Te Tira Toiere - Waiata Wenerei 2026

Nau Mai - Tomo Mai - Waiata Mai. Sing along to your favourite Waiata Māori: local anthems, waiata Matariki, and some old-school throwbacks. Lyrics provided. Led by Jeremy Hantler of local legends The Harmonic Resonators and supported by the Waiata Wēnerei crew from Tauranga City Council.

Afterschool Sew Love Club

This is your opportunity to learn to sew, flex your creativity, have some fun crafting and take home some special, unique items and garments, made by you! Each session we will have a special project to work on (patterns and fabrics included). If you'd like to work on a project that takes longer you can use these sessions for extra help on that journey. All sewing levels welcome! Sarah Sew Love is a self-proclaimed “hype girl for YOUR sustainable sewing journey”! She’s been sewing, blogging, gramming and teaching sewing for over 10 years through her sewcial enterprise Sew Love and she’s now calling Tauranga home. Sarah’s known for popping up workshops all over NZ; alongside markets, conferences, schools, community houses & recycle centres to share her passion for sewing skills and sustainable living. “DIYing the reusables we need, repairing the things we love, embracing sewing slow and sewing together with others - it all makes our lives more special!” In recent years she’s mostly known for her sellout upcycled scrap bum bags and dancing around on instagram but hosting workshops is her homebase of happiness. Rest assured the energy is just the same in real life so come join one of her workshops this winter in our Social Fabric room. With big smiles and rainbow fabric scraps, her workshops always provide a safe space and encouragement for everyone’s creativity and self-expression through sewing. Check out Sarah's website - www.sewlove.nz and be sure to follow her on Instagram - @sewlovenz and Facebook - Sew Love.

Hot Pink Walk 2026

The iconic Hot Pink Walk returns! Join the celebration as we paint the town pink. Every year, thousands of people come together for the Hot Pink Walk, dressed in every shade of pink and sporting creative, fun, and sometimes outrageous costumes, all in support of local people facing breast cancer. This easy 3.5km walk meanders through Tauranga's city centre, with lively entertainment hotspots along the route. Gather back for entertainment from local band Kokomo and win spot prizes.

Filament

A light installation that will absorb and awe you. A dense field of black fibreglass rods forms a quiet, gridded volume activated by laser light and spatial sound. As beams cut through the structure, they catch on thousands of fine surfaces, revealing shifting planes, flickers, and moments of interference that feel both digital and organic. The rigid geometry begins to dissolve, appearing to ripple, breathe, and reconfigure in real time. With an enveloping surround soundscape, Filament becomes an immersive field rather than a fixed object, drawing audiences into a space where light behaves like a material and structure becomes atmosphere. It explores the tension between order and emergence, transforming a precise matrix into something soft, unstable, and quietly alive.

Tāne Rore

Bold. Bilingual. Beautifully Māori. An extraordinary theatrical experience that will shimmer in your bones and ignite the fire within. Tāne Rore is a critically acclaimed bilingual theatre work inspired by the Māori atua of performing arts that weaves together haka, waiata, poetry, movement and heartfelt storytelling in a theatrical experience unlike any other.

Filament

A light installation that will absorb and awe you. A dense field of black fibreglass rods forms a quiet, gridded volume activated by laser light and spatial sound. As beams cut through the structure, they catch on thousands of fine surfaces, revealing shifting planes, flickers, and moments of interference that feel both digital and organic. The rigid geometry begins to dissolve, appearing to ripple, breathe, and reconfigure in real time. With an enveloping surround soundscape, Filament becomes an immersive field rather than a fixed object, drawing audiences into a space where light behaves like a material and structure becomes atmosphere. It explores the tension between order and emergence, transforming a precise matrix into something soft, unstable, and quietly alive.

Tāne Rore

Bold. Bilingual. Beautifully Māori. An extraordinary theatrical experience that will shimmer in your bones and ignite the fire within. Tāne Rore is a critically acclaimed bilingual theatre work inspired by the Māori atua of performing arts that weaves together haka, waiata, poetry, movement and heartfelt storytelling in a theatrical experience unlike any other.

Spritz Friday - Trinity Wharf Tauranga

Golden hour on the deck plus your favourite spritz in hand equals the perfect Friday. Join us as Spritz Fridays return to Trinity Wharf this October! Enjoy live music, waterfront views, bar snacks available, and a full menu of delicious spritzes to choose from including the iconic Aperol. See you there!

