After a two-year hiatus, over 20,000 visitors are expected in Tauranga this week for the Zespri AIMS Games.

The games are one of the largest sporting championships in the Southern Hemisphere, so large that not one, but two opening ceremonies will take place at Trustpower Baypark, both with 5000 attendees.

Tournament director Kelly Schischka says the local community should check out the games, not only to support our rangatahi, but also to experience the festival-like atmosphere.

'The 10,000 plus young athletes from across New Zealand have been training for months for these games – their excitement is catching!

'There will be plenty of action on and off the sports field, from multiple chill out zones and activations through to an outdoor movie night and the Ultimate Athlete obstacle racing course. You might even spot an Olympian or two!”

Tourism Bay of Plenty is also giving visitors and locals the chance to win a family getaway when they post photos of their experiences on social media from Friday, September 2, until Sunday, September 11, using the hashtag #ZespriAIMSGames22.

Tauranga City Council venues and events manager Nelita Byrne says she can't wait for the games to return this week, and she has been impressed by the level of collaboration across the city in the lead up to the event.

'Something special happens when local businesses and residents come together and get behind an event. It's the manaakitanga and city pride that makes all the difference.”

Zespri AIMS Games takes place from Saturday, September 3, until Friday, September 9.

For more information on the games, visit www.nzaimsgames.co.nz

To keep up to date with road closures, visit www.tauranga.govt.nz/roadclosures or use the Waka Kotahi Journey Planner at journeys.nzta.govt.nz.

Travelling around these Zespri AIMS Games

Residents and visitors should expect some delays during the week, and Zespri AIMS Games and Tauranga City Council are asking drivers to be patient and allow for extra travel time.

A free park and ride service, sponsored by Tauranga City Council and Bay of Plenty Regional Council, is designed to help relieve congestion on roads and encourage uptake in sustainable transport.

The park and ride service is free for all and will run across five key sites, from Mount Maunganui to Papamoa and return. Keep an eye out for the handy park and ride flags at the stops at Mount Hot Pools, Blake Park, Baywave, Trustpower Baypark and Gordon Spratt Reserve.

Bay of Plenty Regional Council are also providing free travel for athletes, coaches and referees on Bayhopper Urban buses when they show their Zespri AIMS Games app.

More information on the park and ride service can be found at www.nzaimsgames.co.nz/buses.

Experiences during the games open to the general public

• Multiple free chill out zones and activations at Blake Park, Gordon Spratt Reserve and Trustpower Baypark, Monday, 5 to Friday, 9 September, 9am to 4pm.
• Ultimate Athlete Short Course with 12 obstacles (cost for participants). Coronation Park Tuesday, 6 and Wednesday, 7 September, 2pm to 8pm.
• Free outdoor screening of Space Jam, BYO bean bags, blankets and/or deck chair. Te Papa o Nga Manu Porotakataka, Tuesday, 6 September at 6pm.
• Free speed climbing wall, sponsored by TECT. Blake Park, Monday, 5 to Thursday, 8 September, 10.30am to 1.30pm

How does the Tauranga community benefit from Zespri AIMS Games?

• In 2019 over 20,000 athletes and supporters came to Tauranga for the games, resulting in almost 75,000 visitor nights and $6.2 million spent in the city.
• Approximately 1,220 mentions a year of Zespri AIMS Games on social media and traditional media, raising the profile of Tauranga as a destination and encouraging visitors.
• Each year a Zespri AIMS Games Green Team, made-up of local intermediate school students, help educate and minimise waste to landfill. This resulted in 2,924.kg of waste collected at the 2019 games being composted or recycled.