Tauranga is set to host the Skateboard Nationals, New Zealand’s premier skateboarding event, for the first time on March 28-29, 2025.
The competition will take place at the Destination Skatepark in Mount Maunganui, attracting some of the country’s top skateboarders.
Mayor Mahé Drysdale expressed enthusiasm about the event, stating it represents a significant opportunity for Tauranga. He noted that the Skateboard Nationals will benefit the local community and inspire young skateboarders. “Hosting national and international events like this attracts thousands of visitors to Tauranga and allows us to showcase our beautiful city and the wider Bay of Plenty,” Drysdale said.
Deputy Mayor Jen Scoular echoed this sentiment, highlighting the city’s excellent skate facilities, including the newly opened Destination Skatepark and the upgraded vert ramp at Blake Park. “We are thrilled to host New Zealand’s top skateboarders in Mount Maunganui. Since its opening earlier this year, Destination Skatepark has been bustling with activity and has become a world-class facility attracting skaters from across the country,” Scoular remarked.
The Skateboard Nationals is a highly anticipated event in New Zealand’s skateboarding calendar. It will feature competitions across three disciplines: park, street, and vert skateboarding, with over 100 competitors expected from various age groups. Sonia Griffin, Board Chair of Skateboarding New Zealand, emphasized the importance of this event in uniting the skateboarding community. She mentioned that next year will see the introduction of an Under 13 division to encourage more participation and showcase diverse talent in the sport.
Griffin attributed the recent surge in skateboarding’s popularity to its inclusion in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and increased investment in skate facilities by both central and local governments. “Local, regional, and national competitions are essential for supporting skateboarding’s growth in New Zealand,” she stated. “Having high-quality facilities like those in Mount Maunganui is crucial for fostering international competition and promoting a more active lifestyle in Aotearoa.”
The development of Destination Skatepark has been a collaborative effort involving community input from design to funding. Key funders included TECT, New Zealand Community Trust, Lottery Community Facilities Fund, Grassroots Trust, The Lion Foundation, and Project Tauranga. Mark Arundel, Chairperson of TECT, highlighted that funding the Skateboard Nationals represents an exciting opportunity to promote the skatepark on a national stage while also benefiting the local economy through increased spending on accommodation and dining.
“Destination Skatepark is always busy with people of all ages and abilities,” Arundel added. “It promotes outdoor activity and social connections while helping individuals build confidence and perseverance.”
Previously held in Gisborne, the Skateboard Nationals is expected to draw hundreds of enthusiasts, supporters, and competitors to Tauranga next March.
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