World phenomenon Relay For Life is returning to Tauranga after a four year break and Bay of Plenty residents are being urged to get involved.

The event is being launched on Tauranga's waterfront on Monday by paralympian and Tauranga City councilor Tony Christiansen.

Relay For Life is coming back to the Bay of Plenty after four-years. Photo: Supplied.

Tony is championing the event and will mark the launch with a lap of the relay track for the event to be held on Saturday, March 23.

Waikato/Bay of Plenty Cancer Society spokesperson Rachael Mounsey is extremely excited to bring the iconic event back to Tauranga.

'With a passionate volunteer committee driving Relay For Life and a fantastic new venue, it is shaping up to be a fantastic event.

She says spaces are limited so people need to register quickly if they wish to take part.

Relay For Life involves teams of 10 or more walking around a track for 22 hours.

'But it's not a race, and only one person needs to be on the track at any time.”

'Relay For Life is about encouraging everyone to celebrate with those who have overcome cancer, remember their loved ones lost to cancer, and fight back against a disease, which affects one in three New Zealanders by fundraising for the Cancer Society.”

Relay For Life committee chair and cancer survivor Jan Kerkmeester says the event is much more than a fundraiser.

'This is a wonderful opportunity to increase public awareness and to provide a platform to celebrate the lives of both the survivors and those less fortunate.”

'It's about so much more than that (fundraising).”

Teams from anywhere in the Bay of Plenty can enter, including businesses, community groups, schools, friends and families.

The 2013 Relay For Life will be held from 2pm on Saturday, March 23 to 12pm on Sunday, March 24 at the Tauranga Waterfront.

Bands, performers and competitions will provide entertainment.

'It's an awesome event to attend,” says Rachael.

All funds raised through Relay For Life stay in the Waikato/Bay of Plenty region and assist the Cancer Society to provide supportive care for cancer patients, carers, family and friends as well as funding cancer research and providing information on reducing the risk of cancer.

For more information about Relay For Life, or to register a team visit: www.relayforlife.org.nz, email events@cancersociety.org.nz or phone 07 571 2035.