Winners of the 2025 Tauranga Museum LEGO competition have been crowned

In March, Tauranga Museum ran a special LEGO competition to celebrate the unique stories and landscapes of Tauranga Moana.

The theme, “Tauranga Moana in LEGO”, invited participants to build a model representing a significant aspect of Tauranga - from iconic landmarks and historical sites to features of our natural environment and native wildlife.

Seven year old Jonty McEntyre, who won the Under 12 category with a model depicting the wreckage of the Rena, says “I just love LEGO and boats, and history so thought this would be the perfect option”.

Launched as part of Children’s Day 2025, the competition was open to three age groups: 12 and under, 13 to 17, and 18+ (big kids too!).

There were three competition winners, one for each age category, four Highly Commended awards for the U12’s and two Highly Commended awards for the 18+ category.

• 12 and Under Winner:
  Jonty McEntyre – Final moments of the Rena
• 12 and Under Highly Commended:
  Stasi Hook – Tauranga Art Gallery
  Amos and Judah - Maungatapu Marae
  Elsie Clark – Mount Beach with Mauao and shops
  Joseph Quinn – Mount Maunganui Library
• 13 to 17 Winner:
  Amber Beasly – a tui bird
• 18+ (Big Kids) Winner:
  Jesse Ingham – three panels depicting local tukutuku designs
• 18+ (Big Kids) Highly Commended:
  Chris Greer – Tauranga Historic Village Church
  Ami Karni Hecht – walking on water foil surfers

After and receiving their awards, competition winners were treated to a behind the scenes tour of the Tauranga Museum collection.

All winners and highly commended participants received a LEGO set as a prize.