Slip, slop, slap and get amongst the sizzling summer events across Western Bay this holiday season. 

There’s something for the whole whānau to enjoy this summer, from fairs and twilight concerts to a food and wine festival, beach scavenger hunt and two A&P Shows.

This summer events season is going to be hot, whether the sun shines or not, says Western Bay of Plenty District Council’s events specialist, Rebecca Chambers.

“Events are part of what makes our District such a great place to be over summer for locals and visitors alike.

“We love supporting events and seeing our local community groups and the best of Aotearoa’s touring events out in force,” she says.

“If you’ve got a cool summer event let us know by emailing events@westernbay.govt.nz or list it on our free online events calendar.”

Here’s an overview of what’s happening in each of our summer holiday destinations. 

Waihī Beach

Big-time summer holiday spot, Waihī Beach, has a stack of superb summer events. 

The holiday season will kick-off with the annual  Gypsy Fair on Wednesday 27 December until Friday 29 December at Bowentown Reserve. 

Now more than 30-years-old, the huge fair features funky stalls, cool vehicles, and a stack of great entertainment.

A few days later you can welcome in the New Year at the Extravaganza Fair, held from Sunday 31 December to Tuesday 2 January at the Waihī Beach Community Centre Reserve.

This sustainably focused event is run entirely on solar power, and features arts and crafts, kids games, circus acts, live music and delicious kai.

And to keep the fair buzz going, on Saturday 6 January you can enjoy the Waihī Beach Summer Fair at Wilson Park.   There’ll be entertainment, 200 plus stalls, live music and happy vibes.

After all the fair-ground excitement it’ll be time to hit the sand for The Great Waihī Beach Scavenger Hunt, held on Saturday 27 and Sunday 28 January. 

Katikati

Our summer fruit hot-spot will kick-off its New Year events season, with the Katikati Twilight Concert on Saturday 6 January at Haiku Reserve.

Get the vocal chords ready to sing-along with Take it to the limit - the NZ Eagles Tribute band - and support act, the Katikati Jazz Band. 

Next up is the Katikati Avocado Food & Wine Festival on Saturday 13 January at Uretara Domain.

To complement the superb kai and wine, there’ll be live music from The Black Seeds, Midnight Fizz and Jacob Scott.

To keep the music vibe going on Saturday 27 January you can get a dose of Country Rock at the Katikati Twilight Concert at Haiku Reserve. 

Enjoy country crooning from Brendan Ham and Marian Burns and support act, Sophie Gibson. 

Farm lovers won’t want to miss the Katikati A&P Show held on Saturday 4 February at Uretara Domain.

Now in it’s 99th year, the show features everything from animals and a horticulture section, to a hat competition, sheep racing and entertainment. 

Finally, get your seventies fix at the Katikati Twilight Concert on Saturday 10 February at Haiku Reserve, featuring Woodstock to the 70s belting out some classic tunes.

Te Puna

Dog lovers can enjoy the Wander Dogs Walks Series on Saturday 3 February.

Head along to Te Puna Quarry Park for a guided walk and to get out with your kurī in a safe, friendly and social environment.  

Te Puke

In Te Puke you can try your hand at fencing, tractor pulling and gumboot throwing at the A&P Show, held on Saturday 10 February at the A&P Showgrounds. 

Western Bay summer events: (date order)

