SLICE OF ROME
Tauranga’s Stassano Deli proves you don’t need a plane ticket to savor an authentic European deli escape.
Tauranga’s Stassano Deli proves you don’t need a plane ticket to savor an authentic European deli escape.
WORDS HAYLEY BARNETT / PHOTOS BEN PARKINSON @ PABLO CREATIVE
If, like me, you haven’t set foot in Europe in over a decade and you’re craving a dose of that effortlessly cool European culture, Stassano Deli is the place to go.
Taking over the stunning art deco building next to Barrio Brothers on Grey Street, this eatery couldn’t have picked a better spot. The light streams in through those huge heritage windows, and suddenly, you could be in Milan instead of Tauranga.
Noel and Kim Cimadon, the couple behind Tauranga favourites Picnicka, Clarence Bistro and Alpino, have once again struck gold. Stassano perfectly blends classic Italian style with a fresh, modern twist. And to top it off, they’ve found a charming young Italian named Edwardo to serve your espresso and deli sandwich, transporting you straight to the streets of Rome.
Admittedly, it feels almost surreal stepping into such an authentic Italian deli right in the heart of Tauranga’s CBD. What did we do to deserve this little slice of heaven?
When I asked Noel where the inspiration came from, his answer was simple: “We’ve just gone back to basics with Stassano. We really enjoy the simplicity of Italian hospitality rather than the over-complicated general hospitality at the moment.”
Noel describes it as “a little place that anyone who works in the city can go to,” whether that’s one of their loyal Clarence regulars or, as he puts it, “the office worker on a small salary.”
The goal was to create something approachable yet still affordable, even for the drinkers. “We’ve got very thoughtful wines and beers on tap with a very simple concept. Like in Italy, it’s just a carafe and a glass and that’s it.”
The menu is a mouth-watering mix of Mediterranean and Italian-inspired dishes, with a clear focus on classic deli sandwiches. The UNO team ordered a generous spread — the Ciabatta Mortadella, Chorizo Mozzarella, Sourdough Pastrami, Tramezzino Smoked Snapper, and a Brioche Ham and Cheese Toastie — and all promptly slipped into a glorious carb coma.
Take my advice and maybe just stick to one (though good luck choosing).
Noel told me his personal favourite is the same as mine: “I love mortadella. I love ciabatta. It just reminds me a lot of my childhood.”
His Italian roots give the place its heart, but he’s still keeping things evolving. “We just added the afternoons so we do after-work drinks and snacks… and the next thing is our gelato offering. My cousin is coming over from Italy to help get it started. He has been a gelato master over there for over 30 years.”
Another must-try is the naturally f lavoured Berry and Basil Soda, and of course, the decadent Tiramisu and Cannolo with Choc Nut Filling, which is the perfect sweet finish to an Italian escape.
As Noel says, “The vibe’s good, and it’s great to see people sitting on the street. It was just a dead corner, and now it kind of feels like a movement.”
107 Grey Street
IT TAKES A VILLAGE
Just a few minutes from Tauranga city centre, there’s a place that has evolved through the work of many, all adding colour and creativity around its heritage charm.
Just a few minutes from Tauranga city centre, there’s a place that has evolved through the work of many, all adding colour and creativity around its heritage charm.
The Historic Village has come alive with a new wave of energy, its heritage buildings now filled with boutique sustainable shopping, artisan studios, galleries, modern venues and plenty of delicious food lining the sunny cobblestoned streets.
A recent refresh has brought a lift of colour, with some careful restoration. The tasty food offerings are just one of the many reasons to visit. But, of course, it’s also the creative energy that defines the Village.
The Incubator Creative Hub anchors a broad arts community with exhibitions, workshops, a boutique cinema and live sessions at The Jam Factory. Their Tauranga Runway installation — nearly 100 metres of striking pavement art by local and international artists — has become a talking point on Main Street.
The Village also draws large community events, from Tauranga Diwali and Waitangi Day commemorations to the Multicultural Festival, Asian Food Festival and the ever-popular Jazz Village during the National Jazz Festival. It’s well worth a visit!
