Events
Events make an important contribution to the diversity, vibrancy and identity of the Eastern Bay of Plenty. They also provide opportunities for entertainment and boost the local economy.
Did you know:
In the Eastern Bay of Plenty, during 2007, there were 106 listings on the events register. This included 45 sports listings, 27 arts listings, 20 lifestyle/hobby listings, 10 cultural listings, 3 education listings and 1 conference. The total combined attendance to all of these events was estimated at 129,000 people.
A few examples of major events that took place in the Eastern Bay of Plenty include:
Whakatane’s Summer Arts Festival
This has been an Anniversary Weekend highlight for over twenty years and includes the Molly Morpeth Canaday Art Award and exhibition, jazz concert and Shakespeare in the Park.
Whakatane Tuna Tournament
The Whakatane Sport Fishing Club runs one of the biggest fishing tournaments in NZ with a prize pool of over $120,000. The waters of the Eastern Bay are well known sport fishing grounds and the heaviest catches are well over 50kg.
Whakatane Great Outdoors Monty’s Revenge
This multisport event is a day of adventure on one of the most scenic course in New Zealand taking in seascapes, cliffs, bush and river vistas. Monty’s Revenge is an achievable 57km course that includes run, bike and kayak sections and is open to individuals or teams.
Opotiki’s Fibre and Fleece Festival
The Fibre and Fleece Design Awards and Fashion Parade encourages craftspeople, designers and artists to create garments, furnishings and art forms using yarns, fibres, textiles, leather, fur, bone, stone, wood or paper. Construction must be no less than 90% natural materials.
Opotiki Rodeo
The Annual Opotiki Rodeo is not to be missed. It features spectacular horse and western type events and is commended by the competing cowboys and girls to be one of the best in New Zealand.
Motu Challenge
Opotiki’s Motu Challenge is one of the country's premier Multisport races with over $60,000 worth of prizes. The Motu challenge is made up of four stages: 65km Mountain Bike, 17km Run, 52km Road Cycle, and Multisport stage with a 27km Kayak, 8km Road Cycle and 3km Run to the finish - a total of 173 km!
Opotiki’s Silent Film Festival
The beautiful Art Deco Deluxe Theatre at the northern end of Church Street Opotiki plays host to an annual three day Silent Film Festival. A series of silent classics are screened to live accompaniment on the theatre's recently restored Bechstein grand piano. Previously presented movies have included romantic comedies, historical drama's, a classic horror film, hilarious comedies from Keaton and Chaplin, and a variety of other presentations.
Opotiki Big 3
The Opotiki Big 3 has been running since 1992 and has attracted many. The aim of this event is to catch the heaviest Stag or Boar, Snapper and Pheasant with the longest tail.
Kawerau Woodfest 2009 and the National Woodskills Competition
With the National Woodskills Championship as its cornerstone, Woodfest is expanding to encompass a wide variety of elements associated with the wood industry and the bush at large.
Norske-Skog Mountain Race
Mount Edgecumbe (Putauaki) being so close, simply asked to be climbed, and often there was a wager as to who would be up and down first - so the Mountain Race began. It’s an 8 km race to reach the summit - 852 metres above sea level.
For more information about events visit:
