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Tauranga is once again preparing to host the biggest school sports event in Australasia, with accommodation provider Beyonder working hard to ensure the 25,000 Zespri AIMS Games participants will all have a place to sleep.
This year’s tournament will see more than 14,000 intermediate-aged athletes compete across 27 different sports codes from August 30 to September 5. They’ll be supported by coaches, managers, family members, referees, officials, suppliers, and volunteers.
Nearly 85 per cent of these participants will travel from other parts of New Zealand or will fly in from Fiji or the Cook Islands.
It’s been more than 20 years since the first AIMS Games. Since then, its annual contribution to the Tauranga economy and community vibe has continued to grow.
With that comes pressure to accommodate its big influx of participants every year, which is why the partnership that Zespri AIMS Games signed with Beyonder three years ago has been a godsend to tournament director Kelly Schischka.
“The accommodation requirements for this week-long tournament are complex and were previously quite a challenging obstacle for participating schools,” she says.
“Beyonder has made the process quite seamless by streamlining enquiries from schools or supporters who require accommodation. The Beyonder team then facilitates bookings across their existing portfolio of holiday homes and also works with private homeowners who are keen to offer their properties for rent during these dates.”
Beyonder owner Haley Saunders says the 2025 Zespri AIMS Games tournament has been its busiest to date, in terms of enquiries and bookings.
“We carefully review applications and pair each group with the most suitable home. These guests love having a ‘home away from home’ during the Games,” she says.
“Homeowners appreciate the income, the ease of securing a booking without having to list their property on third-party sites like Airbnb, and the professional advice we provide on pricing and presentation. This combination gives them peace of mind and a positive hosting experience.
“It has been amazing to see the trust in our service grow year on year and to know we are making a real difference to the essential logistics that make this tournament happen.”
Tourism Bay of Plenty general manager Oscar Nathan says the Zespri AIMS Games are an important part of the city’s identity, with the early spring dates kickstarting the buildup to the busier visitor months that follow.
“The contribution these Games’ participants make towards accommodation, activities, transport, hospitality, and retail is an essential source of revenue for local businesses at this time of the year.
“We know these competitors and supporters have put a lot of time and effort into preparing for this tournament, and we’re sure they’ll enjoy their time in our beautiful coastal region.”
