Fueling the Fun: Community Wins

Morning Scoopers!

Back to school for most kids today, unless they’ve scored a teacher only day. For the parents… mixed emotions.

In today’s scoop, almost 100 local events were brought to life thanks to the Tauranga Western Bay Community Event Fund, making it easier (and cheaper) for everyone to get amongst it. Plus, Tauranga sailor Tom Saunders made a big return to the world stage, snagging a silver medal in France at his first international regatta since the Olympics!

We’ve got a few drops this week, so if you’re chasing that cash, keep an eye out and make sure you’re following us:

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In today’s edition:
✅ 99 local events funded through Community Event Fund 🎉
✅ Tauranga sailor wins silver at French regatta ⛵
✅ Cash drops this week – clue below 💰
✅ What’s on in Tauranga 🎡

Let’s get into it 👇SPONSORED BY YARD BARBERS

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$966K fund fuels 99 community events

Tauranga and the Western Bay are buzzing, with almost 100 events backed by the Tauranga Western Bay Community Event Fund over the past year.

A combined $966k was spread across 99 events in 2024–2025, helping locals get amongst everything from A&P shows to Matariki celebrations. Grants ranged from $1600 to $35,000, keeping most events low-cost or free for the community.

TECT’s Paula Hudson said it best: "Seeing communities turn up and enjoy them shows the real value of this funding."

Since launching in 2022, the fund’s made it way easier for organisers to get support without applying to five different places. More than half of last year’s events were first-timers too — Western Bay saw a 72% jump in new events!

If you’re planning something, the next funding round closes July 15. More info at communityeventfund.nz.

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Tauranga Sailor wins silver medal in France

Tauranga’s Tom Saunders is back in a big way, grabbing a silver medal at French Olympic Week, his first international regatta since the Paris Games. After a break from racing, Saunders came out firing in Hyères, finishing third in the double-points medal race to climb into second overall in the ILCA 7 class.

The 32-year-old handled everything the Bay of Hyères threw at him, from glassy light breezes to 25-knot winds. He stayed steady all week, nailing six top-10 finishes and a big win in the final gold fleet race.

Saunders credited the time off for giving him fresh perspective, saying, "Sport can get tunnel-visioned, especially before the Olympics. Stepping away helped." Now he’s eyeing the LA 2028 Games, but balancing it with study and coaching.

For now, the books are on hold — Saunders heads to China next week for the 2025 World Championships.

It’s been a solid block for the Kiwi sailors in Europe — next stop, worlds!

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

Music & Concerts 🎵

The Noughties vs 90's Rock Show - Lounge Apes

• When: Sat, 3 May 2025, 8:00pm – 11:55pm

• Where: 11 Totara Street, Mount Maunganui

• More Info: Noughties

• Cost: $$

Joanne Melbourne & Mike Garner

• When: Fri 2 May 2025, 6:30pm–9:30pm

• Where: The Matua, Tilby Drive, Tauranga

• More Info: OldBlues

• Cost: Free

Liam Wooding - Solo Piano

• When: Sun 4 May 2025 4:00pm

• Where: Baycourt X Space, 38 Durham Street, Tauranga

• More Info: LiamWooding

• Cost: $$

Comedy & Screenings 🎬

Comedy Improv with The Honest Liars

• When: Saturday 3 May 2025 7:30pm

• Where: 16th Avenue Theatre, 164 16th Avenue

• More Info: Comedy

• Cost: $$

TCFF - Special Fundraiser Screening - Voices of Venus

• When: Mon 28 Apr 2025 6:30pm - 10:30pm

• Where: Luxe Cinemas, 21 Devonport Rd

• More Info: TCFF

• Cost: $$

A Punch Muffin Comedy Night at Latitude 37

• When: Thu 1 May 2025 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM

• Where: Latitude 37, 3116

• More Info: ComedyNight

• Cost: $$

Festivals & Special Events 🎉

After School Sew Love Club

• When: Wednesday 30 April 2025 3:30pm - 5:30pm

• Where: The Incubator Creative Hub, The Historic Village, 17th Avenue

• More Info: SewClub

• Cost: $$

Cuban Dance Weekender

• When: Fri 2 - Sun 4 May 2025, Various Times

• Where: Elizabeth Street Community & Arts Centre, 169 Elizabeth St

• More Info: CubanWeekender

• Cost: $$

Tauranga Home Show

• When: Fri 2 - Sun 4 May 2025, 10am - 5pm

• Where: Mercury Baypark Arena, 81 Truman Lane, Mt Maunganui

• More Info: TaurangaHomeShow

• Cost: $$

Crochet for Beginners

• When: Sat 3 May 2025 10:00am - 12:30pm

• Where: The Incubator Creative Hub, The Historic Village, 17th Avenue

• More Info: Crochet

• Cost: $$

Abstract Alchemy

• When: Sat 3 - Sun 4 May 2025, 10am - 3pm

• Where: The Creative Community Campus, The Historic Village, 17th Avenue

• More Info: Alchemy

• Cost: $$

We Run the Night

• When: Sat 3 May 2025, 6pm

• Where: Mount Drury

• More Info: WeRunTheNight

• Cost: $$

Markets 🍔

The Floral Hub

• When: Thursday, 1 May, 8am-9:30am

• Where: Holy Trinity Church

• More Info: Floral

• Cost: Free

Tauranga Night Market

• When: Friday, 2 May, 5pm-8.30pm

• Where: Tauranga Race Course

• More Info: TaurangaNightMarket

• Cost: Free

The Little Big Markets

• When: Saturday 3 May 9am - 2pm

• Where: Coronation Park, Mount Maunganui

• More Info: LittleBigMarkets

• Cost: Free

Tauranga Farmers Market

• When: Saturday, 3 May, 7:45am-12pm

• Where: Tauranga Primary

• More Info: FarmersMarket

• Cost: Free

Pāpāmoa Community Market

• When: Sunday, 4 May, 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 Team! If we missed anything, flick us a message, and if you found something worthy, send it to that mate who wears gym gear all day but hasn’t seen a dumbbell since February.

Next drop? We’ve been swimming around it all month… Now it’s your turn to find the last treasure.

Catch ya,

— Storm
Tauranga Scoop