Tauranga is buzzing with activity as a packed Easter long weekend kicks off, with sunshine forecast to welcome the more than 20,000 visitors expected for major events, a stark contrast to last year's rainy holiday. The city is playing host to the renowned Tauranga Jazz Festival and the long-running Mel Young Easter Classic basketball tournament, alongside a swathe of family-friendly activities and community markets.
The influx of visitors comes as a welcome boost to the local economy. Tauranga, one of New Zealand's fastest-growing cities, is famed for its stunning coastline, including the iconic Mauao and Mount Maunganui beach. Its name in te reo Māori, meaning "place of rest/anchorage," perfectly captures its appeal as a holiday destination, offering both relaxation and a vibrant calendar of cultural events.
While some accommodation providers have noted a more cautious booking environment this year, the promise of fine weather for the start of the weekend has encouraged last-minute plans. MetService meteorologist John Law said Good Friday would be a "dry, fine day" with a high of 20C, providing perfect conditions for the opening of the festivities.
Jazz festival fills the streets with music
The 61st Tauranga Jazz Festival, a cornerstone of the city’s cultural scene, is already off to a strong start, with more than 150 musicians performing across the city until April 6. Festival manager Marc Anderson said the first three concerts at The Jam Factory were sell-outs, which he called “a really good start” to the event.
A record number of more than 850 students have entered this year's National Youth Jazz Competition, which began at Baycourt on Monday, showcasing the next generation of jazz talent from across the country. The festival spirit will be accessible to all, with a series of free outdoor performances scheduled for Saturday and Sunday at The Barrel Room stage and the Red Square stage in the Tauranga CBD.
In Mount Maunganui, live music will feature at Sailor, Brew, The Cruise Deck and Mount Social Club. The festivities will conclude on Monday with a “mini jazz” event at Porotakataka Park from 12pm to 2pm. Beyond the main stages, the city's commitment to arts and culture is an ongoing affair, with institutions like the Tauranga Library often hosting creative sessions for the community.
Basketball classic marks 38 years
Across the city, the sound of bouncing balls and cheering crowds will fill sixteen courts for the 38th Mel Young Easter Classic. The basketball tournament is the longest-running representative competition of its kind in the country and is a key event for youth development in the sport. This year, 1300 players will participate, drawing an estimated 3000 to 4000 spectators to venues including Mercury Baypark, Haumaru Sport and Recreation Centre, and the Queen Elizabeth Youth Centre.
Tauranga City Basketball general manager Mark Rogers said the tournament's focus is on development. “It’s an opportunity for a lot of kids that won’t go to national tournaments to play kids from other regions,” he said. The event features five age-group divisions, as well as an exhibition walking basketball game and a wheelchair basketball game. Entry is free for all spectators.
Cautious optimism from tourism sector
Despite the high-profile events, the tourism sector has observed changing patterns in visitor behaviour this year. Tourism Bay of Plenty’s head of strategy and insights, Richard Faire, noted that bookings were tracking below last year for some, with commercial operators reporting a “more cautious booking environment.”
However, Faire highlighted a growing trend of travellers making decisions closer to the time, heavily influenced by weather forecasts. The promising outlook for the first half of the long weekend is expected to drive this last-minute demand.
While Easter in Tauranga may not reach the “peak levels” of previous years, “we still expect a solid level of visitation across the long weekend”.
The weather is expected to turn on Sunday, with more cloud and showers predicted, and a “cloudier and wetter” Monday as a front moves up from the south, according to MetService. This may encourage visitors to make the most of the sunshine on Friday and Saturday.
Full calendar of community activities
Beyond the major festivals, a diverse range of community events ensures there is something for everyone across the region. On Friday, the Tauranga Night Market makes its return at the racecourse, and in Mandurah, Mandurah prepares for iconic Easter weekend duck race. The Easter Bunny will also make an appearance in Greerton Village, handing out chocolates to children.
Art and book lovers can browse the Rotary Club of Tauranga’s pop-up sale on Devonport Road from Saturday to Monday, with proceeds supporting various charities. For a unique experience, the Tauranga Racecourse is being transformed into a pop-up golf driving range. The Clubroom Tauranga director Hayden Beard said the goal was to provide the community with a golf experience “in a shortened format,” while Racing Tauranga general manager Louise Dean celebrated the creative use of the venue.
Other weekend highlights include the Vintage Car Parade on The Strand, The Little Big Markets at Coronation Park, speedway at Baypark Stadium, and Easter cupcake decorating at Tauranga Library. Further afield, Te Puke hosts an art scavenger hunt, Katikati holds an Easter Bonnet Extravaganza, and Waihī Beach features a pop-up market. The weekend offers a perfect opportunity for residents and visitors to explore the city, which continues to attract new people, a trend reflected in the local housing market where opportunities remain for buyers in the Tauranga unit market.
The long weekend's events are set to provide a significant and welcome economic and cultural injection, reinforcing Tauranga's reputation as a premier destination for holidays and events on the North Island. It's a similar community-focused approach seen in other centres, such as with the Hamilton Council's community drop-in sessions, aimed at fostering local engagement.
