Announcement of the National Championships in Hawke's Bay in 2025 & 2026
We are thrilled to announce the next venue and dates for our pool calendar. The Apollo Projects NZ Age Group Swimming Championships will continue to be held at the Hawke's Bay Regional Aquatic Centre for the next 2 years. With the successful delivery of these championships in Hawke's Bay in 2023 and 2024, we are looking forward to continuing our partnership with Hawke's Bay Tourism and the Hawke's Bay Regional Aquatic Centre, powered by Pak'nSave Hastings.
Following the announcement of the Competition Review findings in May, the calendar has been finalised to align with the timing of competitions as outlined recommendation 2. In this case, the 2025 Apollo Projects NZ Age Group Swimming Championships will be held from Sunday 13 - Thursday 17 April to fall in the first week of the Term 1 School Holidays, noting the championships will be completed prior to the Easter weekend.
Whilst the school holidays for 2026 are pending confirmation from the Ministry of Education, we haven't announced the exact dates for 2026 as yet but it will fall in the first week of the holidays also.
Swimming NZ’s Head of Participation, Competitions & Engagement, Dale Johnson, is looking forward to these championships continuing in Hawke's Bay for 2025 and 2026.
"The Hawke's Bay Regional Aquatic Centre has proved to be a great pool. We are thrilled to be continuing to grow swimming in the region by hosting these national championships with opportunities alongside, whilst also supporting the local region as they continue to rebuild from the cyclone."
Napier City Council's Event Manager, Kevin Murphy, is thrilled to have extended the support for hosting swimming in the region.
"Supporting national sporting events like the Apollo Projects NZ Age Group Swimming Championships is fantastic for the regions, with competitors, clubs and parents all staying for the week."
Hastings Mayor, Sandra Hazlehurst, said she was looking forward to welcoming swimming competitors from around NZ back to Hawke's Bay.
"It's fabulous to showcase our Regional Aquatic Centre to athletes of all ages, and for our community to enjoy the benefits a competition of this size brings to Heretaunga Hastings."
Johnson also took the opportunity to thank those involved in confirming these championships.
“We are very grateful for the ongoing support of the region and venue. It's a great pool that produced some special moments earlier this year. Thank you to our partners Hawke's Bay Tourism, Napier City Council, Hastings District Council, Apollo Projects, Hawke's Bay Regional Aquatic Centre, Swimming Hawke's Bay Poverty Bay and Pak'nSave Hastings for their support of hosting these championships.”
Given the 2025 competition sees racing finish the day before Easter, why not stay on for a few days and check out what Hawke's Bay has to offer for the Easter long weekend. There are some useful details below to help you plan your stay.
Please stay tuned for further calendar announcements for 2025 over the coming days. The criteria for each of these championships (eg: information book, schedule and qualifying times) will be released in late September 2024.
Key Details
2025 Apollo Projects NZ Age Group Swimming Championships
Dates: 13 – 17 April 2025
Location: Hawke's Bay Regional Aquatic Centre
2026 NZ Age Group Swimming Championships
Dates: TBC (will be in first week of Term 1 Holidays)
Location: Hawke's Bay Regional Aquatic Centre
Book With House of Travel Christchurch City
We know that many will be looking to book their travel for the calendar shortly following the announcement. Our partner House of Travel Christchurch City are ready to help you plan your travels to Auckland. You can contact them via email (christchurch@hot.co.nz) or phone (+64 3-365-7687).
You can also head to the House of Travel website and find some great deals online.
Activities in Hawke's Bay
Hawke’s Bay tastes like winery lunches under big blue skies and fresh produce from a farmers' market.
It tastes like delicious stops on easy-riding cycle trails, road trips to hidden swimming spots, real fruit ice creams and long hot days with ocean breezes. It also tastes like vineyard concerts, the energising rhythm of music festivals, tasting flights of chardonnay and languid, long weekends in New Zealand’s Great Wine Capital.
Hawke’s Bay tastes like the very best recipe, with the freshest flavours you can find. But the best part? It is a recipe of your choosing. So, throw some things in a bag, and we'll see you soon. We know you'll find Hawke's Bay to your liking!
Accommodation in Hawke's Bay
There is currently good availability for the dates of our event in the first week of school holidays. If you’d prefer to avoid commuting on the expressway, we recommend staying on the Hastings and Havelock North side. There are also lots of school boarding house options, with some contact details below too. The friendly locals are ready to help you book your stay.
Accommodation Guides & Support
Hawke’s Bay Tourism – accommodation guide
Napier i-Site – accommodation guide or accommodation request form or call 06 834 1911
Hastings i-Site – contact 0800 427 846 or email info@visithastings.co.nz
Kiwiesque - online or email stay@kiwiesque.com
School Boarding Houses
Lindisfarne College – careers@lindisfarne.school.nz
Woodford House – joyce.clark@woodford.school.nz
