Nurses Take a Stand

Author

Storm Grimwood
August 18, 2025

Good Morning Scoopers!

Happy Monday! Less than two more weeks of winter, so it should start getting a bit warmer now.

In today’s edition, nurses across Tauranga and Rotorua have voted to strike again in September, with safe staffing and patient care at the heart of their fight. We’ll break down what this means for our region.

Meanwhile, photographers from across the Bay showcased their best work this weekend, capturing everything from sweeping landscapes to powerful portraits. The exhibition drew a big crowd and plenty of local buzz.

We’ve got a cash drop this week. Location’s locked, clue’s at the bottom. You’ll want to be ready 💰

In today’s edition:
✅ Nurses vote for strike action in September 🏥
✅ Bay photographers showcase stunning work 📸
✅ Cash Drop – Clue below 💰
✅ What’s on this week in Tauranga 🎡

Let’s dive in 👇

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Nurses Plan September Strikes Over Staffing

More than 2500 NZNO members across Tauranga and Rotorua have voted to strike again on September 2 and 4, citing unsafe staffing levels. The move follows the July 30 nationwide strike by 36,000 nurses, midwives, and healthcare assistants.

Union chief Paul Goulter said members are “fighting for patient safety” as staff shortages lead to delays and preventable deaths. Health NZ says more strikes will only harm patients, with an estimated 2251 surgeries and 11,600 appointments set to be postponed if action goes ahead.

Health NZ maintains it has hired over 3000 more nurses in the past two years, reduced turnover, and offered fair pay rises, but insists unresolved issues must be settled through bargaining, not strikes.

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Bay of Plenty photographers have been recognised at the 2025 NZIPP Iris Awards in Christchurch.

Rotorua’s Tracey Scott took out Professional Animal Photographer of the Year with her shot of a hippo underwater in Poland, and was also a finalist in the commercial category. She said the award was a huge thrill, and her approach has always been to capture whatever is happening in her life at the time.

Rochelle Withell, also from the Bay, won Professional Wedding Creative Photographer of the Year with a “planet scene” inspired by a couple who married during one of the first Bay of Plenty auroras. She said entering the awards pushed her creatively and connected her with an encouraging community.

Tauranga’s Justin Aitken, a previous winner in the same category, was again a finalist this year. He entered with humour-filled wedding images, saying he loves capturing untraditional moments that couples can treasure forever.

All three credited their work to inspiration from connection, family, and the joy of freezing moments in time.

Bay of Plenty photographers have been recognised at the 2025 NZIPP Iris Awards in Christchurch.

Rotorua’s Tracey Scott took out Professional Animal Photographer of the Year with her shot of a hippo underwater in Poland, and was also a finalist in the commercial category. She said the award was a huge thrill, and her approach has always been to capture whatever is happening in her life at the time.

Rochelle Withell, also from the Bay, won Professional Wedding Creative Photographer of the Year with a “planet scene” inspired by a couple who married during one of the first Bay of Plenty auroras. She said entering the awards pushed her creatively and connected her with an encouraging community.

Tauranga’s Justin Aitken, a previous winner in the same category, was again a finalist this year. He entered with humour-filled wedding images, saying he loves capturing untraditional moments that couples can treasure forever.

All three credited their work to inspiration from connection, family, and the joy of freezing moments in time.

Captured by @jmanyphotography

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

Music & Concerts 🎵

Borderline | Chrysalis EP Release Tour

  • When: Fri 22 Aug 2025, 7:30pm - 11:55pm

  • Where: Totara Street, 11 Totara Street

  • More Info: Borderline

  • Cost: $$

Creedence Clearwater Collective

  • When: Fri 22 Aug 2025, 7:30pm

  • Where: Baycourt Community & Arts Centre, 38 Durham Street

  • More Info: Creedence

  • Cost: $$

Punk Triple Feature at Ōkahukura

  • When: Sat 23 Aug 2025, 7:00pm - 10:30pm

  • Where: Ōkahukura, 14 Grey Street

  • More Info: PunkTriple

  • Cost: Koha

Black Comet | Episode Two: The Force Between U’s Album Release

  • When: Sat 23 Aug 2025, 8:00pm - 11:55pm

  • Where: Totara Street, 11 Totara Street

  • More Info: BlackComet

  • Cost: $$

Saxcess

  • When: Sun 24 Aug 2025, 4:00pm

  • Where: Baycourt Community & Arts Centre, X Space, 38 Durham Street

  • More Info: Saxcess

  • Cost: $$

Comedy & Screenings 🎬

Mad Pearse Takes Flight – First Man to Fly

  • When: Wed 20 & Thu 21, Times vary

  • Where: Baycourt Community & Arts Centre, Addison Theatre, 38 Durham Street

  • More Info: MadPearse

  • Cost: $$

BOPAS Workshop: Improv on Screen (Teens)

