[As published in Summer 2025/26 BayBuzz magazine. Since the article was published, Horse of the Year has been cancelled for 2026.]
Summer in Hawke’s Bay means more than long, sun-soaked days. It’s when the region comes alive with events that fill parks, stadiums and streets with colour and competition.
Hawke’s Bay is once again set to showcase the best of New Zealand sport.
For Napier City Council Events Manager Kevin Murphy, these events are the region’s heartbeat.
“Those bigger events like Super Rugby or Warriors games are hugely important,” he says. “We generally see 30 to 40 percent of attendees coming from out of town, and that drives domestic tourism. You really notice the buzz — the visitors, the spending, the life it brings to the place.”
But Murphy says it’s not just the headline acts that matter.
“You don’t want to put all your eggs in the major events basket,” he explains. “The regular tournaments – basketball, hockey, football, futsal – they’re just as valuable when you add them up across the year. They bring families and supporters who fill accommodation and restaurants. That consistency keeps the region humming.”
Hawke’s Bay’s winning combination of climate, facilities, and hospitality makes it an easy sell to organisers.
“People love coming here,” Murphy says. “We’ve got the weather, great venues like McLean Park and the Sports Park, and a strong food and wine culture. It all adds up to a fantastic event experience.”
From Cricket Camps and swimming championships to the Triple Peaks Challenge and the Hurricanes under the lights, Hawke’s Bay continues to prove it can host everything from grassroots gatherings to elite sport with ease.
“When people come, they see just how good Hawke’s Bay is.”
Check out some of the feature local sport events as well as a broader list of other sport events being held over the summer months.
Teenage running sensation headlines 27th Andrew Spence Potts Classic
Some of New Zealand’s top track and field athletes will converge on Mitre 10 Park, Hastings, on January 17 for the 27th annual Andrew Spence Potts Classic.
Named in honour of local athletics stalwarts Sylvia and Allan Potts, the event has become a fixture on the national athletics calendar. It is now jointly managed by their son Richard Potts and former athlete Neville Smith, who have co-directed the meet for the past 15 years.
Potts says the event continues to attract high-calibre competitors thanks to its strong reputation and welcoming, athlete-first approach.
“We’ve got a really friendly atmosphere, and the athletes come first,” says Potts. “We ask what they want, and if we can put the events on, we do. People love coming here – in 26 years we’ve only had two bad weather days.”
This year’s meet features several big names, including teenage sensation Sam Ruthe, who made history at just 15 as the youngest person ever to break the four-minute mile, clocking 3m 58.35s to become the 49th New Zealander to achieve the feat.
The Tauranga runner will line up in the men’s feature 800 metres, having won the 3000 metres at last year’s Potts Classic.
Other confirmed athletes include James Preston, who broke Peter Snell’s long-standing 800 metre national record last year, and Olympian Sam Tanner, who helped pace Ruthe to his sub-four-minute mile.
Organisers are also hoping to confirm appearances from high jump star Hamish Kerr, sprint champion Zoe Hobbs, and Olympic shot-put medallist Tom Walsh, alongside local standout Nick Palmer, who represented New Zealand at the 2024 World Championships in Tokyo.
The 2025 meet will introduce new short-course national championship events, including the 60 metre sprint and 60 metre hurdles, designed to help athletes prepare for the World Indoor Championships. Field events such as shot put, pole vault, long jump, and the newly added triple jump will also feature.
“It’s the first-ever New Zealand short course championship,” says Potts. “We’re holding all the short course events you’d find indoors, but on the outdoor track.”
Spectators can look forward to an afternoon of world-class athletics, running from 2pm to 8 pm, with around 280 competitors taking part. The event will again be broadcast live on TVNZ.
Entry is by gold coin donation, with all proceeds going to the Hawke’s Bay Cancer Society, a tradition since the meet’s inception.
“We’ve been donating to the Cancer Society since day one,” says Potts. “All the money from the gate goes straight to them, and we usually top that up with a few thousand dollars depending on sponsorship.”
Local athletes to watch include Nick Palmer, heptathlete Brianna Stevenson, and returning Bay favourites Laura Nagle, Holly Manning, and Eric Speakman.
With its mix of elite competition, community spirit, and history, the Andrew Spence Potts Classic once again promises to be one of the highlights of New Zealand’s summer athletics season.
Future stars set to shine at Hawke’s Bay cricket camps
Future Black Caps and White Ferns will take to the pitches of Napier and Hastings this January as the region hosts the annual Hawke’s Bay Cricket Camps — a cornerstone of youth cricket since 1979.
Founded by Ray Mettrick and now managed by the Hawke’s Bay Cricket Association, the camps have produced some of the game’s biggest names, including Ross Taylor, Kane Williamson, Trent Boult, Sophie Devine, and Amelia Kerr.
