Volunteers Shining for the Bay

Author

Storm Grimwood
June 19, 2025

Good Morning Scoopers!

We’re back home in Tauranga after braving some brutal -3°C mornings in Queenstown. It was amazing to see the beautiful views, but there’s nothing quite like coming back to our own slice of paradise.

In today’s scoop, we’ve got two stories full of heart, from legendary local volunteers doing the mahi behind the scenes, to the ultimate pie pilgrimage you might want to add to your winter weekend plans. There’s so many events on over the Matariki long weekend, so get out and get amongst it.

Only one cash drop coming this weekend, so make sure you're following us on Instagram to catch the drop time and location.

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In today’s edition:
✅ Meet the Bay volunteers who show up rain or shine 🧡
✅ Tauranga’s tastiest pies – our pick of winter warmers 🥧
✅ Cash Drop – 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

Patrick’s Pies Protegés Win Big in National Bake-Off

Two Cambodian-born baking apprentices training under Tauranga’s famous “Pie King” Patrick Lam have taken the top two spots at the national Apprentice Pie Maker Awards.

  • 🥇 Srun Kéo won 1st place with his gourmet chicken, leek, garlic sauce, and cheese pie.

  • 🥈 TayHak Hour came 2nd with a duck and green curry pie.

Both work at Patrick’s Pies Goldstar Bakery and are completing their NZ baking apprenticeships. Their victories are especially meaningful as they work toward permanent residency and family reunification in New Zealand. Lam himself was once a refugee from Cambodia and is now an 8-time Supreme Pie Award winner.

Go have a taste for lunch today!

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

Volunteer Week Spotlight: Everyday Heroes of the Bay

In honour of National Volunteer Week, two Bay of Plenty locals share how they give back to their communities.

Diana Hutchings, a volunteer firefighter with the Te Puke Volunteer Fire Brigade, has served for nearly five years. While also working as an operations manager, Diana trains weekly and has helped save lives during medical emergencies. “It’s hugely rewarding,” she says. Anyone curious can attend a Wednesday night training to see what it’s all about.

Kate Pomare is a co-treasurer at Pukehina Surf Rescue, helping both financially and on the beach with junior surf programs and Groms Surf. She first joined when her children got involved and found joy in the club’s mission. Kate recently helped run the surf club’s first movie night and encourages others to “volunteer with something you’re passionate about.”

Together, they embody the spirit of volunteering, strengthening the fabric of Aotearoa through service, passion, and community.

Captured by @jmanyphotography

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

Music & Concerts 🎵

Crucast Ft. Skepsis, Darkzy and Flava D

  • When: Thursday 19 June 2025, 9pm - 11:55pm

  • Where: Totara Street, 11 Totara Street

  • More Info: Crucast

  • Cost: $$

Retro Dating

  • When: Fri 20 Jun 2025, 8:00pm - 11:55pm

  • Where: Totara Street, 11 Totara Street

  • More Info: RetroDating

  • Cost: $$

Loserpalooza 2025 - Fundraising Festival for Lifeline NZ

  • When: Sat 21 Jun 2025, 12:00pm - 12:00am

  • Where: Totara Street, 11 Totara Street

  • More Info: Loserpalooza

  • Cost: Koha at Door

Violinist Anna Lee & Friends

  • When: Sunday 22 June 2025 7:00pm

  • Where: Trinity Wharf Tauranga, 51 Dive Crescent

  • More Info: AnnaLee

  • Cost: $$

Comedy & Screenings 🎬

The Importance of Being Earnest

  • When: Various Dates Jun 2025, 7:30pm - 9:45pm

  • Where: The Historic Village, Detour Theatre, 17th Ave West

  • More Info: Earnest

  • Cost: $$

Mamma Mia the Musical

  • When: Thu 19 - Sat 21 June 2025 1:30pm or 7pm

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

  • More Info: MammaMia

  • Cost: $$

Phoenix Mid Year Performance

  • When: Thursday 19 June 2025 6:00pm - 7:00pm

  • Where: Tauranga Boys College, 664 Cameron Road, Tauranga

  • More Info: Phoenix

  • Cost: $$

Festivals & Special Events 🎉

Te Haka a Toi - Mataatua me Tākitimu ki Tauranga Secondary School Regional Kapahaka

  • When: Thursday 19 June 2025 8am

  • Where: Mercury Baypark Arena, 81 Truman Lane

  • More Info: Kapahaka

  • Cost: $$

Tauranga Patchwork and Quilters - Gems of the Bay Quilt Exhibition

  • When: Fri 20 Jun, 9:30am - 5:00pm | Sat 21 Jun, 9:30am - 4:00pm

  • Where: Tauranga Yacht and Power Boat Club, 90 Keith Allen Drive

  • More Info: Patchwork

  • Cost: $$

Matariki meets Philippines Independence Celebration

  • When: Fri 20 - Sun 22 Jun 2025, 10am - 4pm

  • Where: Mercury Baypark Arena, 81 Truman Lane

  • More Info: MatarikiIndependence

  • Cost: Free

Pocket Sized Play - Craft Quest

  • When: Sat 21 Jun 2025, 10:30am - 12:30pm

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

  • More Info: PocketPlay

  • Cost: Free

  • When: Fri 20 Jun 2025, 1:00pm - 3:00pm

  • Where: Creative Community Campus, 17th Ave West

  • More Info: PrintClub

  • Cost: $$

Amigurumi

  • When: Sat 21 Jun 2025, 10:00am - 2:00pm

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

  • More Info: Amigurumi

  • Cost: $$

MauaoPAC Term 2 Student Concert

  • When: Sun 22 Jun 2025, 4:00pm - 7:30pm

  • Where: Totara Street, 11 Totara Street

  • More Info: Mauao

  • Cost: Free

HoopTease: Burlesque-inspired Hula Hoop Dance Workshop

  • When: Sun 22 Jun 2025, 5:00pm - 7:00pm

  • Where: Elizabeth Street Community Hall, Room 2, 169 Elizabeth Street

  • More Info: HoopTease

  • Cost: $$

Markets 🍔

The Little Big Markets

  • When: Friday 20 June 9am - 2pm

  • Where: Tauranga Waterfront, The Strand

  • More Info: LittleBigMarkets

  • Cost: Free

Tauranga Farmers Market

  • When: Saturday 21 June, 7:45am-12pm

  • Where: Tauranga Primary

  • More Info: FarmersMarket

  • Cost: Free

Pāpāmoa Community Market

  • When: Sunday 22 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 a wrap from us! If we missed something spicy, slide into our DMs.
And if you enjoyed today’s scoop, send it to someone who will buy you a Patrick’s pie.

Next drop? Look out for the poll on our stories, the highest voted suburb gets the goods💰

— Storm
Tauranga Scoop