Family entertainment in Tauranga

“Took my daughter here for her first unplanned haircut as her brother played hairdresser! And her hair needed professional help! She had a wonderful experience and they talked us through what would be best and made sure we were happy before beginning, she got spoiled with choices a balloon, lollipop, hair glitter and a cute clip! My daughter left feeling so happy and special, she loved it!! Thank you to the staff for a great first salon experience, highly recommend! Gina & Zanthi”

“Buckle my shoe is an amazing little centre with friendly and welcoming staff. Over the past few months my daughter has grown and developed so much and the educators have really encouraged her every step of the way. They are more than willing to try accommodate for hours and days needed and have gone the extra mile for us more than a few times. This centre is great for anyone who’s a bit unsettled about transitioning into daycare. They are happy to update you throughout the day, and also send you home with a little notebook full with the days notes. Definitely recommend to all parents and caregivers!”

“The kanu glow worm tour at night was amazing! Our tour guides Derek and Joe made it so enjoyable. They were fun to talk to and informative. Joe was very knowledgeable and shared with us so many scientific facts and the Māori story on glowworms. Highly recommend a must do! Also the McLaren falls park is very underrated and a definite good stopover for a night to camp”

“Great rooms, close to a couple of restaurants and shopping center. Service was good.”

“Fabulous family activity!! We have been in a few times with our kids and love these escape rooms! They are so detailed and clever but great for children with some adult help. Staff are always lovely and the man who was working today was wonderful! Highly recommend!!”

“An excellent trip. We had a great experience with a large pod of dolphins for about an hour. Staff were helpful a d friendly. Highly recommend.”

“We approached Maureen to look after our property while we live overseas. We found her as a very reliable lady, good communication between her and us. We received our statements every month. We are enjoying our time away from our house as we put our trust in her for looking after everything for us. The house keeping is very good as she does her inspection as we’ve agreed. We highly recommend her to anyone who is looking for an agent. She’s a beautiful person herself.”

“We booked a birthday for 16 guests and it was amazing! The staff were all incredibly helpful, Shaun, Kaela, Trilay, were the real stars!!! Super helpful at every step of the way and made it easier for me. Would 10000% book again xx”

On the plate at Sugo, the idea is classic fish‑and‑chips and well judged. Provision for coeliac diners is noted. Ribs and steaks arrive seasoned and tender. Packaging keeps things in good shape to go.

“The boat was awesome, the crew was lovely, and the organiser Amy is fantastic. 10/10 would recommend. We’re definitely using this companies facilities in the near future!!”

“We had a group of 10 for a birthday gathering and we had an awesome time! You dont realise how fast time goes by when you're having fun! But we walked away with lots of bruises and lots of memories made. Definitely go back!”

“First time in a pub in New Zealand and the experience was top notch owner was great and super accommodating, the food was absolutely top notch I can’t remember the last time I had a steak that good.”

“Kids had a blast! Great activity for kids of all ages. Ours range from 10-16 and all loved it (and we did too!) love the new addition and all the work that has been done around the place since we last visited!”

“Weekly visits for our grandies. The addition of the Beach Toys help Mum's not to have to bring the kitchen sink especially when parking is difficult.”

“We took our 18-month-old twins and they absolutely loved it. The interaction with the animals was fantastic, especially being able to feed them. It was a lovely walk around the park and very stroller-friendly, which made the visit easy and enjoyable. A great day out for families with young children — we’ll definitely be back.”

“Love this park its so good for families. Dogs and kids. Had a playback area znd the beach is accessible for swimming.”

“Love this park its so good for families. Dogs and kids. Had a playback area znd the beach is accessible for swimming.”

“Had a party today at Rocktopia Tauranga and what a blast we had. Recommend party bookings for sure! Was so much fun! Our son turned 7 and his friends and our family just loved this place. An hour climbing around and ending with the slides was a highlight for them all. The party room hire for an hour was just what we needed for them to play, eat and celebrate with cake.. thanks team for a great day. It went extremely well!! the kids left chuffed and full of excitement, and the adults left feeling very proud of there adventurous, happy children.”

On the plate at McSwiggans Irish Pub, the idea is simple, bistro‑style and well judged. A family‑friendly feel comes through naturally. The team keeps things friendly and organised. Plates offer plenty without weighing things down.

“Awesome place. Mini Golf, Train rides. The mini golf is affordable compared to others I have been to or looked at. Big playground and field to play on. A fountain. A nice place to hang out”

“Been here many times. Parking can be a little hard to find when town is open, so arrive early to give yourself time to find a park etc. This visit was for the Pink Floyd experience Fantastic night. Great set up. Clean facilities.”

The Freeport with Cleaver & Co is a relaxed Mount Maunganui spot combining a tavern vibe with wood‑fired Napoli‑style pizza and smoke‑kissed BBQ. The menu highlights handcrafted pizzas and crowd‑pleasing pub fare, backed by tap beers and regular live‑sport or music sessions.

Latitude keeps things classic fish‑and‑chips and focused on flavour. Sides support without crowding the plate. A sensible spend for the spread. Plates offer plenty without weighing things down. Fish l...

“A Fun Spot for a Swim! If you're looking for a great place to cool off, Poripori Water Holes is the spot! Nestled in the Bay of Plenty, it's a fantastic swimming hole surrounded by lush bush and cool rock formations. Here’s how to get there and what to expect. Getting There Getting to Poripori Water Holes is pretty straightforward: Park: Find a spot in the gravel area along Poripori Road. Cross the River: You’ll need to hop across the Wairoa River. It's good to wear some shoes. Follow the Path: Look for a narrow path that leads you through some rocks and bush. There is also a path through the forrest. A bit hard to find when you go there. Easier when you go back. Head Left: Once you’re through, take a left to find the water holes. What to Expect Swimming Fun There are several swimming holes with different depths, so it’s great for everyone—kids and adults alike! The water is nice and refreshing, perfect for those hot days. You can lounge on the rocks or even try some jumps if you're feeling adventurous! Safety First Before you go, check out Trustpower's website for water release schedules. They have a siren that goes off before they release water from McLaren Falls Dam. Be aware that the water levels can change quickly, so always keep an eye out for any warning signs. It’s best to visit when the water is calm. Tips for Your Visit Bring some snacks and drinks to enjoy while you’re there. There are no toilets, so plan accordingly! Make sure you keep an eye on kids, as some parts can be tricky with rocks. Overall, Poripori Water Holes is a fun and relaxing place to spend a day. Just remember to stay safe and enjoy the beautiful surroundings!”

“Small and cosy, great for having a quiet movie night.”

“Good equipment, well designed. Zip line is great fun. Nice seating for parents. Coffee shop just a short walk away.”

“Very nice boutique lil theater, Even had cuppa teas n coffee available, with carrot cake too, Handy location in Tauranga city off Cameron Rd”

“The drift trikes are great fun and the staff were very accommodating about turning the music down a bit for our son. Our group was not the speediest on the track but it's fun to drift and you can get a good slide going at a very safe speed. It was just the 4 of us on the track which was nice. Our youngest rider was a teenager, oldest was Grandma who is in her 70s. I have seen other groups be a bit more adventurous - sometimes in a good way, once in a slightly worrying way when we were on the track with them and they tried to go full speed all the time. They say in the instruction video that drifting is about style, not speed and I agree. Spinning out once or twice is fine, crashing more than once into the barriers is careless!”