THE MED LOUNGE & GARDEN
For fans of delicious Mediterranean food, The Med Lounge & Garden is bright, welcoming and just a little addictive, thanks in part to its house-made pitas, baked fresh at Falafel Metro. Fillings range from chicken and beef to haloumi, sabich and falafel, each one loaded right to the bottom and finished with punchy sauces. Fries are golden, perfectly seasoned and seriously hard to resist. Lunches hum with locals, while dinner brings a slower, more social pace under the garden lights. The food and atmosphere will get you hooked.
STITCHMAKERS
You might walk in thinking you just need a spool of thread, but you’ll leave inspired to start something new. At StitchMakers in Tauranga’s Historic Village, there are quality threads, fabrics, needles and kits that cater both to those new to the craft as well as someone embarking on their third embroidered masterpiece. It’s not just about supplies; it’s about being part of a creative community. It’s the place to restock your favourites, find a gift or finally start that project you’ve been planning. There’s colour and creativity everywhere.
IMPRINT GALLERY
This light-filled gallery inside the village, showcases the work of three mixed-media artists – Andrea Green, Jackie Knotts and Stella Clark. Originally focused on original prints by New Zealand artists, it has since evolved to include paintings, giclée prints, cards, merchandise and a thoughtful selection of second-hand books. The exhibition space, known as The Cube, changes monthly and is available for hire. Open Tuesday to Sunday from 10am – 2pm, or by appointment, it’s an inviting stop for anyone who appreciates local creativity.
THE INCUBATOR CREATIVE HUB
Look beyond the big red barn to find the creative heart of Tauranga’s Historic Village. The Incubator Creative Hub supports 16 artist-run spaces spread throughout the Village, from ceramic studios and galleries to a vintage cinema, boutique music venue and art workshop campus. It’s where artists, makers and the wider community come together to create and celebrate. Monthly ‘street party’ exhibition openings turn the Village into a hive of art, while workshops and community projects keep the creative energy flowing all year round. It’s proudly accessible, and proof that art in Tauranga isn’t hidden in galleries, it’s thriving right out in the open.
AWHI
Awhi Company is a Māori-owned pakihi creating blankets for the whole whānau. Their store in Tauranga Moana includes pēpi essentials, clothing, kai, skincare, books, gifts and everyday home items. They support over 30 Māori-owned businesses and every product in store is chosen with love. What began with handmade baby blankets has grown into a place where everyone can discover products made with care and feel wrapped in aroha.
TRÉS CHIC / VILLAGE BEAUTY / HEMP DEPO (HISTORIC VILLAGE COLLECTIVE)
Three businesses share one roof here and each brings something distinct. Trés Chic adds flair with its mix of eclectic giftware and fabulosities, Village Beauty brings more than 30 years of experience in skin and beauty therapy, and Hemp Depo offers sustainable hemp clothing and alterations. Together they’ve created a friendly, community-driven marketplace where you can take your time, and easily f ind something you didn’t know you needed.
Dentistry with depth
Blending decades of international expertise with a warm, family-focused approach, DentalPlus is redefining modern dental care in Tauranga.
Blending decades of international expertise with a warm, family-focused approach, DentalPlus is redefining modern dental care in Tauranga.
photo SANDRI BLOM
When Dr Dalton and Candice Booyse arrived in Tauranga two years ago, they didn’t just bring their twin boys and a love for the ocean, they brought decades of experience, a few cherished heirlooms, and a vision for family-focused dental care.
Eleven months ago, the Booyses took over DentalPlus, a well-established practice that's been serving the Tauranga community for over 17 years.
“We were looking for a place that reminded us of home, somewhere the boys could be outdoors, where there’s space to fish, surf, and just enjoy life,” says Dalton, a seasoned dentist with over two decades of international experience.
Originally from Durban, Dalton previously worked in the UK before returning to South Africa, and finally, making the leap to New Zealand. DentalPlus is now home to a tight-knit team of 13, including three experienced dentists and two hygienists. Among them is the clinic’s previous owner, Chris, a familiar face in the community. He has remained onboard and still works at the practice.
“Having that continuity has been really helpful,” says Candice. Though she doesn’t practice dentistry, Candice plays a key role in the business operations, customer care, and keeping the family-run essence alive.