• Whakamarama – Wander Dogs Walks Series – Saturday 9 December, 9.30am, Puketoki Reserve.
• Waihī Beach –  Gypsy Fair – Wednesday 27-Friday 29 December, 9am-5pm, Bowentown Domain, Seaforth Rd, Bowentown.
• Waihī Beach – Extravaganza Fair - Sunday 31 December-Tuesday 2 January, 9am–7pm on Sunday, 9am-5pm on Monday and Tuesday, Waihī Beach Community Centre Reserve.
• Katikati – Katikati Twilight Concert: NZ Eagles Tribute Show.  Saturday 6 January, 6pm – 8.30pm (gates open at 5pm), Haiku Reserve, 60 Main Road.  Tickets $25 at the gate, children under 15 free if accompanied by an adult.
• Waihī Beach – Waihī Beach Summer Fair – Saturday 6 January, Wilson Park, Citrus Avenue. Entry $5, kids under 5 free.
• Katikati – Katikati Avocado Food & Wine Festival - Saturday 13 January, 12noon-6pm, Uretara Domain, Major Street. Tickets $55.
• Katikati – Katikati Twilight Concert: Country Rock. Saturday 27 January, 6pm-8.30pm (gates open at 5pm), Haiku Reserve, 60 Main Road.  Tickets $25 at the gate, children under 15 free if accompanied by an adult.
• Waihī Beach – The Great Waihī Beach Scavenger Hunt, Saturday 27-Sunday 28 January. Registrations open online soon at waihibeach.co.nz
• Te Puna – Wander Dogs Walks Series – Saturday 3 February, 9.30am, Te Puna Quarry Park.
• Katikati – A&P Show – Sunday 4 February, 9am-4pm, Uretara Domain, Major Street.
• Katikati – Katikati Twilight Concert: Woodstock to the 70s. Saturday 10 February, 6pm-8.30pm (gates open at 5pm), Haiku Reserve, 60 Main Road. Tickets $25 at the gate, children under 15 free if accompanied by an adult.
• Te Puke – Te Puke A&P Show – Saturday 10 February, 7am-5pm, A&P Showgrounds Road, Paengaroa.

To find out more about all these events go to: www.westernbay.govt.nz/community/events/event-calendar

If you’ve got a summer event let us know by emailing events@westernbay.govt.nz or list it on our free online events calendar here:  www.westernbay.govt.nz/community/events/event-calendar

From where to walk your dog, to what days to put your rubbish and recycling out over summer, the Western Bay of Plenty District Council has compiled a go-to webpage to help locals and visitors plan their holidays.

The dedicated webpage, www.westerbay.govt.nz/summerinfo, includes information about opening hours, changes in kerbside collection dates, useful recreational links and more.

Here’s an overview:

Library and service centres

Libraries and service centres in Te Puke, Katikati, Ōmokoroa and Waihī Beach, and the Council offices at Barkes Corner, will close at midday on Friday 22 December and resume regular hours from Monday 8 January.

Rubbish and recycling

With Christmas and New Year falling on weekdays, kerbside rubbish and recycling in the District will be bumped forward one day during Christmas and New Year.

There will be extra collections for Waihī Beach and Pukehina to help with the large influx of visitors over the summer. Those with holiday rentals are reminded to let visitors know where to buy pay-as-you-throw (PAYT) tags for rubbish bins and how to attach them correctly. 

To keep track of what bins to put out and when, you can also download the Antenno app to receive reminders straight to your phone the day before.

Paperwork

Applications for building consents, resource consents, code of compliance certificates submitted on or after Wednesday 20 December may not begin to be processed until after 10 January (this period is excluded from the 20-working-day statutory timeframe). There will also be a delay in processing digital property file orders during this time.

Walking your dog

There are a few specific rules in place at Waihī Beach over summer:   

• Walking dogs on the main beach is restricted to early mornings and evenings – dogs are not allowed on the main beach from Wednesday 20 December to Wednesday 7 February, between 9am and 7pm 
• Dogs can be exercised any time at Bowentown Beach, roughly between Albacore Avenue and Plom Road (you must carry a leash)
• Due to birds nesting, dogs must be on a leash until March when exercised at Island View Reserve 

Alcohol bans

A reminder, there are year-round, 24/7 alcohol bans in the main urban areas – Katikati, Waihī Beach and Te Puke.

Freedom camping

There are 45 places you can freedom camp in the Western Bay, which can be viewed on an interactive map on the Council’s website (https://www.westernbay.govt.nz/freedom-camping-spots). Most of the reserves are patrolled nightly and early in the morning.

Council’s Summer Ambassadors will also be visiting freedom camping spots, parking areas and beaches to make sure everyone is enjoying their stay, and to educate campers on the District’s freedom camping opportunities.

Links to information on walking and cycle trails, summer events, fire permits, water quality, swimming pools and noise control can also be found on the ‘summerinfo’ webpage.