It was the coldest night of the year last night, but it didn't stop entrants from diving into the ocean in this year's Papamoa Polar Plunge.

Men, women, and children of all ages braved the freezing temperatures for the chance to win $1000 for a charity of their choice.

This year's winner is the local branch of the Red Cross. Community fundraising coordinator Maree Boyes says the money will go towards community programmes such as ‘Save a Mate', which teaches teens how to use first aid in the context of drug and alcohol related emergencies.

'It's great to see the team here raising awareness for the Red Cross and the good work they do.”

The plunge took place just in front of the Papamoa Surf Life Saving Club, with dozens of shivering entrants lining the beach in onesies and other costumes.

Each entrant was able to nominate a charity of their choice to win $1000, if their name was drawn at the end of the event. To be eligible for the draw, all entrants had to do was fully submerge themselves beneath the waves.

Mount Maunganui-Papamoa councillor Leanne Brown praised the number of people who came out, despite the water being freezing.

'What a fantastic turnout today. This is the third year I've done the Polar Plunge, and I reckon the crowd was bigger than ever.”

Papamoa Beach Tavern provided hot soup to help warm up entrants post-plunge, as well as snow for children to toboggan in.

Manager Sam Taylor says it was perfect timing for the polar plunge, as they had ordered in the snow for another event at the tavern last night.

'Fourteen tonnes of salted ice turned up at the tavern on Saturday morning, and 12 of us spent three-and-a-half hours making the ramp and rail for snowboarders. We've got plenty of space, so we were able to leave the snow up for the Polar Plunge as well.”

Papamoa Surf Life Saving Club's junior members won ‘Best Dressed' as this ensemble.

Mason Thurston, 3, enjoying some of the snow at Papamoa Beach Tavern.

Red Cross members Jane Ford, Maree Boyes, Maree Wooddin, and Chantelle Frost with the cheque.