Find out what’s on in the Bay of Plenty
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.
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.
Friday, June 28: Matariki at Te Puia, Hautapu Ceremony 5am to 7am — tickets via eventbrite; Wha¯ nau Fun Day 9am to 3pm — tickets for Wha¯ nau Fun Day via eventbrite. The Matariki Hautapu Ceremony led by NZMACI Pou Ta¯hu¯ Te Waata Cribb and Te
Ra¯ ngai 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 Rd, 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 and 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 St, 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 accompanied by an adult. 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.
Saturday, July 27: GREAT FOREST ROGAINE. Three and six-hour foot and mountain bike navigation adventure event in Whakarewarewa Forest. www. obop.org.nz.