AIMS Games - Give Back Games

LOOKING FOR SOMETHING FUN AND MEANINGFUL TO DO BETWEEN GAMES?

Join one (or all!) of Tauranga City Council’s Give Back Games activities and give your athletes the chance to try something new, have fun and make a difference.

Whether they’re helping care for the environment, relaxing with their teammates after a big day of competition at movie night, or catching a bus to their game, the Give Back Games are all about connecting with others, creating memories and leaving a positive legacy during the week in Tauranga.

There’s no competition this year – just plenty of opportunity for athletes to get involved, have fun and experience something different beyond the Games.

The Give Back Games are designed to fit around busy tournament schedules, so it’s easy for individuals and teams to take part. Simply register where required and we’ll provide everything you need.

Coastal Clean-up

Small actions. Big impact

Tuesday, 8 September | 9.30am – 1.30pm | Hopukiore (Mount Drury) Reserve

This activity is all about helping keep our coastline beautiful. Last year, heaps of awesome athletes collected nearly 70kg of rubbish, with almost half diverted from landfill and recycled – proving that every helping hand makes a difference!

Whether you can only spare an hour or want to stay for the whole session, every bit counts. Everything you need will be provided on the day, just wear covered shoes.

There’ll also be a fun challenge to take part in, spot prizes including Zespri AIMS Games merch and a free sausage sizzle for lunch.

The Coastal Clean-up event has now reached capacity. We look forward to seeing you soon!

TREE PLANTING

Dig in for Tauranga

Wednesday, 9 September | 10am – 2pm | Gordon Carmichael Reserve, Bethlehem

Leave a lasting legacy by planting native trees and contributing to the restoration of a local reserve.

Join the TCC tree planting crew at Gordon Carmichael Reserve, a 60-hectare oasis of native plants and wetlands (10 minutes from the city centre) and give your team the chance to spend time outdoors while making a positive difference. Every tree planted will become part of a growing native environment for the community to enjoy for years to come.

Come along for as much time as your schedule allows. Everything you need will be provided on the day – just wear covered shoes. There’ll also be spot prizes with Zespri AIMS Games merch up for grabs.

The Tree Planting event has now reached capacity. We look forward to seeing you soon!

TAURANGA NIGHTFLIX

The ultimate post-game chill session

Tuesday, 8 September | 6pm – 9pm | Blake Park (Rugby Sevens Field 1), Mount Maunganui

Looking for a fun way for your team to relax after a big day of competition? Bring your athletes along to watch a family-friendly movie under the stars at Blake Park and watch Eddie the Eagle. A feel-good sports story described as Cool Runnings meets Billy Elliot. The movie has a running time of 1 hour and 46 minutes so should be finished by 8.30pm. 

What to bring: 

  • Something to sit on - blanket or low chair 

  • Warm clothing in case it’s a bit chilly 

  • You are welcome to bring your own dinner and drinks; there will also be three food trucks and a coffee cart on site with hot food and drinks available to purchase. 

  • There’ll also be free Raglan Kettle Korn tasters available for athletes – this will be available while stocks last!  

Weather and cancellation 

An outdoor movie night is weather dependent. If the event needs to be cancelled, we’ll let you know the morning of the event via push notification on the Zespri AIMS Games app, and via email if you have registered.

Other important info: 

Keep an eye on your athletes: Parents, coaches and team managers are responsible for supervising their athletes throughout the evening. Please don’t leave athletes unattended. 

Parking: On-street parking is available around Blake Park in surrounding residential streets. Please allow extra time to find a park and walk to the movie area. Please note that Hockey Under Lights will be taking place at Tauranga Hockey Centre at the same time, so the area is expected to be busier than usual.  

First aid and support: Tauranga City Council staff will be onsite throughout the evening in the blue info tent. First aid supplies will be available, and staff can assist with any concerns. 

FREE BUSES DURING THE ZESPRI
​​​​​​​AIMS GAMES

Make the journey part of the fun

Tauranga City Council and Bay of Plenty Regional Council are making it easy to travel sustainably and get around during the Zespri AIMS Games, with free bus services available throughout the event.

Free Loop Buses
From Monday, 7 to Friday,11 September, free Loop Buses will run every 30 minutes between key Zespri AIMS Games venues in Mount Maunganui and Pāpāmoa, making it easy to travel between venues to catch some other games or do a bit of exploring and check out the city while you’re here.

Free Baybus urban network
Athletes and coaches can travel free on the Baybus urban network throughout Tauranga during the Zespri AIMS Games by showing their Zespri AIMS Games app to the driver.

Find everything you need to know, including routes and timetables on this page.

FOOD RESCUE

Good food shouldn’t go to waste

At the end of the week, donate any surplus food from your team to Good Neighbour and help support our community by giving leftover food a second life.

Good Neighbour collects food that is good enough to eat but not good enough to sell and redistributes it to local community organisations. Donate any unopened, non-perishable food items before you head home.

Good Neighbour volunteers will be at the following venues on Friday, 11 September:

  • Blake Park: 12pm–2pm

  • Gordon Spratt Reserve: 12pm–2pm

  • Mercury Baypark: 12pm–2pm

REUSABLE MUGS

Sip sustainably

Grabbing a coffee or hot drink from one of the vendors? Bring your own reusable mug or borrow one from the Zespri AIMS Games Boomerang Mug station at Blake Park. Last year, more than 200 single-use cups were saved from landfill - can we beat that this year?