Mount Festival Of Multisport Delivers Boost To Tauranga's Economy
On Saturday, 18 January, the streets of Mount Maunganui buzzed with energy as spectators and athletes gathered for the much-anticipated multisport festival. According to an economic impact report by Fresh Info, commissioned by Tauranga City Council, the event attracted 5,221 attendees. Of those, over half were visitors from outside the region, causing a combined 5,357 visitor nights and $998,167 in spend across the city.
Public feedback shows the Mount Festival of Multisport isn't just a hit with visitors - it's embraced by the community too. An impressive 96% of all athletes reported being satisfied with the event, while 88% of local athletes said it boosted their sense of pride in Tauranga. Additionally, 93% felt the festival had a positive impact on the city's liveability, highlighting its role in bringing people together and injecting energy and vibrancy into Tauranga over summer.
Tauranga Mayor Mahé Drysdale says the reported outcomes are a strong endorsement of the festival and the role events like this play in shaping the city's future.
'The Mount Festival of Multisport plays a pivotal role in positioning Tauranga as a leading destination for multisport and triathlon events,' says Mahé.
'These are fantastic economic results for the city, with visitors coming to compete, support, and explore our region. Best of all, events like this bring world-class sporting action right to the doorstep of our local community.'
Festival Director, Julia Tilley, says the results are incredibly encouraging for the organising team.
'It's rewarding to know that the event not only brings people together for the sporting experience, but also delivers real benefits to local businesses and the Tauranga community. These benefits reinforce the value of our ongoing efforts to attract participants from out of town and motivate us to keep raising the bar and finding new ways to enhance the festival for everyone involved.'
Highlights from the economic impact report commissioned by Fresh Info for the Fulton Hogan Mount Festival of Multisport held earlier this year.
What began as the Tauranga Half triathlon in 1990 has grown into one of New Zealand's longest-running and most respected half-ironman events. Set against a stunning backdrop, the race features a swim in Pilot Bay, a run that winds along the coastline and the base of Mauao, and a bike leg on the Tauranga Eastern Link highway, closed especially for the event.
In 2015, the event expanded into what is now known as the Mount Festival of Multisport, with the addition of the AquaBike and Half Marathon events. While each event retains its own identity, together they offer something for everyone, collectively providing athletes and the community with an exciting day of competition.
Some of the standout moments from this year's Festival include elite men's champion Jack Moody setting a new course record in the Tauranga Half Triathlon. The festival also saw its highest-ever overall attendance.
The Mount Festival of Multisport is proudly supported by Tauranga City Council's Tauranga Event Fund, a fund designed to offer support for national events aiming to attract visitors and deliver economic benefits to the city. Judging by these results, the festival has certainly delivered. It's also a fantastic platform to showcase Tauranga's passion for sport, fitness, and the outdoors, set against beautiful natural surroundings.
Looking ahead, organisers aim to grow the event's international reputation further.
'Our goal is to keep raising the bar – delivering unforgettable experiences and creating lasting value for the community and the city,' says Julia.
'It truly is a team effort,' Julia adds. 'The Fulton Hogan Mount Festival of Multisport is made possible thanks to the support of Tauranga City Council, generous sponsors, hundreds of dedicated volunteers, local suppliers, and the wider Tauranga community. This energy and encouragement from our community are what make this event so special.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scoop
2 days ago
- Scoop
TEL Off-ramp To Pāpāmoa East Opening Early
Tauranga City Council is pleased to be opening the off-ramp from the Tauranga Eastern Link (TEL) to Pāpāmoa East at the end of August, months ahead of schedule. The Council has worked with the project contractor, Minister for Transport Chris Bishop, the New Zealand Transport Agency and local MP Tom Rutherford to make this a reality. The Pāpāmoa East Interchange is key to improving network connectivity for existing residents and will also enable ongoing residential and commercial development. "The opening of the Pāpāmoa East Interchange off-ramp by the end of August, which is nine months ahead of plan, is a great outcome for our people and will help ease traffic issues," says Mayor Mahé Drysdale. Meanwhile, Councillor Steve Morris adds that the rest of the interchange will be open and ready to use in early-2026, which will have 'a significant impact on improving traffic flows and ease of accessing the TEL from Pāpāmoa East". 'Mayor Drysdale worked with Minister Bishop to facilitate the early opening and I approached Tom Rutherford to ask for his help,' Steve says, 'and between us all, we've managed to get a great result for the community." "By working together, we have achieved a good, pragmatic outcome for our community, and I thank everyone for saying yes and getting this done," says Mahé. The Council's Programme Director: Major Transport Projects, Chris Barton, says construction is progressing well, with costs also forecast to be within budget. More information is available on the Lets Talk Tauranga website: .
