Whakaari Ash and Waste Reduction Wins

Author

Storm Grimwood
May 15, 2025

Morning Scoopers!

The weekend is almost here, hope the good weather sticks around cause there’s lots happening in Tauranga. So if you’re around check out what’s on below.

In today’s scoop, flights in and out of Tauranga were briefly disrupted by volcanic activity from Whakaari/White Island, but things are back to normal. Plus, a local aged care facility is tackling waste with a new reusable underwear trial – a fresh idea with a big impact.

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In today’s edition:
✅ Whakaari’s volcanic plume disrupts Tauranga flights 🌋
✅ Aged care facility trials reusable incontinence underwear ♻️
✅ Cash Drop - Find the clue below 💰
✅ What’s on in Tauranga 🎡

Let’s get into it 👇

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Pacific Coast Village Leads Waste Reduction with Reusable Incontinence Underwear Trial

Pacific Coast Village in Pāpāmoa is trialling reusable incontinence underwear for residents as part of a waste reduction initiative. The trial aims to reduce the facility’s reliance on disposable incontinence pads, which account for 34% of its landfill waste—over 4,000kg annually. Supported by Tauranga City Council’s Resource Wise Community Fund, the project is testing a New Zealand-designed reusable product made from organic cotton. Initial feedback from residents has been positive, and the initiative may expand to other facilities. The trial is part of a broader waste reduction program at Pacific Coast Village, including educational workshops and improved waste management practices.

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Whakaari Plume Disrupts Tauranga Flights

Flights at Tauranga Airport are back to normal after volcanic activity from Whakaari/White Island disrupted travel over the weekend. A steam and gas plume from the island was carried towards Tauranga’s airspace by light winds, leading to an ash advisory and the cancellation of several flights.

GNS Science confirmed that while the plume appeared significant due to weather conditions, it contained no ashfall threat to the Bay of Plenty coastline. The steam and gas emissions were consistent with normal activity for Whakaari at Volcanic Alert Level 3 and Aviation Colour Code Orange.

MetService and the Wellington Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre provided regular updates, ensuring safe flight operations could resume quickly. Airport officials confirmed flights were back on schedule, and GNS Science is continuing to monitor the island’s activity.

Captured by @jmanyphotography

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

Music & Concerts 🎵

Band And Deliver (May) at The Jam Factory

  • When: Fri 16 May 2025, 7pm

  • Where: The Jam Factory, 159 17th Avenue

  • More Info: BandnDeliver

  • Cost: Free

Marlon Williams Te Whare Tīwekaweka Tour

  • When: Thu 15 May 2025, 7:30pm

  • Where: Holy Trinity Tauranga, 215 Devonport Rd

  • More Info: Marlon

  • Cost: $$

College Colab

  • When: Sun 18 May 2025 4:30pm - 7:30pm

  • Where: 11 Totara Street, Mount Maunganui

  • More Info: College

  • Cost: Free

Comedy & Screenings 🎬

All About ART - PAVAROTTI

  • When: Sun 18 May 2025 7:30 PM

  • Where: The Village Cinema, 17th Avenue

  • More Info: Cinderella

  • Cost: $$

Open Mic Standup Comedy Night @ Voodoo Lounge

  • When: Thu 15 May 2025 8PM

  • Where: Voodoo Lounge, 315 Maunganui Rd

  • More Info: OpenMic

  • Cost: $$

Punch Muffin Comics Roast @ 16th Ave Theatre

  • When: Sat 17 May 2025 7:30 PM

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

  • More Info: ComicsRoast

  • Cost: $$

Festivals & Special Events 🎉

Bold Beauty an Exhibition by Jenni Cornelius

  • When: Thu 15 May 2025, 5:30pm - 7pm

  • Where: The Historic Village, Imprint Gallery, 17th Ave

  • More Info: BoldBeauty

  • Cost: $$

Textured Art & Wine Night

  • When: Thu 15 May 2025, 7pm - 9pm

  • Where: Cornerstone Pub, 55 The Strand

  • More Info: TexturedArt

  • Cost: $$

Exhibition Launch and Street Party

  • When: Fri 16 May 2025 5:30pm

  • Where: The Incubator Creative Hub, 159 17th Avenue

  • More Info: Exhibition

  • Cost: Free

Bonsai 101

  • When: Sat 17 May 2025, 9am - 12pm

  • Where: The Creative Community, 159 17th Avenue

  • More Info: Bonsai

  • Cost: $$

Day 1/22 at The Incubator (Check Times)

  • When: Sat 17 May 2025, (For the next 22 days)

  • Where: Historic Village, 159 17th Avenue

  • More Info: Day1/22

  • Cost: Free

Pocket Sized Play - Crafty Creatures

  • When: Sat 17 May 2025, 10:30am - 12:30pm

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

  • More Info: Pocketsized

  • Cost: Free

Hoops on the Waterfront with Whai Basketball

  • When: Sat 17 May 2025, 10:30am - 12:30pm

  • Where: Tauranga Waterfront, Basketball court

  • More Info: Hoops

  • Cost: Free

Community planting day at the Pāpāmoa East Interchange

  • When: Saturday 17 May 2025 11am - 2pm

  • Where: End of Te Okuroa Drive, Te Okuroa Dr, Pāpāmoa

  • More Info: Decoupage

  • Cost: $$

Welcome to New York

  • When: Saturday 17-18 May 2025 Various times

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

  • More Info: NewYork

  • Cost: $$

Pink Ribbon High Tea

  • When: Sun 18 May 2025 11am and 3pm

  • Where: Club Mount Maunganui Inc., 45 Kawaka Street

  • More Info: PinkRibbon

  • Cost: $$

Autumn Praise

  • When: Sun 18 May 2025 2pm - 3pm

  • Where: Holy Trinity Church, 215 Devonport Road

  • More Info: AutumnPraise

  • Cost: Free

Sports 🏀

NBL Basketball Whai v Taranaki Airs

  • When: Thu 15 May 2025, 6pm - 9:30pm

  • Where: Mercury Baypark Arena, 81 Truman Lane

  • More Info: NBLWhai

  • Cost: $$

Markets 🍔

The Little Big Markets

  • When: Sunday 18 May 9am - 2pm

  • Where: Coronation Park, Mount Maunganui

  • More Info: LittleBigMarkets

  • Cost: Free

Tauranga Farmers Market

  • When: Saturday, 10 May, 7:45am-12pm

  • Where: Tauranga Primary

  • More Info: FarmersMarket

  • Cost: Free

Pāpāmoa Community Market

  • When: Sunday, 11 May, 8:30am-1pm

  • Where: Te Manawa ō Pāpāmoa School

  • More Info: Community

  • Cost: Free

Small Batch | Raw Mānuka Honey | Made in New Zealand
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Thanks Scoopers!

That’s it for now! If we missed anything, flick us a message, and if you found something useful, send it to your doctor.

Next drop?
We’re heading out East this weekend… and if you’ve followed us long enough, you probably know the spot. Keep an eye out.

— Storm
Tauranga Scoop