Bridge players from across the country have travelled to Mount Maunganui for the New Zealand Bridge Congress starting today.

This year's National Congress – being held from Saturday October 1 to October 8 – is particularly special as it is the first time in 36 years that it is being hosted at Mount Maunganui.

'We played online last year so this is the first year it's going to be played at Baypark and it's very exciting,” says Mount Maunganui Bridge Club president Diane Rodger.

With Mount Maunganui Bridge Club's new facilities operational, some of the congress events will be held there too.

'We're thrilled about that,” says Diane.

The congress games will be open to all player levels from across New Zealand, and international players from Australia and Sweden will attend as well.

An experienced bridge enthusiast, Diane has been playing since 1995 and will compete in teams, pairs and Swiss pairs bridge sessions.

'Swiss pairs is where you play and the higher you get, you move up a table, so the idea is to get to the top table,” says Diane.

The National Congress event runs for eight days and is both a chance to socialise and get competitive.

'Everyone's competitive and we all want to do well, but if you don't do well there always tomorrow or the next day.”

Best of luck making it to the top table Diane!