There is nothing more terrifying to the dedicated bookworm but to rock on up to their (or one of their) local libraries and find it/them SHUT. So you don’t experience that feeling over the coming holidays around Tauranga, Western Bay of Plenty and the wider Bay of Plenty, we’ve noted some of the closures.
Here’s the link to the Western Bays Libraries page: https://ent.kotui.org.nz/client/en_AU/wbop
Christmas Hours
|
Katikati |
Omokoroa Library & Service Centre |
Te Puke Library & Service Centre |
Waihi Beach |
| Tue 24 December 8am – 11.30am Wed 25 December CLOSED Thu 26 December CLOSED Fri 27 December 8am – 5pm Sat 28 December 9am – 12 noon Mon 30 December 8am – 5pm Tue 31 December 8am – 5pm Wed 1 January 2020 CLOSED Thu 2 January CLOSED Normal hours resume |
Tue 24December 9am – 11.30am Wed 25 December CLOSED Thu 26December CLOSED Fri 27December 9am – 5pm Sat 28December 9.30am – 12 noon Mon 30 December CLOSED Tue 31December 9am – 5pm Wed 1 January 2020 CLOSED Thu 2January CLOSEDNormal hours resume |
Tue 24 December 8am – 11.30am Wed 25 December CLOSED Thu 26 December CLOSED Fri 27 December 8am – 5pm Sat 28December 9am – 12 noon Mon 30 December 8am – 5pm Tue 31 December 8am – 5pm Wed 1 January 2020 CLOSED Thu 2 January CLOSED Fri 3 January 8am – 5pm Sat 4 January 9am – 12 noonNormal hours resume |
Tue 24 December 8.30am – 11.30am Wed 25 December CLOSED Thu 26December CLOSED Fri 27December 8.30am – 5pm Sat 28December 9am – 12 noon Mon 30December 10am – 4pm Tue 31December 8.30am – 5pm Wed 1 January 2020 CLOSED Thu 2January CLOSED Fri 3January 8.30am – 5pm Sat 4January 9am – 12 noon Mon 6January 10am – 4pm Tue 7January 8.30am – 5pm Wed 8 January 10am – 4pm Thur 9 January 10am – 4pm Fri 10January 8.30am – 5pmNormal hours resume |
I loved the counter decoration at Omokoroa – truly a place to set your imagination on fire with its wonder contents. 
I loved the Advent Calendar/NZ Carol in the Children’s section
and if you have an overwhelming desire to use the holiday to clean up your garden…
TAURANGA CITY:- Every Year the Tauranga City Libraries create vibrant, collectable bookmarks. They are so good you’d want to include them with your Christmas gift books. Last year it was maniacal toothy Santas (loved them) and this year it’s traditional Christmas tree decorations – just beautiful.
Merry Christmas from all of us at Tauranga City Libraries!
We will be closed on December 25, 26 and on January 1, 2.
We will also be closed from 2.30pm on Thursday, 19 December and from 12noon on Tuesday, 24 December.
Disruptions to services over the holiday period
Ngā Wāhi Rangahau will close at noon on Tuesday 24 December and reopen at 9.30am on Friday 3 January. If you have any research queries during this time, please email research@tauranga.govt.nz and we will respond as soon as we are able to.
All community programmes will be in recess from Monday 23 December to Monday 13 January.
Our interlibrary loan service will be unavailable during the Christmas period, closing from Tuesday, 24 December and recommencing on Friday , 3 January.
There are some “projects” happening in the Tauranga Downtown Library at the moment:
Love the window the Library has done 
and the other side…
Over in Rotorua the libraries will be closed:-
Whakatane’s main library and exhibition centre:-
TE KŌPUTU A TE WHANGA A TOI WHAKATANE LIBRARY & EXHIBITION CENTRE
Whakatane
Open Hours:
Mon – Fri 9am-5pm
Sat / Sun 10.00am – 2pm
Horizon Energy Library closed public holidays. Exhibitions open 10am – 2pm public holidays (Closed Xmas Day & Good Friday)
Recreation, Education, Information, Arts.
There are also libraries in Edgecumbe, Murupara and Ohope Beach – check it out here https://www.whakatane.info/business/te-koputu-te-whanga-toi-whakatane-library-exhibition-centre
Opotiki:
Library
The library is open from 9am to 5pm Monday – Friday and 9am to 1pm on Saturdays.
You can phone the library on 07 3156170 or email library@odc.govt.nz
The library has free internet terminals available for 30min sessions. Our free wifi is available 24/7 in the immediate vicinity of the library.
Opotiki District Library has an online portal where you can browse catalogues, download ebooks and audio books, manage your account, view online research resources, place items on hold, check out library news and learn about upcoming events including our popular holiday programmes.
Story time is held every Monday morning at 10am.
Click here to visit the Opotiki District Library website.
