Growing Good in the Bay

Author

Storm Grimwood
April 14, 2025

Morning Scoopers!

What a weekend, sunshine, good vibes, and a stacked calendar. Hope you got out there and made the most of it?

In the mix today, Tauranga’s Lucy Penellum made the top 3% of photography students in the country with her stunning folio showcasing the real life of farming. And over at Recreate NZ, young locals with intellectual disabilities are getting stuck into epic adventures.

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

📲 Instagram
📲 Facebook

In today’s edition:
✅ Tauranga teen shines with farm photo series 📸
✅ Recreate NZ giving Rangatahi unforgettable life experiences 🌟
✅ Cash drops this week – a clue below 💰
✅ What’s on in Tauranga this weekend 🎡

Let’s get into it 👇

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Call Storm: 0276284840

Farm Life Through the Lens

Tauranga’s Lucy Penellum just made the top 3% of photography students in the country with a folio capturing the gritty, raw, and real side of farming. From new calves to home kills.

Her Level 3 board scored 23/24 and earned her a scholarship, with several shots picked up by national outlets. Lucy’s goal? To flip the script on negative farming narratives and show the heart, struggle, and beauty of rural life. She's now studying horticultural science at Massey, with her eyes set on a career in agronomy and large-scale crop management.

Hard mahi, rural roots, and powerful storytelling. Respect.

Lucy Penellum’s photos from her Year 13 folio. Photo / Lucy Penellum

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

Recreate NZ: Real Adventures, Real Growth

From bach trips and white-water rafting to learning how to cook, budget, and catch the bus — Recreate NZ is doing big things for youth with intellectual disabilities across Tauranga and the country.

They’ve been around since 2002, now supporting over 500 young people a year through camps, karaoke nights, social outings, and skill-building programmes. The goal? Help young people gain confidence, independence, and real-world experience in a way that’s actually fun.

Tauranga local Alice Sampson joined at 13 and reckons the best part is the friendships and support. Programme coordinator Lou Swan agrees, saying Recreate is one of the most wholesome, rewarding jobs she’s ever had.

There’s even a youth-led market night where members run their own stalls and businesses. Whether it’s kayaking the Sounds or just learning to catch the right bus, it’s all about growing together and stepping out of the comfort zone.

Massive mahi from this team 👏

Captured by @jmanyphotography

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

Music & Concerts 🎵

Port of Tauranga 62nd National Jazz Festival

  • When: Thursday 7-21 April 2025

  • Where: Various Events

  • More Info: JazzFestival

  • Cost: $$

Musical School Holiday Programme | Music of the Movies

  • When: Mon, 14 Apr 2025, 9am – Thu, 17 Apr 2025, 2pm

  • Where: 11 Totara Street, Mount Maunganui

  • More Info: MusicProgramme

  • Cost: $$

THABANI GAPARA - The African Traveller

  • When: Thu, 17 Apr 2025, 7:00 – 10:00pm

  • Where: 11 Totara Street, Mount Maunganui

  • More Info: Thabani

  • Cost: $$

Comedy & Screenings 🎬

The Peanuts Movie

  • When: Monday 14 April 2025, 1pm - 2:30pm

  • Where: Village Cinema, 17th Avenue West

  • More Info: ThePeanut

  • Cost: $$

PUSS In BOOTS - The Last Wish

  • When: Wednesday 16 April 2025 1pm - 2:45pm

  • Where: The Village Cinema, 159 17th Avenue

  • More Info: PussinBoots

  • Cost: $$

Easter Journey

  • When: Thursday 17 - 20 April 2025 various times

  • Where: Bethlehem Baptist Church, 90 Bethlehem Road, Bethlehem

  • More Info: EasterJourney

  • Cost: Free

Festivals & Special Events 🎉

Mindful Mountains with Emma Prill (watercolour & posca pen art workshop)

  • When: Monday 14 April 2025, 10am - 11:45am

  • Where: The Creative Community Campus, 159 17th Avenue

  • More Info: MindfulMountains

  • Cost: $$

Vase & Flowers with Emma Prill

  • When: Monday 14 April 2025, 1pm - 3pm

  • Where: The Creative Community Campus, 159 17th Avenue

  • More Info: Vase&Flowers

  • Cost: $$

Mixed Media Cats & Dogs with Emma Prill

  • When: Tuesday 15 April, 9:30am - 11:30am

  • Where: The Creative Community Campus, 159 17th Avenue

  • More Info: Cats&Dogs

  • Cost: $$

Mixed Media Sunflowers with Emma Prill

  • When: Tuesday 15 April 1pm - 3pm

  • Where: The Creative Community Campus, 159 17th Avenue

  • More Info: Sunflowers

  • Cost: $$

Circus of Illusion Magic Show

  • When: Tuesday 15 April 2025, 2pm and 6pm

  • Where: Baycourt Addison Theatre, 38 Durham Street, Tauranga

  • More Info: Circus

  • Cost: $$

School Holiday Activities at Classic Flyers

  • When: Monday 14-27 April 2025, 9am - 3pm

  • Where: 9 Jean Batten Drive, Mount Maunganui

  • More Info: ClassicFlyers

  • Cost: $$

School Holidays Tumble Time - Queen Elizabeth Youth Centre

  • When: Monday 14-16 Apr 2025, 9:30am - 12pm

  • Where: Queen Elizabeth Youth Centre, 71 Eleventh Ave

  • More Info: TumbleTime

  • Cost: $$

Climb and Skate School Holiday Programme

  • When: Monday 14-16 Apr 2025, 9:30am - 3:30pm

  • Where: Rocktopia, 9 Triton Ave, Mount Maunganui

  • More Info: ClimbnSkate

  • Cost: $$

Baypark Speedway - Summer Der-Bay

  • When: Sat 19 Apr 2025, 6:30pm

  • Where: BayPark Stadium, 81 Truman Ln, Mount Maunganui

  • More Info: Baypark

  • Cost: $$

Clip N Climb Easter Egg Hunt - Rocktopia

  • When: Thu 17 Apr 2025, 10am - 11am

  • Where: Rocktopia, 9 Triton Ave

  • More Info: ClipnClimb

  • Cost: $$

Pocket Sized Play - Easter Cupcakes

  • When: Sat 19 Apr 2025, 10:30am - 12:30pm

  • Where: Red Square, Spring St

  • More Info: EasterCupcakes

  • Cost: Free

Polka Dot Pumpkins | Mixed Ages

  • When: Tue 15 Apr 2025, 10:30am - 11:30am

  • Where: Greerton Library, 139 Greerton Road, Gate Pā

  • More Info: PolkaDot

  • Cost: Free

Markets 🍔

The Floral Hub

  • When: Thursday, 17 April, 8am-9:30am

  • Where: Holy Trinity Church

  • More Info: Floral

  • Cost: Free

Tauranga Night Market

  • When: Friday, 18 April, 5pm-8.30pm

  • Where: Tauranga Race Course

  • More Info: TaurangaNightMarket

  • Cost: Free

The Little Big Markets

  • When: Saturday, 19 April, 9am-2pm

  • Where: Coronation Park, Mt Maunganui

  • More Info: LittleBigMarkets

  • Cost: Free

Tauranga Farmers Market

  • When: Saturday, 19 April, 7:45am-12pm

  • Where: Tauranga Primary

  • More Info: FarmersMarket

  • Cost: Free

Pāpāmoa Community Market

  • When: Sunday, 20 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, tell your Chiro.

Next drop’s hiding in the town with a big fruity icon 👀

See you out there!

Storm
Tauranga Scoop