http://www.communityeventfund.nz/blog/ The latest Blog feeds from www.communityeventfund.nz en-us Mon, 21 Sep 2026 12:45:45 +1200 Rocketspark http://www.communityeventfund.nz/blog/post/170439/home-trails-put-on-national-stage-for-mountain-bike-event/ The Western Bay of Plenty will take centre stage this October when hundreds of New Zealand’s best young mountain bikers roll into the region for the 2026 National Secondary Schools Mountain Bike Championships. A pinnacle event that will put the local trails, local riders and the wider community in the nations spotlight.From 4-9 October, over 800 riders from approximately 190 schools will take part in the largest National Secondary Schools Mountain Bike Championships ever held, competing across... Thu, 17 Sep 2026 11:07:15 +1200 http://www.communityeventfund.nz/blog/#post170439 http://www.communityeventfund.nz/blog/post/169336/community-event-fund-backs-consistent-local-events-calendar/ Tauranga and Western Bay of Plenty communities will continue to have a wide range of events to enjoy over the coming months, with more than $225,000 granted through the latest round of the Tauranga Western Bay Community Event Fund.The latest funding decisions will support 24 events across the region, helping maintain a consistent local events calendar that offers something for different ages, interests and communities throughout the year.From long-standing favourites and large-scale sporting fix... Fri, 28 Aug 2026 08:51:19 +1200 http://www.communityeventfund.nz/blog/#post169336 http://www.communityeventfund.nz/blog/post/168892/10-day-live-sculpture-event-coming-to-Omokoroa/ Ōmokoroa Peninsula is set to become an open-air artist’s studio this November, with a new live sculpture event bringing artists, local stories and the coastal landscape together at Ōmokoroa Domain.Led by Public Art Ōmokoroa, Symposium at the Point will see ten to twelve artists create works onsite from 12 – 22 November.  The event will turn the domain into a shared creative space, where visitors can watch artworks take shape over time and see the skill, thinking and materials behind ... Thu, 20 Aug 2026 09:36:56 +1200 http://www.communityeventfund.nz/blog/#post168892 http://www.communityeventfund.nz/blog/post/166446/katikati-set-to-turn-blue/ Katikati is set for a sea of blue next month as locals are encouraged to dress up and take part in the free HUME 5km/10km Fun Run/Walk on Saturday 4 July, with a postponement date of Saturday 18 July (if required).Starting and finishing at the Katikati War Memorial Hall, the event is open to all ages and abilities, with 5km and 10km walk and run options designed to get the whole community involved.Hosted by HUME Pack-N-Cool, the event began as part of the business’s 40th anniversary celebratio... Wed, 17 Jun 2026 13:29:33 +1200 http://www.communityeventfund.nz/blog/#post166446 http://www.communityeventfund.nz/blog/post/166187/katikati-skatepark-set-to-shine-with-youth-led-street-art/ Katikati is getting ready to celebrate a major new addition to its skatepark, with a community art reveal event planned to unveil a bold, youth-led street artwork at Katikati Skatepark.The reveal is planned for 28 June and will mark the completion of a mural created with local rangatahi alongside artist Kalib Wallace. Bringing together young people, families and the wider community to celebrate a space shaped by the voices of those who use it most.Peri St John-Ives, Arts Coordinator and Gallery ... Wed, 10 Jun 2026 10:23:12 +1200 http://www.communityeventfund.nz/blog/#post166187 http://www.communityeventfund.nz/blog/post/165838/backing-standout-community-events/ Some of the region’s most recognised events will continue to deliver high-quality experiences for the community, alongside a wide mix of grassroots and first-time events, thanks to the latest funding round of the Tauranga Western Bay Community Event Fund.Over $200,000 has been granted to 23 upcoming events across Tauranga and Western Bay of Plenty. The fund continues to support well-established events such as the 2026 Zespri AIMS Games and the Tauranga Primary Schools’ Music Festival, which ... Fri, 05 Jun 2026 08:28:01 +1200 http://www.communityeventfund.nz/blog/#post165838 http://www.communityeventfund.nz/blog/post/164697/the-big-sing-celebrates-youth-voices/ Tauranga is set to come alive with the sound of young voices as The Big Sing: Waikato–Bay of Plenty Regional Festival returns to the city on Thursday, 11 June 2026.Hosted at Holy Trinity Tauranga, the festival will see around 27 choirs from 16 secondary schools gather for a day of inspiring performances, finishing with a public Gala Concert at 7:00pm.The Big Sing is New Zealand’s largest secondary schools’ choral festival, involving more than 8,000 students nationwide and attracting audien... Tue, 19 May 2026 10:00:00 +1200 http://www.communityeventfund.nz/blog/#post164697 http://www.communityeventfund.nz/blog/post/163713/a-bay-of-plenty-story-told-through-music-the-journey-of-mataatua-comes-to-baycourt/ A powerful local story of identity, loss and healing will be brought to life through live orchestral music when Opus Orchestra performs The Journey of Mataatua in Tauranga this May.Taking place at Baycourt Community & Arts Centre on the afternoon of Saturday 16 May 2026, the performance invites audiences to engage with a deeply meaningful Bay of Plenty story, told through music by the region’s professional orchestra.The Journey of Mataatua is a concert opera by Dame Gillian Karawe Whitehea... Fri, 24 Apr 2026 13:28:01 +1200 http://www.communityeventfund.nz/blog/#post163713 http://www.communityeventfund.nz/blog/post/163420/elite-netball-takes-centre-court-in-tauranga/ Tauranga will host two ANZ Premiership fixtures at Mercury Baypark this season. Giving local fans the chance to see elite netball up close when the Avis Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic take on both the Mystics and Southern Steel.The first match sees the Avis Magic take on the Mystics for one of the most anticipated games of the season as they battle for the Hobbiton Cup on Saturday 18 April . The second game will bring the Avis Magic back to town on Saturday 9 May to verse the Southern Steel.Centre ... Tue, 14 Apr 2026 13:09:15 +1200 http://www.communityeventfund.nz/blog/#post163420 http://www.communityeventfund.nz/blog/post/162089/over-1-million-available-as-community-event-fund-extended/ Community events across Tauranga and the Western Bay are set to thrive, with the Tauranga Western Bay Community Event Fund confirmed for another three years and more than $1 million available in funding for the 2026–2027 period.The Fund’s five funding partners, Acorn Foundation, BayTrust, Tauranga City Council, TECT, and Western Bay of Plenty District Council have reaffirmed their shared commitment through this strong partnership model, working together to achieve greater... Wed, 18 Mar 2026 13:37:32 +1300 http://www.communityeventfund.nz/blog/#post162089