People are being invited to the Tauranga Farmers Market today to cuddle some goats and have a look at the wide variety of products available.

Market manager Trixie Allen says its cuddles day at the Tauranga Farmers Market with three baby goats, or kid goats, and there are also chickens around the place.

Layla O'Connell, 5, patting Lucy with Libby Wood from Midsummer Farm.

'You can go up and cuddle the goats and learn their names. Lucy is very laid back and there's Needle. They are all under a gazebo and you can go and cuddle them.

'The goats are from Midsummer's Farm in Matamata – they specialise in making luxury goat soap.”

Trixie says the lady who owns the farm is also working through the Ministry of Primary Industries in bringing in her goats' milk to the market.

'A lot of people are dairy intolerant and to have fresh goats milk available is a huge thing for us,” she adds.

'Once it gets approval, people will be able to bring in their own container and have the goats' milk dispensed here at the market.”

The Tauranga Farmers Market officially opens at 7.45am and Trixie says prior to that they have people watching the entrances.

'Our customers know to behave themselves.”

Once the market is open, it's a rush to get to the products first.

Trixie says there are a lot of popular stalls at the market which caters for 65 stalls at present.

'It's neat, everyone enjoys themselves.”

The market is also selling hamper tickets to raise money for the Hairy Maclary Waterfront project.

The winning tickets will be drawn on December 13.

Lilliana Hogg, 10, meeting six-month-old Lucy.


Olive Thompson, 3, meeting Lucy.

Ollie Longley, 7.

Emma Pinkerton, 9, looking at the free range chickens. The chickens have been put in chickens just for today while they are at the market.