the way we PLAY

These fun festive cocktails are sure to impress guests this holiday season. Refreshing, delicious and light, they’ll be on rotation all summer long.

Donna Hay shares her simple shortcuts for super easy summer entertaining.

Ollie Powrie has long hair and long limbs and occasionally rides a long board. For a long time, he’s also been making wine in his garage, writes UNO wine columnist Jess Easton, and they’re so good you’ll find yourself, well, longing for them.

The divine inspiration of UNO columnist Jess Easton, Saint Wine Bar pairs an impressive wine selection with delicious share plates for a match made in heaven.

The Bay is finally being recognised as a foodie destination for the discerning diner. Stacey Jones discovers how we got here by talking to the best in Tauranga's hospitality industry, and lists six of the most respected eateries in the region.

Whether you’re planning a holiday in the Eastern Bay or thinking of a day trip, you’ll find a range of eateries for all tastes and some notable spots for a drink or two. 

Summer is coming and Chelsea Winter is bringing her signature flair to your table with some zesty dishes that are bound to become faves.

Marko Velickovic transforms fresh local ingredients into authentic Italian dishes at the beachside ‘trattoria’ Alma.

The Tauranga Club may be one of the Bay’s oldest institutions, but it’s got a refreshingly modern outlook. Join UNO as we’re invited inside the famous private members club.

Craving a night out without breaking the bank? Here’s part one
of Stacey Jones’ guide to the Bay’s tastiest budget bites.

Sometimes a wine can taste great in the moment, with a stunning setting and cool tunes playing. But what happens when you strip all that back? UNO wine columnist
Jess Easton finds out.

The BOP’s Plates of Plenty Challenge saw chefs from all over the region competing for the best dish. Here, some of the competitors – including the winners – share their divine recipes.

Hayley Barnett toasts to a deliciously novel local experience.

This cool, charming, casual-but-classy diner in the Mount offers an all-American experience that fits right in.

In the back blocks of Hawke’s Bay, surrounded by native plants and sculptures, Tony Prichard of de la terre is turning winemaking into an art form.

One word sums up this Tauranga restaurant: Classic. A classic setting, classic cuisine, and classic vibes make it a local favourite for a reason.

Taupō local Vanya Insull, aka VJ Cooks, shows busy families how easy it is to throw together classic Kiwi recipes that taste as good as they look.

A popular craft brewery and eatery has just expanded into Ōmokoroa. Karl Puschmann checks it out.

Stacey Jones savours the local kaimoana with a side of social enterprise.

Marlborough’s magnificent whites have so much more to offer than perfumed savs, as UNO wine columnist Jess Easton discovers.

Down on the harbour you’ll find this elegant, light-filled eatery, where the food is just as appealing as the view.

Pāpāmoa influencer Makaia Carr is taking on the big business of beverages headfirst.

The Mount’s favourite sushi fusion restaurant and bar, Satori Lounge, has moved across the bridge to bigger, better and far more modern premises on The Strand.

Hamiltonian Dane McGregor, otherwise known as the Baker Gatherer, started his baking journey with a love of food, childhood nostalgia, curiosity, and a willingness to experiment and create. Constantly learning and trialling new recipes and techniques, Dane has kindly shared some of his successes with UNO

Stacey Jones introduces us to Tauranga's newest – and supremely talented – chefs.

A dedicated rum bar in the Mount is making waves with its refined mixology and sophisticated eats

Forget takeaway pizza – these simply mouthwatering recipes from Kiwi chef Bri DiMattina will transport your tastebuds to the Italian countryside

UNO’s new wine columnist Jess Easton is introduced to the wild Wairarapa through a unique fine wine.

Foodie Stacey Jones takes in Tauranga’s delectable plant-based restaurant scene

Singer-songwriter Ayla Gold recently broke into the Bay’s indie music scene with her first EP Nuance. Her vintage rock style has been influenced by an eclectic mix of artists over the years. Here, she tells UNO about her artistic process and where she sees Tauranga’s music scene headed in the future.

He’s signed to pop star Benee’s record label and counts Elton John as a fan. Now Raglan musician Muroki has released his third EP, the emotion-filled Timezones, and made a major move.

Everything you didn’t know you needed to know about the legendary English rock band, playing at A Summer's Day Live in Tauranga on December 30.

Esteemed pianist Somi Kim is set to join Opus Orchestra for a captivating soloist performance.

