An age-old activity of deciphering clues and racing around is a fond memory of most childhoods. More recently it is also seen as a great team-building exercise for work groups or sports teams.
Waihī Beach will soon host hundreds of ‘Hunters’ as they seek answers to cryptic clues throughout the township.
January 27th and 28th will bring the third year of The Great Waihī Beach Scavenger Hunt to town where up to 100 teams will complete a self-guided scavenger hunt.
Clues aimed to educate Hunters on the history of Waihī Beach, show off local spaces, and share sustainable and conservation initiatives will be given out on January 27th, 8am at the Waihī Beach Information Centre (26 Wilson Road). Teams will solve each clue by taking a photo of the answer and using social media to log them using the hashtag #Waihībeachhunt2024
Waihī Beach Community Events and Promotions Event Coordinator Matt Nicholson explains the idea was sparked to bring people to explore Waihī Beach.
“We wanted an event with another tourism aspect that showcased the area but also allowed people to explore and enjoy it with their friends or family.â€
“By basing clues around the natural environment, Hunters will get a more hands-on experience of Waihī Beach and most likely will discover areas they’d never known about – our hidden gems,†says Nicholson.
This event will benefit those participating by including outdoor exploration, fun, and competition.
The excitement and motivation to solve clues and being outside is great for mental health. Whereas running around in local outdoor spaces offers a recreational aspect and will show Hunters new areas they may not see as often.
Teams must correctly answer all clues by midday on Sunday (January 28th). All teams who correctly answer all the clues go in the draw to be selected in the final three teams. The lucky final three teams will be announced on the Waihī Beach Facebook & Instagram Pages at 1pm, and invited to dig for their prize by the Waihī Beach Surf Club at 3pm.
The final three teams will get to dig for their share of the $1500 prize pool.
With no entry fee, teams can have a maximum of five team members over 16 years old and can have endless support crew members of any age. This creates a broad range of teams taking on the scavenger hunt as friends, colleagues, and families join to solve the clues.
Local Tauranga Western Bay Community Event Fund (TWBCEF) granted $2,000 towards this years’ event. The fund is a partnership between local funders Acorn Foundation, BayTrust, TECT, Tauranga City Council and Western Bay of Plenty District Council with the core purpose of supporting community-led events and that encourages participation for free or at low-cost.
Western Bay of Plenty District Council’s Community and Strategic Relationship Manager, Jodie Rickard says supporting this event through the TWBCEF fund has allowed event organisers to be supported in ensuring each team receives a sustainable ‘hunt pack’ to assist them in participating and being kept safe whilst out in Waihī Beach.
“These hunt packs will consist of writing equipment, props, snacks, water and sunscreen, as well as informational brochures and maps to really showcase WaihÄ« Beach and all there is to see and do.â€
“With around 40% of previous years' participants coming from outside of Waihī Beach from the wider Western Bay and beyond, this event is a great opportunity to show the appeal of this coastal town,†says Rickard.
To enter into The Great Waihī Beach Scavenger Hunt, simply show up on the day at the Waihī Beach Information Centre.
Event Details:
The Great Waihī Beach Scavenger Hunt
27th and 28th January 2024
Waihī Beach
FREE to attend.
www.Waihībeach.co.nz Facebook @Waihībeach
