Tauranga has been chosen as one of five cities in New Zealand to host events in November as part of a sport programme to mark a century of sporting connections between NZ and India.
Sport New Zealand is organising the 100 Years of Unity through Sport programme to run in Auckland, Christchurch, Hamilton and Wellington and Tauranga, featuring cricket, bowls and football matches scheduled between NZ and Indian teams.
The main celebration period will run from November 9 to 22. Tauranga’s involvement so far will be hosting two cricket matches at Bay Oval: the Black Caps’ fourth and fifth One-Day Internationals (ODI) against India on November 13 and 15.
1926 NZ v Indian Army teams' photo. Photo / Sport NZ
Programme director Jamie Tout said that sport – specifically cricket – was the “first handshake” between New Zealand and India “and 100 years later it’s still bringing people together”.
The first India-New Zealand sport connection was in 1926, when an Indian Army hockey team toured Aotearoa and played a 17-match series that put players and communities from both teams together.
Mitchell Santner plays a shot during the India v New Zealand ICC Champions Trophy 2025 One Day International Cricket Match in Dubai. Photo / Pankaj Nangia, Photosport, Sport NZ
For Tout, Tauranga’s inclusion in November’s 100 Years of Unity through Sport programme reflected the city’s sporting credentials and ability to give the national celebration a strong regional and community dimension.
Able to deliver
“Bay Oval has shown year-on-year that they’re able to deliver great cricket matches,” Tout said.
“But we wanted this to feel like a fully national programme, not just one city. Having Tauranga involved certainly gives it a different community feel, a great cultural touchpoint, but it also really showcases the fact that it’s a truly national celebration.”
At Basin Reserve, New Zealand v Prince of Manavadar (a princely state in Gujarat, India) which toured New Zealand in 1938.
Tauranga City Council’s community hubs, arts, heritage and events head Gareth Wallis said the city was “proud” to be one of the five host cities selected for the initiative, which is supported by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment’s Event Boost Fund.
“Planning for the programme in Tauranga is under way, alongside hosting Black Caps versus India ODI matches at Bay Oval,” Wallis said.
He said council would work with Sport NZ, its own teams and community partners to identify opportunities that fit the wider programme.
“Our Community Development team, who hold strong relationships with our local Indian community, will play an important role in supporting engagement as the programme develops.”
While Bay Oval’s two ODI matches were the only Tauranga sporting events officially listed, Tout said the programme remained a work in progress.
“There’s ongoing [discussion] with other sporting groups, and they are talking with council about whether or not they can be hosted,” he said. “It’s an evolving conversation.”
1926 – New Zealand v Indian Army hockey game at Basin Reserve in front of a crowd of 15000. Photo / Sport NZ
Any additional sporting events would require agreement between the relevant sporting organisations in New Zealand and India, and the host city.
Tout hoped further sports, tours and events could be added. Hockey was a natural fit given the history of the 1926 tour.
“We would love to be able to tell you that story.”
Entry point
But sport was intended to be the entry point rather than the entire story, Tout said.
The national programme would also include community, cultural and business events, with opportunities around food, film, fashion and other activities.
Sport NZ said the celebrations were anticipated to create opportunities for people to connect through live sport, community activities and shared cultural experiences.
Tout said organisers were encouraging host cities to look at events already happening in their communities and consider how an Indian element could be incorporated.
“It could be an A&P show,” he said. “There’ll be a whole bunch of other areas in which this is not just sport.”
Indian community organisations were involved in shaping the programme, including the New Zealand Indian Sports Association, New Zealand Indian Central Association and New Zealand Indian Business Council.
Experience the richness
The New Zealand Indian Central Association is celebrating its centenary this year, creating an opportunity for the two 100-year milestones to be connected.
Black Cap Rachin Ravindra celebrates the wicket of India's Abhishek Sharma at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Grand Final in Ahmedabad in March this year. Photo / MB Media, Photosport, Sport NZ
“We want Indian communities to see themselves in the programme and for the wider public to experience all that richness that India brings and contributes to society here in New Zealand,” Tout said.
The emphasis, he said, was on creating something people could participate in rather than simply watch.
“It’s not just something they can come and watch, but something they can be a part of.”
The programme is also intended to strengthen the relationship between the two countries beyond 2026.
The Bay Oval. Photo / Supplied
Tout pointed to New Zealand Rugby’s recent involvement in India, including sending coaches there, as an example of how sporting connections can develop longer-term relationships.
“We’re celebrating 100 years of history while building relationships for the next 100,” he said.
For Tauranga, the November cricket matches could become a catalyst for something broader – bringing the city’s Indian community and the wider population together around sport, culture and shared experiences.
“The sport gets people through the gate, but culture and community are what make the celebration meaningful,” Tout said.
More Tauranga events are expected to be announced as planning progresses.