Looking for some school holiday fun? Join us for the Mini Winter Carnival at Mount Maunganui – two days of free family entertainment, exciting activities, and winter holiday magic.

Bring the kids down to Porotakataka Park and enjoy a vibrant carnival atmosphere packed with fun experiences, photo opportunities, and delicious treats. It's the perfect excuse to spend the day at the Mount, explore local shops, grab lunch, and make some unforgettable family memories.

What's On

10am - 2pm

Mini Jeep Rides

Kids can jump behind the wheel and take control of their very own mini jeep adventure. Our popular mini jeep track will be running throughout the event, giving young drivers the chance to cruise around a specially designed course.

10am – 2pm

Free Face Painting

Transform into your favourite character, animal, or superhero with free face painting from our talented artists.

12pm – 2pm

Superhero Meet & Greets

Keep an eye out for some very special visitors! Superheroes will be roaming the carnival, interacting with families, performing tricks, and posing for photos.

• Friday: Spiderman & Wonder Woman

• Saturday: Spiderman (Different Costume) & Super Woman

10am – 1pm

Giant Bubble Spectacular

Prepare to be amazed as professional bubble artists create enormous bubbles, interactive displays, and magical moments that kids and adults alike will love.

10am – 2pm

Sweet Treats

Treat yourself to carnival favourites including:

• Fresh Mini Donuts from Lil Orbits

• Fluffy Candy Floss from The Floss Factory

(Food vendors operate independently and charges apply.)

Event Information

• Free entry

• Family friendly

• Suitable for all ages

• No booking required

Gather the family and head to the Mount these school holidays for a fun-filled winter carnival experience.

Looking for some school holiday fun? Join us for the Mini Winter Carnival at Mount Maunganui – two days of free family entertainment, exciting activities, and winter holiday magic.

Bring the kids down to Porotakataka Park and enjoy a vibrant carnival atmosphere packed with fun experiences, photo opportunities, and delicious treats. It's the perfect excuse to spend the day at the Mount, explore local shops, grab lunch, and make some unforgettable family memories.

What's On

10am – 2pm

Mini Jeep Rides

Kids can jump behind the wheel and take control of their very own mini jeep adventure. Our popular mini jeep track will be running throughout the event, giving young drivers the chance to cruise around a specially designed course.

12pm – 2pm

Superhero Meet & Greets

Keep an eye out for some very special visitors! Superheroes will be roaming the carnival, interacting with families, performing tricks, and posing for photos.

• Friday: Spiderman & Wonder Woman

• Saturday: Spider-Man (different Costume) & Super Woman

10am – 2pm

Sweet Treats

Treat yourself to carnival favourites including:

• Fresh Mini Donuts from Lil Orbits

• Fluffy Candy Floss from The Floss Factory

(Food vendors operate independently and charges apply.)

Event Information

• Free entry

• Family friendly

• Suitable for all ages

• No booking required

Gather the family and head to the Mount these school holidays for a fun-filled winter carnival experience.

Matariki is a time of remembrance, reflection, and renewal — a moment in the year when we come together to honour those who have passed and to look ahead to the future.

Maumaharatanga ceremony offers a space for the Tauranga Moana community to gather in the early hours of the morning, to call the names of loved ones who have passed away, and to acknowledge them as we welcome the rising of Matariki. This shared moment of remembrance allows whānau to grieve, to reflect, and to stand together in support of one another.

This year, the ceremony carries particular significance for our community. Following the devastating landslides on Mauao and Welcome Bay in January 2026, which claimed lives and deeply impacted Tauranga Moana, this gathering becomes a space not only for personal remembrance, but for collective mourning and healing. It is a time to hold those affected in our thoughts, to acknowledge the weight of what our community has experienced, and to stand together in unity.

Matariki is a time to reset, to reconnect, and to carry forward the memories and legacies of those who have gone before us. This event is open to all. We encourage our community to come together in a spirit of aroha, kotahitanga, and maumaharatanga, as we acknowledge the past and step collectively into the year ahead.

Te Tāwharau o Ngā Waka, the National Secondary Schools Kapa Haka Competition, returns to Tauranga Moana from 30 June – 3 July 2026. Over 42 exceptional kapa haka rōpū from across Aotearoa will take the stage across three full days of pool competition, culminating in an electrifying Top 9 Finals Day where the nation’s teams compete for top honours.

