Find out what’s on in the Bay of Plenty
From Tauranga to Rotorua, discover upcoming events in the Bay of Plenty region this summer
February
Saturday, February 3 to Thursday, February 29: Sarj Hada Art Exhibition, The Arts Village Hinemaru Street, Rotorua, free — during opening hours. Nepaleseborn Sarj Hada showcases his journey, highlighting his artistic development.
Saturday, February 24:
● Wha¯ nau Open Day, Sir Howard Morrison Centre, 10am to 3pm. Free.
● Frocks On Bikes, Talisman Hotel, Katikati, 10am to 12pm. Meet at 10am at Talisman Hotel Car Park — bring your bike, your family and friends, frock up and enjoy a fun bike ride around the streets of Katikati Township. Spotprizes. Free registration.
● Rotorua Dahlia Show, Ngongotaha Community Hall Rotorua, 11.30am to 2pm. Door sales only, $2 each. Come along to the annual dahlia show and enjoy spectacular dahlias, flower arrangements, raffles, sales tables.
● Hell Freezes Over — Kiwi Eagles Experience, Waihi Beach RSA, 7.30pm to 11pm. Featuring four striking musicians delivering fourpart harmonies and blistering guitar solos to classic Eagles compositions that sound as close to the Eagles live show as possible.
● Salon Risque´ — A Country Retreat, 16th Avenue Theatre, Tauranga, 7.30pm to 10.30pm. Tickets from Humanitix. A fabulous, bawdy, funny romp to rural Aotearoa/new Zealand featuring a cast of glittering stars from around the motu. How will the very Urban Curves adjust to rural life?
● Memorial Championship Meeting, TWS Paradise Valley Speedway, Rotorua. All Ages. Tickets via Flicket, 6pm to 11pm. Memorial championship titles are on the line for superstock, stockcars, six-shooters, production saloons, youth ministock and the David “Stumpy” Schrader Memorial Streetstocks.
March
Friday, March 1:
● The Michael Jackson History Show, Baycourt, 8pm. Showtime presents this spectacular music tribute and full-scale stage production honouring the one and only King of Pop, Michael Jackson. Get the full Michael Jackson concert experience with triplethreat performer Garth Field — electrifying in his role as Jackson — plus a live band, choreographed dancers, authentic costumes, stateof-the-art sound and theatrical lighting, vision and effects. Tickets via Ticketek.
● Kita Mean Drag Bingo & Queens of Drag Show, The Cargo Shed, Tauranga, 6.30pm to 10pm. Tickets via Eventfinda. Kita Mean is the very first crowned winner of Rupaul’s Drag Race Down Under and has performed all over the globe from the USA, UK, Thailand, Bali, Tonga, Australia, New Zealand. Tickets include: Two hours of bingo, three games of Kita’s Big Bust with prizes up for grabs, one hour Queens of Drag Show with the most glamorous gals in NZ.
Saturday, March 2:
● The Harmonic Resonators — Encore Tour. Baycourt Addison Theatre. Aotearoa’s finest family band returns to the stage in 2024. You’re in for an evening of lush harmonies, country “geetar” breaks, and delightful banter. Tickets from $48.12 to $58.38 via eventfinda.
● Holi Colour Splash 2024, Memorial Park, Tauranga, 3pm to 6pm. Free entry, delicious vegetarian Indian street food and plenty of colour packages available for purchase on-site. Eftpos available.
● Mana Wahine 10th Anniversary Season, Sir Howard Morrison Centre, Rotorua, 7.30pm. Tickets via Ticketmaster. Mana wahine is an all-female work that draws strength from ma¯ ori culture to illustrate a tapestry of dance, theatre and film.
● Pride Picnic for Tauranga Moana Pride Beach Week, 11.30am to 3.30pm, Coronation Park, Mount Maunganui — free. Saturday, March 2 and Sunday, March 3: Seniors And Travel Expo, Mercury Baypark Function Centre, Mount Maunganui, 10am to 3pm. Explore more than 50 exhibits showcasing the finest offerings for active seniors in New Zealand. Free entry.
Sunday, March 3:
● Rotorua Off-road Trail Run/ Walk, Whakarewarewa Forest, Long Mile Rd, Rotorua, 7am to 2pm. Tickets via Rotoruaoffroad2024.
● Otumoetai Rotary Car Boot Sale, Otumoetai College, Tauranga, 7.30am to 11am. Opens for sellers to set up at 7.30am. Buyers welcome at 8am. Runs until 11.00am or it’s all gone. Use social media to tell friends that you will be there. Sellers $10 a space. Proceeds for Rotary Projectselectronic and Electrical Goods recycling. A fee applies.sausages supplied by Pac ‘n’ Savecontact Brian 0211 1228735 or Bevan 027 4612127 for details.
● Kick for a Cause Rotorua, Ngongotaha Assn Football Club Inc, Stembridge Rd, Ngongotaha¯ , gold coin koha 12pm to 4pm.
