Steamers Set Their Sights on Glory

Good Morning Scoopers!

Monday’s here. Hop everyone enjoyed the weekend. It was a bit of a chilly one. First frost I’ve seen this whole winter. I think we might have a few cold mornings this week. So stay warm.

In today’s edition, Baypark Speedway’s future is locked in, the council’s given it the green light to stay racing until 2039, and the team’s buying the grandstand for $1 (yep, you read that right) and footing the bill for upgrades too. Love a local win like that.

And the Bay of Plenty Steamers are back, kicking off their 2025 season at Tauranga Domain with a chip on their shoulder after last year’s brutal final loss in the 96th minute. This team is hungry, and if you were at the Domain last year, you know the city turns up. Let’s do it again.

We’ve got a cash drop coming this week, so scroll down for the clue 👀

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In today’s edition:
✅ Baypark Speedway secures its future until 2039 🏁
✅ Steamers open 2025 season with fire in the belly 🏉
✅ Cash Drop – Find the clue below 💰
✅ What’s on in Tauranga 🎡

Let’s get into it 👇

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Speedway Secures Baypark Lease Until 2039

Baypark Speedway just locked in its future, and it’s a massive win for the locals.

After a couple years of back and forth (and yeah, even protest signs and talk of legal action), council’s finally extended Speedway’s lease through to 2039.

Here’s the wild part: they’re buying the north stand, all 15,600 seats of it, for $1. In return, Speedway’s going to maintain it, upgrade it, and hand it back in good condition at the end of the lease. No cost to ratepayers. Zero.

Over 3,500 people submitted feedback, and 90% were all in on Speedway staying. Not everyone agreed though Ngā Pōtiki opposed the move, worried about noise, traffic, and how the land could be better used. Speedway’s said they’ll meet with them and work toward building a solid relationship going forward.

From where I’m standing, this gives the sport certainty, longevity, and a chance to grow and let’s be honest, that stand hasn’t been getting much love from council anyway. A group of passionate locals stepping up and investing in something they care about? That’s the good stuff.

Oh, and don’t forget, this is happening alongside the new $14M netball centre going in at Baypark too. Between roaring engines and netball courts, Baypark’s becoming the new heart of Tauranga sport.

Honestly, I love it. One for the community. Let’s go. 👊

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Tauranga Teen Sam Ruthe Smashes More National Records

The Bay of Plenty Steamers are back, and they’re not messing around this season.

After that brutal 96th-minute loss in last year’s NPC final, the boys are locked in and ready to go one better. First game kicks off August 3 at Tauranga Domain, and there’s a solid run of home games early on to build momentum.

Coach Richard Watt reckons the team’s more fired up than ever. They took out six provincial trophies last season (yep, six), and the only thing missing from the cabinet? The big one, the national title.

There’s been some movement, a few key players have headed overseas, but there’s young talent coming through, and the core group is stacked with experience: Super Rugby players, Māori All Blacks, and even a couple of All Blacks in the mix.

The vibe? Full steam ahead. They’ve got coaching consistency, depth, and a serious hunger to win it all. Tauranga’s getting four home games, plus two epic double-headers with the Volcanix, including a massive “Battle of the Bays” clash against Hawke’s Bay in September.

This squad has everything it needs. Now it’s just about showing up, locking in, and finishing what they started.

Let’s run it back. Up the Bay. 💪💛💙

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

Music & Concerts 🎵

Operatunity Daytime Concerts Presents - It’s Raining Men

• When: Tue 22 Jul 2025, 11:00am - 12:45pm

• Where: Holy Trinity Church, 215 Devonport Rd

• More Info: Operatunity

• Cost: $$

Band and Deliver at The Jam Factory

• When: Fri 25 Jul 2025, 7pm - 9:30pm

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

• More Info: Band&Deliver

• Cost: Free

HomeBass and Friends with Special Guest: Brigsy

• When: Fri 25 Jul 2025, 9:00pm - 11:55pm

• Where: Totara Street, 11 Totara Street

• More Info: HomeBass

• Cost: $$

Automatic 80's

• When: Sat 26 Jul 2025, 7:00pm - 12:00am

• Where: Totara Street, 11 Totara Street

• More Info: Automatic

• Cost: $$

The Harmonic Resonators

• When: Sat 26 Jul 2025, 7:00pm - 9:00pm

• Where: Holy Trinity Tauranga, Auditorium 215 Devonport Road

• More Info: Harmonic

• Cost: Free

Legally Blonde The Musical

• When: Sat 26 - Sat 02 Aug Jul 2025, 2:00pm or 8:00pm

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

• More Info: LegallyBlonde

• Cost: $$

Sunkissed | Pop Tribute Show

• When: Sun 27 Jul 2025, 3:30pm - 7:30pm

• Where: Totara Street, 11 Totara Street

• More Info: Sunkissed

• Cost: $$

Comedy & Screenings 🎬

Rebels, Misfits, and Disobedient Daughters: an evening with the saints

• When: Tue 22 Jul 2025, 6:00pm - 7:15pm

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

• More Info: Saints

• Cost: Free

Festivals & Special Events 🎉

Ōtūmoetai College – Art Exhibition by Junior Students

• When: Mon 21 July - Sat 09 Aug, 10am - 3pm

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

• More Info: ArtExhibition

• Cost: Free

It's all about the chair - An Exhibition by Tauranga Northern Health School

• When: Mon 21 July - Sat 09 Aug, 10am - 3pm

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

• More Info: Chair

• Cost: Free

The Circus

• When: Mon 21 Jul - 10 Aug 2025, Times Vary

• Where: Mercury Baypark Arena, 81 Truman Lane

• More Info: TheCircus

• Cost: $$

Feet of Clay Ceramic Show Case

• When: Tue 22 July - Sat 09 Aug, 10am - 3pm

• Where: The Historic Village, The Pot House, 17th Ave West

• More Info: Clay

• Cost: Free

Pocket Sized Play - Fantastic Face Painting

• When: Sat 26 Jul 2025, 10:30am - 12:30pm

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

• More Info: PocketSized

• Cost: Free

Paint and Wine Night - Farewell to Anger

• When: Wed 23 Jul 2025, 6:30pm - 8:30pm

• Where: The Pizza Library Mount Maunganui, 314 Maunganui Road

• More Info: Paint&Wine

• Cost: $$

Band and Deliver at The Jam Factory

• When: Fri 25 Jul 2025, 7pm - 9:30pm

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

• More Info: Band&Deliver

• Cost: Free

Splash n Dash Dragon Boat Festival

• When: Sun 27 Jul 2025, 10:00am - 2:00pm

• Where: Tauranga Waterfront, The Strand

• More Info: Splash

• Cost: Free

Tauranga City Tridents Open Day: Contact Football

• When: Sun 27 Jul 2025, 1:00pm - 3:00pm

• Where: Waipuna Park, 25 Kaitemako Road

• More Info: Tridents

• Cost: Free

John Chen - Solo Piano

• When: Sun 27 Jul 2025, 7:00pm

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

• More Info: JohnChen

• Cost: $$

Markets 🍔

Tauranga Farmers Market

• When: Saturday 26 July, 7:45am-12pm

• Where: Tauranga Primary

• More Info: FarmersMarket

• Cost: Free

Pāpāmoa Community Market

• When: Sunday 27 July, 8:30am-1pm

• Where: Te Manawa ō Pāpāmoa School

• More Info: Community

• Cost: Free

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Thanks, Scoopers!

That’s us for today.
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Cash Drop Clue?
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Enjoy the week.

— Storm
Tauranga Scoop