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 fine day, but with the chance of an early morning, and late evening shower, and also easterlies.

It's a one-layer clothing day with an expected high of 23 degrees, and an overnight low of 14 degrees. High tide is at 7.42am and low tide is at 1.51pm. Sunset is at 7.14pm.

What's on today?

Waddle the Mount

Little blue penguins. Photo/Melissa McLuskie.

The first annual 'Waddle the Mount' is happening this morning from 9am - 11am. Come along for a penguin-themed charity fun-run around Mount Maunganui’s base track. Support the Kororā (little blue penguins) and the Western Bay Wildlife Trust. Dressing up is encouraged, with spot prizes up for grabs and free activities for the whole family.  

Starting on the grass outside the Mount Lifeguard service arrive, check in (to be entered in the spot prize draws) and show off your Penguin costume!  This is not a speed race, but there maybe some spot prizes for those who "Waddle" the fastest. $10 minimum donation per adult. Koha entry for kids 16 and under. For more information click here 

Racing starts at 6.30pm at Mercury Baypark Stadium. Photo/Supplied.

Join Baypark Speedway for a thrilling night you won’t want to miss! Get ready for an action-packed evening at Bay Mayhem – the Bay of Plenty Champs. Don’t miss the second-to-last Speedway event of the season, as the best drivers battle it out in the Superstock Rumble Stockcar Gold Cup.  Expect non-stop action, massive horsepower and family entertainment like no other.  Gates open at 4.30pm to Fanzone and racing starts at 6.30pm

George Manville,9, Bodhi Cavell, 16, and  Emma Manville, 11, at Destination Skatepark at Mount Maunganui. Photo / Brydie Thompson.

Top skateboarders from across New Zealand are competing in Mount Maunganui today at the 2025 National Skateboarding Championships at Destination Skatepark and Blake Park Vert ramp. Public use of the skatepark will be closed between 6am and 9pm today.

Parking is available at the Blake Park carpark, with mobility spaces outside Mount Sports Centre. An additional overflow parking lot will be available opposite the Hull Rd and Newton St intersection if required.

For those looking for alternative spots to skate, Tauranga offers a range of excellent skate facilities and pump tracks throughout the city. For more information go to: www.tauranga.govt.nz/exploring/facilities/skateparks-and-pump-tracks

The Incubator. Photo: Supplied.

At The Incubator Creative Hub at Tauranga Historic Village, there are many exhibitions, workshops and events happening daily. For more information click here.

For more events visit My Tauranga.

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

What else is on today?

Association Croquet
On Sat, Mon, & Wed. 9.15am for 9.30am start at Club Mt Maunganui, 45 Kawaka St. Visitors & new players welcome. Ph. Peter 07 5749232

Bay Singles Social Group
Join a bunch of over 50's young singles. Weekend dinner's, pot-lucks, occasional outings. Have a go! Ph Delia 027 284 8762, Andrea 021 133 0313

Beth-El Messianic Family
Celebrate Shabbat (Sabbath) as did Messiah Yeshua (Jesus), his disciples and early believers. All welcome. Lifezone -7-Oaklane-Judea-Tauranga 10am or Youtube Live @10am Joel 021768043 info@bethel.org.nz

BOP Annual Orchid Show
Friday 4th April and Saturday 5th. Te Puke Memorial Hall. Friday 10am-4pm. Saturday 10am-3pm. Excellent food available. Unique plants. Great raffles. Adults $3 children free. Eftpos available. All welcome.

BOP Annual Orchid Show
Te Puke Memorial Hall. Friday 10am-4pm. Saturday 10am-3pm. Excellent food available. Unique plants. Great raffles. Adults $3 children free. Eftpos available. All welcome.

Papamoa Playcentre Fundraising Gala
Saturday 1st March 10am-2pm, Simpson Reserve. Come along and enjoy a fun, family day out! There'll be games, bouncy castles, face painting, yummy food and more!

St Stephen's Jigsaw Library
Every Saturday 10am-12noon. Hire for 2 weeks a variety of 600 puzzles. Cnr of Brookfield and Highmore Terrace.

Tauranga Model Aircraft Club
Interested in flying model planes? Join us every weekend at TECT Park weather permitting between 10-3pm. Beginners welcome. Directions & webcam on our website www.taurangamodelfly.org