A Day of Sirens, Service, and Support in Te Puke

Sirens and Services | Koha Ice Cream Day 2025 – Highlights from Te Puke

Highlights from Sirens and Services in Te Puke, Video sponsored by Vector Group Charitable Trust

Sirens and Services in Te Puke

Te Puke War Memorial Hall

Saturday 26 July, 10 am – 2 pm

The Te Puke War Memorial Hall came to life on Saturday, 26 July as the sound of sirens alerted the community to an event filled with learning and community connection. Sirens and Services transformed the hall and surrounding laneway into a lively space where whānau could meet and engage with the people and organisations that serve and protect the Western Bay.

As a koha, attendees were encouraged to bring along a non-perishable food item in support of The Hub Te Puke’s emergency food bank — a small gesture that added up to a big impact. Whānau received a passport on arrival with a challenge to visit the service displays and collect stamps by engaging with the activities, information and people at each station. Once completed, tamariki were rewarded with a free Mr Whippy ice cream sponsored by Trevelyans, with the unmistakable jingle adding to the festive atmosphere.

The main auditorium and Settlers Lounge hosted a range of community service displays and activities. SPCA guided tamariki through the process of making dog toys, while Colab Community brought along interactive games like giant Jenga. The Kiwicoast Lions Group served up tea, coffee and home baking — fundraising for their own community initiatives.

Outside, the sirens took centre stage. Jet skis from Maketu Coastguard, a fire truck from the local brigade, local Police, Land Search and Rescue with their trained SAR dog, CPNZ and their vehicle, the St John Shuttle and Ambulance — all lined up for families to explore. The team from Iconz rolled in with their mobile workshop trailer, giving kids a hands-on chance to try out tools under supervision safely. And of course, Mr Whippy was on hand with smiles and soft serve.

The event was proudly hosted by Western Bay of Plenty Neighbourhood Support. Colleen Pye, the local Area Coordinator, is actively building stronger, more connected communities across Te Puke through her role. Throughout the day, locals were encouraged to sign up to Neighbourhood Support — a simple but powerful step toward creating safer, more resilient streets and neighbourhoods. If you haven’t joined yet, it’s easy to do online at www.wbopns.org.nz.

Lucky Winners Announced During the Day

A special thanks to Colab Community, Candoo Crew Property Services, Accessible Properties, Triple P Parenting, Family Works Northern, WBOP Caring Caller, WBOP Neighbourhood Support and Iconz for providing spot prizes for the event.

A special thank you goes out to everyone who helped bring Sirens and Services to life in Te Puke — from the emergency crews and community groups, to the sponsors, local businesses and volunteers who gave their time and energy. Your efforts created more than just a fun day out — you helped build real connections, spark conversations and make safety and support more visible and accessible for everyone.

Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ) – Keep a metre from the heater. Maintain a distance of at least one metre between a heat source, such as a heater or fireplace, and any flammable materials including people, furniture, curtains, bedding, and clothing, to prevent fires.

New Zealand Police – Meet your local constable, we’re here not just in emergencies, but every day — supporting whānau, checking in with rangatahi, and partnering with local groups to help keep Te Puke safe and thriving.

LandSAR New Zealand is a volunteer group dedicated to finding and helping people lost or in distress outdoors. We work alongside the Police and emergency services to keep communities safe.

WBOP Emergency Management – Lead and support our community in preparing for, responding to, and recovering from emergencies, ensuring the safety and resilience of all residents.

CPNZ Te Puke is a community-led group dedicated to supporting local safety by patrolling neighbourhoods, reporting concerns, and working alongside Police to help keep our streets safe. We’re always looking for passionate volunteers to join our team and help protect our community.

Hato Hone Aotearoa, St John Ambulance – Prevent, Relieve Sickness and injury and enhance health and well-being.

WBOP Caring Caller, St John – Our Caring Caller service offers regular friendly phone calls to support isolated or vulnerable community members, helping them stay connected and safe.

