New Chapters for Tauranga Icons

Author

Storm Grimwood
April 03, 2025

Morning Scoopers!

With a wet weekend on the horizon, it might be the perfect excuse to kick back with a movie or dust off the board games for a cozy day inside.

In community news, Kaka Street School is celebrating 60 years of shaping young minds and they’re still going strong. A milestone worth celebrating, with beautiful mahi from the entire school whānau.

We’ve also got a couple of cash drops lined up, so if you’re keen to chase that cash, make sure you’re following us:

In today’s edition: 
✅ Major upgrade coming to the Tauranga Art Gallery 🖼️
✅ Kaka Street School turns 60 🎉
✅ Cash drops this week – Clue below 💰
✅ What’s on in Tauranga this weekend 📍

Let’s dive in 👇

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After nearly 30 years of support from the Friends of the Art Gallery, Tauranga’s beloved gallery is switching things up, and not just with its renovations.

The “Friends” group, which helped make the gallery a reality and raised over $150K since forming in 1996, has voted to hand over the reins. From now on, the gallery will run its own membership programme, bringing it in line with how most museums and galleries operate.

The change comes as Toi Tauranga Art Gallery undergoes its first major upgrade since opening in 2007. Set to reopen later this year, the new space will feature a flash new entrance from Masonic Park, upgraded lighting and air-con, and seismic strengthening to meet international museum standards.

The old committee isn’t going anywhere — they’ll stay on as ambassadors to help shape future events. And some of the leftover funds will go toward new seating in the revamped space.

Renovations are expected to wrap up by August. We’ll be keeping an eye on the finish line.

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Tauranga Special School Turns 60

From paddocks to packed roll books — Tauranga Special School (formerly Kaka St Special School) is celebrating its 60th anniversary this May.

What started in 1965 with just a few students is now home to 122 tamariki aged 5 to 21, with a waitlist of 19 families hoping to get in. The school supports kids with a range of diverse needs, from autism to physical impairments, and runs both a base school and satellite classes across the city.

Principal Barrie Wickens has seen the school double in size over his 23 years there and says the goal is simple: help every student reach their potential with dignity, support, and the right gear.

The Diamond Jubilee kicks off May 1–2, with events for both families and the wider community.

Safe to say, this little school has made a big impact.

Captured by @jmanyphotography

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

Music & Concerts 🎵

Delta Heavy (UK) | Mount Maunganui

  • When: Friday 4 April, 8pm - 11:55pm

  • Where: 11 Totara Street, Mt Maunganui

  • More Info: DeltaHeavy

  • Cost: $$

The Bruce Springsteen Experience

  • When: Saturday 5 April 2025, 7:30pm

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

  • More Info: Bruce

  • Cost: $$

Stardust - David Bowie Tribute

  • When: Saturday 5 April 2025, 7pm - 10:30pm

  • Where: The Jam Factory - Music Platform, The Incubator, The Historic Village

  • More Info: DavidBowie

  • Cost: $$

Two Skinner, Stunt Clown, Somacaine

  • When: Saturday 5 April 2025, 7pm - 10:30pm

  • Where: Kūwao Space, 14 Grey Street, Tauranga

  • More Info: TwoSkinner

  • Cost: Free

Comedy & Screenings 🎭

Menopause made me do it

  • When: Thursday 2 April - 12 April, 7:30pm - 9:30pm

  • Where: The Historic Village, Detour Theatre, 17th Ave West

  • More Info: Menopause

  • Cost: $$

Pirates of the Curry Bean

  • When: Saturday 29 - Sunday 30 March, various times

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

  • More Info: CurryBean

  • Cost: $$

Comedy Improv with the Honest Liars

  • When: Saturday 5 April, 2025 7:30pm

  • Where: 16th Avenue Theatre, Tauranga

  • More Info: Improv

  • Cost: $$

Festivals & Special Events 🎉

Flavours of Plenty

  • When: On Now - 13 April 2025

  • Where: Multiple locations, see website

  • More Info: FeastofPlenty

  • Cost: $$

Paint and Wine Night - Peony Bouquet

  • When: Thursday 3 April 2025 7pm - 9pm

  • Where: Cornerstone Bar & Eatery, 107 The Strand, Tauranga

  • More Info: PaintnWine

  • Cost: $$

Island Breeze Benefit

  • When: Saturday 5 April, 6pm - 10pm

  • Where: The Cargo Shed, 5 Dive Crescent, Tauranga

  • More Info: Island

  • Cost: $$

Decoupage & Gild Workshop

  • When: Saturday 5 April 10am - 12:30pm

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

  • More Info: Decoupage

  • Cost: $$

Pocket Sized Play - Balloon Crafting

  • When: Saturday 5 April 2025 10:30am - 12:30pm

  • Where: Red Square, 1 Devonport Rd

  • More Info: Balloon

  • Cost: $$

Nepalese New Year 2082

  • When: Sunday 6 April 2025 6:00pm

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

  • More Info: Nepalese

  • Cost: $$

Autumn In Your Permaculture Garden

  • When: Sun 6 April 2025, 1:00pm - 3:00pm

  • Where: Palmers Welcome Bay, 1 Ohauiti Road, Welcome Bay

  • More Info: Baypark

  • Cost: $$

Ninja Knits

  • When: Sun 06 Apr 2025, 9:30 am – 11:30 am

  • Where: The Incubator Gallery, 17th Ave West

  • More Info: NinjaKnits

  • Cost: $$

Sports 🏉

BLACKCAPS v Pakistan - ODI - Cricket

  • When: Saturday, 5 April 11am-6:30pm

  • Where: Bay Oval, Blake Park Kawaka Street, Mount Maunganui

  • More Info: Skateboarding

  • Cost: $$

Markets 🍔

The Floral Hub

  • When: Thursday, 3 April, 8am-9:30am

  • Where: Holy Trinity Church

  • More Info: Floral

  • Cost: Free

Dinner in the Domain

  • When: Thursday, 3 April, 5pm-9pm

  • Where: Pāpāmoa Pony Club

  • More Info: Dinnerinthedomain

  • Cost: Free

Tauranga Night Market

  • When: Friday, 4 April, 5pm-8.30pm

  • Where: Tauranga Race Course

  • More Info: TaurangaNightMarket

  • Cost: Free

The Little Big Markets

  • When: Sunday, 6 April, 9am-2pm

  • Where: Coronation Park, Mt Maunganui

  • More Info: LittleBigMarkets

  • Cost: Free

Tauranga Farmers Market

  • When: Saturday, 5 April, 7:45am-12pm

  • Where: Tauranga Primary

  • More Info: FarmersMarket

  • Cost: Free

Pāpāmoa Community Market

  • When: Sunday, 6 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 this morning! If we missed anything, let us know, and if you found something useful today, share it with a friend who still uses Hotmail like it’s 2003. Might see you around Bureta for the next drop.

Storm
-Tauranga Scoop