Hosted in partnership with the iwi of Tauranga Moana, this iconic event brings thousands together to celebrate the power of rangatahi Māori, the beauty of te reo, and the richness of our cultural traditions. Expect world‑class performances, fierce competition, and an atmosphere filled with pride, unity, and mana.

Alongside the world‑class performances, enjoy a vibrant Māori markets village filled with authentic arts, crafts, taonga, and a delicious range of kai vendors serving favourites for the whole whānau. It’s a full cultural festival — alive with wairua, colour, and the heartbeat of our people.

Bring your whānau, your school, your rohe, and your voice. Come celebrate te reo Māori, kapa haka excellence, and the incredible talent of our rangatahi.

Te Tāwharau o Ngā Waka is one of Aotearoa’s most significant cultural events — a celebration not to be missed. Head to Ticketspace to get amongst this epic showcase of Kapa Haka, you will not be disappointed.

Te Tāwharau o Ngā Waka, the National Secondary Schools Kapa Haka Competition, returns to Tauranga Moana from 30 June – 3 July 2026. Over 42 exceptional kapa haka rōpū from across Aotearoa will take the stage across three full days of pool competition, culminating in an electrifying Top 9 Finals Day where the nation’s teams compete for top honours.

Hosted in partnership with the iwi of Tauranga Moana, this iconic event brings thousands together to celebrate the power of rangatahi Māori, the beauty of te reo, and the richness of our cultural traditions. Expect world‑class performances, fierce competition, and an atmosphere filled with pride, unity, and mana.

Alongside the world‑class performances, enjoy a vibrant Māori markets village filled with authentic arts, crafts, taonga, and a delicious range of kai vendors serving favourites for the whole whānau. It’s a full cultural festival — alive with wairua, colour, and the heartbeat of our people.

Bring your whānau, your school, your rohe, and your voice. Come celebrate te reo Māori, kapa haka excellence, and the incredible talent of our rangatahi.

Te Tāwharau o Ngā Waka is one of Aotearoa’s most significant cultural events — a celebration not to be missed. Head to Ticketspace to get amongst this epic showcase of Kapa Haka, you will not be disappointed.

Te Tāwharau o Ngā Waka, the National Secondary Schools Kapa Haka Competition, returns to Tauranga Moana from 30 June – 3 July 2026. Over 42 exceptional kapa haka rōpū from across Aotearoa will take the stage across three full days of pool competition, culminating in an electrifying Top 9 Finals Day where the nation’s teams compete for top honours.

Hosted in partnership with the iwi of Tauranga Moana, this iconic event brings thousands together to celebrate the power of rangatahi Māori, the beauty of te reo, and the richness of our cultural traditions. Expect world‑class performances, fierce competition, and an atmosphere filled with pride, unity, and mana.

Alongside the world‑class performances, enjoy a vibrant Māori markets village filled with authentic arts, crafts, taonga, and a delicious range of kai vendors serving favourites for the whole whānau. It’s a full cultural festival — alive with wairua, colour, and the heartbeat of our people.

Bring your whānau, your school, your rohe, and your voice. Come celebrate te reo Māori, kapa haka excellence, and the incredible talent of our rangatahi.

Te Tāwharau o Ngā Waka is one of Aotearoa’s most significant cultural events — a celebration not to be missed. Head to Ticketspace to get amongst this epic showcase of Kapa Haka, you will not be disappointed.

Te Tāwharau o Ngā Waka, the National Secondary Schools Kapa Haka Competition, returns to Tauranga Moana from 30 June – 3 July 2026. Over 42 exceptional kapa haka rōpū from across Aotearoa will take the stage across three full days of pool competition, culminating in an electrifying Top 9 Finals Day where the nation’s teams compete for top honours.

Hosted in partnership with the iwi of Tauranga Moana, this iconic event brings thousands together to celebrate the power of rangatahi Māori, the beauty of te reo, and the richness of our cultural traditions. Expect world‑class performances, fierce competition, and an atmosphere filled with pride, unity, and mana.

Alongside the world‑class performances, enjoy a vibrant Māori markets village filled with authentic arts, crafts, taonga, and a delicious range of kai vendors serving favourites for the whole whānau. It’s a full cultural festival — alive with wairua, colour, and the heartbeat of our people.

Bring your whānau, your school, your rohe, and your voice. Come celebrate te reo Māori, kapa haka excellence, and the incredible talent of our rangatahi.

Te Tāwharau o Ngā Waka is one of Aotearoa’s most significant cultural events — a celebration not to be missed. Head to Ticketspace to get amongst this epic showcase of Kapa Haka, you will not be disappointed.