Editorial: Vibrant city has treats for all

Thousands flocked to the Baypark Stadium for the V8 Jetsprint series on Satrurday.

I'm relatively new to Tauranga. I haven't come from too far away, though. I moved here in July last year from Rotorua with the promise of the beach, sun and a great lifestyle. Weekends like this only reinforce my initial desire to move here.

Despite the weather yesterday, this long weekend has been action-packed in the Bay and there has been something for everyone.

Thousands flocked to ASB Baypark Stadium for the V8 Jetsprint series on Saturday. The event was the world's first V8 Jetsprint races inside a stadium arena. As many as 50 teams from New Zealand and Australia competed in three classes, including the V8 superboats reaching speeds of more than 125km/h.

The majority of those who went are now itching for more events of its kind to be held here.

A bienniel event that also drew a crowd was this year's Classics of the Sky Tauranga City Air Show. Spitfires, Kittyhawks, Mustangs, and a selection of single seater and dual seater jets were on display at this year's show, providing a display of the more unusual and also aerobatic aircraft together with a large static display.

Top Kiwi musicians were also in town this weekend for the annual Mills Reef Stars Under the Stars event.

The Narcs, Andrew Fagan, Sharon O'Neill, Shona Laing, Annie Crummer and more were all at the annual outdoor concert.

Other events in town this weekend included the Interislander Summer Festival Tauranga Harness Races - touted as a quintessential Kiwi day at the races, which included family picnics, jandals, deck chairs and chilly bins - it's a classic summer's day out.

It wasn't all about lounging around though. After a successful launch in Mount Maunganui last summer, this year's NZ Beach Hockey Champs were back and were bigger and better.

Hundreds of people went along to the beach to watch the teams have a crack at becoming the second NZ Beach Hockey Champion.

Those under 13 also had the opportunity to have a go. It's weekends like this that make me proud to live in the Bay. Now, who do I have to talk to to make sure there's more weekends like this on the cards?