Since February, one Tauranga family has been hiding $100 treasure notes around the city and then posting clues on Facebook hoping people will find them.

What started as a one-off idea to get people exploring the city has blossomed into a local treasure hunt for cash and a regular event with more than 1000 people taking part in each hunt, thanks to local businesses.

The Treasure Hunt organiser Kerri Tilby-Price has been overwhelmed by the response and says the event is turning into a real community connector.

'We're seeing whole families out hunting together, complete strangers working together to solve the puzzles, and even those who can't actively hunt are helping to solve clues online.”

'By the time the third clue is posted on Saturday afternoon, there's usually about 40 people who have narrowed down the general location, and they laugh and joke together.

'It's competitive, but everyone is happy for the winner. It's a real buzz.”

The treasure hunts happen once a month and clues are posted on the Tauranga Treasure Hunts Facebook page.

The next treasure hunt is today, May 6, with the first clue posted at 8am.

The winner receives $100 cash, plus the hunt organisers donate $100 to the winner's chosen charity.

For more information, visit facebook.com/TaurangaTreasureHunts/