Expect to see a sea of yellow rubber duckies ‘swimming’ Tauranga’s waterfront this Sunday, April 13, as The Great Tauranga Duck Race fundraiser gets under way at 11am.

Among the 5000 ducklings will be corporate ducks, ducks in costumes, branded ducks, fashionista ducks and possibly even motorised ducks – all competing for hundreds of dollars and bragging rights.

For more than seven years the Tauranga Te Papa Rotary Club has been running the fundraiser, which gives back to the local community.

The ducks will be released into The Strand Waterfront on an outgoing tide, with the finish line being the pier opposite the Hairy Maclary statues.

Organiser and Rotarian Simon Ellis said funds raised this year will benefit schools, Rotary charitable activities and the Life Education Trust which provides a unique mobile classroom, with its long-time famous Harold the Giraffe, to primary school children around the district.

“In fact, Harold the Life Education giraffe will be joining us on Sunday,” Ellis said. “There will also be ticket sales on race day at the Tauranga Waterfront before the race.”

The start line is at the eastern end of the waterfront by the McLeod Crane. The finish line is by the jetty opposite the Hairy Maclary statues with great visibility for viewing.

The race has two parts, with the corporate ducks racing at 10.30am.

“Ducks can be all dressed up and branded in company colours or logos, you can even try and motorise your duck, with trophies for first, second and third. There is also the Best Dressed Duck Award and spot prizes.”

The second part of The Great Duck Race sees 5000 ducklings released into the harbour at 11am.

“Each of these ducklings is numbered, and raffle tickets will have been sold for each one, with first prize of $1000, second prize $500 and third $250.”

Tauranga Te Papa Rotarian Simon Ellis. Photo / Brydie Thompson

Tickets for these ducklings will be sold for $5 each, primarily by Tauranga school PTAs and the Life Education Trust.

Ellis said the schools and Life Education Trust keep 100% of all proceeds from their own duckling sales.

“So, they have the potential to raise more than $20,000 without the need to organise an event, as Tauranga Te Papa Rotary does that for them. [And] Tauranga Te Papa Rotary will sell the remaining tickets.”

Ellisa said his Rotary club had overseen more than $80,000 of grants and cash distributions in 2023/2024 and more than 45,000 hours of volunteer support.

The Great Tauranga Duck Race is at The Strand Waterfront, Tauranga City, this Sunday, April 13.

For more information, visit: www.taurangatepaparotary.club.