Scoop
7 days ago
- Scoop
EVES Open Returns To Pāpāmoa For Its Fourth Year
Professional tennis returns to the Bay of Plenty this summer, with the World Tennis Tour once again taking place at the Pāpāmoa Tennis Club. Scheduled for 15-21 December 2025, the EVES Open will bring together some of the world's best up-and-coming players, competing for official WTA and ATP ranking points and over $60,000 in prize money. Now in its fourth year, the tournament has become a fixture on the local Tauranga events calendar, marking the start of the summer and Christmas season. Pāpāmoa Ward Councillor Steve Morris says it's great to see the event return. 'Bringing world-class sport to Pāpāmoa is a real win for the city – and the fact it's free to attend makes it even better for our community. We're big fans of tennis here, with Tauranga leading the country in growth for both memberships and casual play.' 'Tauranga City Council is proud to support this event through the Tauranga Event Fund, which helps bring more arts, culture, and sporting experiences to life, making our city an even better place to live and visit.' 'The event's gone from strength to strength over the past few years, and it's fantastic to welcome an event of this calibre back to Pāpāmoa.' Players have often praised the EVES Open for its atmosphere and hospitality, with many calling it their favourite tournament at this level. Gareth Archer, Commercial and Marketing Manager for Tennis New Zealand, says the event is also vital for local athletes. 'Kiwi players have to travel far and wide to earn prize money and ranking points. Events like the EVES Open are crucial. They offer players the chance to compete on home soil, with the backing of a local crowd.' Last year, more than 40 New Zealanders competed in the men's and women's singles draws, alongside players from over 15 countries. This year's tournament will offer plenty for fans and families, including a junior school holiday programme and the NZ Wheelchair Tennis Championships, which will be held alongside the main draw. The popular courtside hospitality tables will return, offering food and wine just metres from the action. Public entry is free all week, with great vantage points from the grass banks around the courts. Naming rights partner EVES Real Estate is again backing the event. 'This tournament is always a highlight of the summer, and EVES is thrilled to be back on board,' says Gabriella Troutbeck, GM Marketing & Communications at EVES. 'The level of tennis on display is incredible up close. Make sure you get along to check it out!' Along with EVES, the event is proudly supported by Tauranga City Council and TECT through their event funds, ensuring the tournament remains free for spectators.
NZ Herald
7 days ago
- NZ Herald
Letters: Cameron Rd position clarified, traffic flow is faster
While I do sincerely acknowledge that some businesses have issues with customer access since the Cameron Rd upgrade, we do not. Tauranga City Council provided me with a 24-hour, 15-minute loading zone. Pivotal to my business, it enables vehicles, including those with trailers, to drop off and collect goods, regardless of operating bus lanes. From the vantage point of my shop, it is clearly obvious that traffic flow is faster and smoother both ways along Cameron Rd, than prior to the changes. In time, I feel there will be a very positive outcome for all. Howard Jones Naismith & Jones Cameron Rd Cancer treatment The Bay of Plenty Times article regarding decline in the use of low-dose rate brachytherapy to treat prostate cancer was timely and thought-provoking. As a prostate cancer survivor who was treated with brachytherapy in 2008, I can attest to its convenience and effectiveness. As I say in my book Blasted By Seeds (published in 2015), I was in hospital for a night after the procedure on a Thursday afternoon, discharged the next day and back at work the following Tuesday. While I was on medication for several months to control post-treatment symptoms, I kept working fulltime and took minimal sick leave. I was also able to avoid disclosing what had happened to me - which was important in a workplace where there was the possibility of restructuring and downsizing. I doubt my quick return to work would have been possible if I'd undergone prostatectomy - and subsequent hospitalisation. Given the prevalence of prostate cancer, it would be a pity to lose brachytherapy as a treatment option, particularly for men who are diagnosed with early-stage disease and are still working full time. Tom McGrath Karori, Wellington Shoplifting doesn't pay Green MP Tamatha Paul has suggested that people with no money to buy food could turn to shoplifting. Is this suggestion part of the Greens' bold new economic policy? I guess in Tamatha Paul's world, it is only natural that people turn to crime when short of a dollar or two. However, does she not know that food banks exist? Also, if people are short of clothes, then charities exist to help in these circumstances as well. While it is not an ideal situation to rely on charity, one would hope that Paul realises that the crime of shoplifting does not pay. Does she not remember that one of her former colleagues was found guilty of shoplifting even while earning a salary of over $170,000 a year? That's a pretty high pay ceiling to reach while considering whether or not to engage in crime. Bernard Walker Mount Maunganui The Bay of Plenty Times welcomes letters from readers. Please note the following: Letters should not exceed 200 words. They should be opinion, based on facts or current events. If possible, please email. No noms-de-plume. Letters will be published with names and suburb/city. Please include full name, address and contact details for our records only. Local letter writers are given preference. Rejected letters are not normally acknowledged. Letters may be edited, abridged, or rejected at the Editor's discretion. The Editor's decision on publication is final. No correspondence will be entered into. Email editor@
