have enjoyed complete spring-like conditions but it still attracted some fine fillies, fashion, favourites and fast finishes. The highlight of the meeting was the $200,000 weight-for-age Windsor Park Plate run over 1600m. Warren Buckland was on hand to capture some of the moments of the meeting.

Photos from the second meeting in the Hawkes Bay Spring Racing Carnival Series, at Hawkes Bay Racing Centre, Hastings.
20 September, 2014. Photos by Warren Buckland
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Hawke's Bay Magpies beat Bay of Plenty Steamers 36-17, in a Battle of the Bays rugby game at McLean Park, Napier. More importantly, they retained the Ranfurly Shield.
20 September, 2014. Photos by Duncan Brown and Paul Taylor
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Pictures from a fun end-of-season Ron Giorgi netball tournament held at the Hawke's Bay Regional Sports Park in Hastings.
13 September, 2014. Photos by Glenn Taylor
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Pictures from a fundraiser featuring several talented Hawke's Bay musicians, at The Kitchen Table in Tennyson St, Napier.
13 September, 2014. Photos by Glenn Taylor
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Hawke's Bay Magpies beat Otago 41-0 to retain the Ranfurly Shield, in an ITM Cup rugby game at McLean Park, their first shield defence since taking it from Counties
14 September, 2014. Photos by Glenn Taylor
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The New Zealand Edible Garden Show returned to Showgrounds Hawke’s Bay for a second year at the weekend, offering plenty of fun for the whole family. Chief photographer Warren Buckland was among the crowds.

A glamorous one-day international designer bridal showcase of new bridal gowns by Justin Alexander was held at Charisma Bridal, Taradale, at the weekend. Photographer Glenn Taylor was there.

There was plenty to see, hear and move to on Saturday as the Hastings Blossom Parade entertained thousands on the CBD’s streets. Despite poor weather, the crowds arrived in great numbers. Hawke’s Bay Today photographers captured the action.

Pictures from Fan Fiesta at the Napier Municipal Theatre, Napier, celebrating the rugby test between Argentina's Los Pumas and the All Blacks at McLean Park, Napier.
06 September, 2014. Photos by Duncan Brown
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Hawke's Bay Today meet the Candidates evenings.

The children’s ward at Hawke’s Bay Hospital was all smiles when it received a special visit from the All Blacks ahead of their test match against Argentina at the weekend. Photographer Duncan Brown was there.

The Hawke’s Bay Airport terminal turned into a sea of black and white on Saturday night when the victorious Magpies arrived home with the Ranfurly Shield. They lifted the famous ‘Log o’ Wood’ from Counties and it was something of a revenge strike after Counties had taken it off the Bay last season. There were banners and painted faces, flags and flashing cameras and cellphones as about 500 people celebrated the occasion. Photographer Paul Taylor was there to capture the mighty Magpies moment.

Hawke’s Bay rugby fans got the chance to get up close to their rugby heroes as the All Blacks hit town yesterday. Photographer Glenn Taylor was at the Hawke’s Bay Airport to capture some of the action.

The Rt Hon Winston Peters, leader of NZ First, spoke to a revolving crowd of about 100 people at lunchtime in the Hastings CBD, Hastings
26 August, 2014. Photos by Duncan Brown
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Pictures from the Internet Mana meeting at Cheval Rooms, Hawke's Bay Racecourse, Hastings.
19 August, 2014. Photos by Duncan Brown
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Mini enthusiasts celebrated the 20th anniversary of the forming of the Mini Car Club Hawkes Bay, at Duke Street Reserve in Mahora, Hastings.
23 August, 2014. Photos by Paul Taylor
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Pictures from a function to celebrate Senior station officer Graham Arthur (just promoted) and Senior station officer Bill Tims (stepping down), in a change of the guard at Haumoana Volunteer Fire brigade, Haumoana
23 August, 2014. Photos by Duncan Brown
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The Hawke’s Bay Tuis were given a harsh lesson against Waikato at Park Island on Saturday. The local women’s team went down 43-3. Photographer Duncan Brown was on the sidelines.

A function was held at Haumoana Volunteer Fire Brigade, Haumoana, on Saturday to celebrate a change of the guard, with Graham Arthur promoted to senior station officer and senior station officer Bill Tims stepping down from the role. Photographer Duncan Brown was there.

Central Hawke’s Bay cycling fans braved cloudy skies for a welcome home parade for Regan Gough and Luke Mudgway after their incredible results in the World Junior Track Championships in Korea. Photographer Paul Taylor was in Waipukurau for the celebrations action.

The Hawke's Bay Magpies scored a thrilling ITM Cup rugby win against Taranaki at Napier's McLean Park on Friday night. At the final whistle the home team were ahead 29 points to 26. Duncan Brown captured the action.

About 100 riders from the Patriots Defence Force Motorcycle Club paid tribute to Corporal Douglas Grant, who was killed in Afghanistan, during a service at Western Hills Cemetery in Napier on Saturday. The 41-year-old SAS trooper died on August 19, 2011, during a Taleban raid in the capital, Kabul. Chief photographer Warren Buckland was there.

As people gathered in Hastings CBD to stand for Israel’s right to defend itself, others met at Civic Square to support a Nationwide Day of Action against the war on Gaza. On a cold, bleak Saturday from 12pm, peaceful protesters listened to key speakers and shared their views. Photographer Glenn Taylor and chief photographer Warren Buckland were there.