Article added: Friday 09 May 2025

by Zoe Hunter

After the success of 2024, organisers of this year’s Zespri AIMS Games have opted for tweaks rather than wholesale changes for the 2025 edition.

While no new sporting codes will be introduced to this year’s tournament, popularity in some sports means extra divisions and new venues have been added to the schedule.

Tournament director Kelly Schischka said while a new year brings an exciting new tournament, much of the week-long sporting showpiece will remain business as usual.

“Each year, we work so hard to make sure our young athletes are having incredible experiences and sharing the positive stories that come from it,” she said.“Winning the People’s Choice award at this year’s Tauranga Business Awards was proof we must be doing something right and shows that we’re definitely on the right track with taking a more sustainable approach to growth.”

Schischka said last year’s tournament was a huge success, attracting 12,900 intermediate-aged athletes and their families from far and wide, as well as injecting more than $8 million into Tauranga’s economy.

The 2024 edition also introduced two new sporting codes to the mix, with orienteering attracting 300 entries in its first year and 61 surfers putting on a show in the Mount Maunganui waves.

“While we’ve decided to keep things mostly status quo, we’ve made tweaks to the various venues and schedule to allow our sports to continue to grow.”

The 2025 edition of the AIMS Games will see the addition of an individual aerobics division in gymnastics, a team relay option for cross country mountain bikers, and a choice of two divisions for schools to enter in netball.

One of the AIMS Games’ newest additions, orienteering, will take place in new venues this year, with Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology hosting the sprint, while several different venue options arebeing explored for the Rogaine event.

Schischka said table tennis was also moving to a new venue at the Tauranga Racecourse.

“Our table tennis athletes were sharing the Queen Elizabeth Youth Centre with badminton. Now, badminton has become so popular that we’ve decided to give the two sports their own venues for the week.

“Table Tennis New Zealand are really positive about their new space and think that it will work well for them.”

Meanwhile, a third venue has been added to tennis to allow more male players to step onto the courts.

And while the tournament continues to grow, Schischka said registration fees will also stay the same.

“We acknowledge travel and accommodation are an enormous cost for our travelling schools and we’re committed to keeping our registration fees the same for as long as possible.”

This year’s tournament also has a slightly earlier start, running from August 30 to September 5.