http://www.the-sands.co.nz/blog/ The latest Blog feeds from www.the-sands.co.nz en-us Thu, 12 Nov 2026 13:30:36 +1300 Rocketspark http://www.the-sands.co.nz/blog/post/171757/mitre-10-mega-papamoa-is-now-open-at-the-sands/ The doors are open! Mitre 10 MEGA Pāpāmoa welcomed its first customers on Friday 16 October, marking an exciting milestone as the first retailer to open at The Sands Stage Two.Located at 26 Latham Drive, the new 11,000 sqm store is more than double the size of the previous store. Incorporating Mitre 10’s ‘store of the future’ concept, it brings together an expanded range, thoughtfully designed spaces and enhanced services to meet the needs of our growing community.... Fri, 16 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +1300 http://www.the-sands.co.nz/blog/#post171757 http://www.the-sands.co.nz/blog/post/171519/pablo-papamoa-wins-bop-ethnic-eats-award/ A taste of Latin America, right here at The Sands — and now an award to celebrate. Pablo Pāpāmoa has won the BOP Ethnic Eats Award at the Bay of Plenty Hospitality Awards, adding to an impressive list of finalist nominations.It’s a proud moment for the team, whose Latin-inspired food, creative drinks and warm hospitality have made Pablo a popular spot for dining in Pāpāmoa East.The restaurant was named a finalist across seven categories:Restaurant of the YearOutstanding Chef & Menu o... Tue, 29 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +1300 http://www.the-sands.co.nz/blog/#post171519 http://www.the-sands.co.nz/blog/post/170924/new-mitre-10-mega-papamoa-countrys-first-to-feature-trade-upgrades/ A booming population in the Tauranga suburb of Pāpāmoa has prompted the development of a new Mitre 10 MEGA store, with a New Zealand-first Mitre 10 Trade set-up. The nearly 11,000sqm store replaces the existing small-format Mitre 10, moving to a new site at The Sands retail development in Pāpāmoa East.As well as some architectural changes to modernise the traditional Mitre 10 format, it will be the first Mitre 10 MEGA store in the country to feature a dedicated walk-up Trade entrance and aut... Thu, 17 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +1200 http://www.the-sands.co.nz/blog/#post170924 http://www.the-sands.co.nz/blog/post/171517/new-world-the-sands-recognised-at-new-world-retail-awards/ We’re proud to celebrate New World The Sands being named Runner-Up for Store of the Year at the New World Retail Awards — a special achievement for the team and our Pāpāmoa community.For a young store, this recognition is a significant milestone. It reflects the care, hard work and energy that goes into every corner of New World The Sands, and the team’s commitment to creating a great shopping experience every day.From the fresh food departments to the checkout, everyone has played a par... Thu, 03 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +1200 http://www.the-sands.co.nz/blog/#post171517 http://www.the-sands.co.nz/blog/post/167110/mitre-10-mega-papamoa-construction-progress-on-track-for-a-mid-october-opening/ Excitement continues to build at The Sands as construction of the new Mitre 10 MEGA Pāpāmoa reaches another major milestone.The impressive new store is taking shape quickly. Every week brings noticeable progress as contractors work steadily towards a mid-October 2026 opening, marking the next stage in the growth of The Sands.Once complete, the purpose-built store will be more than twice the size of the current Mitre 10 Pāpāmoa, delivering an expanded range of products, a larger garden centre... Fri, 03 Jul 2026 11:12:35 +1200 http://www.the-sands.co.nz/blog/#post167110 http://www.the-sands.co.nz/blog/post/163201/excitement-builds-for-new-mitre-10-mega-in-papamoa-east/ Excitement is building across Pāpāmoa as a new Mitre 10 Mega store takes shape at The Sands, marking a major milestone for long-time local business owners Brian and Loretta Johnstone.The couple, who have owned Mitre 10 Pāpāmoa since 2005, are preparing to relocate their business to a significantly larger, purpose-built site designed to meet the needs of one of the Bay of Plenty’s fastest-growing communities.“We’ve been in our current building for 21 years and we’re too small now,” ... Sun, 29 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +1300 http://www.the-sands.co.nz/blog/#post163201 http://www.the-sands.co.nz/blog/post/162544/papamoa-east-interchange-to-open-by-easter-cutting-travel-times/ After four years of construction, the $90 million Pāpāmoa East Interchange is set to open soon, with travellers eagerly anticipating shortened commutes.Less eagerly anticipated is the prospect of a new tolling point, as proposed but not yet confirmed by the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA).Traffic management on the Tauranga Eastern Link/State Highway 2 (TEL) has been lifted, with the interchange set to be blessed on Monday and fully opened by Easter, Tauranga City Council says.Golden Sands School te... Thu, 26 Mar 2026 09:45:13 +1300 http://www.the-sands.co.nz/blog/#post162544 http://www.the-sands.co.nz/blog/post/161208/mitre-10-mega-papamoa-is-officially-out-of-the-ground/ The steel framework is going up for the anchor tenant of the next stage at The Sands. This ‘store of the future’ will bring innovation, convenience, and enhanced service right here to our growing Papāmoa community — and create over 100 new local jobs.A huge thanks to the teams working hard on this project.We’re on track to welcome you through the doors this October!... Fri, 20 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +1300 http://www.the-sands.co.nz/blog/#post161208 http://www.the-sands.co.nz/blog/post/156225/bananas-hot-pies-and-christmas-eve-madness-papamoas-newest-supermarket-turns-one/ Charlotte Troup-Paul, Anna Hannerfors, Mandeep Kaur, Jade (winning customer) and Mark Troup-Paul... Mon, 17 Nov 2025 12:42:52 +1300 http://www.the-sands.co.nz/blog/#post156225 http://www.the-sands.co.nz/blog/post/151441/easier-access-to-the-sands-with-the-new-papamoa-east-interchange-now-open/ With the new eastbound off-ramp at the Pāpāmoa East Interchange (PEI) officially open - nine months ahead of schedule and under budget. This milestone marks a major step in the $100M Pāpāmoa Eastern Interchange project, which is set to improve travel, reduce congestion, and connect our community like never before.What this means for youFor residents and visitors of The Sands, this exciting development brings:Easier access - you can now reach us from the TEL in just two minutes.Faster tr... Wed, 03 Sep 2025 09:13:27 +1200 http://www.the-sands.co.nz/blog/#post151441