What’s on guide
From Tauranga to Rotorua, discover upcoming events in the Bay of Plenty region this summer
March
March: Classes for beginners in Scottish country dancing. Learn the basics every Monday evening during March (4,11,18, 25) at 7pm. Suits all ages from teenagers upwards. No partner required; come by yourself or with a friend. Wear soft shoes and light comfortable clothing. $10 covers the four-week course. We meet at the Lynmore Scout Hall, Lewis Rd, Lynmore (behind the tennis court). Phone Claire for further information on 0211542473 or email rotorua@dancescottish.org.nz
Saturday, March 23:
● Hei Matau Paddlers: Corporate waka ama event at Lake Tikitapu. Training, team building, fundraising. Register at heimataupaddlers05@gmail.com.
● Pasifika Rotorua: Rotorua Village Green, all ages, free 10am to 3pm. This event gives opportunities to our Pacific communities to take part in showing off the beauty of their island, sharing their culture and its evolution.
● Tauranga Multicultural Festival 2024: The Historic Village, 17th Ave West, Tauranga, Saturday March 23, 10am to 5pm. More than just an event: a celebration of unity, understanding and the beauty of diversity.
● Jazz Street Party: Main Rd, Katikati, 11am to 2pm. Kick off the National Jazz Festival by visiting Katikati for a family-friendly party in the main street. Musicians will serve up soulful sounds and entertain the crowds as well as food, market stalls and kids’ entertainment.
● Ko¯ rua: St Lukes Anglican Church, Rotorua, 2pm to 3pm. Tickets are door sales (cash) only. Adults $20, students (with ID) $10.
Sunday, March 24:
● Marra Sprint Triathlon: Pilot Bay
Beach, Mount Maunganui, 7am to 11am.
● The Market Collective (The Lakes Sunday Markets): Caslani Lane Playground, The Lakes, Tauranga, 9am to 1pm. 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.
Easter Weekend
Friday, March 29:
● Jazz Village: The Historic Village, 17th Ave West, Tauranga, 11am to 5pm. Our very own New Orleans French Quarter. Tickets via Eventfinda.
● James Morrison: Baycourt Addison Theatre, Tauranga, 8pm, National Jazz Festival.
● Akash Dutta — The Trio Sessions: Baycourt X Space, Tauranga, 6pm, . National Jazz Festival
● Tauranga Record Fair: Tauranga Racecourse, 1pm to 4pm. Records, Tapes and Cds, all sorts, all sizes, all styles.10 plus tables of the good stuff.4pm to 7pm. Free Entry.
● Easter Weekend Healing Meeting: Puketawhero Park, Rotorua, 6pm to 8pm. More information — Victory Church. Saturday, March 30:
● Downtown Carnival: Downtown, 58 Devonport Rd, Tauranga, Saturday and Sunday from 12pm.
● O¯ hope Craft Market: Bluett Rd, O¯ hope, from 8.30am to 12.30pm, stall-holders must be set up by 8am. Inside and outside stands, awesome crafts on offer.
● Huge Easter Book Sale: Hundreds of bargains plus collectors’ items, at the kiosk in Kuirau Park, 9am to 1pm. Run by volunteers from Friends Of The Library.
● Speakeasy Supper: St Amand, 105 The Strand, Tauranga. Friday to Sunday, 6.45pm to 10pm. Mandy Meadows and the Mood Swings will grace you with live jazz throughout the evening.
● Tauranga Big Band — Around the Jazz World in 80 Minutes: Graham Young Youth Theatre, Tauranga Boys’ College, 7pm to 8.40pm. Tickets via eventfinda.
● Louis Baker: Baycourt Addison Theatre, Tauranga, 8pm, National Jazz Festival. Tickets via eventfinda.
● Waih¯ı Beach Easter Extravaganza Pop Up Market: Waih¯ı Beach Community Centre, 10am to 2pm.
● The Unlost Village Travelling Marketeers: Village Green Rotorua, Saturday and Sunday from 9am.
● Easter Kids Pottery Painting Session: The Arts Village, 1240 Hinemaru St, Rotorua, 1pm to 2.30pm. Kids paint their own eggcup.
Sunday, March 31:
● Tea Dance: Tauranga Citizens Club, 5.30pm to 8.30pm. Tickets via eventfinda. Dance and dine with Tauranga Big Band ably lead by band leader John Page you will hear some of Tauranga’s best jazz musicians performing favourite Big Band numbers from the great bands like Basie and Kenton. Enjoy an optional buffet meal in the interval. Put your glad rags on and come dancing.
● Annual Great Easter Egg Hunt: Katikati Bird Gardens, 12pm to 3pm. Tickets via eventfinda. The 20th annual Easter egg hunt at the Katikati Bird Gardens at Aongatete 30 minutes north of Tauranga. Dozens of coloured balls are hidden around the 10-acre (4ha) gardens, and at noon the children set out to find one. Children return their ball to the cafe and swap it for a chocolate Easter Bunny egg.
Monday, April 1:
Jazz at the Mount, Te Papa O Nga Manu Porotakataka: 10am to 5pm. Brought to you by Mount Mainstreet, Jazz at the Mount is a great way to round off this year’s festival. Come down with family and friends and enjoy a day of great music right in the centre of Mount Maunganui’s main shopping area. Enjoy a parade of vintage cars down Maunganui Rd and join in the holiday revelry. Vintage cars on display at Coronation Park from 9.30am to 1pm; Vintage car parade 11.30am through Pilot Bay, down Maunganui Rd, past Jazz at the Mount Stage and back to Coronation Park.
● To include your event, email details to whatson@dailypost.co. nz at least a week before the event.