BayTrust

28/05/2026

🎶 Young voices are set to fill Tauranga this June!

The Big Sing: Waikato–Bay of Plenty Regional Festival returns on Thursday 11 June 2026, bringing together around 27 choirs from 16 secondary schools for a day of music, connection, and celebration.

BayTrust is proud to support this event through the Tauranga Western Bay Community Event Fund.

Read the full media release for event details, ticket information, and more below...

Tauranga is set to come alive with the sound of young voices as The Big Sing: Waikato–Bay of Plenty Regional Festival returns to the city on Thursday, 11 June 2026.Hosted at Holy Trinity Tauranga, the

10/05/2026

Warmer homes, healthier futures 🏡

Across the Bay of Plenty, thousands of homes are still too cold in winter. The 20 Degrees project, led by Sustainability Options, is helping change that with practical support to create warmer, drier, healthier homes.

With support from BayTrust, more than 2,500 homes have already been improved, with even more to come.

Small changes can make a big difference to health and wellbeing.

Read more 👉

Warmer Homes, Healthier Futures Within Reach

07/05/2026

🎶 YouthFest 2026 is coming to the Tauranga Waterfront! 🎶

Tauranga’s young people are taking centre stage this May, bringing music, creativity, and community together for an unforgettable afternoon.

Join them on Sunday 17 May, 1–4pm at the Tauranga Waterfront for YouthFest 2026 – a free, all-ages event celebrating the incredible talent of rangatahi across the Western Bay.

🌟 Live performances from emerging local artists and bands
🍔 Food trucks and festival vibes
📸 Photo booth, face painting, and interactive stalls
🤝 Connect with over 20 local youth organisations and opportunities

Organised by Youth Voices Action, YouthFest is more than just a music event – it’s a space for young people to connect, be inspired, and showcase their talents.

Bring your friends, whānau, and support the next generation of Tauranga talent 💛

📍 Tauranga Waterfront
📅 Sunday 17 May
⏰ 1:00pm – 4:00pm

Find out more: https://www.whatsontauranga.co.nz/event-details/tctl/24198_eventdetails/event/2675bf22-0b0d-48f8-a6a0-01ed3f4ba6ad

YouthFest 2026 - the ultimate celebration of young people’s talents, and creativity! Taking place on Sunday 17 May, YouthFest proudly kicks off Youth Week 2026, embracing this year’s theme: Our Voices Matter - We Deserve to Be Heard | Taringa whakarongo! Ki te reo o ngā taiohi! Designed by youn...

05/05/2026

A powerful Bay of Plenty story is coming to life through music 🎶

This May, Opus Orchestra brings The Journey of Mataatua to Tauranga, a moving concert opera that tells the true story of Mataatua Whare. A story of identity, loss, resilience and healing, shared through orchestral music, voices and visual imagery.

Performed at Baycourt Community & Arts Centre on Saturday 16 May, this special event connects deeply to our region, with roots in Whakatāne and strong ties to the local community.Alongside this powerful work, audiences will also experience Beethoven’s iconic “Emperor Concerto”, performed by renowned New Zealand pianist Stephen De Pledge.

Thanks to support from the Tauranga Western Bay Community Event Fund, tickets are designed to be accessible for all, including affordable options for children, students, seniors and families.

Live performances like this create meaningful shared experiences and lasting connections within our community. We’re proud to support events that bring people together and celebrate stories that matter.

Whether you’re a regular concertgoer or trying something new, this is a unique opportunity to experience world-class music right here in our region.

Find out more 👉

A powerful local story of identity, loss and healing will be brought to life through live orchestral music when Opus Orchestra performs The Journey of Mataatua in Tauranga this May.Taking place at Bay

03/05/2026

🏡 A safe place to land for Tauranga rangatahi

For some young people, home isn’t always a place where they feel safe, settled, or supported.

A new youth accommodation service at Arndt House in Brookfield is helping to change that. Operated by Bay of Plenty Youth Development Trust, the eight-bedroom home provides a safe, supportive environment for young people who need time away from challenging living situations.

With wrap-around support, mentoring, and life skills programmes, Arndt House offers more than just a place to stay. It creates space for young people to reset, build confidence, and take steps toward a more stable future.

👉 Read more below...

Safe Place to Land: New Youth Accommodation Opens

28/04/2026

🌱 We’re hiring!

