There's plenty to do in the Bay of Plenty. Photo / 123rf
There's plenty to do in the Bay of Plenty. Photo / 123rf
From Tauranga to Rotorua, discover upcoming events in the Bay of Plenty region.
June
Saturday, June 1 to Monday July 1: Matariki Exhibition: Re-imagined Books, Rotorua Library Te Aka Mauri, Rotorua, all ages, free. Matariki is a time to come together and celebrate, acknowledge the past, and look ahead to what the New Year will bring. We have invited creatives to take books that would otherwise be discarded and transform them into works of art and what a stunning variety of pieces we now have to inspire you. Come and enjoy these amazing artworks created by artists from all age-groups, on display. Open during Library hours: Monday to Fridays: 9am to 5.30pm, Saturdays: 10am to 4pm.
Ilona McGuire' animation at First Lights – Moombaki in 2021. Photo / Duncan Wright.
Thursday, June 27 and Friday, June 28: ‘Matariki’ drone light show - part of the Aronui Indigenous Arts Festival. 8pm, Rotorua Lakefront. There will be 160 drones programmed to form images in the sky, sharing the story of how Matariki is connected to the taiao (our environment). Two free shows, on Thursday and Friday.
Plenty of family-friendly activities at New Zealand Maori Arts and Craft Institute Matariki celebrations. Photo/Supplied
Friday, June 28: Matariki at Te Puia, Hautapu Ceremony 5am to 7am - tickets via eventbrite; Whānau Fun Day 9am to 3pm - tickets for Whānau Fun Day via eventbrite. The Matariki Hautapu Ceremony led by NZMACI Pou Tāhū Te Waata Cribb and Te Rāngai Kawa – Te Tokotoru a Manawakotokoto, will showcase a deep respect for ancestral practices that acknowledge the past, present, and future through three key parts of the dawn ceremony.
Saturday, June 29:
Friends of the Library Matariki sale day, 9am to 1pm in the Kuirau Park kiosk. Hundreds of NZ books, old and new, at very low prices.
Bay of Plenty Symphonia and Youth Philharmonic Tauranga present Young@Heart2: Renewal,3pm to 5pm at Holy Trinity Church, Devonport Road, Tauranga. Adults $15, 18 and under free. Tickets from Eventfinda. Door sales available.
Sunday, June 30:
The Stars, Baycourt Addison Theatre, Tauranga, 11am and 3pm. Tickets via eventfinda. A star cluster of great significance, guiding humankind since the very beginning. Join Ballet.Culture as we celebrate the stories and the meaning behind this special cluster of stars, from cultures all around the world.
Tauranga City Brass - A Contest Prelude 2024, Salvation Army Hall, Tauranga, 4pm. Come and see us perform all of our major works, that we will be playing at the upcoming national contest in Auckland in July. Entry by koha.
July
Wednesday, July 3: Tauranga Junior Tough Guy and Gal Challenge, Mercury Baypark, Mount Maunganui. The Junior Tough Guys and Gals will take on a 1.5km or 3km muddy obstacle course consisting of swamp crossings, a spider’s web net climb, crawl under obstacles, beautiful native bush trails, tunnels, hurdles, a climbing frame, water crossings and not to mention, mud mud and more mud. Tickets via Mygamedayapp.
Friday, July 5 to Sunday, July 7: Rotorua Home & Lifestyle Show, Energy Events Centre. More than 100 companies showcasing everything from kitchens and flooring, to heating and insulation, gardening and outdoors, lifestyle and homeware products, artisan food and beverages, and much more. General admission $6, door sales only.
Saturday, July 6:
The World of Musicals in Concert. Sir Howard Morrison Centre. From the best of ‘The Phantom of the Opera’ and ‘Les Miserables’ to ‘Guys & Dolls’ and ‘South Pacific’ and many, many more, the World of Musicals delivers a stirring musical concert theatre experience that will leave you spellbound – from the opening song to the final medley of classics. 7.30pm, tickets via Ticketmaster.
