March 13, 2026 • 8 mins
"It’s been three years since I was last in Tauranga and it’s so uplifting to see cranes in the sky, the glossy sheen of brand-new buildings, and the civic centre’s sure-footed makeover taking shape. Fresh and inviting public spaces are continuing to unfurl across the Te Papa peninsula and waterfront. After paying my regards to the delightful Hairy Maclary and friends sculptures adorning the fabulously enticing children’s playground on Tauranga’s waterfront in a story book setting, I checked out The Strand Reserve and waterfront boardwalk. It has immeasurably enhanced the city centre’s sense of connection with Tauranga Harbour. There’s a great new sense of art-filled vitality sprouting in the city centre. A starring specimen in Red Square is the stunning public sculpture called Rauhea."
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Speaker 1 (00:07):
You're listening to the Saturday Morning with Jack team podcast
from news talks.
Speaker 2 (00:11):
At be mikeyd These are travel corresponding Good morning, Good
morning Jack. How are you feeling about this evening pre
a bit of a tenth week in the Crusaders camp?
Speaker 1 (00:22):
Make Oh? I know, yes, I think we've all felt
like I'm indulging in a burst of fisticuffs. I'll tell
you what, Jack, If we can't beat the Highlanders tonight,
I think we should take up croquet.
Speaker 2 (00:34):
No, come on, come on, the Highlands are good. They've
been playing.
Speaker 1 (00:40):
You really need to win.
Speaker 2 (00:41):
Yeah, you don't really need to win. I don't really
need to win.
Speaker 1 (00:43):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (00:44):
Anyway, Hey, we are focusing on things further north this morning,
the bites and sights that have taken your fancy in
Toading and the city center is very much in ma
makeover mode and toding are at the moment. So how's
it shaping up?
Speaker 1 (00:58):
Well, it's been three years since I was lasting tote
on a Jack, and it's just so uplifting to see
cranes in the sky. I just think that's always a
really good vibe. The glossy sheen of so many brand
new buildings in the CBD, and then you've got the
Civic Precincts wider makeover steadily taking shape. So it's all
a colossal work in progress, but some huge improvements are
(01:23):
already so apparent, Like the CPD just does not feel
tired or neglected or tatty anymore, and there must be
some serious mullah being invested, both privately and publicly. But
whether you're on the Strand Waterfront or if you take
a stroll down Devenport Road the main Drag, it just
(01:43):
feels so fresh and inviting. And the thing that really
stood out for me Jack also was the art. A
lot of installations, you know, big sculptures, and that just
sort of adds to that sense of vitality.
Speaker 2 (01:55):
Oh nice. So what's recently opened?
Speaker 1 (01:58):
Yeah, well, the major public works in the Civic Precinct
will be sort of given staggered openings over the next
two years. But the new boy in town is Toy Toadunger,
which is the transformed art gallery that opened three months ago.
I had a look through it a couple of weeks ago.
It is just such a gorgeously refreshed space. The thing
(02:19):
that blows you're when you first walk in is this
soaring cathedral like Atrium gallery, so it can host some
really big boy exhibitions. And they've got this quite quirky
exhibition on there at the moment. Jack. It's an augmented
reality exhibition delving into the origins of Maldi carving and
(02:39):
it's all been inspired by the way lavae burrow through wood.
It sounds wacky, but with this ar technology they've tricked
it up with it is just so absorbing. The kids
love it. So Yeah, the city's magnificent new museum and library.
They will open and do course, but I came away thinking, gee,
(03:01):
next to say, post quake christ Church in terms of
an urban reb build totong, it would be the next biggest,
you know, mega transformation that I can think of a
New Zealand. It really is quite colossal.
Speaker 2 (03:14):
Yeah nice, Okay for a dollop of history across Tipapper Peninsula,
you've got a good walking to it to recommend.
Speaker 1 (03:22):
Oh my goodness, I would highly recommend you spend a
few hours taking a guided hikoy with Les Millard. He
runs Mana Maldi Experiences and we just casually hopscotched our
way through a treasury of landmark sites across to Papa,
starting with the Elms Mission House, and it's incredibly gorgeous grounds.
