Roads, Romance & Reservations

Author

Storm Grimwood
February 10, 2025

Good morning Scoopers,

Valentine’s Week is here, and whether you’re all in on the romance or just in it for that discounted chocolate the week after, we want to know—how are you spending it? Hit "Reply" and let us know!

In today’s Tauranga Scoop:

🚧 SH2 Debate Heats Up
🍽️ Top Restaurant Picks You Need to Try
⚡ NZ Government’s Fast-Track Plans
🎟️ What’s On This Week

SPONSORED BY YARD BARBERS

Tauranga to Kati: 80km/h or 100km/h?

The SH2 speed limit debate is heating up, should it stay at 80km/h or go back to 100km/h? Either way, we all know the real issue: there’s still only one lane, and you’re still getting stuck behind Nana Marge.

Local driver Dave Thompson says the speed limit makes no difference to him.
“I could legally be allowed to do 150km/h, and I’d still be stuck behind Barry in his ute towing a trailer of cows.”

Belinda from Bethlehem insists 80km/h is safer. "I don't see why people are in such a rush. Besides, if they raise it to 100, I’ll stick to 65 anyway."

With road cones still multiplying faster than rabbits, a final decision is yet to be made.

Until then, Tauranga drivers are encouraged to stay patient, safe, and keep their cool behind the local hay truck.

What do you reckon? 80km/h, 100km/h, or should we just add another lane?

Send us through your thoughts by hitting “reply”

Our Top 5 Picks for a Romantic Dinner

Umami

Umami is your destination for authentic Japanese flavors and creative fusion dishes.
From fresh sashimi and sushi to mouthwatering small plates, every dish is crafted by Japanese sushi chefs.

Sugo

Sugo is an Italian-inspired restaurant that features house-made pasta and hand-stretched pizzas, served in a relaxed atmosphere.

Bluebiyou

Bluebiyou is the Bay of Plenty’s favourite seaside restaurants, offering an all day European inspired menu using only the freshest quality products, we pride ourselves in always sourcing as locally as possible.

Osteria

Osteria is about creating food from the heart, serving guests fresh, tasty and locally sourced Italian cuisine. We proudly hand-pick the best cuts of meat from local butchers, fresh seasonal home-grown produce and specially imported varieties of wine from Italy.

Rising Tide

Craft Beer Bar & Dumpling House

BREAKING: NZ Government Finally Discovers ‘Fast-Track’ Button!

After decades of watching infrastructure projects move slower than a mate shouting the next round, the Fast-Track Approvals regime has officially launched!

Minister Chris Bishop: "We're cutting through the thicket of red and green tape!"  Translation: Council meetings will now only take 100 years instead of 200.

What’s Being Fast-Tracked?
Housing 🏡 (More chance of finding a unicorn flatmate who doesn’t vape inside.)
Transport 🚗 (No promises on fixing the potholes though!)
Renewable Energy⚡(Wind farms? More like government weather machines—WAKE UP, SHEEP!)

But don’t worry, it’s not that fast.
✅ First, consult 57 agencies, iwi, hapū, and your auntie's cousin's neighbor.
✅ Then, an "expert panel" will spend months deciding if your application deserves a stamp.
✅ Finally, Retired Judge Jane Borthwick will personally ensure the approval process still takes long enough to keep council employed.

Good news for project owners: You can now apply online!
Bad news: You’re still at the mercy of people who took six years to approve a fence for my work mate.

Let’s not get too excited—council still needs 12 meetings and a ‘public consultation’ on it first. This Week's Buzz!

Looking for something to do this week or weekend?

With Valentine’s Day coming up, there’s plenty happening, whether you’re spending it with someone special, the gals, boys, or entertaining the kids. Need some ideas?

Check these out!

Music & Concerts 🎵

Candlelight

  • When: Saturday 15 Feb 2025, 6.30pm

  • Where: Holy Trinity Tauranga

  • More Info: Candlelight

Salt & Sweet @ Jam Factory

  • When: Saturday 15 Feb 2025, 7:00pm – 10:30pm

  • Where: The Jam Factory, 159 17th Avenue, Tauranga South

  • More Info: Salt&Sweet

Summer Vibes Concert

  • When: Saturday 15 Feb 2025, 6:00pm–8:00pm

  • Where: Maungatapu Primary School, 164 Maungatapu Road, Maungatapu

  • More Info: Summervibes

Comedy & Screenings🎭

Valentines Day - Battle of the sexes stand up

  • When: Friday 14 Feb 2025, 8pm

  • Where: Luxe Cinema, 4 Golden Sands Dr, Papamoa

  • More Info: Battleofthesexes

Valentines Day - Twilight Market & Free Movie

  • When: Friday 14 Feb 2025, 5pm

  • Where: 72 Te Okuroa Drive, Papamoa

  • More Info: FreeMovie

Summer Shakespeare

  • When: Monday 10 Feb - Sunday 16 Feb 2025

  • Where: Te Puna Quarry Park, 200 Te Puna Quarry Road, Tauranga

  • More Info: Shakespeare

Festivals & Special Events 🎉

Galentines @ Something something

  • When: Friday 14 Feb 2025 6:00 PM - 10:00 PM

  • Where: Somethin' Somethin' 2 Heath Street Mount Maunganui

  • More Info: Galentines

Galentines Spirits & Snacks

  • When: Friday 14 Feb - 16 Feb 2025

  • Where: Trinity Wharf Tauranga

  • More Info: Spirits&Snacks

Gluten Free Night

  • When: Saturday 15 Feb 2025 5pm - 8pm

  • Where: Coronation Park, Tauranga

  • More Info: GlutenFree

Women’s Triathlon Tauranga

  • When: Sunday, 16 Feb 2025

  • Where: Pilot Bay, Mount Maunganui

  • More Info: Triathlon

Asian 2nd Food Festival

  • When: Saturday 15 Feb 2025, 11am - 9pm

  • Where: 17th Ave, The Historic Village

  • More Info: AsianFoodFestival

Tauranga Strongest Man & Woman

  • When: Saturday 15 Feb, 2025

  • Where: A&P Show, Tauranga Racecourse

  • More Info: Strongman

THANKS!

Thanks for reading the Tauranga Scoop today! If you found something useful, pass it on to someone who still thinks SH2 will be finished on time. See you next edition!

— Storm, Tauranga Scoop