For immediate release

20 December 2012

An event a day all summer long in the coastal Bay of Plenty

The coastal Bay of Plenty is bursting with events this summer, with 43 concerts, sporting events, fairs and festivals being held in the 38 days from Christmas through to the end of January.

Highlights for the season include the Exodus New Years’ Eve party featuring Herbs and Katchafire, the Tauranga Moana Boutique Seafood Festival, the Outdoor Comedy Store with Urzila Carlson and the Bridge to Bridge Swim.

The Bay is also hosting 22 sporting events before the end of January including the Port of Tauranga Half Marathon, sprint and saloon car races, the rugby sevens and the HRV Cup Twenty20 Cricket.

Tourism Bay of Plenty general manager Rhys Arrowsmith says that after the setbacks last year due to the wet weather and the grounding of the Rena, the scene is set for this summer to be the biggest and best yet for the region.

“The coastal Bay of Plenty is obviously an attractive spot for summer tourists because of our excellent weather, perfect beaches and cosmopolitan city living,” he says. “With the wide range of events on offer we hope to give more people an incentive to come to our beautiful region – and to stay longer.”

“Accommodation bookings are looking extremely positive right throughout January,” he says. “With a wide range of accommodation we have beds to meet all budgets.”

“As New Zealand’s largest port, Tauranga will also be welcoming 83 cruise ships during the summer period, which will bring in an estimated 219,000 passengers and millions of dollars to the region.”

Key events include:

- Kora with The Nudge, 26 December

- Eves Triathlon Series, 27 December

- Little Miss Sunshine and Miss Mount Maunganui, 31 December

- Exodus, 31 December

- Baypark Sprint Car Championship, 2 January

- Port of Tauranga Half Marathon, 5 January

- HRV Cup Twenty20 Cricket Northern Knights vs Auckland Aces, 6 January

- Outdoor Comedy Store, 10 January

- Bridge to Bridge Swim, 12 January

- Tauranga Moana Boutique Seafood Festival, 12 January

ENDS

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