Sirens and Services: Safety and security for the Welcome Bay community.

Sirens and Services | Koha Ice Cream Day 2025 – Highlights from Welcome Bay

Highlights from Sirens and Services in Welcome Bay. Photos and Video by Vector Group Charitable Trust.

People were lined up in anticipation as the doors opened—and the Welcome Bay community turned out in full force for Sirens and Services: Koha Ice Cream Day – Safety and Security Expo on Saturday, 28 June 2025.

Sirens rang out throughout the afternoon as Fire, Police, and Ambulance crews gave tamariki an up-close experience with the vehicles and gear that help keep us safe, while our Māori Wardens expertly managed traffic and warmly welcomed whānau. St John offered free blood pressure checks and let families explore inside their ambulance. Across the event, families connected with first responders, learning practical safety tips in a relaxed, friendly setting. Inside the hall, community organisations and local businesses focused on safety and security shared knowledge and resources—strengthening connections, building resilience, and empowering everyone to play a part in keeping Welcome Bay safe and supported.

Upon entering the hall, whānau were invited to take part in the passport challenge—a fun and interactive way to “learn and earn” by visiting all the organisations and first response teams. Along the way, they gathered valuable knowledge about safety, security, and community connection. Once completed, passports were returned to the Western Bay of Plenty Neighbourhood Support team in exchange for a whānau essentials pack—a generously donated bag filled with household necessities like cleaning products, bathroom supplies, and more. To top it off, tamariki were treated to a visit with the sweetest siren of the day—Mr Whippy—and received a free ice cream for their efforts.

Whānau essentials packs. Photo by Linda Thompson.

Community in Action: A Safety & Services Showcase

A heartfelt thank you to all the amazing emergency services, community groups, businesses, and volunteers who made Sirens and Services such a fantastic event. Your time, energy, and commitment brought the Welcome Bay community together in a meaningful way — helping people connect, learn, and grow stronger as a community. When we come together, we build trust, share knowledge, and create a safer, more connected community for everyone.

Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ) – Remember to regularly check the expiry date on your smoke alarms to keep your home and whānau safe.

New Zealand Police – Drive sober and stay alert. Impaired driving puts everyone at risk –make safe choices to protect yourself, your whānau, and your community.

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

Here 2 Help U – Reach out for referrals to free social services and wellbeing support available in our community. We're here to connect you with the help you need.

Super Support – Designed for those aged 65 and over who need food support. If you or someone you know is a senior facing food insecurity, Super Support is here to help.

Good Neighbour – Supporting communities, families, and individuals with practical help so our neighbourhoods can thrive and flourish together.

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

Baywide Community Law Centre – Provide free and accessible legal services, information, and education, with a focus on those on low incomes, with disabilities, or facing other disadvantages.

Safe Surfer – Create a safe online environment for young people and families by providing tools and resources to manage online risks and promote positive digital citizenship.

Aquatic Survival Skills Trust – Empower children with the knowledge and skills they need to feel confident and stay safe around water, whether it's in a pool, at the beach, or near a river.

Tauranga City Council Emergency Management – Is your evacuation kit ready? Make sure it includes essentials like water, food, a cellphone, cash, medication, important documents, a torch, and a battery-powered radio. Being prepared helps protect you and your whānau in an emergency.

SPCA – Advance animal welfare and prevent cruelty.

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

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.

Bilbo's Dog Paw – Looking out for the welfare of dogs in Welcome Bay, providing food and rescue.

Welcome Bay Community Centre – Our residents are a taonga – a precious gift that is valued.

We love your community feedback!

In the news

Who was there?

We were privileged to welcome several special guests throughout the day, including Tauranga City Councillor Rod Taylor, local National MP Tom Rutherford, and local Labour MP Jan Tinetti, who attended with her husband Dave Merton, Manager of the Merivale Community Centre. Their presence highlighted the importance of community connection and support in keeping our neighbourhoods safe and thriving.

Massive thank you to our volunteers

A heartfelt thank you to our incredible volunteers who helped make the event a success: Dani Grant, Nikki Robertson, Moses Nyamasoka from our local community. The team from Western Bay of Plenty Neighbourhood Support; Hayley and Regan Potts, Linda Thompson, Kathy Webb, and event organisers Rebecca Larsen and Nga Utanga. Your time, energy, and dedication ensured everything ran smoothly and with heart.

Supporting whānau and paws in need

A big thank you to the Welcome Bay Community Centre for their support, resources, and local knowledge. In support of their Emergency Food Bank, the community showed huge generosity—bringing in a fantastic collection of non-perishable food donations. Your kindness will help many local whānau in times of need.

We also proudly supported Bilbo's Dog Paw – Emergency Dog Food and Rescue, a small Welcome Bay charity with a big heart. Through the Neighbourhood Support Community Barbecue, $150 was raised to support their vital rescue efforts—helping our four-legged friends and the whānau who care for them.

Thank you to our sponsors

We extend our sincere thanks to the sponsors who helped bring this event to life—your support enabled us to provide resources, giveaways, and experiences that made the day both meaningful and memorable for the Welcome Bay community.