The Whanga Turf and lighting at the Tauranga Hockey Centre has been upgraded over the past six week, thanks to the financial contribution of our members, TECT and Tauranga City Council.

General manager Megan Cleverley said that as part of this initiative, the old turf, which is still in great condition, has been donated to community groups.

Recipients include schools, preschools, youth organisations, BMX tracks, animal shelters, and even families seeking a backyard play area.

“A new shock pad and inline channels have been installed to enhance drainage, along with state-of-the-art Polytan wet-dry technology carpeting, set to feature at the 2026 FIH Hockey World Cup venues in Belgium and the Netherlands,” said Cleverley when talking about the new upgrades at the centre.

“Alongside welcoming our 4000 players, we’re thrilled to host an exciting line-up of national tournaments for our community to enjoy, including the Premier Hockey League, Chica Gilmer Secondary Schools Tournament, and the renowned Zespri Aims Games.

“We are also eagerly looking ahead to the possibility of hosting an international event in the near future.”