A wide range of community events planned over the next six months have secured funding from the Tauranga Western Bay Community Events Fund.

The collaborative fund was launched in July by local funders Acorn Foundation, BayTrust, TECT, Tauranga City Council and Western Bay of Plenty District Council. The fund's second funding round, which closed last month, has seen 23 events being granted funding.

The three events that have secured funding in the Western Bay of Plenty district are:

-Ghost Story Treat Trail and Float Parade events, Te Puke (Monday, 31 October 2022): $5000.

-Katikati A&P Show (Sunday, February 5, 2023): $8000.

-Tauranga Moana Hui Aranga, Te Puna (Thursday, April 5, 2023): $10,000

The 20 events that have secured funding in Tauranga are:

-Community Function – Diwali (Friday, October 14, 2022): $2000.

-Pedal & Spokes Family Cycle Ride (Saturday, November 5, 2022): $5000.

-2nd Annual Migrant Powhiri (Saturday, November 12, 2022): $10,000.

-New Zealand Country Music Star Awards (Saturday, November 19, 2022): $4450.

-Celebrating Greatness (Sunday, November 20, 2022): $3715.

-Trans Pride 2022 (Sunday, November 20, 2022): $1500.

-GenX / Marra Tinman Triathlon (Sunday, November 20, 2022): $7500.

-Tauranga Christmas in the Park (Saturday, December 10): $15,000.

-Team Shorebreak Inc Ocean Series 2022-2023 (Thursday, December 15, 2022 – Wednesday, 26 January 2023): $550.

-EVES Surfbreaker Triathlon (Tuesday, December 27, 2022): $7,500

-Tauranga Sikh Parade (Sunday, 8 January 2023): $8000.

-Generation Homes Women's Triathlon (Sunday, February 19, 2023): $7500.

-2023 National Masters Hockey Tournament (Sunday, February 26 – Saturday, March 42023): $10,000.

-Holi Colour Splash (Saturday, March 4, 2023): $10,500.

-Kids Fun Day (Sunday, March 5, 2023): $1500.

-Opus Orchestra Programme 1 and 2 2023 (Saturday, March 11 – Sunday, May 28, 2023): $10,000.

-Marra Sprint Triathlon (Sunday, March 12, 2023): $7500.

-BMX NZ 2023 National Championships (Friday, 17 March – Sunday, March 19, 2023): $15,000.

-Tauranga Multicultural Festival (Saturday, March 18, 2023): $13,000.

-Project Youth Hip Hop Dance Competition (Saturday, June 3 – Sunday, June 4, 2023): $20,000.

Local club, Triathlon Tauranga, organise and deliver four triathlon events every summer. Paul Miller, club president, says the club is grateful to receive support from the new fund.

'The funding received helps the club host the four triathlons and enables families to have fun in the local Bay of Plenty community.

'The triathlon series offers events that cater for all ages and abilities, encourage people to challenge themselves and give something new a go, promote fun and camaraderie, and bring the whānau together to compete in the sport of triathlon.”

As well as local community events, Tauranga will host national sporting events in 2023, like the BMX NZ 2023 National Championships and National Masters Hockey Tournament, which are set to bring many visitors to the region.

Another event that received funding is the Katikati A&P Show, taking place on Sunday, February 5 2023. Proudly the oldest event in our region, next year it will celebrate its 99th show.

Louellen Davies, president of the Katikati Agricultural and Pastoral Society, says the family friendly event brings town and country together.

'There will be a variety of attractions, including farm animal and equestrian events, a comprehensive home industries section, and a popular photography section. We'll have food, drink, and trade stalls-a-plenty, a lolly scramble and puppet show for the littlies, and a best hat of the day competition just to name a few.

'The generous grant of $8,000 has opened up so much for us – we're looking at adding further attractions; we are so rapt.”

Western Bay of Plenty District Council Community and Strategic Relationships Manager Jodie Rickard says it is great to be supporting a growing events scene.

'These events provide huge benefits for our communities. The purpose of having a combined fund is to make it easier for these groups to access funding so they can continue their great work.”

Since opening earlier this year, the TWBCEF has funded 50 community events, with a total of $529,446 being allocated. The third funding round is now open and closes on Sunday, November 20 for events taking place from 1 January – 30 June 2023.

For more information and to apply for funding in Tauranga click here or for the Western Bay area click here.