Celebrations for being named Choicest Suburb in New Zealand continue in Pāpāmoa this weekend with thousands of blue-iced cupcakes and cups of coffee being given away, courtesy of Bluehaven Group.

Pāpāmoa has been named Choicest Suburb in New Zealand for 2025 in Trade Me Property’s People’s Choice competition.

The celebration will take place at New World The Sands and local cafes Kneed and Pablo, offering a taste of what makes Pāpāmoa a sought-after place to live.

On Saturday and Sunday, March 8 and 9, from 8am to 2pm, New World The Sands will hand out 2000 cupcakes, while Kneed and Pablo will offer 1000 complimentary cups of coffee — one per person.

Once the free coffee runs out, both cafes will continue serving drinks at half-price with any food purchase.

Sunil Gaur, owner of Kneed Bakery at The Sands Pāpāmoa Beach. Photo/Supplied.

Kneed, known for its handcrafted pastries and gourmet baked delicacies, will serve Allpress Espresso coffee during the event.

Kneed manager Renee Ball is excited to showcase the local business scene.

“We’re looking forward to showing people how amazing some of the businesses are here and what’s to come.

“It’s valuable having shops here, so come and see what’s happening in the future in Pāpāmoa East. Check out the amazing vibes and incredible food on offer.”

New World The Sands owner/operator Mark Troup-Paul is looking forward to the weekend celebration.

“As a locally owned and operated business, we are incredibly proud to be part of this amazing community and celebrating all things Pāpāmoa.

“With a focus on locally sourced and freshly made in-store products by our in-store butchers, bakers and chefs, we aim to give our customers an awesome experience every time.”

Shopping at The Sands Pāpāmoa Beach is easy with 290 parks and flat access into all stores. Photo taken December 2024. Photo/Bluehaven Group.

The Sands Pāpāmoa Beach is home to a growing number of retail and food offerings, with more businesses expected to open in 2026.

In addition to New World The Sands, Kneed and Pablo, the area also features Anytime Fitness, Ali Baba’s House, Pizza Hut, Glo Laser & Aesthetics, and Hello Sushi.

Trade Me Property’s entry describing Pāpāmoa emphasised its “small-scale urban vibe, vibrant coffee culture, abundant amenities, and natural beauty” as key factors in its appeal.

“Pāpāmoa truly offers the best of both worlds,” the entry read.

Trade Me Property celebrated the Choicest Suburb award with the Pāpāmoa Backyard Bash at the Pāpāmoa Surf Life Saving Club on February 28.

Tauranga City Councillor Steve Morris expressed his pride in the win.

“Thank you, Trade Me Property, for acknowledging what we’ve known all along – that Pāpāmoa is New Zealand’s choicest suburb.”

Tauranga City Councillor Steve Morris at the Trade Me Property celebration of the Choicest Suburb award at the Pāpāmoa Surf Life Saving Club on February 28, 2025. Photo/Supplied.

The competition, which attracted more than 130,000 votes, also recognised other categories such as Choicest Playground, Dairy, Public Toilet, Bush, Landmark, and Local Legend.

“Over the past few months, it has been fantastic to see Kiwis really rally together, sharing and supporting their favourite spots in Aotearoa,” a Trade Me Property spokesperson said.

The competition for the Choicest Suburb was hotly contested, with Morrinsville and Southshore also in the running.

The original entry into the competition was titled “Life’s a beach in Tauranga boomtown”.

Ultimately, Pāpāmoa triumphed, with Trade Me Property describing the suburb as “New Zealand’s answer to the Gold Coast”.

“With its long, white sandy beaches, the Pāpāmoa Hills Regional Park and shopping hubs like Pāpāmoa Plaza, there’s something for everyone.”

The Choicest Suburb award from Trade Me Property.

With a population of 37,800, Pāpāmoa is Tauranga’s largest and fastest-growing suburb.

As of January 2025, the average asking price for a property in Pāpāmoa is $976,200. The area’s development continues, with the $1 billion town centre, The Sands, currently under construction in Pāpāmoa East.

Nathan York from Bluehaven Group, the developers behind The Sands, expressed his enthusiasm for the award.

“At Bluehaven Group, we have a passion for Pāpāmoa, or Pāpādise as it’s known by locals, and we were thrilled with last week’s announcement from Trade Me.

“Thanks to everyone who voted and commented on what makes this place so special to you. If you’re new to Tauranga or you haven’t visited Pāpāmoa in a while, please come east to visit and experience everything that makes this the choicest suburb in New Zealand,” York said.

Voters were effusive in their praise of Pāpāmoa:

“Pāpāmoa is a great place to bring up kids, close to the beach, fantastic, relaxed shopping centres, and lots of great coffee places.”

“We call it Pāpādise - great community, great weather.”

“Pāpāmoa has a fabulous community, helpful, great atmosphere, fantastic weather and the beach. Our dogs get free run on this beach daily.”

“A small-town vibe with a chilled-out crew, where every corner feels fresh and new.”

Pāpāmoa Beach, April 2024. Photo: Rosalie Liddle Crawford/SunLive.

Bay of Plenty MP and Pāpāmoa resident Tom Rutherford also celebrated the award.

“This just reaffirms what we already know – that Pāpāmoa is an amazing suburb.

“There’s a lot of exciting growth happening, and The Sands town centre developed by Bluehaven Group has been an incredible success for Pāpāmoa East since opening last year.

“It’s great to have local stores and amenities in our community and we’re excited to see what Stage 2 and 3 next year have in store, as well as the future development of the area.”

For more information about the weekend’s celebration, click here.