Tauranga will transform into a giant playground of creativity, colour and community spirit when Children’s Day celebrations run from February 23 to March 1.
For the first time, Children’s Day – Te Rā o Ngā Tamariki – will span a full week of events across the city, building toward the flagship Children’s Day in our City Centre on Sunday, March 1.
Delivered by Tauranga City Council and community partners, the expanded programme invites tamariki and their whānau to enjoy movies, nature play, workshops, a cruise and live performances before the city centre takeover from 10am to 3pm on March 1.
Te Papa Ward Councillor Rod Taylor said the event highlights the evolving nature of the city centre.
“Our city centre continues to be a people-focused destination, with events like Children’s Day showcasing what’s possible,” he said.
Tauranga Children’s Day will be held on Sunday, March 1. Photo / Supplied
On the day, families can explore themed zones across the waterfront and surrounding streets. The Arts & Crafts Zone at The Cargo Shed will host hands-on creative workshops, while the Event Zone along The Strand and at Masonic Park will feature emergency services, large vehicles and roaming performers.
At Tauranga Waterfront, the Performance Zone on the Northern Waterfront Reserve will offer music, dance and cultural showcases, with the Activity Zone on the Southern Waterfront Reserve delivering giant lawn games, foot bowling, mini golf and woodworking. Baycourt Community & Arts Centre will host a glow-in-the-dark Neon Disco, complete with silent disco and face painting.
The popular Construction Zone returns to the Te Manawataki o Te Papa site off Willow Street, where children can explore machinery and learn about the new Te Ao Mārama Library and Community Hub, supported by LT McGuinness.
New attractions include a LEGO Zone at Mareanui Tauranga City Council’s Devonport Road building, supported by Bricks 4 Kidz, and a Mad Scientist Zone at He Puna Manawa library, which will also feature a dedicated Low Sensory Zone.
“Our recently revitalised spaces, along with those still taking shape, show how the city centre is evolving and the flexibility of our urban environments,” Taylor said. “These spaces are defining the future of Tauranga, and it’s fantastic to see the city centre emerging as a destination that people are proud to visit and enjoy.”
A new Dress Up Parade will leave Masonic Park at 1.30pm, finishing on stage at the waterfront. Food trucks and city eateries will keep families fuelled throughout the day.
The Tauranga Waterfront will feature themed zones for families to explore on Children’s Day. Photo / Supplied.
City-wide events during the week include activities at Kulim Park, The Historic Village, Yatton Park and Basestation, as well as a Children’s Day Cruise with Bay Explorer.
All city centre events on Sunday, March 1 are free. Free weekend parking will be available in council-operated spaces, with mobility parks provided. Families are encouraged to walk, bike or use public transport where possible.
For the full programme, visit whatsontauranga.co.nz/childrens-day-2026.
Full list of events:
Story walk – Kulim Park – February 23 - March 6, 10am-5.30pm
Children’s Day at The Village – The Historic Village – 26 February, 10am – 1pm
Children’s Day Smurfs Movie – The Historic Village – 26 February, 1pm – 2.25pm
Open Morning at Tinkd Makerspace – Basestation – 27 February, 9.30am – 12pm
Play, Your Way – Tauranga Waterfront Playground – 27 February, 9.30am – 1.30pm
Children’s Day Movie Night (Lilo & Stitch) – Coronation Park – 27 February, 8pm – 9.50pm
Tauranga Repair Café Junior Edition – Basestation – 28 February, 9.30am – 11.30am
Nature Play Day – Tutarawānanga – Yatton Park – 28 February, 10am – 2pm
Pocket Sized Play: Drop In Ramps – Tauranga waterfront – 28 February, 10.30am – 12.30pm
Children’s Day Cruise – Bay Explorer – 1 March, 2.30pm – 4pm
Children’s Day in our City Centre – Tauranga city centre – 1 March, 10am – 3pm
Tauranga will transform into a giant playground of creativity, colour and community spirit when Children’s Day celebrations take over from February 23 to March 1.
For the first time, Children’s Day – Te Rā o Ngā Tamariki – will span a full week of events across the city, building toward the much-loved hero event, Children’s Day in our City Centre, on Sunday, March 1.
Delivered by Tauranga City Council and a wide range of community partners, this year’s expanded programme invites tamariki and their whānau to explore everything from movies and nature play to creative workshops, a cruise and live performances.
The week culminates in a city centre takeover from 10am to 3pm on Sunday March 1, when the waterfront and surrounding streets will be reimagined as a massive playground of discovery and adventure for all ages.