Whiskey SoHo is the Bay’s top-shelf blend of musical talent.

Enjoy your red, red wine while you groove along to UB40, Jefferson Starship and Dragon at one of the Bay’s biggest music events of this summer.

Stan Walker is all grown up – and learning to find the balance between his music and his expanding whānau.

With her emotional, original songs and powerful te reo Māori waiata, singer-songwriter Georgia Lines is conquering the New Zealand music industry.

“On stage ready to welcome everyone to UNO’s 50th birthday party, I could see exactly why the Bay of Plenty’s thriving. The room was full of people who support each other. Locals in the arts, business, governance, community groups and medical teams, our columnists, advertisers, readers – we wanted to invite everyone we'd ever met to share the joy together.”

If you like reggae then you’ll love Katchafire, if you weren’t sure if you like reggae, you’ll still love Katchafire.

With a Welsh dragon tattooed over his heart, a love of swimming in winter and a husband who works in fashion, the mould was clearly broken when Chalium Poppy was born. Performing since he was four years old and all over the world, he’s arguably one of the most experienced classical musicians in the country.

Tauranga’s surprising past and present connections to the ever-popular Troll Doll.

Dive into UNO’s top picks for great holiday reading.

The first woman to represent Aotearoa on the international skateboarding scene is throwing her support behind a skateboard collection that will be part of the permanent exhibition at Tauranga Museum opening in 2028. 

At Sala Art Gallery, the art is an invitation to conversation and connection.

UNO catches up with Deborah McCormick, the newly appointed chair of Tauranga’s Public Art Panel, to find out how our city is about to change for the better.

The CBD is getting a much-needed glow up, courtesy of acclaimed artist Sara Hughes, the council and over 250 local children.

Judy Bailey reflects on purposeful ageing, what brings her joy, and her feelings of imposter syndrome ahead of her Tauranga literary festival debut.

Julian Godfery’s unique interpretation of the world is captured in his intricate artworks.

One of Tauranga Museum’s first exhibitions will celebrate the region’s pivotal role in Aotearoa’s surfing culture.

A 12-year-old from Tauranga is scaling new heights on the big screen, starring in local dramedy The Mountain.

Tauranga Art Gallery’s planned renovation has begun; in the meantime, opportunities for art continue throughout the local community.

After a couple of false starts, Tauranga is finally getting its very own museum in 2028. But what will it show and why do we need one

Visual artist Shona Moller brings artistic diversity and a unique approach to Mount Maunganui's arts scene

UNO talks to local experts about the transformation of the Bay’s tattoo industry and the healing power of this often misunderstood art form.

Tauranga Arts Festival is renowned for bringing the world to the city’s doorstep but for this year’s October 19-29 extravaganza, the new team at the festival’s helm are embracing the moment.

Vivid, bold and playful, Paul Darragh’s artwork brings all the drama.

Bringing Māori art to the mainstream is a personal and professional passion for Julie Paama-Pengelly.

Live music, food, garden-related trade stores, tiny houses, guest speakers and art displays are all part of the fun at Bloom in the Bay.

The new artistic director of Tauranga’s flagship Arts Festival brings passion and experience to the event.

You'll find old-world appeal in this vintage-inspired shopping and community complex, with its unique cobblestone streets and charming historic buildings.

The up-and-coming star of Muru got into acting almost by accident - but his onscreen talent is certainly no fluke.

This creative hub has built a colourful reputation over nine amazing years

Between the lines

Books A Plenty owners Scott and Sheree Brown reveal their all-time favourite books.

Creative BOP’s urban festival is bringing light to dark times.

Great teachers are instrumental in developing a certain gift that keeps on giving, and UNO knows where you can find one.

Come with us as we take a tour of this must-visit destination, where food and drinks, entertainment, art and culture collide, and the only traffic you’ll find is the foot kind.

Nicola Bennett has made a career out of combining two of her key passions in the most delectable way. Art and food rock the world of this Okere Falls-based artist who produces paintings inspired by her love of food – there’s a deep connection, she says. Colour, to her, is like flavour.

Writer and poet Stuart Greenhill of the Fenton Arts Collective in Stratford talks to UNO.

“If people ask me [to explain my work], I want to have a conversation. That’s really all art is, a conversation. Sometimes it’s real honest, like, ‘What the hell is that?’ or ‘Why do I hate this work so much?’” That’s the kind of things that artwork brings.”