A total of $297,000 has been granted to 40 new and regular community-led events in the recent funding round of the Tauranga Western Bay Community Event Fund.

The Tauranga Western Bay Community Event Fund was established to support and enhance local events ensuring both locals and visitors have a broad range of events to experience and enjoy throughout the year.

A streamlined process enables more opportunities for organisers from the five funding partners and opens the door to both for profit and not for profit events.

From basketball to iconic triathlon events and national secondary school tournaments, there are a range of sporting events to partake in or simply enjoy from the sidelines.

The fund is proud to support events that encourage social inclusiveness and accessibility for our diverse communities.

The Festival of Disability Sport next May brings together physically disabled athletes from across New Zealand and celebrates ability at all levels across a range of sports.

A grant of $25,000 from the event fund ensures the event can build on its success in 2025 and ensure more whaikaha (physically disabled) athletes can take part.

“Funding a wide range of events is incredibly important for connection, celebration, and empowerment of our community. It’s about creating a vibrant and inclusive community where everyone has the opportunity to participate,” said Wayne Werder, chief executive of TECT Community Trust, one of the funding partners.

Celebrating the region’s arts and culture scene sees a grant towards the Toi Tauranga Art Gallery Community Opening Day this November and a range of cultural events supported.

Christmas celebrations across the region offer an opportunity for tamariki to enjoy the spirit of the festive season with local parades and events funded include Tauranga’s Christmas in the Park.

Events with a kaitiakitanga focus demonstrate the fund’s support for environmental events in our community with funding granted towards the Tauranga and Western Bay Climate Action Festival and the Maketū Community Climate Change Day.

The fund is a partnership between local funders Acorn Foundation, BayTrust, TECT, Tauranga City Council and Western Bay of Plenty District Council.

The fund sees four funding rounds open throughout the year. In the 2024/25 financial year, $966,461 was granted to 99 events.

BayTrust chief executive Alastair Rhodes said it’s exciting to see the fund support such a varied scope of events and is confident there is something for everyone to enjoy.

“The events we are able to support through the fund truly showcase the diverse community we have in Tauranga and the Western Bay of Plenty. With events of all shapes and sizes, there are endless options for locals and visitors to attend.”

Funding applications for round three are now open at www.communityeventfund.nz

Applications for round three funding close October 1 with decisions released by November 20.