Te Papa Ward Councillor Rod Taylor said the event highlights the evolving nature of the city centre.
“Our city centre continues to be a people-focused destination, with events like Children’s Day showcasing what’s possible,” he said.
Tauranga Children’s Day will be held on Sunday, March 1. Photo / Supplied
Families will be able to explore themed zones spread across the waterfront and nearby streets.
The Arts & Crafts Zone at The Cargo Shed will offer hands-on workshops where young creators can make bamboo stars inspired by Matariki, design masks for the new Dress Up Parade, and craft personalised treasures to take home.
Along The Strand and at Masonic Park, the Event Zone will give tamariki the chance to meet the everyday heroes who keep the city running – from climbing aboard a rubbish truck to exploring emergency vehicles and enjoying roaming street performers.
The Performance Zone at the Northern Waterfront Reserve will host a full day of music, dance and cultural showcases, while the Activity Zone on the Southern Waterfront Reserve promises giant lawn games, foot bowling, mini golf and a pop-up basic woodworking workshop.
Baycourt Community & Arts Centre will light up with a glow-in-the-dark Neon Disco Zone, complete with glow face painting and a silent disco dance floor.
Back by popular demand, the Construction Zone at the Te Manawataki o Te Papa site off Willow Street will give children the chance to climb aboard real machinery and take a sneak peek at the new Te Ao Mārama Library and Community Hub development, supported by LT McGuinness.
Two new zones will span Devonport Road this year. Mareanui Tauranga City Council’s building at 90 Devonport Road will host a LEGO Zone, supported by Bricks 4 Kidz, while He Puna Manawa, Tauranga Library, will transform into a Mad Scientist Zone with hands-on experiments and demonstrations. A dedicated Low Sensory Zone inside the library will offer a calm retreat for tamariki needing a break from the excitement.
“Our recently revitalised spaces, along with those still taking shape, show how the city centre is evolving and the flexibility of our urban environments,” Taylor said. “These spaces are defining the future of Tauranga, and it’s fantastic to see the city centre emerging as a destination that people are proud to visit and enjoy.”
The Tauranga Waterfront will feature themed zones for families to explore on Children’s Day. Photo / Supplied.
A brand-new Dress Up Parade will begin at Masonic Park at 1.30pm, with children invited to show off their costumes before finishing on stage at the waterfront Performance Zone.
Food trucks including Mr Whippy, Smashed Strawberries and Oshie & G’s will be stationed in the Performance Zone, and families are welcome to bring a picnic or explore city centre eateries.
The week-long programme includes a Story Walk at Kulim Park (February 23 – March 6), Children’s Day at The Historic Village on February 26, movie nights, nature play at Yatton Park, hands-on sessions at Basestation’s Tinkd Makerspace, a junior Repair Café, drop-in ramps at the waterfront and a Children’s Day Cruise with Bay Explorer on March 1.
All city centre events on Sunday March 1 are free to attend.
Free weekend parking will be available in all council-operated spaces and parking buildings, with additional mobility parks provided. Families are also encouraged to bike in via the waterfront boardwalk and take advantage of free helmet fittings and bike safety checks on The Strand.
Event photography and videography will take place throughout the celebrations.
To explore the full programme and plan your Children’s Day adventures, visit whatsontauranga.co.nz/childrens-day-2026.
Full list of events:
Story walk – Kulim Park – February 23 - March 6, 10am-5.30pm
Children’s Day at The Village – The Historic Village – 26 February, 10am – 1pm
Children’s Day Smurfs Movie – The Historic Village – 26 February, 1pm – 2.25pm
Open Morning at Tinkd Makerspace – Basestation – 27 February, 9.30am – 12pm
Play, Your Way – Tauranga Waterfront Playground – 27 February, 9.30am – 1.30pm
Children’s Day Movie Night (Lilo & Stitch) – Coronation Park – 27 February, 8pm – 9.50pm
Tauranga Repair Café Junior Edition – Basestation – 28 February, 9.30am – 11.30am
Nature Play Day – Tutarawānanga – Yatton Park – 28 February, 10am – 2pm
Pocket Sized Play: Drop In Ramps – Tauranga waterfront – 28 February, 10.30am – 12.30pm
Children’s Day Cruise – Bay Explorer – 1 March, 2.30pm – 4pm
Children’s Day in our City Centre – Tauranga city centre – 1 March, 10am – 3pm