The first stage of work on the waterfront is finished. To celebrate, Tauranga City Council and Downtown Tauranga plan an opening extravaganza on Sunday, September 23. The event is free and will be followed by events and activities over the coming summer and autumn that are designed to showcase the waterfront and the city centre.
Mayor Stuart Crosby says the waterfront redevelopment will create a dynamic open space in the city centre that can be used for a whole range of activities.
"Now we have a spectacular area that can cater for festivals and large and small events and help draw people into the city centre," he says.
The official ceremony is at 2.30pm and will be followed by an afternoon and evening of entertainment closing with a fireworks display by Van Tiel Pyrotechnics, sponsored by Downer. Van Tiel Pyrotechnics has managed Tauranga's New Year's Eve displays for the last seven years and were also involved in the fireworks display in Auckland for the Rugby World Cup. The fireworks will be set off from a barge moored in front of the main waterfront area.
ANZ ambassadors and Olympic gold medallists Eric Murray and Hamish Bond will be in the ANZ area for the afternoon to meet fans and sign autographs. Eric and Hamish won their golds at the London 2012 Olympics in the men's rowing pairs.