It was a day to celebrate the start of the summer season at Wilson Park, Waihī Beach on November 29. That’s because tamariki, whānau and people gathered for the Waihī Beach Summer Kick Off Festival.
Waihī Beach events and promotions co-ordinator Hollie Jones said the park buzzed with tamariki, families on picnic blankets and the “unmistakable sense that the season had officially begun”.
The festival opened with a powerful performance by the Waihī Beach Kura Kapa Haka, she said, followed by musical acts Amir Yussof, IZ Waddid IZ, King Cool and Jordyn with a Why, who won the 2025 Best Pacific Music Album award at the Aotearoa Music Award in August.
The park was filled with stalls from the Saturday Farmers Market, community groups and a range of activities such as mini golf, ten pin bowling, face painting, a photobooth and more.
“As a small not-for-profit organisation, Waihī Beach Events & Promotions simply couldn’t deliver days like this without the generosity of our funders, sponsors, and wider community.
“Thanks to the Tauranga Western Bay Community Event Fund and our local main sponsor Harcourts Gold Star Waihī Beach, we were able to welcome thousands of locals and visitors to Wilson Park for a full day of free summer fun.
“We can’t wait to bring the community together again next year” she said.
By DAVIDDA HIKATANGATA
