Good Morning Scoopers!
Hope you all had a cracker of a weekend and managed to get out and about.
The AIMS Games are still in full swing this week and wrap up on Friday. Big shoutout to all the young athletes giving it their all, and good luck to the parents holding it together on the sidelines.
In today’s edition, the Aerocool Rescue Helicopter Gala has just raised over $60K to keep their life-saving service flying. A massive win for a team that’s always ready when we need them most.
We’re also looking at the Port of Tauranga, which has pulled in a big profit this year — but they’re not stoked. Expansion plans have hit another frustrating delay, and it’s starting to bite.
And of course, cash drop’s on the cards this week. Location’s locked, clue’s at the bottom 👀
In today’s edition:
✅ Rescue Helicopter Gala raises $60K+ for life-saving missions 🚁
✅ Port of Tauranga profit surges but expansion stalls ⚓
✅ Cash Drop – Clue below 💰
✅ What’s on this week in Tauranga 🎡
Let’s dive in 👇
SPONSORED BY YARD BARBERS
For Property Maintenance, lawn care, hedge & tree trimming, gardening, yard tidy ups & landscaping.
yardbarbers.co.nz
Call Storm: 0276284840
Port of Tauranga Expansion Hits a Wall
Port of Tauranga just posted a massive profit jump — $126m after tax, up 23% on last year — thanks to more trade flowing through the port. Exports and imports are both up, container volumes lifted 5.3%, and total trade hit 25.3m tonnes.
But there’s a big headache: the Stella Passage expansion is stuck in limbo. A drafting error in the fast-track legislation means the court’s put the project on hold, and the port says it’s “reaching crisis point” as they’re forced to turn away ships. Just last month they had to decline a new service to the Americas that could’ve saved Kiwi importers and exporters up to $90m a year.
Still, shareholders are smiling — dividends are up 13.6% and the share price has climbed 26% in the past year. The port’s starting the new financial year strong, but they’re desperate to get Stella Passage moving before Tauranga starts losing even more opportunities.
Specializing in Minor Renovations, Decks, Fences & Retaining Walls, Small Jobs & Maintenance
archetypeconstruction
Call Aidan: 027 908 4040
Chopper Gala Raises $60K to Keep Lifesaving Flights in the Air
The Aerocool Rescue Helicopter Gala at Classic Flyers Mount Maunganui pulled in a massive $60,800 to keep the chopper flying and saving lives. Guests heard firsthand from Geoff, a patient who survived a brain aneurysm thanks to the helicopter’s 15-minute dash to Waikato Hospital – a trip that would’ve taken nearly 80 minutes by road.
The night featured live and silent auctions, with prizes like a luxury glamping trip and a Mount weekend getaway going under the hammer. Off-duty crew mixed with guests, while the on-duty team stood by ready to fly if called.
Organisers called the event “an overwhelming success,” stressing that community support is what keeps the rescue helicopter in the air 24/7.
Captured by @jmanyphotography
Check out all the events below! ($$ - Costs or Ticketed Events)
Music & Concerts 🎵
Kevin Bloody Wilson Aussie Icon Tour
When: Thu 04 Sep - Fri 05 Sep 2025, 7:30pm
Where: Baycourt Community & Arts Centre, X-Space
More Info: Aussie
Cost: $$
Mount Comedy Club
When: Thu 04 Sep 2025, 7:30pm - 10:30pm
Where: Totara Street, 11 Totara Street
More Info: Comedy
Cost: $$
Andromedik (BEL)
When: Fri 05 Sep 2025, 9:00pm - 1:00am
Where: Totara Street, 11 Totara Street
More Info: Andromedik
Cost: $$
Landslide - Fleetwood Mac/Stevie Nicks Tribute
When: Sat 06 Sep 2025, 8pm - 11:30pm
Where: Totara Street, 11 Totara Street
More Info: Landslide
Cost: $$
College Colab
When: Sun 07 Sep 2025, 4:00pm - 7:00pm
Where: Totara Street, 11 Totara Street
More Info: College
