Young Star & Retail Expansion

Author

Storm Grimwood
June 16, 2025

Morning Scoopers!

We’re down in Queenstown freezing our butts off, so no complaints about the cold from the rest of you this week! 😂
We used to live in Cromwell, and we always love coming back to see those epic snow-capped mountains. Nothing beats the Central Otago views.

In today’s scoop, a 12-year-old from Tauranga Intermediate is heading to Beijing to represent NZ in a Chinese language competition. Plus, Papamoa Plaza is gearing up for a major expansion that’ll bring in new retailers and create local jobs.

We’ve also got a cash drop later this week. Make sure you're following us on Instagram to catch the drop time and location and watch our stories for clues.

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In today’s edition:
✅ Beijing bound – meet the Tauranga student off to China
✅ Papamoa Plaza expansion set to bring more shops & jobs 🛍️
✅ Cash Drop – Clue below 💰
✅ What’s on in Tauranga 🎡

Let’s jump in 👇

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For Property Maintenance, lawn care, hedge & tree trimming, gardening, yard tidy ups & landscaping.
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Call Storm: 0276284840

Pāpāmoa Plaza Expands: Major Retail Boost on the Way

Construction will begin later this year on the long-awaited expansion of Pāpāmoa Plaza, adding space for up to eight new retailers and more parking. The 3800sqm development reflects confidence in Pāpāmoa’s rapid population growth, with local and national brands already confirmed. The plaza is seen as the retail heart of the area, and the expansion aims to meet rising demand and reduce the need for residents to shop in other suburbs.

Local business owners and MPs support the development, highlighting the potential for job creation, increased foot traffic, and improved convenience. Construction will be carried out by Naylor Love and is expected to finish by mid-2026.

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

Tauranga Girl Earns Spot on Global Stage

Tauranga Intermediate student Victoria Seymour is heading to Beijing to represent New Zealand in an international Chinese Proficiency competition after winning at the regional level in Wellington. The event required participants to answer questions in Mandarin and perform a talent, Victoria chose Chinese dance, a skill she learned through YouTube.

Despite only studying Mandarin and dance for two years, her performance impressed judges with creativity and fluency. The all-expenses-paid trip is expected to take place in Term 3, and Victoria hopes to explore iconic sites like the Great Wall while adding Chinese calligraphy to her skillset.

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 🎉

Matariki Te Tauranga o ngā Waka

  • When: Monday 16 June - 22 Jun 2025, Times vary

  • Where: Places vary (Check Website)

  • More Info: Matariki

  • Cost: Vary

Bare Minimum

  • When: Wednesday 18 Jun 2025, 6pm - 8pm

  • Where: The Historic Village, The People's Gallery – Toi Ka Rere, 17th Ave West

  • More Info: BareMinimum

  • Cost: $$

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 us for now! If we missed something juicy, flick us a message and if you enjoyed today’s scoop, send it to someone who still hasn’t paid you back for lunch.

Next drop? No clues just yet... We’re away, so expect the drop later this week. 👀

— Storm
Tauranga Scoop