A Tauranga businessman is backing the Tauranga Half Ironman with the aim of bringing additional big names to the event.

Nick Berry approached the Fulton Hogan Mount Festival of Multisport organising team with an offer to support getting the best in the world to the event.

His offer was to increase the Tauranga Half's pro prize money, taking the total prize pool for the January 2023 event to more than $28,000.

Nick Berry also happens to be the husband of famed NZ athlete Hannah Berry (nee Wells). 'I've been so lucky enough to meet so many great people due to my history in the sport as well as Hannah's role as an elite athlete,” says Nick.

'This has fortunately lead to a lot business for me, so I wanted to give back to the sport, and the Mount Festival was a natural fit given it is in our home town.

'I also see how hard these professional athletes work to get to the level they are at, and the costs associated with the sport are high, so I am happy to do my bit to help them in their journey too.”

Festival director Julia Tilley is over the moon with the boost to the Tauranga Half's pro prize purse commenting.

'Our Kiwi athletes are doing incredibly well on the world stage, to provide them with world class opportunities on home soil is really special. Pro athletes do it pretty tough to cover their costs.

'The fact they can race at home against a really solid line up, and even win a little money is really great.”

The line-up for the January 21 event is already looking stella.

'We are likely to have the best pro field the event has ever seen,” says Julia.

'Currently there are close to 30 pro men and women set to race, some yet to be announced.

'Keep your eye out for an exciting round of new announcements.”

Amongst the already announced line up is Spaniard Javier Gomez who is a two time 70.3 world champion, five time ITU Triathlon World Championship, three ITU Triathlon World Cup champion, XTERRA World Champion & Olympic medallist.

The men's field includes previous Tauranga Half Champion's Braden Currier, Kyle Smith, Mike Phillips and 10x winner Cam Brown, as well as screeds of local talent including: Jack Moody, Ryan Sissons, Sam Osborne, Ben Phillips, Mark Bowstead, Simon Cochrane, Matt Kerr, Scott Harpham, Ben Hamilton, Tom Somerville, Brett Clifford, Jayden Kuijpers, Mike Tong.

The women's field is set to be an exciting battle of pro's with Amelia Rose Watkinson returning from her base Melbourne.

Amelia holds an impressive 17 half Ironman titles in her crown and hasn't raced in NZ since 2019.

Those announced in the women's line-up includes current champion Rebecca Clarke, Samantha Kingsford, Laura Wood, Hannah Howell, Fiona Gallagher & Deb Fuller.

The Tauranga Half is part of the Fulton Hogan Mount Festival which will see over 2000 athletes come together to race across different events including the Pressio Mount Festival Half Marathon, AquaBike and Pilot Bay Swim.

The 2023 race is looking to host over 700 athletes in the pinnacle event, the Tauranga Half which has been a staple in the Mount Manganui summer calendar since 1990.