There's just so much pre and post colonial history steeped
(03:46):
on that site. Obviously gate par beaches, as do all
sorts of hidden gems that Les will take you through
across the peninsula. But he's absolutely enthralling, and he just
seems to unpeel the backstory of Tapapa with such grace,
intact and what it is really I must do nice.
Speaker 2 (04:09):
That sounds really good. How's the mount feeling and looking
in the wake of January's tragedy?
Speaker 1 (04:15):
Yes? Well, Interestingly, Les was one of the leading elders
who led those cut here each morning during the recovery efforts.
I had a really big chat to them about the
whole mount vibe, and I mean, there is no denying
that the landslide has tinged the mount with this sort
of residual ache. You kind of feel it when you
go there. There's like a heaviness, a real heavy sense
(04:38):
of sadness. It's still quite raw. But despite that, I mean,
it's such an irresistible pocket of New Zealand. There's no
forgetting about that. You know, it's such a blessed place
and what really struck me, Jack, when I was there
a fortnight ago. So many young international tourists who were
adding their own spontaneous tributes to that public wall of
(05:00):
messages just in front of the mount. So they are
struck by it. And you are really confronted when you
see up close that brutal scar at the base of Moaw,
you know where the lower slope so fatally gave way.
It is quite quite confronting. But yeah, for all the sadness,
(05:20):
don't forget about the mount. It is. It is an
out of the box place. Yeah.
Speaker 2 (05:24):
How the businesses they're doing are they still doing it tough?
Speaker 1 (05:28):
Yeah, well that's something that was on my mind. And
the road excess is still restricted on parts of Adam's air,
but it is open on foot. And I was actually
quite eager to support some of those local businesses that
were so heavily impacted by the cordon. So two specimens.
I would suggest Rustica Pizzeria. They are a delight. They
(05:48):
have this seventy two hour Sado base anchoring their pizzas.
And I know you don't cheer my fetish for fun
guy Jack Tame, but I would highly recommend the Tatoo
Fatah pizza which is slathered in mozzarella, roasted mushrooms and
this will please use smoked Papa rica. So it's quite
a zesty pizza. And then right next door you've got
(06:11):
to go to Copenhagen Cones. This is that shop that
has such a seductive pull because of it's aroma of
those waffle cones. It attracts people for miles. But I
actually had a snow good the jack. I've never had
a snow gird, so that's yeah, go on, what do
you think it is?
Speaker 2 (06:33):
Is it like is it like a you know, like
a crushed ice but done with yogurt.
Speaker 1 (06:40):
You're nearly there. It's half snow freeze, half yogurts.
Speaker 2 (06:43):
Okay, Oh yeah, yeah that sounds great.
Speaker 1 (06:46):
Presumably sweeter as in mine. Yeah, very sweet.
Speaker 2 (06:52):
Yeah, that sounds amazing. So what would you like any
other like little spots around there for great niche.
Speaker 1 (06:58):
Yeah, a couple of things are for sheer, culinary, for
ness and theta. I would strongly suggest taking a seat
at the kitchen bar counter at Celera. They're on Manganui
Road and they're chefs. They're just wizards and they love
playing for a you know, to the audience, the chef's
men you experience at Celera. It is superb, but you've
(07:19):
got to go really really hungry to do it justice.
But there were some amazing dishes they served jack things
like tuna capaccio with these really small icy cucumber cubes
on top of the tuna. It was amazing. And then
but a buffalo could on top of that. And also
poached at gemfish, which is probably better known as kingfish,
(07:43):
but gemfish with turmerica, fenela and chorizo, just really good flavors.
Speaker 2 (07:47):
And is is a Kai still popular?
Speaker 1 (07:51):
Oh yeah, this is such a cool place. And I
mean it's a village in toto On. Liz's son runs
Isakai and they have fostered such a red red hot
reputation because it's Maori Japanese fugere and quisine, and the
sheer plates are so goddamn good, things like creamed power
(08:13):
and prawn dumplings with cauliflower, puro crispy Charlotte spring onions
and chili. It is just fabulous.
Speaker 2 (08:21):
That sounds fantastic. Okay, great, Hey, thank you very much, Mike.
