Tauranga SPCA is encouraging residents to grab their wooden spoons and mixing bowls to support the ‘sweetest' fundraiser of the year.

Each year thousands of New Zealanders bake and sell cupcakes for SPCA Cupcake Day to raise funds to fight animal cruelty.

In Tauranga the national event is incorporated into a Cupcake Day Fun Day which includes a cupcake competition.

This year's event is on Saturday, August 12 and will feature activities such as face-painting, a bouncy castle and Ferris wheel ride, a sausage sizzle, petting zoo, and the popular cupcake competition.

Cupcake coordinator Hannah Cobb says the cupcake competition has been running for nine years and over the past three years the SPCA has added extra activities that have seen the fundraiser grow and grow.

'It's something fun and creative with a cause behind it to make it that much more meaningful.

'There's no limit to how you can decorate a cupcake and some of the ideas that have come out have been absolutely amazing.”

People are encouraged to register for the event and bake for friends, family, colleagues and classmates.

All of the proceeds on the day go to the SPCA, which will cover veterinary care and day-to-day operational costs for the animals. Last year Tauranga SPCA raised around $2000.

Hannah says they didn't do as well last year because of the bad weather, but this year they have a backup plan, with the majority of the events being held inside.

'Even if the weather is still a bit glump there's still going to be a barbeque, there's still going to be the competitions and there's still going to be face-painting.”

For the cupcake competition judges will select winners for best tasting cupcake, best decorated cupcake and most money raised, which competitors can do leading up to the event on August 12.

There will be nine prize packages including items like baking tools and vouchers which have been donated by the Mount Manganui Bake Boss and Pak'nSave.

'Come down with some coins and help support us,” says Hannah.

The SPCA Cupcake Day Fun Day will be held on Saturday, August 12 at the Tauranga SPCA shelter, 43 Alach St, Greerton from 10.30am-2.30pm.

The entry fee for the cupcake competition is $10 and forms can be collected from the Tauranga SPCA shelter. Entries must be returned by August 11.