  • When: Sat 23 Aug 2025, 12:00pm - 4:00pm

  • Where: Bay of Plenty Actors Studio, 100 Grey Street

  • More Info: BOPAS

  • Cost: $$

Festivals & Special Events 🎉

Scan the City

  • When: Mon 18 Aug - 07 Sep, 8am - 9pm

  • Where: Tauranga Waterfront, The Strand

  • More Info: ScantheCity

  • Cost: Free

Tuesday Morning Movies - A Complete Unknown

  • When: Tue 19 Aug 2025, 11:00am - 1:20pm

  • Where: The Historic Village, Village Cinema, 17th Ave West

  • More Info: MorningMovies

  • Cost: $$

Animal vases

  • When: Wed 20 Aug 2025, 10:30am - 12:30pm

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

  • More Info: AnimalVases

  • Cost: $$

Junk Journaling Workshop

  • When: Sat 23 Aug 2025, 10:00am - 12:00pm

  • Where: Grindz Cafe, 50 First Avenue

  • More Info: JunkJournaling

  • Cost: $$

Pocket Sized Play - Cupcake Decorating

  • When: Sat 23 Aug 2025, 10:30am - 12:30pm

  • Where: Te Ao Mārama - Tauranga Library, 21 Devonport Rd

  • More Info: PocketSized

  • Cost: Free

What are words worth?

  • When: Fri 22 Aug 2025, 7:00pm - 10:00pm

  • Where: The Historic Village, The Jam Factory, 17th Ave West

  • More Info: Words

  • Cost: $$

Book launch: The Lost Words – How my mum found her reo

  • When: Sat 23 Aug 2025, 2:00pm - 3:30pm

  • Where: Te Ao Mārama - Tauranga Library, 21 Devonport Road

  • More Info: BookLaunch

  • Cost: Free

Tauranga Mountain Film Festival 2025

  • When: Sat 23 Aug 2025, 7:00pm - 9:00pm

  • Where: Tauranga Boys College, Graham Young Youth Theatre, 664 Cameron Road

  • More Info: FilmFestival

  • Cost: $$

Smiths Sports Shoes Winter Duathlon

  • When: Sun 24 Aug 2025, 8:00am - 11:30am

  • Where: Mercury Baypark Arena, Carpark D, 81 Truman Lane

  • More Info: Duathlon

  • Cost: $$

Textile Tales: Family history in fabric

  • When: Sun 24 Aug 2025, 1:00pm - 2:00pm

  • Where: Brain-Watkins Hall, 233 Cameron Road

  • More Info: TexTales

  • Cost: Free

Sheer Temptation - Burlesque Dance Workshop

  • When: Sun 24 Aug 2025, 5:00pm - 7:00pm

  • Where: Elizabeth Street Community Hall, Room 2, 169 Elizabeth Street

  • More Info: Sheer

  • Cost: $$

Markets 🍔

Tauranga Farmers Market

  • When: Saturday 23 August, 7:45am-12pm

  • Where: Tauranga Primary

  • More Info: FarmersMarket

  • Cost: Free

Pāpāmoa Community Market

  • When: Sunday 24 August, 8:30am-1pm

  • Where: Te Manawa ō Pāpāmoa School

  • More Info: Community

  • Cost: Free

Small Batch | Raw Mānuka Honey | Made in New Zealand
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Thanks, Scoopers!

That’s a wrap for today, legends.

Know of anything else we missed? Drop us a DM, we love putting the cities best events on the map.

If this one hit the spot, flick it to your mate who’s already making plans for Christmas.

Cash Drop Clue:
Stay locked on our socials for clues on the drop.

See you out there 👊

— Storm
Tauranga Scoop