Flax Fingers Weave the Moonlight - Music for Matariki. Composed and directed by Nigel Williams, performed by Tauranga Civic Choir, accompanied by a string quartet, flute and piano percussion. St Peter’s in the City, Spring Street, Tauranga, 1.30pm and 4pm. You are invited to share food after the first performance or before the second performance. Tickets via eventbrite - $20 or door sales $25 (cash only). Children free when accompanied by an adult.
Nairobi Trio. Photo / Supplied
Sunday, July 7:
Got too much of something or it no longer fits your lifestyle? Too much fruit or veges? Kids grown out of it? Cleaning out the shed? Solve the problem and get some cash. Be a seller at the Otumoetai Rotary Club Car Boot Sale at the Otumoetai College carpark. Opens for sellers to set up at 7.30am. Sellers $10 a space. Buyers welcome at 8am to 11am. Proceeds for Rotary Projects. Contact Brian 021 1228735 or Bevan 027 4612127 for details.
Nairobi Trio at Rotorua Jazz Club. Longtime jazz favourites, Nairobi Trio perform a dynamic, engaging live show with a breadth of repertoire showcasing skilfully crafted original material and reimagined standards, all delivered in their inimitable style. Richard Adams (Violin/ vocals), John Quigley (Guitar/ vocals) and Aaron Coddel (Bass/ vocals). Rotorua Citizens Club 4.30 to 8pm $20 casual, $10 members, $2 students.
Monday, July 8: St Luke’s Church Rotorua Presents Exaudi - Surroundings Concert 7pm. Entry $20 per person. (Cash or Eftpos, door sales only). Hailing from Melbourne, Australia, Exaudi brings their unique blend of passion and precision to Rotorua for an evening of exciting choral music. Experience the sheer power of 50 young adult voices as Exaudi deftly transports their audience through emotional and geographical territories. Eclectic, engaging, immersive - surrender to the voices of Melbourne’s finest young singers.
Friday, July 19:
Magic Men, Baycourt Addison Theatre R18+ 7.30pm. Voted Australia’s Best Male Dance Group, find out what will make this group of guys the talk of Tauranga Moana. So, what are you waiting for? Gather your besties and be ready for a night of fun, laughter and plenty of eye-candy.
Chris Parker: Give Me One Good Reason Why I Shouldn’t Throw My Phone Off This Bridge, Sir Howard Morrison Centre. Tickets via Ticketmaster.
GREAT FOREST ROGAINE
Saturday, July 27: GREAT FOREST ROGAINE. Three and six-hour foot and mountain bike navigation adventure event in Whakarewarewa Forest. www.obop.org.nz.
Regular events
Mondays: Harmony A Plenty has been singing for 20 years. Covid has reduced our numbers. We are inviting men to join and enjoy our 7pm to 9pm Monday practice, supper and singouts in Tauranga. If this appeals to you contact Frank 576 3037 or David 576 0575.
Tuesdays: Rotorua District Cadet Unilt Parades — if you’re Year 9 and up, come along to see if you are the next Cadet to join the ranks. Where: 23 Geddes Rd, Rotorua on Tuesdays, during school term, 6.15pm to 9pm.
Wednesdays: Learn to Salsa, QE Health Wellness & Spa Whakaue Street, Rotorua, all ages. 6pm to 9pm. You can join classes at any time, no need to bring a partner, just turn up on the night. 6pm to 7pm Cuban Salsa & Afro-Cuban - Intermediate Level; 7pm to 8pm Salsa Fusion - Beginners Level; 8pm to 9pm Bachata - Open Level; Cost: $20 for one class, $30 for two classes, or $35 for three classes on the same night.
Thursdays:
Rotorua Night Market, weekly at Tutanekai St from 5pm until 9pm. Weather dependant.
Dinner in the Domain, a weekly artisan food market. 5pm every Thursday night from November to March, Pāpāmoa Pony Club.
The Mount Art group meets every Thursday at St Peters Anglican church hall, 15 Victoria Rd at the Mount, from 9am until midday. Call Merilynn on 0274846874 for more information.
Air Training Corp, Parade during term weeks from 6.15pm at 23 Geddes Rd. Age 13-plus. Come down and have a look or contact cucdr.75sqn@cadetforces.org.nz for more information. You are welcome to come and have a look.
