New Motorsport Park Coming

Happy Monday, Tauranga!

Hope you had a solid weekend—time to get back into it for the week ahead.

In the news, a major section of SH29 near Te Poi is shutting down for two weeks, so plan ahead for detours. Plus, a brand-new motorsport park is coming to TECT Park, bringing grassroots racing back to the Bay.

Plenty happening this week, so stay locked in, support local, and happy hunting! 👀🔥

In today’s edition:

✅ New motorsport park coming to the Bay
✅ Major road closure on SH29 - plan ahead
✅ Cash drops this weekend - get ready
✅ What’s happening in Tauranga this weekend

Stay in the loop with Tauranga Scoop!

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New Motorsport Park Set to Revive Racing in the Bay

A new motorsport and driver training facility, Thunder Ridge Motorsport Park, is coming to TECT Park between Tauranga and Rotorua, bringing grassroots racing back to the Bay. Backed by Hampton Downs co-creator Tony Roberts, Roger Williams, and Gary Stirling. It’s fully privately funded, FIA-compliant, and designed to give car lovers, racers, and new drivers a place to send it, without risking it on the streets. Planning permission is locked in, and once the lease is finalized, construction can kick off.

Covering 70 hectares, Thunder Ridge will have a clubhouse, café, restrooms, camping, and on-site garages, making it a full-blown motorsport hub. Expect track days, car club meets, cycling and running events, plus driver training programs to give new drivers real skills. With Pukekohe gone, this will be a game-changer for motorsport in NZ, bringing racing back to the Bay the way Bay Park used to be. If all goes to plan, the first drivers will hit the track in 2026.

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🚧 Te Poi Section of SH29 Closed for Two Weeks 🚧

A stretch of State Highway 29 near Te Poi is shutting down from Monday, March 10, to Sunday, March 23 for road repairs. Light vehicles will be detoured via Te Poi Rd and SH24 or Te Poi South Rd and SH28, adding about five minutes to your trip. Heavy vehicles will have a 15-minute detour via SH27, SH24, and SH28. Locals can still access their properties, but expect some delays. NZTA says work should wrap up by March 23, but if the weather doesn’t play ball, it could take longer. Plan ahead and allow extra time.

Music & Concerts 🎵

Tunes n Dunes

• When: Friday, 7 Mar, 9pm

• Where: The Island

• More Info: TunesnDunes

• Cost: Free

I am Giant - The Horrifying Truth Tour

• When: Thursday 6-7 Mar, 7pm

• Where: Totara Street

• More Info: IamGiant

• Cost: $70 each

Band and Deliver at The Jam Factory

• When: Friday 7 Mar, 7pm-9:30pm

• Where: The Jam Factory

• More Info: Band

• Sold Out

Kokomo and BB & the Bullets

• When: Sunday 9 Mar, 3:30pm-6:30pm

• Where: Te Puna Quarry

• More Info: Kokomo

• Early Bird: $25

Comedy & Screenings🎭

Munchin Movies (Student Funded)

• When: Friday 7 Mar, 5:30pm

• Where: Tauranga Girls College School Hall

• More Info: MunchinMovies

• Cost: Child $6.50, Student $8, Adult $10, Family $30

Ocean Film Festival World Tour

• When: Thursday 6 Mar, 6:30pm

• Where: United Cinemas Bayfair

• More Info: Ocean

• Cost: Child $23, Adult $29

Standup Comedy Night

• When: Thursday 6 Mar, 7:30pm

• Where: The Freeport with Cleaver & Co.

• More Info: Standup

• Cost: $17 R18

Stunt Clown at the Jam Factory

• When: Saturday 8 Mar, 7pm-9:30pm

• Where: Historic Village

• More Info: StuntClown

• Cost: Adult $15, Youth $10

Festivals & Special Events 🎉

Fore Tauriko - Biz Network Night

• When: Friday, 7 Mar, 4pm-8pm

• Where: Fore Seasons Indoor Golf

• More Info: ForeTauriko

• Cost: Free

Holi Colour Splash

• When: Saturday, 8 Mar, 2pm-6pm

• Where: Memorial Park

• More Info: Holi

• Cost: Free

$1 Clothing Sale

• When: Saturday, 8 Mar, 10am-1pm

• Where: The Cargo Shed

• More Info: $1Clothing

• Cost: Free

North Island Sprintcar Champs

• When: Saturday, 8 Mar, 4pm-8pm

• Where: Baypark Speedway

• More Info: Sprintcar

• Cost: Adults $33, Youth $10, Kids U5 Free

Cars & Caffeine (Kai Aroha Fundraiser)

• When: Saturday, 8 Mar, 12pm-2pm

• Where: Nitrous Coffee Bar, 9 Hull Road

• More Info: Cars&Caffeine

• Cost: Free

Family Fun Day

• When: Saturday, 8 Mar, 10am-4pm

• Where: Tauranga Racecourse

• More Info: FamilyFunDay

• Cost: Adults $10, Kids Free

Pāpāmoa Playcentre Gala Day

• When: Saturday, 8 Mar, 10am-2pm

• Where: Simpson Reserve, Pāpāmoa

• More Info: PlaycentreGala

• Cost: Gold coin, U5’s Free

Eco-Conscious Market

• When: Saturday, 8 Mar, 10am-4pm

• Where: Tauranga Racecourse

• More Info: FamilyFunDay

• Cost: Adults $10, Kids Free

Markets 🍔

The Floral Hub

• When: Thursday, 6 Mar, 8am-9:30am

• Where: Holy Trinity Church

• More Info: Floral

• Cost: Free

Dinner in the Domain

• When: Thursday, 6 Mar, 5pm-9pm

• Where: Pāpāmoa Pony Club

• More Info: Dinnerinthedomain

• Cost: Free

Tauranga Night Market

• When: Friday, 7 Mar, 5pm-8.30pm

• Where: Tauranga Race Course

• More Info: TaurangaNightMarket

• Cost: Free

Gourmet Night Market

• When: Friday, 7 Mar, 5pm-9pm

• Where: Coronation Park

• More Info: Gourmet

• Cost: Free

Omokoroa Night Market

• When: Friday, 7 Mar, 5pm-9pm

• Where: Omokoroa Domain

• More Info: OmokoroaDomain

• Cost: Free

The Little Big Markets (Mount)

• When: Saturday, 8 Mar, 9am-2pm

• Where: Coronation Park

• More Info: LittleBigMarkets

• Cost: Free

Tauranga Farmers Market

• When: Saturday, 8 Mar, 7:45am-12pm

• Where: Tauranga Primary

• More Info: FarmersMarket

• Cost: Free

Eco-Conscious Market

• When: Sunday, 9 Mar, 10am-1pm

• Where: The Cargo Shed

• More Info: Eco-conscious

• Cost: Free

Dinner in the Domain

• When: Sunday, 9 Mar, 5pm-9pm

• Where: Matua Park

• More Info: Dinnerinthedomain

• Cost: Free

The Little Big Markets (Tauranga)

• When: Sunday, 9 Mar, 9am-2pm

• Where: Tauranga CBD, Waterfront

• More Info: LittleBigMarkets

• Cost: Free

Pāpāmoa Community Market

• When: Sunday, 9 Mar, 5pm-9pm

• Where: Te Manawa ō Pāpāmoa School

• More Info: Community

• Cost: Free

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Thanks!

That’s a wrap for today, Scoopers! If we missed anything, hit us up. Stay in the loop, get out there, watch out for some cash drops, and enjoy the weekend.

Catch you next time!

Storm
-Tauranga Scoop