This summer, around 2,500 young cricketers from 200+ teams will compete across ten grade blocks (Years 4–13), including dedicated girls’ divisions. It’s a chance for players to showcase their skills — and perhaps take their first step toward wearing the silver fern.
The camps also deliver a significant economic boost to the region, with accommodation at capacity and local attractions like Splash Planet buzzing with visitors.
In Senior cricket both the Central Districts Men’s and Women’s teams will play all three forms of the game in the Bay – Plunkett Shield, SuperSmash and Ford Trophy games.
See below for key games starting January 13.
Swimming lanes in full flow at the Hawke’s Bay Regional Aquatic Centre
The Hawke’s Bay Regional Aquatic Centre powered by PAK’nSAVE Hastings will make a splash this summer as it hosts two major Swimming New Zealand events, bringing together the country’s best young talent in back-to-back competitions.
First up, from February 28 to March 1, the centre will welcome the Junior Festival Aquaknights, one of four regional meets held simultaneously across New Zealand.
The festival provides a fun, inclusive environment for swimmers aged 12 and under, encouraging participation and personal bests with the mantra “Make every stroke count”.
Results from all four meets are combined to rank the fastest young swimmers nationwide, with competitors from Bay of Plenty, Hawke’s Bay/ Poverty Bay, Taranaki, and Waikato regions taking part.
Then, from April 8–12, the action continues with the Apollo Projects New Zealand Age Group Swimming Championships, the pinnacle long-course event for swimmers aged 13-16.
Over 470 competitors from across the country will take to the lanes in search of national titles, personal bests, and record-breaking performances.
It’s the third time the region has hosted the national championships, further cementing Hawke’s Bay’s reputation as one of New Zealand’s premier aquatic destinations.
NZ Warriors and Hurricanes return to McLean Park
Rugby league and rugby union fans are in for a treat, with two powerhouse clashes confirmed for Napier’s McLean Park.
The NZ Warriors will face Manly on Valentine’s Day in a pre-season NRL blockbuster, while the Hurricanes take on Australia’s Western Force on March 13 in Super Rugby action.
Manly last played in Hawke’s Bay in 1992 to a sell-out crowd and remain one of the NRL’s most popular clubs, boasting a proud history of Kiwi stars including Matthew Ridge and Craig Innes.
Fans, however, are on notice. The last Warriors match in Napier was marred by pitch invasions, and event manager Kevin Murphy says this is a chance to show national officials the Bay can host world-class events.
“We’ve worked hard to bring the NRL back,” he says. “If we want more games here, we need fans to be passionate but responsible.”
The Hurricanes match will feature several homegrown players, promising another electric night of rugby, pride, and top-tier entertainment for Hawke’s Bay.
Conquer the Bay’s iconic peaks – Triple Peaks Challenge returns
On March 28, 2026, runners, walkers, and mountain bikers will take on one of Hawke’s Bay’s most iconic endurance events – the Triple Peaks Challenge.
Covering 49 kilometres of rugged, awe-inspiring terrain, the course traverses Mt Erin, Kahuranaki, and the legendary Te Mata Peak, offering runners, walkers and riders a journey through private farmland, ancient woodlands, and craggy ridgelines with panoramic views across the Bay.
Competitors can choose to tackle one, two, or all three peaks – either individually or as part of a two- or three-person relay team.
The single-peak option is designed as a rewarding, non-competitive category, ideal for those wanting to experience the challenge without the pressure of racing.
Be prepared to get your feet wet – the adventure begins with a Tukituki River crossing before the climb to Te Mata Peak and the finish line.
OTHER NOTABLE SUMMER EVENTS
January 13
• Central Districts Women vs Northern Districts Women Women’s Super Smash (T20)
• Central Districts vs Northern Districts Super Smash (T20 D/N)
January 16
• Central Districts Women vs Auckland Women Women’s Super Smash (T20)
• Central Districts vs AucklandSuper Smash (T20 D/N)
January 24
• Central Districts Women vs Otago Women Women’s Super Smash (T20)
• Central Districts Men vs Otago Super Smash (T20 D/N)
January 24
• NZ Offshore Powerboats
January 30
• NZ Powerboats series
February 7
• Central Districts vs Auckland The Ford Trophy (One-Day Match)
February 14-16
• Hawke’s Bay Poverty Bay Long Course Swimming Champs
February 28 – March 3
• Central Districts vs Wellington Plunket Shield (First-Class Match)
February 28
• Napier Port Ocean Swim
March 1
• Oceania Triathlon Champs and Napier Triathlon Festival
March 7-10
• Central Districts vs Northern DistrictsPlunket Shield (First-Class Match)
March 13
• Super Rugby, Hurricanes vs Western Force McLean Park Napier
March 20-21
• New Zealand Masters Cricket TournamentNelson Park, Napier
March 22
• Peak Trail Blazer, Havelock North
