Posts by Melissa Mae
Instep Young Leaders bring youth voice into regional investment conversation
Instep Young Leaders had the opportunity to be part of the Tauranga Moana Investment Summit, a major regional event focused on investment, growth, infrastructure, impact and the future of the…
Read MoreInstep Young Leaders capture the buzz at YouthFest
Six Instep Young Leaders were part of the action at YouthFest 2026, joining rangatahi from across the community to celebrate youth voice, creativity and connection. Held on Sunday 17 May,…
Read MoreWhy young people need to be part of conversations about investment
Investment is often framed as something that happens far away from young people. It can sound like a conversation for boardrooms, balance sheets and people already well into their careers.…
Read MoreThe gap no one talks about: when entry-level no longer means ready
There is a quiet shift happening in the way employers are thinking about hiring rangatahi. It is not being driven by policy or headlines. It is coming from the ground.…
Read MoreOpinion piece from Downtown Tauranga: rise in city centre revenue
By Genevieve WhitsonManager Mainstreet Tauranga The increase in revenue we have been seeing, and tracking over the past 12 months from March 2025 to February 2026 compared with March 2024…
Read MoreFrom orchard to global stage: the thinking behind Robotics Plus
What does it take to build a globally relevant technology company from a regional base? For Robotics Plus co-founder Steve Saunders, the answer is not a single breakthrough moment or…
Read MoreOur take on council: Instep Young Leaders step into local government
By Keana Rolleston, Te Puke High School, and Indy Rhodes, Tauranga Girls’ College Last Thursday we attended the first official business breakfast for this year’s Instep Young Leaders’ Forum 2026,…
Read MoreCould geothermal be the next big opportunity for Western Bay business?
$50m on the table: Is there a geothermal opportunity for your business? The Government has recently released a national geothermal strategy, alongside $50m of new funding to help get projects off the ground. If your business…
Read MoreStudent growth affirms property expansion at University of Waikato
The University of Waikato’s Tauranga campus continues to grow, reflecting increasing student demand and the strengthening role of the University within the Bay of Plenty. Recent developments across enrolments, accommodation…
Read MoreEnergy Leadership Group update: How the Western Bay is planning its next 30 years
Priority One is currently undertaking a programme of work that seeks to ultimately develop a regional energy strategy to drive our economic transition over the next 30 years. We want…
Read MoreWhen was the last time you came into town?
There’s something quietly shifting in Tauranga’s city centre. Not in a big, flashy way, but in the steady arrival of people choosing to back the city with their time, their…
Read MoreMarshmallows, marae and making connections: inside our Instep noho
By Instep Young Leader Indy Rhodes Last week the Instep Young Leaders’ Forum had a noho at Paparoa Marae, and it turned out to be a pretty awesome way to…
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