Their forwards were also up to the challenge, pinning Whaka in their own half.
Tauranga scored their first try inside 60 seconds when Phillip Togotogorua found some space on the outside and dotted down in the corner. About 10 minutes later, Tauranga were in again courtesy of a controversial try, which looked to feature a couple of knock-ons.
Bay of Plenty Steamer Nick Evemy, who caused havoc all game, beat Whaka's Chanse Perham to the ball and finished off the try. Togotogorua and Evemy both scored a second to finish off the half.
After a quick break, Whaka finally turned on a performance in the second half.
First-five Te Rangi Fraser set up work horse Trent Sweeney for Whaka's first try before scoring two tries of his own.
Fraser looked like he might get outclassed by his opposite number Paul Morris in the first half, who is also in the Steamers trial squad this year, but he showed plenty of class running the ball at the Tauranga defence in the second half.
A try to Tauranga fullback Byron McGuigan and a penalty to Matt Cole put the result beyond Whaka's reach, but the home side did not give up.
Siegfried Fisiihoi finished off a good performance for Whaka with a try in the dying seconds, earning his team a bonus point and taking his tally for the year up to 13 tries.
Whaka coach Ngarimu Simpkins said the result was not the end of the world and they were still focussed on making the top four this season.
"It would have been easy to lie down against a very good Tauranga side but we fought back well, scoring four tries."
Rotoiti lost to Opotiki 14-12 at home on Saturday to continue their poor run of results.
Whakarewarewa 26 (Te Rangi Fraser 2, Trent Sweeney, Siegfried Fisiihoi tries; Te Rangi Fraser 3 con) lost to Tauranga Sports 34 (Phillip Togotogorua 2, Nick Evermy 2, Byron McGuigan tries; Paul Morris 3 con, Matt Cole pen). Rotoiti 12 (Joe Royal, Nik Falaoa tries; Tyson Ripia con) lost to Opotiki 14 (Kiwi Biddle try; Te Hata Wilbore 3 pens).
