Turning vacant spaces into vibrant places in Downtown Tauranga

The ACTIVATE VACANT SPACES programme matches property owners with individuals who have creative ideas for temporary projects. The programme features installations, displays, events, interactive experiences, art, culture, heritage, music, performances, pop ups and refurbishments. It's a continuum of vibrancy for all to enjoy.

What's on and coming up.

Find out what we've currently got on in Tauranga CBD as well as what's coming up.

Boho Store

OPEN NOW

SHOP

BOHO STORE

A new concept store has opened where the public can see vegan, natural body care products being produced and purchase sustainability-driven personal care products.

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3 MAy - 31 AUG

PRODUCTION OFFICE

BOP SCREEN MEDIA PRODUCTION OFFICE

A collaboration, helping to create more film work within the Bay of Plenty Region, bringing together crew and cast with networking events and workshops.

30 MAR- 30 JUN

POP UP GALLERY

POP UP ART

GALLERY

Visit the Pop Up Art Gallery. Featuring works from respected and sought after international artists Sue MacDougall , John Baxter and Janet Collenette.

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19 NOV – 31 AUG

EXHIBITION & WORKSHOPS

CERAMIC GALLERY AND WORKSHOPS

Come and see this amazing exhibition featuring well know and awarded ceramic artists and exciting new potters in the largest ceramic exhibition our city centre has hosted.

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OPEN NOW

SOCIAL ENTERPRISE

CLASSIC

COUTURE

Classic Couture is a new shopping experience launched by Dress for Success Bay of Plenty featuring gently loved & new clothing and accessories.

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LANEWAY MURAL

STREET ART

LANEWAY MURAL PROJECT

Created by artist Sam Allen this amazing underwater creation is located in the laneway that links Grey Street to the Spring Street Carparking building…

Previous Activations

Find out about some of the previous Activations we've had in the vacant spaces through the CBD.

6 APR -6 JUN

POP UP GALLERY

EDITED GALLERY

An exciting mix of art and fashion featuring creative installations and original Art, Clothing, Candles and Gifts by Ruth Vickers.

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25 JUN - 3 JUL -9 JUL

THEATRE

PUNK THEATRE ODYSSEY

Jump Turkey Toast is a punk theatre odyssey that tackles the hard realities of life in Aotearoa with a distinctly surrealistic and fantastic vision.

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2021

AUDIO VISUAL DISPLAY

THE PICTURE PROJECT

The Picture Project was a display in the Pop-up Ceramic Gallery. Featuring composer/artist Warwick Blair, designer and communications/artist Leanne Matthews.

Image by Timothy Eberly

2021

FEATURE FILM PRODUCTION

THE MAN SHE WEEPS

The public were invited to call into the store and view the film storyboard and see the production team at work.

24 MAR - 28 MAY

POP UP STUDIO

LAVAL POP UP STUDIO

Laval we're back again in 2021 and were all about collaboration. Art, Interiors, flowers and fashion all come together to form a beautiful photography studio.

6 - 27 NOVEMBER

EXHIBITION

POROWHITA TONU EXHIBITION

See the works of the Bay of Plenty’s most exciting up and coming artists, and creatives from Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology Creative Industries degree programme.

Image by Martin Sanchez

CALLING ALL CREATIVES

MURAL PROJECT SUBMISSIONS WANTED

ART INSTALLATION

PROJECT

We’re searching for creative artists to submit a creative art installation concept to our Activate Vacant Spaces Laneway Creative Art Installation Project.

2020

DISCOVERY CENTRE

STEM WANA

Brought to you by STEM Wana Trust, come visit this dedicated science, technology, engineering and mathematics ‘discovery’ centre.

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1 DEC - 20 DEC

TREASURE HUNT

THE WEEKEND SUN KIWI TREASURE HUNT

Come on The Weekend Sun Kids Kiwi Christmas Treasure Hunt. Find our hidden kiwis in shop windows across our city centre and be in to win some really cool prizes!

