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Blaze in the Bay
Good Morning Scoopers!
Happy Monday! Hope you enjoyed the weekend. Fingers crossed the weather plays nice this week, we’ve got plenty happening in our city.
In today’s edition, firefighters spent hours battling a large blaze in [insert location if you know it]. Crews managed to bring it under control, but not before it caused major damage and drew a big crowd of onlookers. We’ve got the full rundown.
And in music news, reggae legends UB40 featuring Ali Campbell are set to headline Kingston Calling 2026 at Mount Maunganui’s Bay Oval next Waitangi weekend. It’s the first concert ever held at the venue, and organisers are calling it the Bay’s biggest summer music event yet.
Oh, and yes, the cash drop is back this week. Location’s locked, clue’s at the bottom. You’ll want to be ready 💰
In today’s edition:
✅ Firefighters battle major blaze in the Bay 🔥
✅ UB40 bringing the vibes to Bay Oval 🎶
✅ Cash Drop – Clue below 💰
✅ What’s on this week in Tauranga 🎡
Let’s dive in 👇
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Arataki Rallies After Family Loses Everything in House Fire
A Mount Maunganui family is rebuilding their lives with huge support from the local community after a fire tore through their Arataki rental home last Saturday night.
The couple and their three kids, aged 5, 7, and 9, escaped unharmed, but they lost everything, including specialised equipment for their youngest, who has Angelman Syndrome. They also had no insurance.
The fire started in the garage due to an electrical fault and quickly spread through the house. The dad tried using a fire extinguisher and hose but couldn’t stop the blaze. The children were taken in by relatives while the couple watched their home burn.
Since then, the Arataki community has rallied, raising nearly $6500 on Givealittle, donating clothing, furniture, and appliances, and even securing the family a new rental property. The school hall will collect quality donations today and tomorrow, and larger items are being stored until the family can move in.
Fire and Emergency NZ is reminding everyone to have working smoke alarms in all bedrooms and living areas, plus an escape plan, as a house fire can become deadly in just three minutes.

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UB40 to Headline First-Ever Music Festival at Bay Oval 2026
UB40 featuring Ali Campbell will headline Kingston Calling 2026 at Mount Maunganui’s Bay Oval on February 7, marking the venue’s first-ever music event.
The new summer festival will tour eight outdoor venues across NZ, Tonga, and Samoa, with the Mount show timed for Waitangi weekend.
Organisers say it’s taken six years to bring a concert to Bay Oval, which is best known for cricket but is looking to host select non-cricket events.
The festival will run all afternoon and evening with other acts yet to be announced, and tickets are expected to sell out fast.

