Record-Breaking AIMS

Good Morning Scoopers!

Sorry we’ve had a bit of trouble with our emails, so some of you haven’t received the last couple of newsletters. I hope the weekend has been good. Even though Spring is here, it still feels cold. Can’t wait for that heat to come back.

The AIMS Games wrapped up on Friday after a massive week, 14,000 athletes, packed venues, and millions flowing into Tauranga’s economy. Big shoutout to all the kids who gave it their all, and the parents who survived the sideline chaos.

We’re also looking at the new $42M Ōmanawa Bridge project on SH29, with construction kicking off in October. It’s a major step in Tauriko West’s growth and promises safer, faster trips in the years to come.

And of course, cash drop’s on the cards this week.

In today’s edition:
✅ AIMS Games 2025 wraps up after record-breaking week 🏅
✅ $42M Ōmanawa Bridge contract awarded, work starts October 🏗️
✅ Cash Drop – Clue below 💰
✅ What’s on this week in Tauranga 🎡

Let’s dive in 👇

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Record-Breaking AIMS Games Pump Millions Into Tauranga

The 2025 Zespri AIMS Games has wrapped up its biggest year yet, drawing a record 14,000 athletes from over 400 schools and pumping millions into Tauranga’s economy. Venues like Baywave and the Mount Hot Pools were packed, with thousands of extra visitors coming through their doors. Local businesses, from Bayfair to long-time food truck operators, reported a frantic but exciting week as kids and families flocked in.

The atmosphere was described as “special” and “buzzy,” with everything from poolside haka battles to 600 snow cones being sold in a single day. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, Tauranga MP Sam Uffindell, Bay of Plenty MP Tom Rutherford, and Mayor Mahé Drysdale all turned up at Blake Park, adding to the hype.

While the event delivers a major economic boost, leaders and locals alike say the real highlight is seeing thousands of kids active, making friends, and having fun—cementing AIMS as part of Tauranga’s DNA.

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$42M Ōmanawa Bridge Build Starts October

A $42 million contract has been awarded to HEB Construction to build the new Ōmanawa Bridge on SH29, with work kicking off in October. The bridge is part of the wider $92m Tauriko West project and will realign SH29, improve the Ōmanawa Rd intersection, and use a faster “off-the-shelf” design that can handle one-in-100-year floods and future heavy freight loads heading to the Port of Tauranga.

The upgrade is a key step in the $7b worth of transport projects the Government wants underway before Christmas. Long-term, the SH29 Tauriko West project will support up to 30,000 new homes, expand the Tauriko Business Estate, cut travel times by 40%, and halve deaths and serious injuries. Most early works will happen off-line with only minor traffic disruptions.

Check out all the events below! ($$ - Costs or Ticketed Events)

Music & Concerts 🎵

New Zealand String Quartet

• When: Thu 11 Sep 2025, 6:15pm - 10:00pm

• Where: Totara Street, 11 Totara Street

• More Info: Quartet

• Cost: $$

Jersey Boys

• When: Thu 11 Sep - 27 Sep 2025, multiple times

• Where: Baycourt Community & Arts Centre, Addison Theatre, 38 Durham Street

• More Info: JerseyBoys

• Cost: $$

On Repeat: Hamilton Party

• When: Sat 13 Sep 2025, 8:00pm - 11:55pm

• Where: Totara Street, 11 Totara Street

• More Info: Hamilton

• Cost: $$

MauaoPAC Term 3 Student Concert

• When: Sun 14 Sep 2025, 4:00pm - 7:30pm

• Where: Totara Street, 11 Totara Street

• More Info: Mauao

• Cost: Free

Comedy & Screenings 🎬

None this week

Festivals & Special Events 🎉

Bethlehem College Tūrangawaewae Senior Art Exhibition

• When: Mon 8 Sep - 21 Sep, 8am - 9pm

• Where: The Historic Village, The People's Gallery – Toi Ka Rere, 17th Ave West

• More Info: BethCollege

• Cost: Free

Changing the Story – Claire Delaney McLeary

• When: Mon 8 Sep - Tue 23 2025, 10am - 3pm

• Where: The Historic Village, The Incubator Gallery & Studios, 17th Ave West

• More Info: Claire

• Cost: Free

Absolute Beginner Watercolour Series

• When: Tue 9 Sep 2025, 6pm - 8pm

• Where: The Historic Village, The Incubator, 17th Ave West

• More Info: Watercolour

• Cost: $$

Mounties Spring Fair

• When: Sat 13 Sep 2025, 9:00am - 1:00pm

• Where: Mount Maunganui Primary School, 13 Orkney Road

• More Info: Mounties

• Cost: Free

Pocket Sized Play - Feel Good Art Club

• When: Sat 13 Aug 2025, 10:30am - 12:30pm

• Where: Te Ao Mārama - Tauranga Library, 21 Devonport Rd

• More Info: PocketSized

• Cost: Free

Campus Art Class

• When: Thu 11 Sep 2025, 4:00pm - 5:30pm

• Where: The Historic Village, Creative Community Campus, 17th Ave West

• More Info: Campus

• Cost: $$

Cherry Blossom Market Festival

• When: Sat 13 Sep 2025, 10:00am - 2:00pm

• Where: Greerton Village School, 151 Greerton Road

• More Info: Cherry

• Cost: Free

Whimsical Faces

• When: Sat 13 Sep 2025, 10:00am - 4:00pm

• Where: The Incubator creative hub, 159 17th Avenue

• More Info: Claire

• Cost: $$

Welcoming Week 2025 - Multicultural Picnic

• When: Sat 13 Sep 2025, 10:30am - 3:00pm

• Where: Papamoa Sports and Recreation Centre, 80 Alice Lane

• More Info: Multicultural

• Cost: Free

Bay of Plenty Steamers and Volcanix

• When: Sat 13 Sep 2025, 11:00am - 5:00pm

• Where: Wharepai Domain, 91 Cameron Road

• More Info: NPC

• Cost: Free

K Valley Public Planting Day

• When: Sun 14 Sep 2025, 9:30am - 12:00pm

• Where: Kopurererua Valley, Marshall Avenue, Greerton

• More Info: Landslide

• Cost: $$

Markets 🍔

Little Big Markets

• When: Sun 13 Sep 2025, 9:00am - 2:00pm

• Where: Tauranga Waterfront, The Strand

• More Info: LittleBig

• Cost: Free

Tauranga Farmers Market

• When: Saturday 13 Sep, 7:45am-12pm

• Where: Tauranga Primary

• More Info: FarmersMarket

• Cost: Free

Pāpāmoa Community Market

• When: Sunday 14 Sep, 8:30am-1pm

• Where: Te Manawa ō Pāpāmoa School

• More Info: Community

• Cost: Free

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That’s a wrap for today.

Got something we should be covering? Slide into our DMs — events, stories, hidden gems, we’re all ears.

If you enjoyed this edition, flick it to that mate who’s always keen for an outdoor adventure.

Cash Drop Clue:
Keep an eye on our Instagram. The clues will be on there.

Catch you out there 👊

— Storm
Tauranga Scoop