Tauranga’s Sea Pods Spark New Life

Author

Storm Grimwood
July 10, 2025

Good Morning Scoopers!

Last weekend before the kids are back to school. We’re still recovering from the flu in our household & slowly getting back into the swing of things.

We’ve got a wild mix for you today: from shrimps setting up shop in Tauranga’s new living sea wall, to a Mount gastropub taking out the title of New Zealand’s best bar.

This week’s cash drop is locked in. Stay up to date on our Instagram stories — that’s where the location drops first.

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In today’s edition:
✅ Tauranga’s sea pods bring marine life back to the waterfront 🌊
✅ Mount Maunganui bar crowned best in New Zealand 🍻
✅ Cash Drop – Clue below 💰
✅ What’s on in Tauranga 🎡

Let’s jump in 👇

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Sea Pods Bring Marine Life Back to Tauranga’s Waterfront

Tauranga’s waterfront is now home to a “living sea wall” made up of 100 sea pods—large, textured concrete structures designed to mimic natural rockpools and encourage marine life back to the urban shoreline. Installed in May 2024 as part of Tauranga City Council’s redevelopment plans, the sea pods are already showing signs of success, with researchers observing shrimp, sea slugs, algae, and even signs of the harbour’s rare sneezing sponge.

The sea pods were designed by Sydney’s Living Seawalls project and locally cast using recycled materials. Ongoing monitoring by marine science students and researchers from Toi Ohomai and the University of Waikato is helping track biodiversity changes over time. The project aims to restore coastal habitats lost to urban development and has already captured the interest of the local community.

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Mount Maunganui’s Freeport Named NZ’s Best Bar

The Freeport with Cleaver & Co, a gastropub located in Mount Maunganui’s Bayfair shopping centre, has been named New Zealand’s Best Bar at the 2025 Lion Hospitality Awards for Excellence. Co-founders Aaron Hodson and Tim McLaren credit their success to building a strong community, consistent service, and a dedicated team.

Since overcoming challenges during the Covid-19 pandemic, the venue has grown into a family-friendly hub known for great food, drinks, and hosting events—from baby showers to birthdays. The duo plans to redevelop the Cleaver & Co side of the venue, with new ideas currently under wraps. McLaren says the award was “mind-blowing,” and both founders emphasised their gratitude for their staff and loyal customers.

Captured by @jmanyphotography

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

Comedy & Screenings 🎬

Sunny Side Up Children's Film Festival

  • When: Thu 10 Jul 2025, 10:00am - 11:30am & 1:00pm - 2:30pm

  • Where: Graham Young Youth Theatre, Auditorium, 664 Cameron Road

  • More Info: SunnySide

  • Cost: $$

Waterfront Winter Movie Night - Cool Runnings

  • When: Sat 12 Jul 2025, 5:00pm - 7:00pm

  • Where: Tauranga Waterfront, The Strand

  • More Info: Waterfront

  • Cost: Free

Cover to Cover - Altitude The Mount Student Showcase

  • When: Sat 12 Jul 2025, 6:30pm

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

  • More Info: CovertoCover

  • Cost: $$

Festivals & Special Events 🎉

The Historic Village Events

  • When: Times vary, check website

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

  • More Info: HistoricVillage

  • Cost: $$

Library Holiday Programmes

  • When: Various Times & Dates

  • Where: Te Ao Mārama - Tauranga Libraries

  • More Info: LibraryHoliday

  • Cost: Free

Mega Inflatable Fun - Baywave

  • When: All weekdays of holidays, 11am - 3pm

  • Where: Baywave, Corner Girven Road & Gloucester Road

  • More Info: MegaInflatable

  • Cost: $$

Rocktopia Climb and Skate Holiday Programme

  • When: Times vary, 9:30pm - 3:30pm

  • Where: Rocktopia, 9 Triton Avenue

  • More Info: Rocktopia

  • Cost: $$

Playground opening - Emerald Shores

  • When: Thu 10 Jul 2025, 2:00pm - 4:00pm

  • Where: Emerald Shores Reserve, 177 Wairakei Avenue

  • More Info: EmeraldShores

  • Cost: Free

He. Men's Mental Health Charity Event

  • When: Fri 11 Jul 2025, 5:30pm - 10:30pm

  • Where: The Cargo Shed, 5 Dive Crescent

  • More Info: Men’sMental

  • Cost: $$

  • When: Sat 12 Jul 2025, 10:00am - 3:00pm, Sun 13 Jul 2025, 10:00am - 3:00pm

  • Where: Bob Owens Village, 112 Carmichael Road, Bethlehem

  • More Info: Pop-up

  • Cost: Free

Winter Carnival at Mount Mainstreet

  • When: Sat 12 Jul 2025, 11:00am - 4:00pm, Sun 13 Jul 2025, 11:00am - 4:00pm

  • Where: Te Papa o Ngā Manu Porotakataka, 137 Maunganui Road

  • More Info: WinterCarnival

  • Cost: $$

Car Boot Sale for Rotary Club of Otumoetai

  • When: Sun 06 Jul 2025, 8:00am

  • Where: Otumoetai College Carpark, Windsor Road

  • More Info: CarBoot

  • Cost: Free

Markets 🍔

Little Big Markets

  • When: Sun 13 Jul 2025, 9:00am - 2:00pm

  • Where: Tauranga Waterfront

  • More Info: LittleBigMarkets

  • Cost: Free

Tauranga Farmers Market

  • When: Saturday 12 July, 7:45am-12pm

  • Where: Tauranga Primary

  • More Info: FarmersMarket

  • Cost: Free

Pāpāmoa Community Market

  • When: Sunday 13 July, 8:30am-1pm

  • Where: Te Manawa ō Pāpāmoa School

  • More Info: Community

  • Cost: Free

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Thanks Scoopers!

Thanks, Scoopers!

That’s us for today.
If we missed something or got it wrong, hit us up in the DMs.
If you liked this edition, flick it to the one person who’s always got the inside word.

Cash Drop Clue?
Keep an eye on our Instagram stories — that’s where it’ll drop.

Have an epic weekend.

— Storm
Tauranga Scoop