● Rotorua Children’s Day, Rotorua Village Green, Village Green, Rotorua, free, 10am to 2pm. This free event will have kids exploring the Village Green and Lakefront, enjoying the playground, learning more about water sports and engaging in fun activities.
Sunday, March 3 and Monday, March 4: Tutus on Tour, Baycourt Addison Theatre, Tauranga, 7pm. Tickets via Eventfinda. Tutus on Tour will feature excerpts from former Artistic Director Russell Kerr’s beautiful production of Swan Lake, ahead of the company’s fulllength Swan Lake season in May 2024.
Tuesday, March 5:
● The Michael Jackson History Show, Sir Howard Morrison Centre, 8pm. Showtime presents this spectacular music tribute and fullscale stage production honouring the one and only King of Pop, Michael Jackson. Get the full Michael Jackson concert experience with triple-threat performer Garth Field — electrifying in his role as Jackson — plus a live band, choreographed dancers, authentic costumes, stateof-the-art sound and theatrical lighting, vision and effects. Tickets via Ticketmaster.
● Go by Bike Day — Morey St, all ages, free, 6.30am to 8.30am. Ditch the car and ‘Go by Bike’, it’s fun, easy and free! Ride into our pit-stop on the Morey Street Cycleway by the Morey Street Reserve and we’ll share some goodies with you.
Saturday, March 9:
● Tauranga Fringe Festival 2024 10am to 5pm. Presented by: The Incubator Creative Hub. Are you ready for the extravaganza of fringe? Tauranga’s inclusive smorgasbord of creative talents and participation. Bring your talents, dress up like crazy, and become part of the act. A one-day programme of poetry, street performances, busking, fashion, The Risque, market stalls, street food, art exhibitions and the Beer Garden of Earthly delights. Tickets, $10 via The Incubator.
● Art for Kids: Gala Auction 6pm, Presented by: Tauranga Art Gallery Toi Tauranga. Join us for a fabulous evening of cocktails, entertainment and the opportunity to purchase artworks and experiences, many created by artists that have shown over the years at Tauranga Art Gallery Toi Tauranga. If you are unable to make the event but would still like to support Art for Kids you can register to bid online via the live stream on the night or make a donation. Tickets from $150 to $900, via Tauranga Art Gallery Toi Tauranga.
Thursday, March 14: Kaylee Bell with special guests Navvy. Baycourt Addison Theatre, 7pm. Fresh from her ‘Global Country Music Artist’ CMA Award win in Nashville, Waimate-born country pop artist Kaylee Bell is thrilled to announce she is hitting the road on a massive 12-date national tour in March and April. Tickets from $53.15 to $73.65 via eventfinda.
Sunday, March 17: Organ Concert, Christopher Hainsworth, St. Luke’s Church, Rotorua, 2.30pm. Selection of works from: J.S. Bach, D. Buxtehude, J. B. Lully, F. Couperin, J-PH. Rameau, D. Scarlatti, F. Mendelssohn, W. A. Mozart, M. Albeniz, CF. Pagani, C.bodro, P. Fumagalli, V. Monti, A. Templeton. Entry by programme: Adults $30, children free.
March 27 to April 6: Rotorua Musical Theatre presents Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Phantom of the Opera, Sir Howard Morrison Centre.
Tickets available from Ticketmaster.
Regular events
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.
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, Pa¯ pa¯ moa 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:
● Gourmet Night Market, a street food market at Coronation Park in Mount Maunganui on Friday nights at 5pm until the end of February.
● 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:
● Kuirau Park Saturday Market , operated by the Rotorua North Rotary Club, opens every Saturday morning, wet or fine, 7am to 1.30pm. Stalls selling vegetables, wide range of takeaway food, coffee, meat, jewellery, clothing, massages, gift cards, and more. Proceeds used in the community. 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.
● Dinner in the Park Matua, Matua Park, Hall Rd, Tauranga, 5pm to 9pm. A weekly artisan food market with musical entertainment on Sunday evenings until March 24.
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.
● The Little Big Markets, Coronation Park - Sat 24 Feb 2024, 9am–2pm, Sun 3 Mar 2024, 9am– 2pm, Sat 9 Mar 2024, 9am–2pm, Sun 24 Mar 2024, 9am–2pm, Sat 30 Mar 2024, 9am–2pm
Fortnightly:
Pakihi Ora Ma¯ ori Business Network Ma¯ori Business Ro¯pu¯ focused on bringing together and supporting nga¯ pakihi Ma¯ori. Anchored in Ma¯ ori values, knowledge and cultural practices, dedicated to creating spaces that are manaenhancing. A place where Ma¯ ori business owners can come together and feel connected through ma¯ tauranga. 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-3pm and the third Sunday of the month from 1pm -4.30pm at the Rotorua Bowling Club. Nonmembers $5, children under 13 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.
● Maketu¯ Market from 7am at Maketu¯ 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.
● To include your event, email details to whatson@dailypost.co. nz at least a week before the event.