Tauranga is for the first time hosting the North Island Colgate Games – bringing the island's top primary school athletics competitors to the city.

The three day event, starting today, sees 1632 athletes competing in track and field events and will bring 4000 visitors to the city.

Rolf Porter wearing his blue Colgate official shirt with competitors Brooke Somerfield and Stella Martyn.

Participating is a team of 92 Australians who are warming up ahead of the Trans-Tasman Challenge in Auckland next weekend.

Its organising committee chairman, Rolf Porter, says the three-day event at Tauranga Domain is a great showcase for children's athletics.

'It's a great time for the whole family – it's a real buzz. The children really love it,” says Rolf.

The competition, which is rotated between the seven North Island athletics districts, can now be hosted in Tauranga following the construction of an all-weather athletic track.

The event began early today causing car parking issues in the streets surrounding Tauranga Domain with many workers unable to find a park from as early as 7.30am.