The University of Waikato Haumaru Sport & Recreation Centre

The University of Waikato Haumaru Sport & Recreation Centre is Tauranga's newest indoor sport and recreation venue, at 483 Cameron Road in the heart of the city. It is a purpose-built multi-use facility, managed by Bay Venues on behalf of Tauranga City Council. The University of Waikato is the naming rights partner through its commercial partnership with Bay Venues — it does not own the building. The name *Haumaru* was gifted by mana whenua and relates to health and wellbeing.

Spaces and capacity

Haumaru has four basketball-size courts — equivalent to three netball courts, six volleyball courts, or 13 badminton/pickleball courts. For large tournaments, line markings can be changed to increase badminton/pickleball courts to 17. Floors are marked for basketball, netball, volleyball, pickleball and badminton, and are laid in premium Northern Hard Maple floating sports flooring.

Venue capacity is 1,500, with 144 grandstand seats, plus 20 tables and 100 chairs. A dedicated tournament room is available, along with two changing rooms with two showers each.

Facilities

• Technology: four LED digital scoreboards with basketball and multisport software, operated wirelessly from scoreboarding tablets.
• Amenities: 15 public toilets on the ground floor, including four accessible bathrooms with toilets and showers.
• Accessibility: accessible ramp into the venue from the 10th Avenue side, accessible parking in both the upper and underground car parks, an accessible ramp from the underground car park, and wheelchair access throughout.
• Parking: 220 on-site carparks — 170 underground, 40 in the upper car park and 10 on the street in front (60-minute limit).
• Hours: weekdays 9am–9.30pm; weekends 9am–6pm. Phone 07 557 6319.

What it suits

Haumaru is built for large sports tournaments, competitive and social leagues, casual court hire and school and community recreation programmes. For event organisers, the four-court floor plate, tournament room, high capacity and substantial underground parking also make it a credible option for large-format expos, trade shows, prizegivings and mass-participation events in the central city. Note it is a sport-first facility — no in-house catering kitchen or AV fit-out is listed — so conference-style events will need external suppliers.

One of the largest and best-equipped indoor floor spaces among Tauranga venues.