Events

Kawerau’s many parks, reserves and buildings combined with its central location make it an ideal venue for events.

Kawerau District Council pro-actively supports events that have either become synonymous with the township and/or utilises our natural resources. We also support smaller community events through subsidised rental fees and assisting with promotional activity. There is a small contestable for those interested in establishing a new event. For further information on this fund go to Grants & Funding.

For a full list of all events please refer to our Events Calendar or, if you would like to add and event to our calendar go to Add your own Event.

Major Events - January to October 2010

	Great Mid Winter Half Marathon 4 July 2010 This event is suitable for runners and walkers of all abilities. The circular course winds through the town of Kawerau, following parks and reserves. It can be described as fast and flat. Enter by 25 June 2010 for early bird prize draw. For more information go to http://kawerauharrierclub.co.nz
	Tarawera 100 10 July 2010 The 2010 Tony Rees Motorcycles sponsored Tarawera 100 will be held on Saturday July 10th at Eiver's property near Kawerau. The 100 mile offroad endurance race is one of NZ's longest running dirt bike events, and attracts top motocross and enduro riders from across New Zealand. The shotgun start will begin at 10am sharp, when around 300 riders will all launch towards the first corner. Make sure you're there to see the amazing spectacle. For more info visit www.ttbrc.co.nz
	Gravity Sports Club '6 HR' [Adventure Race] 17 July 2010 Kawerau's very own Gravity Sports Club will be hosting the inaugral 6 HR Adventure Race and it promises to be an amazing adventure. The stunning environment in and around Kawerau will be the perfect playground as competitors from young to old navigate their way through the mystery course that will test the physical and mental abilties of all involved. Click results for a full breakdown of section results. Not only that it will provide an enormous amount of fun!
	Kawerau Big 3 Competition 20 to 22 August 2010 The Big 3 Competition is a land based fishing and hunting event. The weekend starts at 5.00 pm on Friday 20 August at the Kawerau Sports Club on Firmin Field, Waterhouse Street Kawerau. A family/whanau day will be held on Saturday with field games and challenges set up for children of all ages. Final weigh in is 2 pm Sunday immediately followed by the prizegiving. More information and Big 3 Entry Form
	Kawerau Woodfest 11 & 12 September 2010 The event includes a wide variety of activities associated with the wood industry and the bush at large. The cornerstone of the Festival is the National Woodskills Competition which showcases the artistic side of working with wood. Outside competitions include Chainsaw Carving, The Big Dig - a chip shovelling competition, Woodchopping Competitions and Chainsaw Racing. There is also a craft market, food stalls, trade exhibitions and entertainment. More information
	Norske Skog Mountain Race 30 October 2010 Not for the faint hearted. This is a gruelling 8 km race to the summit of Putauaki - 852 metres above sea level. Some athletes will complete this within an unbelievable 60 minutes. Relay competitions between local primary schools are held earlier in the day. The contest for the Prince and Princess of the Mountain commences at 11 am. This race is for 9 - 13 yr olds and takes runners over approximately 4 km of the lower section of the Mountain Race Course. For more information go to http://kawerauharrierclub.co.nz