Fridays: Friday Night Fun Night at Baywave - Enjoy two hours of racing down the Hydroslide, bobbing through the waves in our wave pool and bombing off a special platform to the latest tunes for $6 per person. From 6pm to 8pm Fridays, excluding public and school holidays.
Saturdays:
Rotary Charity Market at Kuirau Park, has been operating for 37 years, every Saturday morning, wet or fine, 7am to 2pm. Stalls selling vegetables, wide range of takeaway food, popcorn, coffee, meat, jewellery, clothing, gift cards, and more. Proceeds are used for various community undertakings. Sites for stalls cost $30.
Tauranga Farmers Market rain or shine, 7.45am to midday at Tauranga Primary School.
Book sale on the first, third and holiday Saturday of each month. All funds raised go back to the library. From 9am to 1pm at Kuirau Park.
The Little Big Markets Mount Maunganui at Coronation Park on the first, third and last Saturday of every month from 9am to 2pm.
The Greerton Hall Market on the second and last Saturday of every month from 8am to 12pm.
Sundays: Waihi Beach Sunday Market 9am to 1pm at Wilson Park.
Saturdays and Sundays: Weekend Drop-in Learning and Art Activities, Tauranga Art Gallery POP UP, 42 Devonport Rd.
Daily: Government Gardens Guided Tours, 11am, outside Rotorua Museum.
Weekly: Cards 500 at the Mount Community Hall every Tuesday and Thursday 12.30 to 4pm. Afternoon tea provided. All welcome. Inquiries to phone 0276586848.
Fortnightly: Pakihi Ora Māori Business Network Māori Business Rōpū focused on bringing together and supporting ngā pakihi Māori. Anchored in Māori values, knowledge and cultural practices, dedicated to creating spaces that are mana-enhancing. A place where Māori business owners can come together and feel connected through mātauranga. This is a Wednesday fortnightly kaupapa held at Kai Caff Aye, Fenton St, 7.30am to 9.00am. Visit Pakihi Ora on Facebook for more information.
Monthly:
Sol Markets at Simpson Reserve includes products, services and information from local stallholders that consider sustainability in their business practises. From 9am to 2pm on the first Sunday of the month.
Geyserland Country Music Club meets on the first Wednesday from 1pm to 3pm and the third Sunday of the month from 1pm to 4.30pm at the Rotorua Bowling Club. Non-members $6, children under 13 are free. For more information go to Geyserland Country Music Club Facebook page.
Rotorua UkeBox Ukulele Open Mic and Strum Along. Third Sunday of the month, 3pm to 4.30pm at Te Runanga Tea House. Free to strum or sing along or watch.
Western Bay Crop Swap, a free event for backyard gardeners, home bakers and food foragers to swap and share high quality local food on the first Saturday of the month, 10am to 11am at SuperGrans Western Bay of Plenty, 14 Jocelyn St, Katikati.
Rotorua Jazz Club meets first Sunday of every month, 4.30pm to 8pm, winter and summer. Rotorua Citizens Club, Arawa St. $20 entry for adults, $2 for juniors. The public is always welcome. For upcoming events and bands go to Rotorua Jazz Club Facebook page or email rotjazzclub@gmail.com.
Historic Village Wellbeing Market on the third Saturday of the month from 10am to 3pm.
Omokoroa Market featuring arts and crafts, produce, plants and car boot, plus more. Held on the last Saturday of the month 9am to midday at Omokoroa Settlers Hall.
Maketū Market from 7am at Maketū Village Green on the third and fifth Sunday of the month. Vendor stalls $10. Phone Maureen 021 2671 685
Improv Comedy with The Honest Liars — 16th Ave Theatre. First Saturday of the month 7.30pm to 9pm, entry $15.
BOP Blues Club Jam, first Wednesday of the month. 7.30pm to 10.30pm. Rotorua Citizens Club.
Art By Bike Tours, third Saturday of the month, (finishes April 15) 10am, Te Manawa.
Collective Energies Holistic Wellness Market the fourth Saturday of each month 9am to 2pm at the Mount Community Hall, 345 Maunganui Road, Mount Maunganui. Collective Energies Facebook/Insta. Contact Melanie 027 286 8268 for more information.