Tēnā koutou, Bula, Kia orana,

On behalf of the Western Bay of Plenty Intermediate and Middle Schools, Tauranga City Council, Sport Bay of Plenty, Zespri International and our sponsors and delivery partners, I extend a warm welcome to the 21st Zespri AIMS Games School Sporting Championships (the Zespri AIMS Games), to be held in Tauranga during Week 8 of Term 3, 2026 (Saturday 5th–Friday 11th September 2026).

We hope that you will feel excited by the wonderful challenge and opportunity that lies ahead to participate in this fantastic tournament with other students from your age group in 27 different sports.

Each of the 27 sports being offered in 2026 are being hosted in superb local Tauranga facilities where you will have the opportunity to reach your full potential.

The Zespri AIMS Games is the penultimate sporting event for emerging adolescents in New Zealand and your participation will contribute to its success in 2026.

We are delighted to have the continued support of our major partners Zespri and Tauranga City Council, in what has become the largest junior school sporting event in the Southern Hemisphere.

We hope you will take the opportunity to visit our lovely city and to enjoy the outstanding sports and social programme that will be provided for you.

We are looking forward to meeting you all!

Cameron Mitchell

AIMS Games Trust Chairperson