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 👇

SPONSORED BY YARD BARBERS

For Property Maintenance, lawn care, hedge & tree trimming, gardening, yard tidy ups & landscaping.
yardbarbers.co.nz
Call Storm: 0276284840

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.

Specializing in Minor Renovations, Decks, Fences & Retaining Walls, Small Jobs & Maintenance
archetypeconstruction
Call Aidan: 027 908 4040

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: $$

  • 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

Small Batch | Raw Mānuka Honey | Made in New Zealand
tasteandseenz

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