Hoani Hotene: It’s getting Hot-ene, So Tell Me All Your Jokes

WINNER 2025 Billy T Award. Hoani Hotene (Ngāti Hauā) brings his Billy T Award winning show to town for this year's Tauranga Arts Festival. The world's heating up, going wild, and Hoani Hotene is trying to get through it all with what…? Jokes? Yep. Growing up in a kura kaupapa, Hoani comes with different lens on Aotearoa and everything that’s going on. He’s here asking big questions about politics, religion, and breakfast.

Filament

A light installation that will absorb and awe you. A dense field of black fibreglass rods forms a quiet, gridded volume activated by laser light and spatial sound. As beams cut through the structure, they catch on thousands of fine surfaces, revealing shifting planes, flickers, and moments of interference that feel both digital and organic. The rigid geometry begins to dissolve, appearing to ripple, breathe, and reconfigure in real time. With an enveloping surround soundscape, Filament becomes an immersive field rather than a fixed object, drawing audiences into a space where light behaves like a material and structure becomes atmosphere. It explores the tension between order and emergence, transforming a precise matrix into something soft, unstable, and quietly alive.

Tiri: Te Araroa Woman Far Walking

An extraordinary mapping of Aotearoa New Zealand through the eyes of Te Tiriti o Waitangi Mahana. Creator of the acclaimed The Haka Party Incident, Katie Wolfe (Ngāti Mutunga, Ngāti Tama), in association with Auckland Theatre Company, directs this epic tale of Tiri Mahana, a 186-year-old matriarch, from her birth at the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi to present-day Aotearoa. This bilingual retelling written by Witi Ihimaera (Te Whānau a Kai, Ngāti Porou), Katie Wolfe, Maioha Allen and Tā Haare Williams is drawn from the original play Woman Far Walking by Witi Ihimaera. With award-winning actors Miriama McDowell (Ngāti Hine, Ngāpuhi) and Nī Dekkers-Reihana (Ngāpuhi, Te Rarawa, Ngāti Porou), audiences are invited into a world where Tiri wants us all to remember that the good things, the right things in life, are worth fighting for. The play will be performed in both English and te reo Māori.

How will I ever get through this? Dr Lucy Hone

Loss is the price we pay for love and attachment. It floors us. It leaves its mark upon us, changing us irrevocably. As humans we are hardwired for connection, yet we live in a world of impermanence. We grieve people, places, possessions, projects and status. All types of loss can trigger the grief response – not just death. – Dr Lucy Hone Join world-renowned Dr Lucy Hone, who has first-hand experience of living with great loss, for an exploration of the tools we can all learn to cope with grief; not just death, but divorce, infertility, miscarriage, childlessness, illness, redundancy, dementia … any other of life’s painful shifts and changes. Chaired by Kathryn Lellman. “Lucy’s insights are practical, wise and deeply human – they stay with you long after you read them.” – Chelsea Pottenger, author of The Mindful High Performer

Money, Money, Money! Mary Holm and Susan Edmunds

On the cusp of the 2026 general election two personal finance experts come together to discuss the stuff that rules the world … money. How might a change in government affect your finances? What tips and tools do we have to make the most of what we’ve got now and in the future? Mary Holm ONZM is one of Aotearoa’s most trusted personal finance experts with a Q & A column in the Weekend Herald and regular appearances on RNZ. Her books include Rich Enough? A Laidback Guide for Every Kiwi, and A Richer You: How to Make the Most of Your Money. Susan Edmunds is RNZ’s personal finance correspondent and author of From Renter to Owner: Practical, Innovative Ways to Buy Your First Home, and Your Kiwisaver Questions, Answered. Come armed with all your cash-related questions!

