Bay of Plenty NZ

14/09/2026

It’s Te Wiki o te Reo Māori - Māori Language Week!

What better way to celebrate than by connecting with the culture, stories and whenua of the Bay of Plenty? Discover Māori culture through local experiences, kai, art and places of significance, and learn more about the stories behind the places you explore.

Discover Māori cultural experiences in the Bay of Plenty at bayofplentynz.com/experiences/maori-culture 💚

📸 Tauranga Māori History & Culture tour with Mana Māori Experiences by Travel Ed NZ

07/09/2026

Some places are worth the walk. 🌿

Starting at the northern end of Waihī Beach, make your way to Ōrokawa Bay, where native bush meets the coast and a beautiful, secluded beach awaits. Take in the views, enjoy the fresh air and soak up the peaceful surroundings.

Discover Ōrokawa Bay at bit.ly/46u6Tl3

04/09/2026

The Zespri AIMS Games School Sporting Championships kicks off tomorrow! 🏆

From 5–11 September, Tauranga will come alive as 14,500+ young athletes from 467 schools arrive to compete across 27 sporting codes.

For visitors, it’s a chance to experience the buzz of one of Australasia’s biggest junior sporting events. And for locals — come and be part of it! Soak up the atmosphere, cheer on the athletes and be proud to see Tauranga buzzing with young people from across Aotearoa and beyond. 💛

There are plenty of ways to get amongst the action, from watching the sporting finals to getting out and exploring what’s happening around Tauranga.

Find out how you can get involved 👇
nzaimsgames.co.nz/more/cool-things-to-do

02/09/2026

Spring is blooming in the Bay of Plenty! 🌷🌸
New shoots are beginning to sprout and soon enough the cherry blossoms will be painting the streets pink!
Here are a few of our favourite spots to soak it all in:
🌿 Te Puna Quarry Park – rhododendrons, roses, daffodils and sculptural art among the gardens, with sweeping coastal views.
🌹Robbins Park – a stunning rose garden (in full bloom late Oct–early Nov) plus a tropical display house of begonias and orchids.
🌸Ōtūmoetai Railway Gardens – rows of cherry trees in full pink glory, perfect for that insta-worthy shot, or for a picnic lunch.
Newnham Road Reserve Te Puna- Located at the end of Newnham Road, the reserve has a short walking trail, lined with cherry trees. A great spot to capture some photos of the family or take the dog for a stroll.
🌼Greerton Village – home of the annual Cherry Blossom Festival happening on 19th September, with entertainment, stalls and live music.

The best time of the year to view the cherry blossoms is late Sept early Oct, so now is a great time to start planning your trip! 🌸🌳

31/08/2026

Tauranga is the place to be this Labour Weekend! ✨

Thanks to our friends at Tauranga Arts Festival and Trinity Wharf Tauranga, we’ve got an incredible weekend experience up for grabs! 

One lucky winner will receive:
〰️ One night’s accommodation for two at the stunning Trinity Wharf Tauranga 
〰️ A double pass to Cirque de Machine, thanks to Tauranga Arts Festival

👉🏼 To enter, simply tag who you’d take along and make sure you’re following Bay of Plenty | New Zealand, Trinity Wharf Tauranga and Tauranga Arts Festival

One winner will be drawn on Monday 14 September 2026 and contacted via DM.
The prize is valid for Saturday 24 October 2026 and is non-transferable.
Entries are open to New Zealand residents only.
This giveaway is in no way sponsored or associated with Instagram or Facebook.

Good luck! 🤞

25/08/2026

A very special visitor was spotted at Omanu Beach last week 🦭🌊

This leopard seal was spotted heading out to sea. Late winter can bring some unexpected wildlife visitors to the Bay of Plenty, so remember to give them plenty of space and enjoy from a safe distance.

📹 Jan Oikawa

17/08/2026

Spring is on its way, and the Bay of Plenty is already filling up with plenty of reasons to make a trip.

Our Spring Events Guide is now live, with a line-up of big days out, arts and culture, sport and plenty of reasons to get out and about across the region.

A few to have on your radar:
🎭 Tauranga Arts Festival (22 October–1 November) – the 2026 programme has just dropped, with tickets now on sale. Expect 10 days of music, theatre, comedy, cabaret and more.
🍸 Gindulgence (7 November) – a celebration of gin, good food and good times.
🏃 Event Promotions Tauranga City to Surf (8 November) – lace up and take on one of the Bay's much-loved spring running events.
🏏 Blackcaps vs India ODI (13 & 15 November) – international cricket comes to Bay Oval Cricket Ground.
🌺 Bay of Plenty Garden & Art Festival (19–22 November) – explore around 70 gardens and art stops across the region this November.

And that's just the start.

See what's happening this spring →

Experience spring in the Bay of Plenty with the Tauranga Arts Festival, BLACKCAPS v Australia, Garden & Arts Festival, free family events, and more. Check out our calendar of upcoming events.

11/08/2026

Golden hour, well spent. 🌅

📍 Ōmokoroa
📸 Paul Michael Photography

07/08/2026

A fresh winter morning at the summit of Pāpāmoa Hills Cultural Heritage Regional Park is hard to beat. ❄🌿

The steady climb is rewarded with sweeping views across the Bay of Plenty, making it one of those walks that's worth coming back to in every season. If you're making the most of the last few weeks of winter, add this one to your weekend plans.

👉 Find out more at bayofplentynz.com/experiences/walking-tracks-and-trails/explore-papamoa/tracks-and-trails-in-papamoa/

06/08/2026

The perfect way to end a crisp winter's day. 🌅⁠
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📸 Thanks to Omanu Beach SLSC for capturing this beautiful winter sunset during their training.