A jam-packed line-up of festivals, food, music and family fun is about to hit the Tauranga and Western Bay region – and there truly is something for everyone. Nineteen local events have secured a share of $164,600 through the latest round of the Tauranga Western Bay Community Event Fund.
From vibrant cultural festivals and outdoor adventures to live performances and foodie favourites, the collaborative fund helps create more chances for locals and visitors to connect, try something new and celebrate what makes our region unique.
The fund is supported by Acorn Foundation, BayTrust, TECT, Tauranga City Council and Western Bay of Plenty District Council to keep things simple for event organisers by replacing five separate funding applications with one easy process.
This round’s funding supports a wide line-up, including the annual Tauranga Multicultural Festival and Tauranga Asian Food Festival. As well as those celebrating creativity and bringing the community together through a Summer Shakespeare’s performance of As You Like It, the Katikati Bike Series, Dazzlehands ballet, and Te Puke’s 120th A&P Lifestyle Show. Grants range from $1,000 to $35,000, helping organisers deliver memorable, community-building events of all sizes.
Acorn Foundation Chief Executive, Lori Luke says it’s exciting to see the fund continue to support a range of events this funding round.
“Our region is home to people from diverse cultures, with varying interests, spread across numerous smaller communities. It is always pleasing to see the fund support events that showcase those pockets and ensure there is something for everyone to get involved in.”
Seven of the 19 events are brand new to the region, bringing fresh experiences for communities to enjoy. Western Bay of Plenty District Council Community and Strategic Relationships Manager, Jodie Rickard, is looking forward to Carols at Haiku.
“It’s great to support new events in the region that our communities haven’t experienced before as it allows us to continue creating a vibrant and inclusive community. We’re proud to be part of making that happen alongside our fund partners.”
The Tauranga Western Bay Community Event Fund runs four funding rounds each year.
Tauranga Western Bay Community Event Fund 2025/26 round three funding recipients:
Event | Date | Location |
|---|---|---|
27th Tauranga Multicultural Festival | 14 March 2026 | The Historic Village, Tauranga |
3rd Tauranga Asian Food Festival - Chinese New Year | 14 February 2026 | The Historic Village, Tauranga |
Beach Run | 28 February 2026 | Marine Parade Coastal Pathway, Mount Maunganui |
BOP Sikh Society Dashmesh Te Puke Kabaddi Tournament | 9 November 2025 | Centennial Park, Te Puke |
Carols at Haiku | 13 December 2025 | Haiku Reserve, Katikati |
Community Garden Open Day | 14 March 2026 | Community gardens across Bay of Plenty |
Dazzlehands | 12 April 2026 | Baycourt, Tauranga |
Echo Walking Festival | 20 March to 19 April 2026 | Various locations |
Ethkick | 29 November 2025 | Links Avenue, Mount Maunganui |
Holi Colour Splash | 7 March 2026 | Jordan Field, Tauranga |
Katikati Bike Series | 14 - 21 February 2026 | Katikati Township and Waitekohekohe Reserve |
Omokoroa's Big Christmas Bash | 28 November 2025 | Omokoroa Domain |
Summer Shakespeare | 5 - 15 February 2026 | Te Puna Quarry Park |
Take a Kid Fishing | 10 January 2026 | Pukehina Surf Lifesaving Club |
Tauranga Sikh Parade | 11 January 2026 | Tauranga CBD |
Te Puke 120th A&P Lifestyle Shoe | 14 February 2026 | Te Puke Showgrounds |
TEDx Waihī Beach | 9 May 2026 | Waihī Beach Surf Lifesaving Club |
The Big Sing Waikato-Bay of Plenty Regional Festival | 11 June 2026 | Holy Trinity Tauranga |
The Easter Easel Egg-Scapage | 4 April 2026 | Jubilee Park, Te Puke |