Hinengaro’s Way: Dr Hinemoa Elder

In her latest best-selling and perceptive book, Ara, Dr Hinemoa Elder MNZM (Te Aupōuri, Ngāti Kurī, Te Rarawa, Ngāi Takoto, Ngāpuhi nui tonu) introduces us to Hinengaro, the Māori goddess of the mind, who leads us through 23 rua, caves, into the depths of Papatūānuku, our earth mother, and back to the surface again. Join Dr Elder with artist, designer, facilitator, educator and creative advocate Arohanoa Mathews (Ngāi Te Rangi, Ngāti Ranginui) for an invaluable insight into how Hinengaro’s wisdom can help us bolster our wellbeing, face life challenges, navigate chaos, build resilience and work our way through the complexities of our own minds. A must-attend event for anyone looking for inspiration, comfort and solidarity in an uncertain time. “Dr Hinemoa Elder’s books beautifully complement her own work within hauora and whānau, with reflections on our traditions, that provide reference and relevance to our present and future – “kia whakatōmuri te haere whakamua”.” – Dame Hinewehi Mohi

Home Again with Jon Toogood

Tauranga Arts Festival is thrilled to welcome Aotearoa legend Jon Toogood, frontman of iconic band Shihad, lead singer of The Adults and author of memoir, Home Again. In this special event Toogood will talk with arts and culture writer Karl Puschmann, who worked with him on the book, about his early music-obsessed years in Wellington, the formation of a band that would become a culture force, a career travelling the world making music, meeting heroes, and composing electrifying songs. Alongside great success there were also mistakes, struggles with anxiety and the moments that forced Jon to confront who he was beyond the stage – this conversation will cover it all. Don’t miss this intimate, one-off chance to hear from an iconic kiwi and rock legend.

Werewolf

Recommended for ages 12+ “Attention: Multiple new occurrences are now confirmed and verified. Healthy citizens must report to their safehouses by sunset and shelter in place.” A lycanthropy outbreak has begun. A seven-day lockdown is declared over an emergency broadcast, and you have been summoned to the local shelter, where three ill-equipped wardens keep watch over a makeshift community that must learn to work together. But as the threat outside takes shape, the atmosphere inside begins to turn.

Whai v Mainland Pouakai

Catch your 2026 Whai Women's team in action in Tauihi 2026. NZ's premier Women's Basketball comp. Rapid League Tip off 6:30pm Tauihi Tip off 7:30pm

Filament

A light installation that will absorb and awe you. A dense field of black fibreglass rods forms a quiet, gridded volume activated by laser light and spatial sound. As beams cut through the structure, they catch on thousands of fine surfaces, revealing shifting planes, flickers, and moments of interference that feel both digital and organic. The rigid geometry begins to dissolve, appearing to ripple, breathe, and reconfigure in real time. With an enveloping surround soundscape, Filament becomes an immersive field rather than a fixed object, drawing audiences into a space where light behaves like a material and structure becomes atmosphere. It explores the tension between order and emergence, transforming a precise matrix into something soft, unstable, and quietly alive.

The Gee Spot - Halloween Edition!

The Gee Spot is a drag night that champions queer talent from all over the country! Join us for a chaos filled night of fabulous performances, hilarious games, and an after-party that will have you dancing all night long! Our Halloween edition promises to have you screaming for more! You don't want to miss this one.

Werewolf

Recommended for ages 12+ “Attention: Multiple new occurrences are now confirmed and verified. Healthy citizens must report to their safehouses by sunset and shelter in place.” A lycanthropy outbreak has begun. A seven-day lockdown is declared over an emergency broadcast, and you have been summoned to the local shelter, where three ill-equipped wardens keep watch over a makeshift community that must learn to work together. But as the threat outside takes shape, the atmosphere inside begins to turn.

All the little (and big) beasts!

Cass and the Beast by Claire Mabey and illustrated by Jill Calder is a sumptuous celebration of bravery, beauty … and beasts! In this interactive workshop we’ll design our own fearsome beasts with secrets. Come along for beastly drawings, a live reading of the book, and a spot of adventure. Suitable for ages 4+

The Roots of Resilience

How do we keep on keeping on through the rollercoaster of life? We’re in a chaotic world at a chaotic time politically, economically, environmentally and maybe even personally. Join resilience experts Dr Lucy Hone, writer Natalie Hampshire* (author of Endo Empathy), and iconic musician Jon Toogood for a kōrero about how they personally navigate ups and downs and what tools they’ve gathered to help ride out turbulence, overcome anxiety, live with grief, find the light in the dark. How can creativity, knowledge and science help us all? Chaired by Kimberley Kearney (Ngāti Maniapoto, Tūhoe), author of The Lost Words. *Please note, Natalie Hampshire replaces Kalou Koefoed as previously advertised.

