From Surf to Sandpits

Author

Storm Grimwood
April 07, 2025

Morning Scoopers!

From Friday’s downpour to Sunday’s sunshine, the weather turned it on just in time for yesterday’s cash hunt. Big thanks to everyone who showed up! Was awesome chatting with so many of you down at Yatton Park.

In the mix this week, the Mount Maunganui Playcentre has officially opened its brand new home at Golf Road Reserve after two decades of planning and fundraising. And Bay Boardriders are heading north to defend their national surfing title and hopefully earn another shot at the world stage.

We’ve also got a couple of drops happening this week, so if you’re keen to chase that cash, don’t miss the clue below and make sure you’re following us:

In today’s edition:
✅ Mount Playcentre opens new home base 🛝
✅ Bay Boardriders aim to defend national surf title 🌊
✅ Cash drops this week 💰
✅ What’s on in Tauranga this weekend 🎡

Let’s get into it 👇

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Bay Boardriders Set to Defend National Title

Tauranga’s Bay Boardriders are heading to Whangamatā this week with one goal: defend their national club title and earn another shot at the world stage.

The local surf legends will compete in the National Boardrider Club Championships on April 5, hoping to lock in a spot for the 2026 World Club Challenge in Australia, an event they’ve already competed in the past two years.

Club president James Jacobs says the team is stacked with returning talent, including Tim O’Connor, Alex Dive, Hinako Kurokawa, Tao Mouldey, and senior surfer Owen Barnes.

The competition format is a fast-paced, tag-team relay with each surfer catching waves in succession to rack up points. It’s high-energy, loud, and fiercely competitive, with only the top clubs from across the country invited to compete.

Coach and surfer Owen Barnes called it one of the best comps to be part of, and captain Alex Dive said they’re fired up to “test ourselves against the country’s best.”

Watch this space — the Mount crew is charging in.

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Playcentre’s New Era Begins After 20-Year Push

After 50 years at Blake Park, Mount Maunganui Playcentre finally has a brand-new home, and it’s been a long time coming.

More than $1.4 million was raised to build the new centre at Golf Road Reserve, replacing the old site due to council plans to turn Blake Park into a dedicated sports hub. After two decades of fundraising, red tape, and community hustle, the new doors officially opened last week.

The team behind it (mostly mums, shoutout!) stayed committed through it all. Chair of the relocation committee, Renee McMillan, said the project’s been “20 years in the making,” and it shows.

Now, over 120 families a week will get to enjoy a modern, purpose-built space where kids can do what they do best. Play.

Playcentre president Sarah Jackson said the opening was a huge relief after all the hard work. “It’s the perfect space, and now it finally feels like home.”

To mark the milestone, a pōhutukawa was planted outside the new building, with mana whenua and community supporters showing up to celebrate what’s been a massive team effort.

It’s more than just a new building, it’s a win for the village.

Captured by @jmanyphotography

Check all the events below! ($$ - Ticketed Events)

Music & Concerts 🎵

47th National Youth Jazz Competition

  • When: Monday 7-9 April, 8:30am

  • Where: X Space & Addison Theatre, 38 Durham Street

  • More Info: Jazzcomp

  • Cost: $$

Reb Fountain - ‘How Love Bends’ Tour

  • When: Thursday 10 April 2025, 7pm

  • Where: Totara Street, Mount Maunganui

  • More Info: RebFountain

  • Cost: $$

Babe Rainbow

  • When: Friday 11 April 2025, 8pm

  • Where: 11 Totara Street, Mount Maunganui

  • More Info: BabeRainbow

  • Cost: $$

Jazz at the Jam Factory: The Martini Fund

  • When: Sat 11-13 Apr 2025, 7pm

  • Where: The Jam Factory, 17th Ave West

  • More Info: Jazz

  • Cost: $$

Girls Just Wanna Have Fun - 80's Dance Party

  • When: Saturday 12 April 2025, 8pm - 11:55pm

  • Where: 11 Totara Street, Mount Maunganui

  • More Info: 80sDance

  • Cost: $$

Festivals & Special Events 🎉

Flavours of Plenty

  • When: On Now - 13 April 2025

  • Where: Multiple locations, see website

  • More Info: FeastofPlenty

  • Cost: $$

Free Gelato Launch Party at Polar Dessert Bar

  • When: Thursday 10 April 2025 5pm - 7pm

  • Where: Polar Dessert Bar, 10 Prince Ave, Mount Maunganui

  • More Info: Polar

  • Cost: Free

School Holiday Activities at Classic Flyers

  • When: Saturday 12 - 27 April, 9am - 3pm

  • Where: 9 Jean Batten Drive, Mount Maunganui

  • More Info: Classic

  • Cost: $$

Ultimate Athlete Obstacle Course Event

  • When: Saturday 12 April 9am - 3pm

  • Where: Mount Maunganui Main Beach

  • More Info: UltimateAthlete

  • Cost: $$

Asia's Harmony Festival

  • When: Saturday 12 April 2025 10am - 4pm

  • Where: Queen Elizabeth Youth Centre, 71 Eleventh Ave

  • More Info: Asia

  • Cost: $$

Blooming Marverlous

  • When: Saturday 12 April 2025 10am - 3pm

  • Where: Creative Community Campus, 17th Ave West

  • More Info: Blooming

  • Cost: $$

Pocket Sized Play - Easter Egg Adventure

  • When: Saturday 12 April 2025, 10:30am - 12:30pm

  • Where: Red Square, 1 Devonport Rd

  • More Info: PocketSize

  • Cost: $$

Through the Lens: Mushrooms, Moulds and so much more! - with Paula Vigus

  • When: Saturday 12 Apr 2025, 11am – 12:30am

  • Where: 21 Devonport Road, Tauranga

  • More Info: Mushrooms

  • Cost: $$

The Great Tauranga Duck Race

  • When: Sat 12 Apr 2025, 10:30am

  • Where: The Strand Waterfront, By the Hairy Mclary Statues, The Strand

  • More Info: DuckRace

  • Cost: Free

Anzac poppy workshop

  • When: Sunday 13 Apr 2025, 10am – 12:30am

  • Where: The Creative Community Campus, 17th Ave

  • More Info: Anzac

  • Cost: $$

Prints for good - Workshop and empathy building conversation

  • When: Sun 13 Apr 2025, 3pm – 6pm

  • Where: The Creative Community Campus, 17th Ave

  • More Info: Printsforgood

  • Cost: Free

Markets 🍔

The Floral Hub

  • When: Thursday, 10 April, 8am-9:30am

  • Where: Holy Trinity Church

  • More Info: Floral

  • Cost: Free

Tauranga Night Market

  • When: Friday, 11 April, 5pm-8.30pm

  • Where: Tauranga Race Course

  • More Info: TaurangaNightMarket

  • Cost: Free

The Little Big Markets

  • When: Saturday, 12 April, 9am-2pm

  • Where: Coronation Park, Mt Maunganui

  • More Info: LittleBigMarkets

  • Cost: Free

Tauranga Farmers Market

  • When: Saturday, 12 April, 7:45am-12pm

  • Where: Tauranga Primary

  • More Info: FarmersMarket

  • Cost: Free

Pāpāmoa Community Market

  • When: Sunday, 13 April, 8:30am-1pm

  • Where: Te Manawa ō Pāpāmoa School

  • More Info: Community

  • Cost: Free

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Thanks Team!

That’s it for today, Scoopers! If we missed anything, flick us a message, and if you found something useful, pass it on to that mate who still owes you a pie.

Oh, and before we go… Next drop’s blessed, it’s in Tauranga’s holiest suburb 👀💰

Catch you out there!

Storm
-Tauranga Scoop