Header image: Tui in Kauri courtesy Heather Hunt
Holiday bliss for lovers of murder and mystery
Rosemary Balu. Rosemary Balu is the founding and current Managing Editor of ARTbop. Rosemary has arts and law degrees from the University of Auckland. She has been a working lawyer and has participated in a wide variety of community activities where information gathering, submission writing, community advocacy and education have been involved. Interested in all forms of the arts since childhood Rosemary is focused on further developing and expanding multi-media ARTbop as the magazine for all the creative arts in the Bay of Plenty, New Zealand.
HOUSE SITTER AVAILABLE
HOUSE SITTING Rotorua+Hamilton+Taupo+Tauranga:- Mature professional visual artist and arts educator is available for house sitting from 01st February 2020. Non-smoking, non-drinking. Experienced former home-owner, gardener and small pet owner. Contact: miriam.ruberl@gmail.com
Te Rangi Haupapa – a woven history
19 October 2019 – 8 March 2020
Commemorating the 155th anniversary of the Battle of Gate Pa, Te Rangi Haupapa – a woven history approaches concepts around colonisation and the aftermath of the land wars in the Bay of Plenty, specifically through a Te Āo Māori lens.
Two contrasting spaces aligned with the gender elements of Māoridom, offer insight into Aotearoa New Zealand’s tumultuous past and the intergenerational healing that continues to be explored by many of our contemporary artists today. The exhibition includes contemporary artists Brett Graham and Rachael Rakena, Tawhai Rickard, James Ormsby, Nikau Hindin, Greg Semu, Te Marunui Hotene and Sarah Hudson with tāonga on loan from Tauranga Heritage Collection and The Elms.
In partnership with The Elms and the Tauranga Heritage Collection, on display for the first time, are archaeological findings from around the Bay of Plenty – tāonga and everyday items that depict an intricate artistic practice, and a very conscious way of living, deeply ingrained in spiritual practices.
The concept of duality is woven within Aotearoa New Zealand history, as two cultures at odds living as one inevitably would be in opposition. However, prior to colonisation, the concept was deeply ingrained in Māori civilisation, and ways of being – duality not being at odds, but rather – complementary, harmonising, balancing each other.
Whakapapa, the intricate genealogical understanding of Māori connection, is a deeply spiritual practice that aligned human lineage with the spiritual realm of the deities. Through this, it is apparent that the duality of the male and female element significantly affected all practices and roles within Māori society.
Alongside these significant findings from around the Bay of Plenty, are works by contemporary artists who not only delve into these notions themselves, but whose practices aim to revitalise and showcase traditional practices. The weaving practices of Māori, particularly tukutuku are well known as intricate pattern work with spiritual symbolism woven throughout. Inspired by this practice tikanga Māori and thousands of years of heritage reframe the relatively recent arrival of Western colonisation and the interlaced web of encounters, interactions and assimilation.
In collaboration with The Tauranga Heritage Collection of the Tauranga City Council and The Elms Foundation.
With support from the Sheila Morgan Trust and The Flooring Room.
AND DO NOT MISS WALKING SLOWLY UP THE GALLERY STAIRS – I can’t find the artist details for this vibrant “mural” just at the moment but I’ll publish it asap.
Meanwhile at The Historic Village, Tauranga Avenues in The Incubator Gallery and The People’s Gallery
AND IF YOU ENJOY CREATIVITY, BOUTIQUE SHOPPING, VINTAGE, RECYCLE, HOME DECOR, FAIRS & MARKETS, CAKE & JUST HAVING A LOOK check out
The Corner Shop NZ
https://www.facebook.com/thecornershopnz/
VISITING NEW ZEALAND & THE BAY OF PLENTY?
ENJOY THE ARTS, CREATIVITY, BOUTIQUE SHOPPING, GARDENS, VINTAGE, A WALK IN THE BUSH AND CAKE?
CHECK OUT
NZ MUST SEE
Boutique recycle to support the work of Turning Point Trust. Last Sunday of the month at the Historic Village 9am to 12noon. Cash only.
Catch a gig at The Jam Factory
Walk the Estuary
Check out 9th Avenue’s shops and Cafes if you’re in the Tauranga Avenues
The Incubator Gallery at The Historic Village. Regularly changing exhibitions of original art and creativity.
An historic building for new art space
Macandmor Art space Goddard Centre Tauranga
The People’s Gallery at the Historic Village
Meet Cindy of Cindy Lou Vintage Snodgrass Road Te Puna
Food, drinks and creativity at the Black Sheep, Whakamarama
Clarence Boutique Hotel, Bistro and Iki Bar in the Old Post Office, worth a visit if you’re in Tauranga
Visit The Elms, post-colonial history
The Dry Dock, Downtown Tauranga (diagonally opposite the Tauranga Art Gallery)
Buy the best of artisan art and art craft at The Atrium Gallery and shop at The Black Sheep Whakamarama
The Tauranga Art Gallery
Historic Maketu
Pilot Bay & the Mount
Mauao the ubiquitous guardian of Pilot Bay
And then go to fabulous Waihi Beach!
Check out the decorations at the Bethlehem Town Centre
Calling in to Katikati’s Arty Tarts art and artisan crafts
Katikati Library & Meeting Rooms
Driving through Katikati check out The Arts Junction
