This week, the Aon New Zealand Surf Lifesaving Championships will bring nearly 1,300 athletes and 2,000 supporters, volunteers and officials to Tairāwhiti, providing a significant economic boost during the shoulder tourism season.
Trust Tairāwhiti has supported the event with $45,000 in funding from the Regional Event Fund. The Gisborne i-SITE team will be onsite, offering information and assistance to visitors throughout the competition.
A major event in the surf lifesaving calendar, the competition will feature surf races, beach sprints, rescue simulations, canoeing and surf boat racing. Athletes of all levels, from new lifeguards to seasoned masters, will showcase their skills.
With 90 percent of attendees from outside the region, the event is expected to generate between $1.5 and $2 million in visitor spending. It was last held in Gisborne in 2020 and contributed $1.6 million to the local economy. Visitors staying four to five nights will boost demand for accommodation, hospitality and retail businesses.
Beyond the competition, the event will offer educational and cultural experiences to local rangatahi.
A new primary school ambassador programme will invite year five and six students to a beach day before the competition. Activities will include beach safety education with the SLSNZ Education Team, sustainability lessons with Sustainable Coastlines NZ and lifeguard challenges led by surf lifesaving representatives.
Midway Beach, the event’s base, sits within the rohe of Ngai Tawhiri, a hapū of Rongowhakaata. Local primary school students will learn about the rich histories of Ngāi Tawhiri and their connection to this coastline as mana whenua.
Each participating school will receive an Ocean Ambassador kit, including rash shirts, hats, drink bottles, sunscreen, and resources to help students share their learning with classmates. These initiatives aim to strengthen community ties, inspire future lifeguards and promote environmental stewardship among rangatahi.