For the first time in a number of years, local residents will get the opportunity to check out operations at Winstone Aggregates Puni Sand Plant.

Winstone Aggregates is holding an open day on Saturday 8 March and local residents are invited to check out the existing operation and use the opportunity to talk with staff about the Puni land based extraction option.

Quarry manager, Ross Twidle, says open days at the company's other sites have proved extremely popular. "There is always a high level of interest in what we do at our sites, how they operate and the way in which they work with the local community."

"The Puni Sand plant is slightly different from most of our other land based quarries as the extraction, in this case sand dredging, takes place out on the Waikato River," said Mr Twidle.

Mr Twidle said there will be plenty to see and do for all the family. "We try to make the day a family event and there will be a range of fun activities for children as well as adults including mini digger rides, a "guess the weight of a sand pile" competition, heavy digger displays and a video of the sand dredging operation on the Waikato River.

The sand plant will be open from 9.00am to 1.00pm on March 8.