Really really good to have those tips for Mike's Top
Bites and sites. And toading, and will make sure that
all of his tips and advice and hot spots are
up on the News Talks.
Speaker 1 (08:33):
He'd be website for more from Saturday Morning with Jack Tame.
Listen live to news Talks he'd be from nine am Saturday,
or follow the podcast on iHeartRadio
You're listening to the Saturday Morning with Jack team podcast
from news talks.
Speaker 2 (00:11):
At be mikeyd These are travel corresponding Good morning, Good
morning Jack. How are you feeling about this evening pre
a bit of a tenth week in the Crusaders camp?
Speaker 1 (00:22):
Make Oh? I know, yes, I think we've all felt
like I'm indulging in a burst of fisticuffs. I'll tell
you what, Jack, If we can't beat the Highlanders tonight,
I think we should take up croquet.
Speaker 2 (00:34):
No, come on, come on, the Highlands are good. They've
been playing.
Speaker 1 (00:40):
You really need to win.
Speaker 2 (00:41):
Yeah, you don't really need to win. I don't really
need to win.
Speaker 1 (00:43):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (00:44):
Anyway, Hey, we are focusing on things further north this morning,
the bites and sights that have taken your fancy in
Toading and the city center is very much in ma
makeover mode and toding are at the moment. So how's
it shaping up?
Speaker 1 (00:58):
Well, it's been three years since I was lasting tote
on a Jack, and it's just so uplifting to see
cranes in the sky. I just think that's always a
really good vibe. The glossy sheen of so many brand
new buildings in the CBD, and then you've got the
Civic Precincts wider makeover steadily taking shape. So it's all
a colossal work in progress, but some huge improvements are
(01:23):
already so apparent, Like the CPD just does not feel
tired or neglected or tatty anymore, and there must be
some serious mullah being invested, both privately and publicly. But
whether you're on the Strand Waterfront or if you take
a stroll down Devenport Road the main Drag, it just
(01:43):
feels so fresh and inviting. And the thing that really
stood out for me Jack also was the art. A
lot of installations, you know, big sculptures, and that just
sort of adds to that sense of vitality.
Speaker 2 (01:55):
Oh nice. So what's recently opened?
Speaker 1 (01:58):
Yeah, well, the major public works in the Civic Precinct
will be sort of given staggered openings over the next
two years. But the new boy in town is Toy Toadunger,
which is the transformed art gallery that opened three months ago.
I had a look through it a couple of weeks ago.
It is just such a gorgeously refreshed space. The thing
(02:19):
that blows you're when you first walk in is this
soaring cathedral like Atrium gallery, so it can host some
really big boy exhibitions. And they've got this quite quirky
exhibition on there at the moment. Jack. It's an augmented
reality exhibition delving into the origins of Maldi carving and
(02:39):
it's all been inspired by the way lavae burrow through wood.
It sounds wacky, but with this ar technology they've tricked
it up with it is just so absorbing. The kids
love it. So Yeah, the city's magnificent new museum and library.
They will open and do course, but I came away thinking, gee,
(03:01):
next to say, post quake christ Church in terms of
an urban reb build totong, it would be the next biggest,
you know, mega transformation that I can think of a
New Zealand. It really is quite colossal.
Speaker 2 (03:14):
Yeah nice, Okay for a dollop of history across Tipapper Peninsula,
you've got a good walking to it to recommend.
Speaker 1 (03:22):
Oh my goodness, I would highly recommend you spend a
few hours taking a guided hikoy with Les Millard. He
runs Mana Maldi Experiences and we just casually hopscotched our
way through a treasury of landmark sites across to Papa,
starting with the Elms Mission House, and it's incredibly gorgeous grounds.
There's just so much pre and post colonial history steeped
(03:46):
on that site. Obviously gate par beaches, as do all
sorts of hidden gems that Les will take you through
across the peninsula. But he's absolutely enthralling, and he just
seems to unpeel the backstory of Tapapa with such grace,
intact and what it is really I must do nice.
Speaker 2 (04:09):
That sounds really good. How's the mount feeling and looking
in the wake of January's tragedy?
Speaker 1 (04:15):
Yes? Well, Interestingly, Les was one of the leading elders
who led those cut here each morning during the recovery efforts.
I had a really big chat to them about the
whole mount vibe, and I mean, there is no denying
that the landslide has tinged the mount with this sort
of residual ache. You kind of feel it when you
go there. There's like a heaviness, a real heavy sense
(04:38):
of sadness. It's still quite raw. But despite that, I mean,
it's such an irresistible pocket of New Zealand. There's no
forgetting about that. You know, it's such a blessed place
and what really struck me, Jack, when I was there
a fortnight ago. So many young international tourists who were
adding their own spontaneous tributes to that public wall of
(05:00):
messages just in front of the mount. So they are
struck by it. And you are really confronted when you
see up close that brutal scar at the base of Moaw,
you know where the lower slope so fatally gave way.
It is quite quite confronting. But yeah, for all the sadness,
(05:20):
don't forget about the mount. It is. It is an
out of the box place. Yeah.
Speaker 2 (05:24):
How the businesses they're doing are they still doing it tough?
Speaker 1 (05:28):
Yeah, well that's something that was on my mind. And
the road excess is still restricted on parts of Adam's air,
but it is open on foot. And I was actually
quite eager to support some of those local businesses that
were so heavily impacted by the cordon. So two specimens.
I would suggest Rustica Pizzeria. They are a delight. They
(05:48):
have this seventy two hour Sado base anchoring their pizzas.
And I know you don't cheer my fetish for fun
guy Jack Tame, but I would highly recommend the Tatoo
Fatah pizza which is slathered in mozzarella, roasted mushrooms and
this will please use smoked Papa rica. So it's quite
a zesty pizza. And then right next door you've got
(06:11):
to go to Copenhagen Cones. This is that shop that
has such a seductive pull because of it's aroma of
those waffle cones. It attracts people for miles. But I
actually had a snow good the jack. I've never had
a snow gird, so that's yeah, go on, what do
you think it is?
Speaker 2 (06:33):
Is it like is it like a you know, like
a crushed ice but done with yogurt.
Speaker 1 (06:40):
You're nearly there. It's half snow freeze, half yogurts.
Speaker 2 (06:43):
Okay, Oh yeah, yeah that sounds great.
Speaker 1 (06:46):
Presumably sweeter as in mine. Yeah, very sweet.
Speaker 2 (06:52):
Yeah, that sounds amazing. So what would you like any
other like little spots around there for great niche.
Speaker 1 (06:58):
Yeah, a couple of things are for sheer, culinary, for
ness and theta. I would strongly suggest taking a seat
at the kitchen bar counter at Celera. They're on Manganui
Road and they're chefs. They're just wizards and they love
playing for a you know, to the audience, the chef's
men you experience at Celera. It is superb, but you've
(07:19):
got to go really really hungry to do it justice.
But there were some amazing dishes they served jack things
like tuna capaccio with these really small icy cucumber cubes
on top of the tuna. It was amazing. And then
but a buffalo could on top of that. And also
poached at gemfish, which is probably better known as kingfish,
(07:43):
but gemfish with turmerica, fenela and chorizo, just really good flavors.
Speaker 2 (07:47):
And is is a Kai still popular?
Speaker 1 (07:51):
Oh yeah, this is such a cool place. And I
mean it's a village in toto On. Liz's son runs
Isakai and they have fostered such a red red hot
reputation because it's Maori Japanese fugere and quisine, and the
sheer plates are so goddamn good, things like creamed power
(08:13):
and prawn dumplings with cauliflower, puro crispy Charlotte spring onions
and chili. It is just fabulous.
Speaker 2 (08:21):
That sounds fantastic. Okay, great, Hey, thank you very much, Mike.
Really really good to have those tips for Mike's Top
Bites and sites. And toading, and will make sure that
all of his tips and advice and hot spots are
up on the News Talks.
Speaker 1 (08:33):
He'd be website for more from Saturday Morning with Jack Tame.
Listen live to news Talks he'd be from nine am Saturday,
or follow the podcast on iHeartRadio
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