Hawke's Bay Regional Aquatic Centre secures four major New Zealand swimming events

Swimming New Zealand has advised that the new $32 million Hawke's Bay Regional Aquatic Centre in Hastings will host four major New Zealand swimming events over the next two years.

The 2023 Apollo Projects New Zealand Age Group Swimming Championship will be held next April followed by the 2023 New Zealand Short Course Swimming Championship in August. The 2024 New Zealand Swimming Championships and 2024 New Zealand Age Group Swimming Championships will both be held in April 2024.

The events are expected to each attract between 300 and 600 competitors, some from Australia and the Pacific Islands, and more than double the number of supporters.

The 2024 New Zealand Swimming Championships will be the final trial for the 2024 Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games.

HBCFCT trustee Bruce Mactaggart said the announcement was a huge boost for the region and a vote of confidence in the capability and capacity of the new regional aquatic centre.

Hawke’s Bay Regional Aquatic Centre recently named its hydrotherapy facility - the Mactaggart Hydrotherapy Centre - in recognition of Mactaggart’s hard work leading the development of world class facilities.

Mactaggart enthused "we are thrilled to be the host of these four major swimming events and we will look forward to strengthening our partnership with Swimming New Zealand over the coming months with further announcements.

"Swimming NZ representatives have visited the aquatic centre and are very impressed with the Fina-rated 50m pool and warm-up pools, spectator seating for over 1000 and permanent technology and media platforms for live broadcasting and streaming."

Mactaggart said it will be the first time Hawke's Bay competitors don't need to travel to compete, giving them added motivation to perform at their best in their home pool.

"One of our aims is to create future Olympic and world champion swimmers and by hosting major events, it inspires our local swimming talent to reach for the stars."

Swimming New Zealand Head of Participation & Events, Dale Johnson said the new aquatic centre is the best in New Zealand, making it an easier decision to have the region host national events for the first time and adding "as well as the Fina-rated pools, the centre has excellent permanent facilities such as control rooms for timing and broadcasting, drug testing facilities, meeting rooms, as well as services such as onsite physiotherapy and accommodation.”