Recent Major Events 2009/10

	Waterwheel Launch & Open Day 5 June 2010 The Waterwheel Heritage Trust will be holding its innaugral Open Day at the Heritage Park site on Spencer Ave in Kawerau. A dedicated group of volunteers have successfully built and transported the six metre diameter waterwheel, which will be the centre piece attraction of the park at its new home in Kawerau. The Open Day will mark the official launch of the waterwheel and all are welcome to witness this amazing piece of engineering turn and make history for the first time. There will be other attractions on site for all ages to enjoy. The gates open at 10am and the launch ceremony will begin at 12pm.
	Targa Rotorua 2010 5 June 2010 Two days of competition, approximately 330kms of closed stages, to be run as two rounds of the Seria Campione - the Targa Rotorua will stop over at Prideaux Park Kawerau on Saturday 5 June from 1 pm onwards. The rally arrives in Kawerau after completing the 35km Manawahe/Braemar closed road section and will leave to retrace their steps. Each car will spend approxmately 25 minutes at the stop. Further information will be released as it comes to hand or go now to http://http://www.targa.co.nz/2010-Targa-Rotorua_990.aspx
	Whakatane Bird Show and Sale 22 & 23 May 2010 The 55th Annual Show of the Whakatane Bird Show will be held in the Kawerau Town Hall on 22 & 23 May 2010. Birds catered for include Canaries: Yorkshire, Norwich, Border, Colour Fed and Non Colour Fed, Closter, Lizard and Roller. Budgerigars, Bengalise and Zebra Finches. British Birds include Goldfinches, Chaffinches, Thrushes,Blackbirds and Sparrows. Lovebirds and a foreign section which includes exotic Finches, Parakeets, Doves, Quail and Parrots.
	'Te Rex' Kawerau Guide Dog Puppy Appeal 2 Feb - 1 May 2010 The town of Kawerau put it self on the map with an amazing achievement with this appeal. In the space of just 3 months Kawerau and the surrounding local region succesfully raised $24,255.18. Here is a big THANKYOU to everyone that 'got in behind' the appeal and the funds raised will now be used to raise and train a guide dog puppy which will eventually become the eyes for a blind person.
	Seriously Social Rafting Comp II. Raft Wars 'The Tarawera Strikes Back' 17th April 2010 After the amazing success of the previous social rafting competition the organisers are pleased to hold the last race day before the winter months set in. There will be heaps of spot prizes up for grabs and once again two winning crews will get the chance of a free trip down the Kaituna River. This stuff is seriously good fun! Watch this space for more races to come later in the year.
	Eastern Bay of Plenty Dog Obedience Club 17 & 18 April 2010 Head down to Prideaux Park for this amazing canine competition as dogs and their owners compete in the ‘Championship Jumpers Event’. There will be in excess of 160 ‘jet propelled’ hounds flying through the air over various obstacle courses, a site not to be missed. Kawerau has a fine reputation as a dog friendly town and this 2 day event will highlight that!
	The 2nd Annual Tarawera Ultramarathon 20th March 2010 Starting at sunrise in Rotorua and embarking on 100km, 80km & 60km runs through some of the most stunning and inaccessible native terrain the Bay of Plenty has to offer. This ultra marathon will take in amazing sights such as Lake Okataina and the Tarawera forest and finish at the foot of Mt Edgecumbe in Kawerau. Click here for more information http://www.taraweraultra.co.nz
	North Island Kayak Champs 6 March 2010 Check out the skills and frills of this amazing sport, Kawerau is pleased to provide one of the cleanest rivers around and the recent river bank developments offer outstanding viewing areas and some of natures finest environment. Nestled beneath the stunning Mt. Edgecumbe this venue truly is one of the ‘Treasure’s of the Land” Click here for more http://www.slalomnz.org.nz
	Eastern Bay of Plenty Dog Obedience Competition 6 & 7 March 2010 This dog obedience tournament will display the best groomed and most highly trained dogs the region has to offer. This is the oldest of doggy disciplines around and requires years of training by owners. Come down to Prideaux Park and watch the skills both dog and owner have to offer.What is Dog Obedience?
	Seriously Social Raft Comp 20 February 2010 Kawerau is pleased to be offering the inaugural NZ Social Rafting Competition. This event will provide teams from the local community, schools and businesses an opportunity to participate in adrenalin pumping, white water rapids fun. It will be perfect for team building and bonding, with lots of fun to be had. Race Format & Seriously Social Race Results 20 Feb
	36^th Aotearoa National Bowls Champs 5 & 6 February 2010 Kawerau Bowling Club is proud to be the hosts of this annual bowls competition. Around 100 four person teams will converge on Kawerau for this weekend of high level competitive skill. With bowls being an Olympic & Commonwealth sport there is always plenty riding on tournaments with the potential to be seen and selected to represent your country. Click Mataatua 2010 preview and Programme for more on info on bowlsnz go to http://www.bowlsnz.co.nz/index.php?id=354
	NZ Kayaking Selections 23 & 24 January 2010 The sightof skill, strength and courage pitted against powerful water makes slalom an exciting spectator sport. For the competitor there is the challenge, together with fantastic friendships, cooperation between national teams, and closeness to the river and the environment. The Tarawera River will yet again host some of NZ’s finest paddlers around. Don’t miss this excellent spectator opportunity. http://www.slalomnz.org.nz for more
	NZ Raft Team Selections 28 & 29 November 2009 The stunning Tarawera River once again will host some of the finest rafters NZ has to offer as they negotiate the twists and turns of the river. Last years NZ representatives who competed in Bosnia at the World Champs will once again be challenging for the prestige of competing on the world stage, this time in Holland 2010. This event promises to be a fine spectacle and crews from the local community will be joining in the races to test there skills against the best NZ has to offer. For more information click NZ Raft Team Information . Click for entry forms
	Eastern Bay of Plenty Dog Obedience Club 28 & 29 November 2009 Head down to Prideaux Park for this amazing canine competition as dogs and their owners compete in the ‘Championship Jumpers Event’. There will be in excess of 160 ‘jet propelled’ hounds flying through the air over various obstacle courses, a site not to be missed. Kawerau has a fine reputation as a dog friendly town and this 2 day event will highlight that! Click Championship Jumpers for more.
	Christmas in the Park 19 December 2009 A safe family environment with a strong entertainment lineup to appeal to all age groups and musical tastes, rides and slideshows for the kids, crafts stalls and a massive firework display. The day kicks off with the float parade at 11am with the afternoon's entertainment starting at 1pm. Choose a meal from the food stalls, bring plenty of sunscreen and make a real day of it. The evening's lineup will run from 7 - 10pm