Looking to build a career that makes a real difference in our community? We’re on the lookout for a Grants, Communications and Administration Advisor to join the BayTrust team.

This is a varied, hands-on role where no two days are the same. You’ll be supporting our grants programmes, working alongside community organisations, and helping share the impact of our work across the Bay of Plenty.

Based in Tauranga or Rotorua, this role is perfect for someone who is organised, people-focused, and keen to grow in the for-purpose sector.

At BayTrust, we’re committed to supporting thriving communities through funding initiatives across community wellbeing, housing, environment, and Māori development.

✨ What you’ll bring:
• Strong organisation and communication skills
• A passion for community impact
• Experience in admin, coordination, or communications
• A willingness to learn and grow

📍 Location: Tauranga or Rotorua
📅 Applications close: 6 May 2026

If you’re ready to make an impact, we’d love to hear from you.

👉 Apply now:

Find your ideal job at SEEK with 1 Baytrust job found in Tauranga Bay of Plenty. View all our Baytrust vacancies now with new jobs added daily!

28/04/2026

⏳ Funding closing soon in Whakatāne District ⏳

A reminder that applications are closing soon for several funding opportunities through Whakatāne District Council. If you’ve been thinking about applying, now’s the time to get it in.

🌿 Community Climate Action Fund
Delivered in partnership with Trust Horizon, this fund supports local projects taking real action on climate change.
🔗 https://whakatnedistrictcouncil-ce.cmail20.com/t/t-l-wikiiyk-tuiydludb-y/

🌱 Climate Youth Development Fund
Supporting rangatahi aged 14–24 to build skills and knowledge in climate-related areas.
🔗 https://whakatnedistrictcouncil-ce.cmail20.com/t/t-l-wikiiyk-tuiydludb-j/

🌊 Te Pūaha – Waterways and Marine Environment General Fund
For projects and events that care for and celebrate our waterways and marine environment.
🔗 https://whakatnedistrictcouncil-ce.cmail20.com/t/t-l-wikiiyk-tuiydludb-t/

🎨 Creative Communities Scheme
Supporting arts-focused projects including events, workshops, festivals, exhibitions and performances.
🔗 https://whakatnedistrictcouncil-ce.cmail20.com/t/t-l-wikiiyk-tuiydludb-i/

📅 Applications close Sunday, 3 May 2026

If you have questions, get in touch via 📧 [email protected]

Please share with your networks to help spread the word across the community.

27/04/2026

A new Coastguard facility is set to strengthen rescue capability along the Maketū coastline 🌊

From Pāpāmoa to Matatā, conditions can change quickly – especially at the Kaituna River bar. With growing coastal communities and more boats on the water, demand on the Maketū Volunteer Coastguard continues to rise.

Currently operating without a central base, volunteers often face delays responding to emergencies. A new purpose-built facility at Ford Road will bring everything together in one location, improving response times when every minute counts.

BayTrust is proud to support this vital project with a $50,000 contribution.

👉 Follow the link to read more about how this new facility will help keep our coastal communities safe.

New Coastguard Facility Strengthens Maketū’s Rescue Capability

24/04/2026

Local businesses looking to reduce costs and build resilience are invited to a free upcoming event hosted by Sustainable Business Network.

The Electrify Business roadshow is designed to help small and medium sized businesses take practical steps towards electrification, from solar and battery systems to electric vehicles and energy efficient heating. Attendees will hear from experts and gain clear, independent advice on how to get started.

📅 When: Wednesday, 29 April 2026, 8.30am to 11.00am
📍 Where: Devan Plastics, 102 Poturi Street, Tauriko, Tauranga

This is a great opportunity for businesses wanting to better understand how electrification can reduce costs, lower emissions, and strengthen long term sustainability.

👉 Register and find out more here:

Learn how to electrify your business to help you cut costs, improve efficiency and reduce your environmental impact.

23/04/2026

What does “move on” really mean if there’s nowhere to go?

A recent community-led event in Tauranga brought together over 150 people and local organisations to share their perspectives on proposed Move On Orders, highlighting concerns about the impact on people experiencing homelessness. ()

The message from the community is clear: lasting solutions come from support, housing, and connection, not displacement.

Read more and hear the voices behind the kōrero 👇

Tauranga community groups and local voices unite to oppose proposed Move On Orders. Read how 150+ attendees joined a day of action to support the homeless.