“It’s important that our patients feel like part of the family,” she says. That warmth extends to the waiting room, where a vintage dental cabinet once owned by Dalton’s father – also a respected dentist – now sits proudly.
“It’s a real talking point,” laughs Candice. “We shipped it all the way from South Africa. It’s full of little drawers and tools from a different era, and people love seeing it.”
The clinic offers a full suite of services, from routine check-ups and hygienist care to cosmetic procedures, orthodontics, advanced implant work, Invisalign and full dental rehabilitation. The clinic also offers sedation for nervous patients. While Chris is a Platinum Invisalign member, his other colleagues also bring a unique level of expertise. Dr Nicola Wood has special interests in minimally invasive dentistry, and cosmetic and functional dentistry, including dental implants. “We all cover a wide range of treatments and can bounce ideas off one another. It’s a great team dynamic,” Dalton says.
Technology is also a focus. DentalPlus is embracing the digital shift with 3D scanners, CBCT imaging, and AI integrated tools. “It’s about giving people the best care with the most up-to-date methods,” says Dalton. “But it’s still the relationships we build that matter most.”
And those relationships often start young. With a focus on family care, the team encourages regular hygienist visits to set a strong foundation for long-term health. “It’s amazing the difference early care can make,” Dalton adds.
While the Booyses may have started out thousands of kilometres away, their roots are now firmly planted in the Bay. Having taken over a practice already built on heritage, heart, and high standards, it can only get better from here.
Te reo rising
Reena Snook is bringing world-class, all–te reo Māori theatre to Tauranga, creating a bold new direction for Baycourt.
Reena Snook is bringing world-class, all–te reo Māori theatre to Tauranga, creating a bold new direction for Baycourt.
words SUE HOFFART photos TE POU THEATRE & THE DUST PALACE + DAVID COOPER
Work has become undeniably personal for Baycourt Community and Arts Centre manager Reena Snook. Four years into her tenure, the drama school graduate and first-year te reo Māori student is championing a production that combines a theatre and circus spectacle with dialogue entirely in te reo.
“This is something I wish a young me could have seen,” Reena says of the Te Tangi a Te Tūī performance being staged in Tauranga in August. “One reviewer called it transformative, and I’m convinced that’s true. It’s an experience that really could be pivotal for a lot of the young people we’re bringing into our theatre.”
Baycourt will host the August 6 opening night of a tour that encompasses four other North Island centres. And Baycourt is also gifting tickets to all students attending a school-only performance on August 7.
“We want to remove as many financial barriers as possible because nothing should stand in the way of rangatahi experiencing world-class performers. This young audience will hear stories grounded in indigenous culture, they’ll hear te reo Māori on stage and that’s likely to feel powerful and personal to many. Perhaps they’ll see a pathway I couldn’t imagine at their age.”
When Te Tangi a Te Tūī had its Aotearoa premiere at Te Pou Theatre in Auckland last year, Reena was immediately determined to bring the production to Tauranga. A long-standing connection to two of the project’s key creators helped: Eve Gordon of The Dust Palace and Tainui Tukiwaho of Te Pou Theatre attended drama school with Reena in Auckland.
The work also marks a strategic shift for Baycourt as the centre moves towards broadening and complementing its current programme offerings. Reena acknowledges Baycourt’s “incredibly rich history” that’s achieved so much. But, she recognises some voices and stories haven’t been as visible as others.
“As a community arts centre, we need to take deliberate steps to bring people from all parts of the community onto the stage and into the audience,” she says.
Te Tangi a Te Tūī, which tells the story of the tui’s song and its evolution over the centuries, is a positive step in that direction. “It’s the first time we’ve been able to support a professional production performed fully in te reo Māori. I love the way this show honours our Pākehā audiences too, with the cirque theatre and universal story elements ensuring it’s accessible and understandable for everyone.
“There’s no tokenism here. We’re not just putting a Māori theatre production on stage to meet a diversity quota. One of the goals is to offer Pākehā a safe entry point into te ao Māori – something they can genuinely connect with and enjoy, without feeling like they’re being overwhelmed or excluded.”
