Good morning and welcome to Saturday. Ko te ra tenei i hanga e te Ariki. Ka koa tatou, ka koa hoki ki reira.

MetService is forecasting a cloudy day with the chance of a shower from the afternoon and easterlies.

It's  going to be a warm one, with the mercury expected to hit a high of 25 degrees, and an overnight low of 17 degrees. High tide is at 10.11am and low tide is at 4.21pm. Sunset is at 8.14pm.

What's on today?

Dragon dances celebrating the Chinese New Year.

Tauranga is set to celebrate the Chinese New Year, ushering in the Year of the Snake, with its second Asian Food Festival on Saturday, February 15, 2025. The festivities will take place at The Historic Village, located at 17th Ave West, Tauranga South, from 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. This free, family-friendly event is organized by the BOP Chinese Culture and Arts Bridge Trust.

Attendees can look forward to a variety of activities that highlight Asian culture and traditions. The festival will feature an array of Asian cuisine, offering a chance to savor authentic dishes from different regions. Traditional cultural performances, including the captivating dragon dance, will be showcased, providing entertainment and insight into Chinese heritage. For younger attendees, there will be children's games and activities to enjoy throughout the day.

Sat 15 Feb 2025  11.00am. - 9.00pm

Bark in the Park

Bark in the Park is an annual event organized by Tauranga City Council's Animal Services team, offering a delightful day out for dog owners and their canine companions. The upcoming event is scheduled for Saturday, 15 February 2025, at Memorial Park's Jordan Field, running from 9am to 12pm.

The event also features live music, agility demonstrations, food and beverage trucks, designated dog play areas, giveaways, and prizes. It's an excellent opportunity for dog owners to connect, learn, and enjoy a fun-filled morning with their pets.

Sat 15 2025 9am – 12pm.

Attendees can look forward to a variety of activities, including educational booths on microchipping. 

The Little Big Markets' Papamoa

The Little Big Markets' Papamoa Summer Series 2025 is a vibrant community event held at the Papamoa Pony Club, located at 491 Papamoa Beach Road, Papamoa. The markets are scheduled from 9.00am to 2.00pm on the following dates:

Attendees can explore a curated selection of stallholders offering unique artisanal goods, handcrafted items, and fresh produce. A highlight of the event is the diverse range of gourmet street food and food truck vendors, providing a variety of culinary delight.

The Little Big Markets' Papamoa Summer Series offers a unique opportunity to support local artisans, enjoy diverse food options, and engage with the community in a vibrant setting.

Sat Feb 15 2025 9.00am - 2:00p.m.

King Brothers (japan) with Alkasilka (japan)

The King Brothers, renowned for their high-energy performances, are set to electrify Mount Maunganui on Saturday, 15 February 2025. The event will take place at the Palace Bar, located at 217 Maunganui Road, with doors opening at 8:00 pm

The Mission House at The Elms | Te Papa Tauranga. Photo: Rosalie Liddle Crawford.

The Elms | Te Papa Tauranga in Mission St is open from 10am - 4pm. Come and view the Mission House and gardens. For more information click here

Love public art? CITY ART WALK TAURANGA app is a free to download walking tour of 20 public artworks in Tauranga's city centre. For more information click here

Diana Bomford, Tony Fraser and Hugh Bomford at the Lion and Tusk Museum at Mount Maunganui. Photo: Daniel Hines.

Have you been to the Lion and Tusk Museum yet? It's open today from 10am - 3pm at Unit 4, 14 Portside Dr, Mount Maunganui. Come and see a massive display of Rhodesian military history records and exhibits of uniforms, medals and equipment. Opening hours are 10am – 3pm Thursday to Sunday. For more information click here

Parking in downtown Tauranga today
Coming to join the downtown fun? You will find plenty of free weekend parking options in the city centre: 

• The Dive Crescent car park is close-by and you can walk along the shared pathway in the Northern Waterfront Reserve. 
• There are plenty of car parks in the Spring Street parking building and you can take a five to ten minute walk through the freshly ‘zhuzhed’ Red Square or recently opened Masonic Park.

Mobility parking  
Mobility car parks can be found in the Dive Crescent car park, along The Strand and in the Spring Street parking building. For more mobility parking options, check out the TCC website: www.tauranga.govt.nz/living/travel/parking/mobility-parking

Bike parking 
If you are biking in, you can find free bike parking at the Bikebox shelters located on The Strand opposite Hamilton Street and at 1 Devonport Road near Red Square. Each bike shelter provides weather protection for 10 bikes/scooters and are monitored by CCTV cameras.  
 
Toilets 
Public toilets are available on the Waterfront.