Incredible, huge, amazing, the best ever – these are the words being used to describe the Tauranga Police CIB Luncheon which raised more than $400,000.

Around 1500 people filled the ASB Arena yesterday to place their bid in the last ever CIB Luncheon to raise money for eight local charities.

Successful bidder for the Kubota quad bike was Glenn Cotterill who donated the bike to the Omanu Surf Club. Photos: Bob Tulloch.

Pete Blackwell congratulates Warwick Talbot the successful bidder for the Mills Reef barrel of Gimblett Gravells Red wine.

The profit raised from the event will be divided between St John Building Project Trust, Acorn Foundation, Amped4Life, Cystic Fibrosis BOP, Kathleen Kilgour Centre, Te Tuinga Support Services, Decision Reach Out (Toro Mai) Trust, Merivale School.

Founder and organiser Detective Sergeant Pete Blackwell says the whole day was magnificent.

'Jackie Clarke (master of ceremonies) was sensational and so was Greg Ritchie (guest speaker). There was incredible generosity by our audience of 1500 people.

'The Mills Reef wine package went for $29,000 – it was only worth $7000. We had a quilt that was signed by a lot of the Bay of Plenty/Waikato sporting celebrities and that went for $21,000.”

The purchaser of the quilt has donated it to ASB Arena where it will be framed and mounted somewhere in the complex.

Pete says a guy bought the Kabota 4WD and it's been donated directly to the Omanu Surf Life Saving Club.

'We're still counting the money in the jar but we have certainly broken $400,000. We have never, ever been in the $300,000 mark, we have gone straight into the $400,000 range.

'Quite an incredible and magnificent day enjoyed by all.”

Pete says after two decades of managing what has become a massive community fundraising event, the time is right to now move on.

'We have achieved magnificent results over the years for the benefit of thousands of local children and young people in our community.

'We're going out on a high note and while I'm sad it will all be over, I'm also humbled by the difference we've managed to make over the years.”

Founded by Detective Sergeant Blackwell, the Tauranga Police CIB Charitable is made up of a team of people including Detective Senior Sergeant Greg Turner, Glenn Cotterill, Leona and Graeme Smith, John Mathewson of Air NZ, Sergeant Nigel McGlone and Judge Paul Geoghegan.

Collectively, they share 'Blackie's” vision for improving the local community, particularly for children and youth.

'This small, committed team that has put hundreds of hours into the luncheon year after year- they've eaten and slept this event to make it what it is today.”

Guest Speaker: former Test cricketer for Australia, Greg Ritchie.

MP Simon Bridges and his wife Natalie.

Pete Blackwell recognises his committee of volunteers.

Surf Club volunteers serve the lunch food

Around 1500 people were part of the last CIB Charity Luncheon.Photos: Bruce Barnard.