Sowing Change in Ōtūmoetai

Author

Storm Grimwood
May 29, 2025

Good Morning Scoopers!

It’s been a wet couple of days. If you’ve been out in it, fingers crossed you’ve stayed mostly dry and hopefully the rest of the week will look much better.

In today’s scoop, a grassroots garden project in Ōtūmoetai is quietly transforming a backyard into a source of fresh food, connection, and support for the community. Meanwhile, six Bay of Plenty squash players have earned their spot on the world stage, heading to Egypt to represent New Zealand at the Junior World Championships.

We’ve got a cash drop this weekend, so stay tuned for the clue 👀

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In today’s edition:
✅ Ōtūmoetai locals grow food and community in new garden project 🥕
✅ Bay squash stars off to Egypt for Junior World Champs 🌍
✅ Cash Drop – Find the clue below 💰
✅ What’s on in Tauranga 🎡

Let’s jump in 👇

SPONSORED BY YARD BARBERS

For Property Maintenance, lawn care, hedge & tree trimming, gardening, yard tidy ups & landscaping.
yardbarbers.co.nz
Call Storm: 0276284840

Ōtūmoetai Neighbours Dig In to Grow Food and Community

A new neighbourhood garden on private land in Ōtūmoetai, Tauranga, is bringing locals together to grow sustainable food for volunteers and the nearby community. The project, started in March on Steve Nicholson’s 8000sqm property, is supported by volunteers like Jeanette Daysh and students from Ōtūmoetai College.

While only part of the land is usable, the team plans to grow vegetables, fruit trees, and a sensory garden, with excess produce going to the Ōtūmoetai Social Supermarket. The garden has already begun fostering stronger neighbourly connections and aims to ramp up efforts in spring.

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

Bay of Plenty Squash Stars to Represent NZ on World Stage

Six Bay of Plenty squash players are heading to Cairo, Egypt, this July to represent New Zealand at the Junior World Championships. Among them are Ella Hill (Devoy Squash), who’s returning for her second appearance, and Jack Lord (Te Puke Squash and Tauranga Boys’ College), who’s making his debut. Other team members include Erin Wyllie, Brooke Valois, Vihan Chathury, and Aria Bannister.

Ella, a standout player with national awards and a U.S. scholarship, began playing after being gifted a racquet by world-ranked Lisa Aitken. Jack, who started squash thanks to his mum, said making the team was a dream come true after years of hard work. Both athletes are excited to gain experience in Egypt, known as the powerhouse of world squash.

Squash BOP coaching director Robbie Wyatt praised the Bay’s squash culture and called the world champs an important step in their journey.

Captured by @jmanyphotography

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

Music & Concerts 🎵

  • When: Fri 30 May 2025 7pm - 9:30pm

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

  • More Info: HollyBaker

  • Cost: $$

Bleu, Blanc, Rouge Trio

  • When: Sat 31 May 2025, 7:00pm - 9:30pm

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

  • More Info: Bleu

  • Cost: $$

Love Shack

  • When: Sat 31 May 2025, 8:00pm - 11:55pm

  • Where: Totara Street, 11 Totara Street

  • More Info: LoveShack

  • Cost: $$

Dead Empire | Bones Inc | Spiral Out (Tool Tribute) | In Their Image

  • When: Fri 30 May 2025, 8:00pm - 11:55pm

  • Where: 11 Totara Street, Mount Maunganui

  • More Info: DeadEmpire

  • Cost: $$

Elektrophoria Festival

  • When: Sun 01 Jun 2025, 2:00pm - 10:30pm

  • Where: The Historic Village, 17th Ave West

  • More Info: Elektro

  • Cost: $$

Comedy & Screenings 🎬

The Big Bike Film Night 2025

  • When: Thu 29 May 2025 7pm - 9:30pm

  • Where: Tauranga Boys College, Graeme Young Youth Theatre, 664 Cameron Rd

  • More Info: BigBike

  • Cost: $$

Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour

  • When: Fri 30 May 2025, 7:00pm

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

  • More Info: Banff

  • Cost: $$

Festivals & Special Events 🎉

Nothing to see here - A personal and political journey through trauma

  • When: Thursday 29 May - 7 June 2025, 10am - 3pm

  • Where: The Historic Village, The People's Gallery – Toi Ka Rere, 17th Ave West

  • More Info: Nothingtoseehere

  • Cost: Free

22 Days at The Incubator (Check Times)

  • When: Thursday 29 May 2025, various times & dates

  • Where: Historic Village, 159 17th Avenue

  • More Info: Day22

  • Cost: Free

Matariki Te Tauranga o ngā Waka

  • When: Thursday 29 May - 22 Jun 2025, Times vary

  • Where: Places vary (Check Website)

  • More Info: Matariki

  • Cost: Vary

King size your weekend - free fun at Tauranga waterfront

  • When: Fri 30 May - 2 June 2025, 9am and 4pm

  • Where: Tauranga Waterfront, The Strand

  • More Info: KingSize

  • Cost: Free

Pocket Sized Play - Friendship Bracelet Workshop

  • When: Sat 31 May 2025, 10:30am and 12:30pm

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

  • More Info: Pocketsized

  • Cost: Free

Artist Talk - A Conversation about Canvas or Clay

  • When: Sat 31 May 2025, 11:00am - 12:00pm

  • Where: The Historic Village, The Incubator Gallery & Studios, 17th Ave West

  • More Info: ArtistTalk

  • Cost: Free

The Greerton Retro Fest

  • When: Sat 31 May 2025, 11:00am - 3:00pm

  • Where: Greerton Village School, 151 Greerton Rd

  • More Info: RetroFest

  • Cost: Free

Project Hip Hop Dance Competition

  • When: Sat 31 May - 1 Jun 2025 1pm - 4:30pm, 7pm - 10pm

  • Where: Mercury Baypark Arena, 81 Truman Lane

  • More Info: HipHop

  • Cost: $$

Beginners Gilding Workshop

  • When: Sat 31 May 2025, 1:30pm - 4:30pm

  • Where: The Historic Village, The Incubator - Creative Hub, 17th Ave West

  • More Info: Gilding

  • Cost: $$

Skatescool - Public Roller Skating Disco

  • When: Sun 1 Jun 2025, 1:00pm–3:00pm

  • Where: Mount Maunganui Sports Centre, Cnr Maunganui and Hull Road

  • More Info: Skatescool

  • Cost: $$

Sports 🏀

Basketball New Zealand U20 Nationals

  • When: Friday 30 May - 2 Jun 2025 8am - 8pm

  • Where: Haumaru Sport & Recreation Centre, 483 Cameron Road

  • More Info: Basketball

  • Cost: Free

Markets 🍔

The Little Big Markets

  • When: Saturday 31 May 9am - 2pm

  • Where: Coronation Park, Mount Maunganui

  • More Info: LittleBigMarkets

  • Cost: Free

Tauranga Farmers Market

  • When: Saturday 31 May, 7:45am-12pm

  • Where: Tauranga Primary

  • More Info: FarmersMarket

  • Cost: Free

Pāpāmoa Community Market

  • When: Sunday 1 June, 8:30am-1pm

  • Where: Te Manawa ō Pāpāmoa School

  • More Info: Community

  • Cost: Free

Small Batch | Raw Mānuka Honey | Made in New Zealand
tasteandseenz

Thanks Scoopers!

That’s it for now! If we missed anything, flick us a message, and if you found something worth showing up to, share it with your best mate.

Next drop?
Worn with pride, stitched in black and yellow.

— Storm
Tauranga Scoop