The Nowhere Boy: Anne Cleary

“A gripping debut, fast-paced and wonderfully tense” - Josie Shapiro Winner of the Allen & Unwin fiction prize 2025 A child disappears in broad daylight—and no one sees a thing… This is the premise of Anne Cleary’s first, already award-winning crime novel taking Aotearoa by storm.

Find The Lost Words

The Lost Words by Kimberley Kearney (Ngāti Maniapoto, Tūhoe) and illustrated by Taylor Terewai Tiave (Ngāpuhi) is a spellbinding story of recovering treasures that have been lost. In this interactive sessions, find the kupu hidden around the library and put them together with Kimberley’s help. There will be a live reading of the pukapuka, too! Suitable for ages 4+

The Valley: Asher Emanuel

‘This is journalism at its finest – immersive, meticulous, honest and brave. Asher Emanuel brings the messy, gritty, unfair, uneven, imprecise human reality of the criminal justice system into the light. A unique and important new book for Aotearoa New Zealand.’ – Rebecca Macfie Asher Emanuel’s The Valley is one of the best-selling non-fiction books of the year and a landmark publication for Aotearoa. The book follows three Hutt Valley men through courtrooms, prison, hospital, rehab, boarding houses and welfare offices. With them went Asher Emanuel who, over more than two years, compiled extensive field research and hundreds of hours of interviews to craft this up-close and personal account. The result is an essential read that brings the realities of the New Zealand criminal justice system to life through the voices of those who experience it first-hand. Join Asher with NZME’s open justice journalist Hannah Bartlett for behind-the-scenes of this remarkable piece of work and its impact so far.

Filament

A light installation that will absorb and awe you. A dense field of black fibreglass rods forms a quiet, gridded volume activated by laser light and spatial sound. As beams cut through the structure, they catch on thousands of fine surfaces, revealing shifting planes, flickers, and moments of interference that feel both digital and organic. The rigid geometry begins to dissolve, appearing to ripple, breathe, and reconfigure in real time. With an enveloping surround soundscape, Filament becomes an immersive field rather than a fixed object, drawing audiences into a space where light behaves like a material and structure becomes atmosphere. It explores the tension between order and emergence, transforming a precise matrix into something soft, unstable, and quietly alive.

Kawhe Whawhe

Nau kake mai, nau haere mai ki te Kawhe-whawhe! He reo Māori tāu? Kei te kimi koe I tētahi wahi anō ki te kōrero Māori? Koinei te kauapa tika māu!

Digital Drop-in: Tauranga

Have you got a digital dilemma? Having trouble with your mobile phone, email or other technology? Come along to one of our weekly Digital Drop-in sessions for some friendly help. Bring in your device for help with basic trouble shooting, email queries, navigating the internet, downloading apps and accessibility features.

Draw Squad Term 4 Tauranga

Tuesdays in Term 4 in Tauranga Come and have some fun exploring different drawing techniques, a variety of mediums and heaps of new creative ideas. For ages 10–13 years, of all abilities. Draw Squad is a great place to be creative with your friends. All that is needed is a love of drawing and an enthusiasm to learn new skills and make some new cool creative friends too!

Wild City Trail

Calling all explorers! Are you ready for an adventure? Nine local animals are hiding around Grey Street and they’re waiting for you to find them all! Grab a pencil, print the activity sheet and set off on a fun family trail through the city centre.

Literary Lunchtimes: Endo Empathy author talk

Join us at Red Square Books to celebrate the launch of local author Natalie Hampshire's book, Endo Empathy. Pop along on your lunchbreak for an opportunity to hear Natalie speak about her journey with endometriosis and how it led her to writing Endo Empathy. Books will be available for purchase and Natalie will be doing signings.

Tauranga Moana Race Against Family Violence

Fun races. Family fun. A serious message. Join us for the Tauranga Moana Race Against Family Violence — a fun community day bringing people together to raise awareness and stand against family violence. Fun races for:

Portuguese Language Week: Children's Cultural Morning with Gisela de Castro

Celebrate Brazilian Culture and Portuguese Language Week! Join us for fun workshops and a storytelling session in Portuguese. Children will create their own books and build traditional Brazilian percussion shakers. The activities conclude with a mini-Carnaval performance featuring musicians Ed Rizzi and Paulo Brayner. Timetable as follows: