The Waihī Beach Journal | Issue Eight | Community news, events & good things at Waihī Beach
Published 3 months ago • 7 min read
Kia ora koutou,
We have a lot to share this week, so I'll keep the intro short and get straight to the good stuff!
A couple of quick reminders before we dive in:
Matariki Dawn Viewing and Breakfast is this Thursday. All are welcome. We'll see you at 5.45am for a 6.00am start outside the Coastguard building at 511 Seaforth Road, Bowentown. Wrap up warm and bring a torch. Parking is available on-site, and you're welcome to join us for breakfast afterwards at Otawhiwhi Marae. Froth Bowentown will also be open from 7.00am for anyone wanting to treat themselves to a hot barista-made coffee. Find out more here.
Op Shop Ball, only 40 tickets remaining! This is shaping up to be the get-together of the year, with live music from Disco Bush and DJ Dave seeing out the night. We'd hate for you to miss out. When they're gone, they're gone. Get yours here.
The Waihī Beach Journal is designed so you can read the whole email with a coffee, or simply scroll to the sections that interest you most.
Weekly Deals (new!): all the best local specials in one easy place. This one is worth checking regularly, so you don't miss when new deals are added like: Enjoy 15% off a 3 night stay this long weekend at Orokawa Bay Retreat. (*or customise a stay tailored to your travel requirements) or Pay for One Adult Swim, Get the Second Half Price every Wednesday and Thursday at Athenree Hot Springs, $30 Blow Waves at Hairwaves, Facial Specials at Whole Beauty, Wilderkin Specials and more! See more here: waihibeach.co.nz/waihi-beach-weekly-deals
What's On (new and improved!): the most up-to-date guide to events, activities, clubs and more across Waihī Beach, from Athenree to the North End. waihibeach.co.nz/waihi-beach-whats-on
Own a business or run a local group? Make sure you're listed! Add your opening hours, post a deal, or share your next event. It's free, it takes just a few minutes, and it puts you right in front of the people looking for exactly what you offer. A quick note on Who's Open: Who's Open is designed for physical businesses with regular public-facing opening hours, think cafés, shops, and services you can walk into. If you're an accommodation provider or an on-call service, this one isn't quite the right fit sorry.
The Waihī Beach Polar Plunge returns on Saturday 11 July at 12.30pm, hosted by Waihī Beach Lifeguard Services Inc. Dress up, take the plunge, or cheer from the shore. All are welcome.
Best Dressed prizes up for grabs for Individual, Under 12, Group, and Corporate. Volunteer surf lifeguards will be on hand throughout, and you can warm up before and after at The Deck Kitchen and Bar with hot food, hot drinks, and their much-loved mulled wine.
Still working on your outfit for the Op Shop Ball? This one's for you.
Make & Mend is hosting a relaxed evening of stitching, chatting, and giving your outfit some love, just in time for the Op Shop Ball. Whether you want to alter something to fit, combine pieces, add embellishments, or bedazzle it into something entirely your own, this is the place to do it.
Sewing machines, a selection of sewing supplies, wine, tea and snacks are all provided. Just bring your project and come ready for a good evening.
Our first session was a wonderful evening of new friendships, great conversation, shared kai, and time dedicated entirely to the people in the room. We'd love to see you at the next one.
The After Hours Book Club is a free, relaxed evening space for adult readers of all kinds. There are no rules about what counts as reading and no judgement about what you love. Whether that's literary fiction, romantasy, audiobooks, or fanfiction at midnight. If you read, you belong here.
Come as you are, stay for the conversation, and discover your next favourite read.
When: Wednesday 15 July | 6.00pm–7.30pm Where: Flatwhite, Waihī Beach Free to attend · 18+
RSVPs are essential (please only RSVP if you can come) - register here.
Every Wednesday morning, a group of men gather at Waione Ave Reserve for a walk, a kōrero, and a bit of company. No judgement, no pressure, no expectations.
The Man Walk is a simple but powerful thing. If you know someone who could do with getting out and connecting with others, pass this on.
Every Wednesday | 7.00am Waione Ave Reserve, 2 Athenree Road, Waihī Beach Find out more here.
What an incredible response, thank you, Katikati & Waihī Beach!
A total of 121 nominations were received across all categories, and it's a wonderful reflection of just how many brilliant businesses and people make up our communities.
A special thank you to our principal sponsor, Barfoot & Thompson, and to Brent and the team for their generosity, community spirit, and ongoing commitment to supporting our region. Events like this simply couldn't happen without you.
Now, the judging begins! Finalists will be announced on 1st August, along with ticket information for the awards evening. Good luck to everyone who was nominated.
Psst, keep an eye on socials to see if you were nominated!
Our next T.I.D.E business networking event is coming up, and this one is really important.
The Waihī Beach Community Board wants to hear directly from local business owners: what would make the business area more vibrant and welcoming? What would bring more people here? And where should the boundaries of the business area be? Maps and discussion prompts will be on hand to get the kōrero flowing, and food and drinks will be provided on the night.
This is a genuine opportunity to shape the future of Waihī Beach, and we really encourage every local business owner to be there.
When: Tuesday 18 August | 5.30pm–7.00pm Where: Waihī Beach Community Centre Free entry but RSVPs essential.
Something special is in the works at Waihī Beach, and Live Well Waihī Beach and Waihī Beach Lifeguard Services are looking for a Bay of Plenty artist to help bring it to life.
Following the opening of the Accessible Changing Facility at the Waihī Beach Lifeguard Services Club, artists are being invited to help create a welcoming, uplifting space for people of all abilities. The facility supports those with disabilities, wheelchair users, and people with complex needs, helping them prepare for and enjoy time at the beach with greater comfort and confidence.
This project is about more than painting a wall. It's an opportunity to give back through creativity, and to help people feel calm, included, and connected to the beach experience from the moment they arrive.
Thanks to funding from the Creative Communities Scheme, coordinated by Creative Bay of Plenty, the project is now able to move forward.
Submissions are open to artists across the Bay of Plenty until mid-July. A judging panel will select a top three shortlist, which will then be shared with the local and accessible community for a public vote. The winning design will be announced at the end of August, with the mural to be completed ahead of summer.
For full project details, including information on the space and budget, get in touch with Cindy at hello@livewellwaihibeach.co.nz
Do you love Waihī Beach and enjoy sharing that love with others? We're looking for volunteers to join the team at the Waihī Beach Information Centre for the upcoming summer season.
If you have a good knowledge of the area and enjoy welcoming visitors, we'd love to hear from you. Get in touch with Joy at hello@waihibeach.co.nz
Make the Most of the Matariki Long Weekend & School Holidays
Whether you're here for the long weekend, the school holidays, or you live here full time - there's plenty to keep the whole whānau busy in our little corner of the world.
Get outside and explore one of our beautiful walking tracks, follow us on social media for some wonderful spots to discover across the area. Let the kids burn off some energy at Athenree Hot Springs, take the plunge at the Polar Plunge, or head out on the water with the Waihī Beach Bowentown Boating & Fishing Club competition running this weekend.
And in between all of that, stop in for a coffee, browse the local shops, pick up a little something, and take a moment to appreciate just how special this place is.
We hope you have a wonderful break. We'll see you out there.
Ngā mihi nui,
Hollie Jones, Waihī Beach Events & Promotions
Please note: All information in this email is subject to change. We recommend checking official event pages and social channels for the latest updates.
Proudly brought to you by Waihī Beach Community Events & Promotions: a local not-for-profit dedicated to bringing our community together through great events and celebrating Waihī Beach as one of New Zealand’s top coastal destinations.
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