Maketu Coastguard is a volunteer organisation dedicated to promoting safety on the water, providing emergency response, and supporting our coastal community through education and rescue services.

WBOPDC Waste Management Team – Works to keep our district clean and sustainable by managing waste collection, recycling programs, and community education to reduce environmental impact.

People First Te Puke Group – People First is a self-advocacy group led by and for people with learning disabilities. The Te Puke group supports members to speak up for themselves, learn new skills, and take an active role in their community.

Colab Community – Colab Community brings people together through fun, inclusive activities that build connection, creativity, and wellbeing. We create safe spaces for whānau to play, learn, and grow — strengthening community from the inside out.

Volunteering Services SociaLink – Connects volunteers with local organisations across the Western Bay, making it easy to give back and get involved.

The Hub is a local community centre at the heart of Te Puke, offering support services, food assistance, and a welcoming space for all.

Bay Financial Mentors – Free financial mentoring services supporting individuals and whānau to take control of their finances and build a stronger, more secure future.

SPCA – Advance animal welfare and prevent cruelty.

Smart Guys – Home and office security solutions you can rely on.

Triple P – Positive Parenting Program – Gives parents and caregivers practical tools and support to build strong, healthy relationships with their children. It’s about raising confident tamariki, managing behaviour positively, and reducing stress at home.

Family Works Northern supports children and families to thrive through counselling, social work, parenting programmes, and family support services.

ICONZ is a values-based adventure programme for boys, combining fun, hands-on activities with life skills, teamwork, and character-building — all in a safe, supportive environment led by positive role models.

Youth Encounter empowers young people through adventure-based therapy, using motocross and outdoor experiences to build confidence, resilience, and connection. We walk alongside youth to help them discover their value and purpose.

Accessible Properties provides safe, affordable, and accessible housing for people with disabilities, older people, and those in need. We’re committed to supporting inclusive communities where everyone has a place to call home.

Total Safety provides health and safety training, education, and resources to help individuals and organisations stay safe at work, at home, and in the community.

Western Bay of Plenty Neighbourhood Support – Join as a member to receive community updates, stay informed, and become a Street Contact to help your neighbours connect, communicate, and support one another. Let’s make our communities safer and stronger—together.

Who was there?

We were privileged to welcome several special guests throughout the day, including

Tauranga Mayor James Denyer, Deputy Mayor John Scrimgeour, Councillor Grant Dally, Te Puke Community Board chair Kassie Ellis, MP for Rotorua Todd McClay. Their presence highlighted the importance of community connection and support in keeping our neighbourhoods safe and thriving.

Massive thank you to our volunteers and organisers

Thank you to our incredible volunteers who made the event a success: Crystal McGrant from our local community, Chere Hawkins from Total Safety, and the Western Bay of Plenty Neighbourhood Support team; Linda Thompson, Kathy Webb, Nga Utunga, and Dave Hodge; as well as event organizers Rebecca Larsen and Colleen Pye. A special thanks to the Māori Warden team for their diligence. Your time, energy, and dedication ensured everything ran smoothly and with heart.

Support for the Community – An event that gives back

The Te Puke Scouts Rangers team managed the Neighbourhood Support community barbeque, serving up delicious sausages — kindly donated by Kiwi Fresh Meats — raising funds for their activities. We’re also grateful to the ladies from Kiwicoast Lions who served up delicious tea, coffee, cakes, and slices as a fundraiser for their community projects.

In support of The Hub Te Puke Emergency Food Bank, the community showed incredible generosity by bringing a wonderful collection of non-perishable food items. These donations will make a real difference for local whānau facing tough times.

In the news

Thank you to our sponsors

Colleen Pye would like to extend our sincere thanks to the sponsors who helped bring this event to life—your support enabled us to provide resources and experiences that made the day both meaningful and memorable for the Te Puke community.