Reena shares how she has spent much of her life distanced from her Ngāpuhi roots and how a deep sense of not belonging shapes some of her story. “As someone of mixed heritage I often felt I wasn’t ‘brown enough’ to be Māori or ‘white enough’ to be Pākehā.
“That’s a tension that has informed my approach to programming and community engagement. I want to create spaces and experiences where people of all backgrounds and identities can feel recognised and valued.”
It was only after relocating from Auckland to Tauranga with husband Greg, in 2018, that Reena began closely examining her own identity. (She left a job as senior producer at performing arts platform, Auckland Live, to take up a Tauranga City Council events management position).
She speaks of an unexpected sense of connection with Tauranga mana whenua and how the warm welcome spurred her to begin tracing the threads of her whānau and whakapapa.
“It’s funny the further away I got from my tūrangawaewae in the Far North, the more I wanted to learn about my Māori whakapapa.”
Alongside her personal cultural awakening, Reena realised she missed the performing arts world and its creative people. So, when the Baycourt role came up in 2021, she pounced. Presenting Te Tangi a Te Tūī will be a career high.
“For those who still doubt the calibre of Māori theatre, this production is set to challenge that perception entirely.”
“It’s special that Baycourt is the tour’s first stop and I’m proud our local rangatahi will see themselves reflected on stage. For some in our audience, this may also be their first visit to a traditional theatre.
“It’s critical Baycourt supports work like this, so that culturally powerful storytelling reaches the communities that need to see it most.”
Bay of style: Local fashion, flair and creativity
The Bay has been a mecca for successful fashion designers for decades, and now the new Tauranga Museum is planning to showcase its creative history in a collection that’s dressed to impress.
The Bay has been a mecca for successful fashion designers for decades, and now the new Tauranga Museum is planning to showcase its creative history in a collection that’s dressed to impress.
words DEBBIE GRIFFITHS
From homemade psychedelic ’60s frocks to prototype shoes to swimwear that made waves worldwide – the Bay is home to innovative fashion that will be celebrated in Tauranga Museum when it opens in 2028.
“Our fashion collection will show the talent and stretch people’s ideas of what Tauranga is,” says curator Fiona Kean. “Our fashion industry doesn’t get as much focus as it should.”
In fact, there are a number of New Zealand brands – both past and present – that many don’t realise are local. Expozay burst onto the scene in the 1970s, within a decade becoming the first Kiwi swimwear label in the North American market.
“We have the largest Expozay collection in New Zealand that starts from the beginning with hand airbrushed bikinis through to pieces from the early ’90s. Then we leap forward to emroce, which is also groundbreaking and global.”
Expozay swimsuit, photographed by Karen Ishiguro, nzfashionmuseum.org.nz
Pāpāmoa-based emroce, by designer Emma La Rocca, is the only zero-waste swimwear brand in the world. “Her desire is to see the way clothing is manufactured change to be more sustainable,“ says Fiona. “She uses fabric made from recycled fishing nets and cuts it in a way that means there’s no waste. She also makes inclusive gender-neutral swimwear.”
There’s also a nod to Staxs that had 21 stores around the country, boutique shoe designer Chaos & Harmony, surf labels – like RPM and Lower – Nyne, Repertoire and Greerton-based Beverley Productions that’s been creating knitwear since 1962.
“We’ve got over 5000 textile related objects in the museum collection and a lot have been handmade by local women who have the skills and passion to look great, and make their own clothes,” says Fiona.
Among them, former Ōtūmoetai Intermediate home science teacher Ruth Espin who donated seven pieces before she passed away in 2019.
“Each dress represents a pivotal moment in her life; the one she wore when she got engaged, her wedding dress and the outfit she was wearing when she took her baby home from hospital.”
Some of the outfits were purchased at Hartley’s on The Strand. Those who grew up in Tauranga will have fond memories of their Lamson Cash Carrier System before the store closed in 1987.
“Nostalgia will be an important part of the museum experience and reminding people that they’re part of something bigger,” says Fiona. “There’s so much to share, we’ll be swapping out items regularly so it will be constantly changing. We’re very excited to showcase our fashion success stories.”