Image by Timothy Dykes

21 SEPT - 25 OCT

WINDOW DISPLAY

SHINE A LIGHT

Award winning body artist Sandi Cutts brings a high impact, UV lit window display that literally shines a light on self expression.

5 NOV

EXHIBITION

CHRYSALIS COLLECTION

We are pleased to present the Chrysalis Collection. A collection of artwork from a collection of artists.

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23 0CT - 25 OCT

COMEDY EVENT

TAURANGA COMEDY POP UP

It's time for a damn good laugh, so join us this long-weekend for Tauranga's first ever pop-up comedy club!

POSTPONED- NEW DATE COMING SOON.

OLYMPIC EVENT

OLYMPIC PRIDE EVENT

Come see the 100 years of Olympic Pride Walk and have some fun in our Mini Olympics event.

5 SEPT - 25 SEPT

WINDOW DISPLAY

THE ROCK'S ULTIMATE MANCAVE

Check out the window display in Red Square to see the amazing Tauranga Mancave, worth over $5000, you could win with 94.2FM The Rock.

Backfeed blender

1 JUL - 29 JUL

POP UP EXHIBITION AND DEMONSTRATIONS

BACKFEED

BLENDER

Backfeed blender was a contemporary and immersive art experience.

An image of the wood crafted from Tauranga Woodcrafters exhibition

1 JUL - 29 JUL

POP UP EXHIBITION AND DEMONSTRATIONS

TAURANGA WOODCRAFTERS

Tauranga Woodcrafters Guild presented a display of exquisitely crafted woodworks and live demonstrations

Plastic Free July - Tauranga

6 JUL - 17th JULY

EXHIBITION AND WORKSHOPS

PLASTIC FREE

JULY

A series of free workshops from Envirohub BOPA. Make your own beeswax wraps and keep cups and see a plastic shredder in action.

No Words Myanmar.

25 MAY - 19 JUN

FREE EXHIBITION

NO WORDS

MYANMAR

Chilean photographer Coni Flores presented a series of captivating images capturing her journey and life changing experience travelling in Myanmar.

Kotahitanga - Unity exhibition in Tauranga for Activate Vacant Spaces

13 FEB - 20 MARCH

FREE EXHIBITION

KOTAHITANGA

UNITY

This exhibition featured Ian Taylor's epic legacy project 'Land of Voyagers' alongside a visual exploration of the meaning of kotahitanga and unity.

Our Home Exhibition in Tauranga CBD for Activate Vacant Spaces

03 FEB - 20 MAR

FREE EXHIBITION

OUR HOME EXHIBITION

The Our Home Exhibition featured the top 100 Trustpower Photographic Exhibition photos for 2020

10 FEB - 13 MAR

POP UP STUDIO

LAVAL POP UP STUDIO

offering professional headshots against a backdrop of beautifully designed and inviting spaces.

Land of Voyagers

12 FEB

AN IAN TAYLOR PRESENTATION

LAND OF

VOYAGERS

Ian Taylor, Maori Leader of the year (2013) and NZ Innovator of the year ( 2019) hosted very special breakfast presentation.

Join Peter Kageyama on the couch fo Activate Vacant Spaces

11 FEB

WORKSHOP AND DISCUSSION

ON THE COUCH WITH PETER KAGEYAMA

Internationally recognised expert on community development, Peter Kageyama ran an inspiring workshop discussion.

PROJECT SUBMISSIONS ARE NOW OPEN

SUBMIT YOUR IDEA TODAY

We'll then partner with you to find the right vacant space for your project to come to life in Tauranga's city centre.

Below are 2 ways to get involved with ACTIVATE VACANT SPACES

I have an idea

Got an idea, project, installation, activation or display that you would like to bring to the city centre? Tell us about it.

I have a space

Are you a property owner in the city centre? We would love to partner with you to activate your vacant space temporarily.