The University of Waikato Haumaru Sport & Recreation Centre

Haumaru has four basketball-size courts. This is enough space for three netball courts, or 13 badminton/pickleball courts, or six volleyball courts. For large tournaments, we can change the line markings to increase the number of badminton/pickleball courts to 17.

1,500 people.

There are a total of 15 toilets available to the public on the ground floor, including four accessible bathrooms with toilets and showers.

There is a tournament room and two changing rooms with two showers in each.

There is an accessible ramp into the venue from the 10th Avenue side, accessible parking both in the upper and underground car parks, an accessible ramp from the underground car park, and four accessible bathrooms with toilets and showers.

9am-9.30pm on weekdays, and 9am-6pm on weekends.

We have four LED digital scoreboards complete with special basketball & multisport software that enable you to run your games easily and wirelessly via the score boarding tablets

There are 220 on-site car parks, including 170 underground, 40 in the upper car park area, and 10 on the street in front of the venue (these 10 are restricted to 60 minutes).

Yes, these have been ordered and will be installed shortly.

This is premium maple hardwood sports flooring from Canada. Specifically, MFMA Northern Hard Maple Floating Floor by Action Floor Systems.

The name “Haumaru” was gifted by mana whenua. The name has local significance and also relates to health and wellbeing, which fits with the active sport and recreation activities that will take place in this facility.

This new venue is not owned by the University of Waikato. The venue will be managed by Bay Venues on behalf of Tauranga City Council. The University of Waikato is the naming rights partner of the venue, through its commercial partnership with Bay Venues, helping to support the activation and growth of Tauranga’s sports and fitness venues.

Haumaru will be home to a wide range of community sports, including basketball, volleyball, pickleball, badminton, and netball. Others like table tennis, football, and sports for disabled people will be remaining at QEYC for Terms 2 & 3, and Term 4 bookings will be worked through in due course. Haumaru will also help host large sports tournaments that come to the city. There will be opportunities for casual bookings and court hire, as well as recreational activities for local schools and the wider community. This will include Tumble Time play sessions for preschoolers and their parents during weekdays.

Tauranga City Council purchased the property in early 2024. The total construction time – after prep works, demolition and consenting – was under six months.