Triathlon World Champs Coming to Tauranga

Author

Storm Grimwood
August 07, 2025

Happy Thursday, Scoopers!

Weekend’s just around the corner, hope you’ve got something epic lined up. We’ve got a stacked few days of events ahead of us.

In today’s edition, Tauranga’s just landed a massive win, we’re officially hosting the World Triathlon Championship Final in 2028. That’s huge. Local athletes are buzzing, and the city’s about to be on the world stage.

Also, meet Scott and Chip, a crime-fighting duo from the Bay. Scott’s a local dog handler, and Chip is his four-legged partner. From chasing burglars to tracking down suspects, these two are beasts on the frontline.

And don’t forget, another cash drop is coming. Followed by a big announcement.
Clue’s at the bottom. You’ll want to be quick 🏃‍♂️💰

In today’s edition:
✅ Tauranga scores the 2028 World Triathlon Final 🏊‍♂️🚴‍♂️🏃‍♀️
✅ Meet the Bay’s crime-fighting K9 team 🐕
✅ Cash Drop – Clue below 💰
✅ What’s on this weekend in Tauranga 🎡

Let’s get into it 👇

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Tauranga to host the World Triathlon Championship Final in 2028.

Triathlon NZ announced a 3-year partnership with World Triathlon right here in the city, which means:

  • A World Triathlon Cup in 2026

  • A Championship Series race in 2027

  • And the big one — the Grand Final in 2028

Tauranga locals are pumped, especially young guns like Ryder Matthews (15) and Ashton Guitry (17), who’ll both be eligible to race on home turf. They’re stoked to not have to travel and get to prep right here.

Elite Kiwi athletes Brea Roderick and Finley Oliver were also there and reckon it’s a huge motivator for them and the next wave of young triathletes.

Mayor Mahé Drysdale says it’s another shot to show the world what Tauranga can do after nailing big events like the Zespri Aims Games and the Chiefs rugby match.

Minister Louise Upston says it’s not just a win for the sport, but also a boost for local cafes, restaurants, and hotels. More visitors, more money flowing through town.

Hayden Wilde, our Olympic legend, joined the announcement remotely while recovering from a crash. He said racing at home in 2028 would be an honour, and likely his last short-course race. Bit of a full-circle moment.

Tauranga’s shaping up to be the new home of triathlon in NZ. Big things coming.

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Meet Tauranga’s top crime-fighting duo, Scott & Chip.

Scott Higby reckons he’s got the best job in the world, and it’s hard to argue when your partner is a German Shepherd called Chip.

Since 2021, the two have been patrolling the coastal Bay of Plenty, tracking suspects, backing up frontline officers, and catching offenders from Katikati to Ōpōtiki. Scott says working with a dog full-time takes serious commitment, it’s not a job, it’s a bond.

Chip’s taken a few hits on the job (including a car door getting smashed in during a chase), but he keeps showing up. Just last Saturday, the duo tracked down a wanted man in Mount Maunganui and another in Edgecumbe, all before catching a burglary suspect in Tauranga.

After a big day? Scott hits the gym. Chip hits the kennel. Dinner first, of course.

“He’s my best mate,” Scott says. “I’d pick him over most people I work with.”

They’ve got each other’s back, and ours too.

Captured by @jmanyphotography

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

Music & Concerts 🎵

Soaring Collective

  • When: Fri 08 Aug 2025, 8:00pm - 11:55pm

  • Where: Totara Street, 11 Totara Street

  • More Info: Soaring

  • Cost: $$

Thrift Shop Ball

  • When: Sat 09 Aug 2025, 3:30pm - 10:00pm

  • Where: Totara Street, 11 Totara Street

  • More Info: Thrift

  • Cost: $$

Best of the Bee Gees Saturday Night Fever Show

  • When: Sun 10 Aug 2025, 7:30pm

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

  • More Info: Beegees

  • Cost: $$

Comedy & Screenings 🎬

Mount Comedy Club

  • When: Thu 07 Aug 2025, 7:30pm - 10:30pm

  • Where: Totara Street, 11 Totara Street

  • More Info: Comedy

  • Cost: $$

Festivals & Special Events 🎉

Ōtūmoetai College – Art Exhibition by Junior Students

  • When: Thu 07 Aug - 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: Thu 07 Aug - Sat 09 Aug, 10am - 3pm

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

  • More Info: Chair

  • Cost: Free

The Circus

  • When: Thu 07 Aug - 10 Aug 2025, Times Vary

  • Where: Mercury Baypark Arena, 81 Truman Lane

  • More Info: TheCircus

  • Cost: $$

Feet of Clay Ceramic Show Case

  • When: Thu 07 Aug - Sat 09 Aug, 10am - 3pm

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

  • More Info: Clay

  • Cost: Free

Pocket Sized Play - Create your own bath sprinkles

  • When: Sat 09 Aug 2025, 10:30am - 12:30pm

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

  • More Info: PocketSized

  • Cost: Free

Old is the New Black Photo Competition

  • When: Fri 08 Aug 2025, 8:00am

  • Where: Online

  • More Info: NewBlack

  • Cost: Free

Crochet for beginners

  • When: Sat 09 Aug 2025, 10:00am - 12:30pm

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

  • More Info: Crochet

  • Cost: $$

Salon Risqué - Tipsy in Wonderland

  • When: Sat 09 Aug 2025, 7:30pm

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

  • More Info: SalonRisque

  • Cost: $$

Markets 🍔

The Little Big Markets Mount Maunganui

  • When: Sun 10 Aug 2025, 9:00am - 2:00pm

  • Where: The Strand, Tauranga

  • More Info: LittleBigMarkets

  • Cost: Free

Tauranga Farmers Market

  • When: Saturday 09 August, 7:45am-12pm

  • Where: Tauranga Primary

  • More Info: FarmersMarket

  • Cost: Free

Pāpāmoa Community Market

  • When: Sunday 10 August, 8:30am-1pm

  • Where: Te Manawa ō Pāpāmoa School

  • More Info: Community

  • Cost: Free

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Thanks, Scoopers!

That’s a wrap for today team.

Got a secret spot or you’re doing something cool? Jump into our DMs, we’re always keen to showcase the best of the Bay. Got an event coming up? Hit us up and we’ll help spread the word.

If this one gave you a grin, send it to your mate who’s already training for Summer.

Cash Drop Clue?
We’re rollin’ into the city centre. That’s all you’re getting 👀
Keep a close eye on our stories and tap that 🔔 so you don’t miss the drop.

Catch you out there 👊

— Storm
Tauranga Scoop