Cost: Free
Comedy & Screenings 🎬
Tuesday morning movies - Bob Trevino Likes It
When: Tue 02 Sep 2025, 11:00am - 12:45pm
Where: The Historic Village, The Jam Factory, 17th Ave West
More Info: BobTrevino
Cost: $$
Waterfront Movie - 'Eddie the Eagle' & 'Cool Runnings' (Zespri AIMS Games)
When: Tue 02 Sep 2025, 5:30pm - 9:30pm
Where: Tauranga Waterfront, Northern Waterfront, The Strand
More Info: EddieEagle
Cost: Free
Mount Comedy Club
When: Thu 04 Sep 2025, 7:30pm - 10:30pm
Where: Totara Street, 11 Totara Street
More Info: Comedy
Cost: $$
Festivals & Special Events 🎉
Scan the City
When: Mon 1 Sep - 07 Sep, 8am - 9pm
Where: Tauranga Waterfront, The Strand
More Info: ScantheCity
Cost: Free
Learn to Skate 2025
When: Mon 1 Sep 2025, 6pm - 7pm
Where: Revolution Skate Centre, 81 Truman Lane
More Info: Learn2Skate
Cost: $$
Absolute Beginner Watercolour Series
When: Tue 2 Sep 2025, 6pm - 8pm
Where: The Historic Village, The Incubator, 17th Ave West
More Info: Watercolour
Cost: $$
Bay Conservation Alliance Drop in
When: Thu 04 Sep 2025, 10:00am - 12:00pm
Where: Te Ao Mārama - Pāpāmoa Library, 15 Gravatt Road
More Info: BayConservative
Cost: Free
Pocket Sized Play - Scientific Ocean Art
When: Sat 06 Aug 2025, 10:30am - 12:30pm
Where: Te Ao Mārama - Tauranga Library, 21 Devonport Rd
More Info: PocketSized
Cost: Free
Tauranga Orchid Show
When: Fri 05 Sep - 06 Sep 2025, 10am - 4pm
Where: Wesley Church Hall, 100 Thirteenth Avenue, Tauranga 3112
More Info: Orchid
Cost: $$
Bethlehem College Tūrangawaewae Senior Art Exhibition
When: Fri 05 Sep - Sun 21 Sep 2025, (Fri 5:30pm) the rest - 10am - 3pm
Where: The Historic Village, The People's Gallery – Toi Ka Rere, 17th Ave West
More Info: ArtExpo
Cost: Free
Changing the Story – Claire Delaney McLeary
When: Fri 05 Sep - Tue 23 Sep 2025, (Fri 5:30pm) the rest - 10am - 3pm
Where: The Historic Village, The Incubator, 17th Ave West
More Info: Claire
Cost: $$
Zespri AIMS Games
When: Mon 01 Sep - Fri 05 Sep 2025, 8:00am - 8am
Where: Multiple Venues
More Info: AIMS
Cost: Free
He Kokonga Ngākau - Exhibition by Ila-Rose Hepetema
When: Fri 05 Sep 2025, 5:30pm - 7:00pm
Where: The Historic Village, Okorore Ngā Toi Māori Gallery, 17th Ave West
More Info: Kokonga
Cost: Free
September Street Party Arts Celebration
When: Fri 05 Sep 2025, 5:30pm - 7:00pm
Where: The Historic Village, 17th Ave West
More Info: StreetParty
Cost: Free
AIMS Games Splash-tacular
When: Fri 05 Sep 2025, 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Where: Baywave, Corner Girven Road & Gloucester Road
More Info: CinemaClub
Cost: $$
Tauranga Trading Card Show
When: Sat 06 Sep 2025, 10:00am - 4:00pm
Where: Bethlehem Hall, 239 State Highway 2
More Info: CardShow
Cost: $$
The Orange Box
When: Sat 06 Sep 2025, 11:00am - 12:00pm
Where: The Historic Village, 17th Ave West
More Info: OrangeBox
Cost: $$
Fuel for Father's Day - Family Fun Day
When: Sat 06 Sep 2025, 12:00pm - 4:00pm
Where: Kendon-Strong MAF Centre, 7 De Havilland Way, Mount
More Info: FathersDay
Cost:
Markets 🍔
Little Big Markets
When: Sat 06 Sep 2025, 9:00am - 2:00pm
Where: Coronation Park, 230 Maunganui Road
More Info: LittleBig
Cost: Free
Tauranga Farmers Market
When: Saturday 06 Sep, 7:45am-12pm
Where: Tauranga Primary
More Info: FarmersMarket
Cost: Free
Pāpāmoa Community Market
When: Sunday 07 Sep, 8:30am-1pm
Where: Te Manawa ō Pāpāmoa School
More Info: Community
Cost: Free
Small Batch | Raw Mānuka Honey | Made in New Zealand
tasteandseenz
That’s us for today, legends.
Got something we should know about? Flick us a DM — events, stories, hidden gems, all welcome.
If you enjoyed this one, pass it on to that mate with 2 dogs.
Cash Drop Clue:
We’ll be in the heart of the city for the next drop — you’ll wanna be quick.
Catch you out there 👊
— Storm
Tauranga Scoop
