Stories That Build the Bay

Author

Storm Grimwood
May 01, 2025

Good Morning Scoopers!

Another wet and miserable week. But hey, only up from here, right?

In today’s scoop, Tauranga City Council has dropped a new documentary series that digs deep into the history of our city and its future through the Te Manawataki o Te Papa civic precinct. And over in the business world, optimism is high in the Bay with 56% of local biz owners feeling confident about what’s ahead.

We’ve got another drop this week, so if you’re chasing that cash, keep an eye out and make sure you’re following us:

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In today’s edition:
✅ Tauranga’s past and future spotlighted in new doco series 🎬
✅ Bay businesses optimistic as projects ramp up 📈
✅ Cash drop this week – clue below 💰
✅ What’s on in Tauranga 🎡

Let’s get into it 👇

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BOP Businesses Remain Optimistic Despite Challenges

Over half (56%) of Bay of Plenty SME owners are feeling positive about the future, according to MYOB’s Annual Business Monitor. While 45% expect revenue growth in the next 12 months, others anticipate stability or slight decline.

Tauranga Business Chamber CEO Matt Cowley says long-term population growth and a strong exporter economy continue to drive confidence, even with global shakeups like Trump’s tariffs.

Hatch Consulting, known for their work on Tauranga’s waterfront, expects a steady recovery in construction, especially in the industrial sector. Meanwhile, Rotorua’s Ready2Roll Tours is bouncing back from Covid pivots with strong bookings for 2025.

Despite rising costs and market shifts, BOP businesses are focusing on revenue, strategy, and staying agile.

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

Tauranga's History Comes to Life in New Documentary Series

Tauranga City Council has launched a new three-part documentary series, Te Manawataki o Te Papa – Restoring Our City’s Beating Heart, exploring the city’s past and its future through the lens of the $306 million civic precinct redevelopment.

Released to coincide with the anniversary of the 1864 Battle of Gate Pā, the series traces Tauranga’s history of conflict, reconciliation, and partnership between mana whenua and the community. It includes interviews with iwi, historians, and artists and cost $199,363 to produce.

The civic precinct—due to be completed in 2028—will feature a museum, civic whare, exhibition gallery, library, and major upgrades to Baycourt and the Tauranga Art Gallery. The project is framed as a transformative step forward, rooted in acknowledgment and unity.

Captured by @jmanyphotography

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

Music & Concerts 🎵

Joanne Melbourne & Mike Garner

  • When: Fri 2 May 2025, 6:30pm–9:30pm

  • Where: The Matua, Tilby Drive, Tauranga

  • More Info: OldBlues

  • Cost: Free

The Noughties vs 90's Rock Show - Lounge Apes

  • When: Sat, 3 May 2025, 8:00pm – 11:55pm

  • Where: 11 Totara Street, Mount Maunganui

  • More Info: Noughties

  • Cost: $$

Liam Wooding - Solo Piano

  • When: Sun 4 May 2025 4:00pm

  • Where: Baycourt X Space, 38 Durham Street, Tauranga

  • More Info: LiamWooding

  • Cost: $$

Comedy & Screenings 🎬

A Punch Muffin Comedy Night at Latitude 37

  • When: Thu 1 May 2025 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM

  • Where: Latitude 37, 3116

  • More Info: ComedyNight

  • Cost: $$


Comedy Improv with The Honest Liars

  • When: Saturday 3 May 2025 7:30pm

  • Where: 16th Avenue Theatre, 164 16th Avenue

  • More Info: Comedy

  • Cost: $$

Festivals & Special Events 🎉

Cuban Dance Weekender

  • When: Fri 2 - Sun 4 May 2025, Various Times

  • Where: Elizabeth Street Community & Arts Centre, 169 Elizabeth St

  • More Info: CubanWeekender

  • Cost: $$

Tauranga Home Show

  • When: Fri 2 - Sun 4 May 2025, 10am - 5pm

  • Where: Mercury Baypark Arena, 81 Truman Lane, Mt Maunganui

  • More Info: TaurangaHomeShow

  • Cost: $$

Crochet for Beginners

  • When: Sat 3 May 2025 10:00am - 12:30pm

  • Where: The Incubator Creative Hub, The Historic Village, 17th Avenue

  • More Info: Crochet

  • Cost: $$

Abstract Alchemy

  • When: Sat 3 - Sun 4 May 2025, 10am - 3pm

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

  • More Info: Alchemy

  • Cost: $$

We Run the Night

  • When: Sat 3 May 2025, 6pm

  • Where: Mount Drury

  • More Info: WeRunTheNight

  • Cost: $$

Markets 🍔

The Floral Hub

  • When: Thursday, 1 May, 8am-9:30am

  • Where: Holy Trinity Church

  • More Info: Floral

  • Cost: Free

Tauranga Night Market

  • When: Friday, 2 May, 5pm-8.30pm

  • Where: Tauranga Race Course

  • More Info: TaurangaNightMarket

  • Cost: Free

The Little Big Markets

  • When: Saturday 3 May 9am - 2pm

  • Where: Coronation Park, Mount Maunganui

  • More Info: LittleBigMarkets

  • Cost: Free

Tauranga Farmers Market

  • When: Saturday, 3 May, 7:45am-12pm

  • Where: Tauranga Primary

  • More Info: FarmersMarket

  • Cost: Free

Pāpāmoa Community Market

  • When: Sunday, 4 May, 8:30am-1pm

  • Where: Te Manawa ō Pāpāmoa School

  • More Info: Community

  • Cost: Free

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Thanks!

That’s it for today Team! If we missed anything, flick us a message. Found something useful? Pass it on to your mate who owns more activewear than actual workout reps.

Next drop? If your plans involve food courts and fitting rooms… you’re close.

Catch you next time,

— Storm
Tauranga Scoop