A beloved community annual tradition in Greerton has been axed after nearly 20 years because of costs.
The Greerton Business Association, formerly known as Greerton Village Community Association, this week announced it has cancelled 2025’s Cherry Blossom Festival, which was set for September.
Association chair Cameron Templer said the decision was a difficult one, made after significant deliberation by the board.
“This decision was not made lightly but comes as we refocus our efforts and resources to better support the growth and success of our Greerton Village retailers during challenging financial times,” Templer said.
The move reflects a shift in focus towards more sustainable support for local businesses amid ongoing financial pressures, Templer said.
“The Cherry Blossom Festival has brought colour, energy, and joy to Greerton for many years. But as we navigate challenging economic times, we are choosing to concentrate our efforts on initiatives that more directly support our Greerton Village retailers.”
Greerton Business Association chair Cameron Templer is looking for more sustainable options to help local businesses. Photo / Supplied
The festival, known for drawing large crowds and celebrating the suburb’s seasonal beauty, has long relied on community support and volunteer efforts.
In more recent years though, to align the festival date to coincide with and support the annual Greerton Village School Gala, the festival had often been held earlier than the first appearance of cherry blossoms, with last year’s festival being renamed “Spring Fling”.
The Cherry Blossom Festival was started in 2007 to herald the start of spring and the flowering of the cherry trees in Chadwick and Cameron Rds.
Cherry blossoms blooming in Greerton Village. Photo / George Novak
Greerton Village School held an annual gala on its grounds to coincide with the festival. In the street alongside was a display of classic cars and hot rods, with the car club also holding an auction and bringing a band from Rotorua to perform in the village square. Roving street performers, stalls, live music and delicious food added to the festival.
The festival had only been cancelled once before – in 2020 because of Covid-19 restrictions.
Templer said he extended heartfelt thanks to past contributors, including Street Machines and Customs Tauranga Inc, Greerton Village School, the Lions Club and many dedicated volunteers.
In place of this year’s festival, Templer said the association will launch a new campaign: Shop Among the Blossoms – Greerton Spring Promotion.
Free Lunch Street Theatre performed at the Greerton Village Cherry Blossom Festival 2023, which was held before the cherry trees bloomed. Photo / Supplied
This is to begin with a shopkeeper and retailer Market Day on Saturday, September 20, 2025, and is a three-week campaign aims to attract visitors with shopping promotions and village activities.
Templer said the campaign will encourage residents and visitors to explore, shop and enjoy what Greerton has to offer.
“We are confident this refreshed approach will continue to celebrate the spirit of Greerton while supporting our local business community in a more sustainable way,” Templer said.
More details on the spring Shop Among the Blossoms campaign will be released in coming months.
For inquiries, email: [email protected].
5 comments
Disappointed
Posted on 27-06-2025 12:29 | By slbennings
What a disappointment for Greerton Village, locals, visitors and business owners. Always such a successful event and brought vibrancy and fun to the village every year. I wonder did, anyone apply for funding (it was usually available from several funders) RIP Cherry Blossom Festival
Blossom festival memories
Posted on 27-06-2025 12:52 | By morepork
I remember the Orange Blossom festivals we had in Tauranga when I was a kid and I was really sad to see them go. Greerton's Cherry Blossom festival is kind of a consolation that recognizes the beauty and fertility of our region.
But it kind of defeats the purpose if you have ANY kind of blossom festival when the appropriate trees are NOT in blossom...
You can't force Nature to fit in with school holidays or any other event that Humans are recognizing.
I hope the Greerton Cherry Blossom festival is only cancelled for this year and it will be back, scheduled for a time when the trees are in blossom, and with all the fun and festival that draws large crowds to Geerton.
Boo boo
Posted on 27-06-2025 16:22 | By JuanitaV
Big mistake Greerton Business Association. Those street machines and hotrods brought in sidewalks full of people from outside Greerton area, even from around NZ, with money they spent with the retailers. And your reasoning was obtuse at best. Sad loss for Greerton retail.
Hmmm
Posted on 27-06-2025 16:53 | By Let's get real
Surely the writing has been on the wall for quite a while now. Just look at the retailers in Greerton. Numerous charity stores, numerous vape shops, alcohol and laundry services.
Greerton was destroyed by the traffic management and the introduction of pedestrian operated traffic lights and crossings on top of the roundabouts. Now many people avoid the congestion around Greerton (where possible) and the major retailers have moved away. The council "planners" are responsible for the demise of what was once a vibrant part of a livable city.
So, TWO vibrant areas of the city destroyed by council "improvements".
@Let's get real
Posted on 28-06-2025 12:31 | By morepork
I thought about your post, trying to decide if it is true and if it is fair.
Sadly, I came to the conclusion that it is... on both counts.
The Tauranga City Council should shoulder the responsibility for a collossal planning mistake which has virtually destroyed Greerton.
(They won't, of course...)
Imagine a Council that could take responsibility, engage with the community, admit a mistake and, ultimately, fix it.
Isn't that how a public service body SHOULD behave?
I still hope they have the cherry blossom festival next year...
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