Captured by @jmanyphotography
Check out all the events below! ($$ - Costs or Ticketed Events)
Music & Concerts 🎵
Rockshop Bandquest
When: Fri 15 Aug 2025, 6:30pm
Where: Baycourt Community & Arts Centre, Addison Theatre, 38 Durham Street
More Info: Rockshop
Cost: $$
Mini-BOP-Sing
When: Sat 16 Aug 2025, 3:00pm
Where: Bethlehem Community Church, 183 Moffat Road
More Info: MiniBOPSing
Cost: Koha
Where's Jai
When: Sat 16 Aug 2025, 7:00pm - 9:30pm
Where: The Historic Village, The Jam Factory, 17th Ave West
More Info: WheresJai
Cost: $$
Nirvana, Pearl Jam and Red Hot Chili Peppers Tribute show
When: Sat 16 Aug 2025, 8pm - 11:55pm
Where: Totara Street, 11 Totara Street
More Info: Nirvana
Cost: $$
Comedy & Screenings 🎬
Spotlight Series
When: Sun 17 Aug 2025, multiple times
Where: Baycourt Community & Arts Centre, Addison Theatre, 38 Durham Street
More Info: Spotlight
Cost: $$
Festivals & Special Events 🎉
Dance NZ Made Interschool Solos, Duos and Trios
When: Mon 11 Aug, 6pm
Where: Baycourt Community & Arts Centre, Addison Theatre, 38 Durham Street
More Info: Dance
Cost: $$
Learn to Skate 2025
When: Mon 11 Aug 2025, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Where: Revolution Skate Centre, 81 Truman Lane
More Info: Skate
Cost: $$
Artful Wahine Tauranga Girl's College Exhibition 2025
When: Wed 13 Aug - 30 Aug 2025, Times Vary
Where: The Historic Village, The People's Gallery – Toi Ka Rere, 17th Ave West
More Info: ArtfulWahine
Cost: Free
August Art Launch at The Incubator Creative Hub
When: Wed 13 Aug 2025, 5:30pm - 7:00pm
Where: The Historic Village, The Incubator - Creative Hub, 17th Ave West
More Info: ArtLaunch
Cost: Free
Pocket Sized Play - Mixed Media workshop
When: Sat 16 Aug 2025, 10:30am - 12:30pm
Where: Te Ao Mārama - Tauranga Library, 21 Devonport Rd
More Info: PocketSized
Cost: Free
Happenchance an Exhibition by Kaye Hubner
When: Wed 13 Aug - 30 Aug 2025, Times Vary
Where: The Historic Village, The Incubator Gallery & Studios, 17th Ave West
More Info: Happenchance
Cost: Free
Campus Art Class
When: Thu 14 Aug 2025, 4:00pm - 5:30pm
Where: The Historic Village, Creative Community Campus, 17th Ave West
More Info: Campus
Cost: $$
Print club
When: Fri 15 Aug 2025, 1:00pm - 3:00pm
Where: The Historic Village, The Incubator - Creative Hub, 17th Ave West
More Info: PrintClub
Cost: $$
Mend and Make Do: Community Sewing Workshop
When: Sat 16 Aug 2025, 10:00am - 12:00pm
Where: C3 City Church, 252 Otumoetai Road
More Info: Mend&Make
Cost: Free
Rug Tufting
When: Sat 16 Aug 2025, 10:00am - 3:00pm
Where: The Historic Village, Creative Community Campus, 17th Ave West
More Info: RugTufting
Cost: $$
Tauranga Food Show
When: Sat 16 & Sun 17 Aug 2025, 10am - 5pm
Where: Mercury Baypark Arena, 81 Truman Lane
More Info: FoodShow
Cost: $$
Pacific Breeze Fundraising Luncheon
When: Sat 16 Aug 2025, 12:00pm - 3:00pm
Where: Pāpāmoa Surf Club, 561 Papamoa Beach Road
More Info: PacificBreeze
Cost: $$
All About ART - The Salt of The Earth documentary
When: Sun 17 Aug 2025, 1:30pm - 3:30pm
Where: The Historic Village, 17th Ave West
More Info: AllAbout
Cost: $$
Bay of Plenty Steamers and Volcanix
When: Sat 16 Aug 2025, 10:00am - 4:00pm
Where: Wharepai Domain, 91 Cameron Road
More Info: Steamers
Cost: $$
Markets 🍔
The Little Big Markets Mount Maunganui
When: Sat 16 Aug 2025, 9:00am - 2:00pm
Where: Coronation Park, Mount
More Info: LittleBigMarkets
Cost: Free
Tauranga Farmers Market
When: Saturday 16 August, 7:45am-12pm
Where: Tauranga Primary
More Info: FarmersMarket
Cost: Free
Pāpāmoa Community Market
When: Sunday 17 August, 8:30am-1pm
Where: Te Manawa ō Pāpāmoa School
More Info: Community
Cost: Free

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Thanks, Scoopers!
That’s us for today, team.
Got a hidden gem or you’re up to something epic? Slide into our DMs, we’re always on the hunt for the Bay’s best spots and stories. Got an event? Flick it our way and we’ll help get the word out.
If this edition made you smile, send it to that mate who really wants this winter to end.
Cash Drop Clue:
We’re doing a large cash drop this week.
So keep an eye on our social media to get the location.
See you out there 👊
— Storm
Tauranga Scoop