Tauranga will host international cricket, beach volleyball and basketball fixtures this month as part of a nationwide programme celebrating 100 years of sporting ties between New Zealand and India.

The city is one of five centres selected for the 100 Years of Unity Through Sport celebrations, which combine major sporting events with cultural performances and community activities, led by Sport New Zealand and supported through the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment’s Event Boost Fund.

The celebration brings together sporting organisations, government agencies, councils and community groups to recognise the role sport has played in connecting people, cultures and communities over the past century, a Tauranga City Council statement said.

Tauranga Mayor Mahe Drysdale said the city’s selection as a host venue reflected its reputation for staging major sporting events.

“Sport has a unique ability to bring people and cultures together, and it’s fantastic to be part of a celebration that recognises 100 years of sporting connection between New Zealand and India,” Drysdale said.

“We’re proud to host these events, giving our community the chance to get behind our national cricket, volleyball and basketball teams while sharing in the excitement and connections that sport creates.”

Among the headline events are two Black Caps v India One Day Internationals at Bay Oval on November 13 and 15; a New Zealand v India beach volleyball test series at Mount Main Beach; and 3x3 basketball featuring the Tall Blacks and Tall Ferns against India at Mercury Baypark.

Cultural performance at Bay Oval

Alongside the sporting programme, Tauranga City Council has partnered with local Māori and Indian groups to present Elements of Belonging during the innings break of the first ODI at Bay Oval on November 13.

Produced by the Third Culture Foundation and Tauranga Western Bay Indian Association, the performance will feature about 50 local Māori and Indian performers from Te Wharekura o Mauao, Rāmā Nritha Vihār and the Apna Punjab Bhangra Academy, together with live musicians.

Students from Te Wharekura o Mauao, Rāmā Nritha Vihār and the Apna Punjab Bhangra Academy meet during their first rehearsal of Elements of Belonging. Photo / Robbie Hunter

Director Dhaivat Mehta said the production aimed to reflect the spirit of the wider celebrations.

“It’s about bringing cultures together and creating something wonderful from what we all bring to the table,” Mehta said.

Through the elements of earth, water, fire, air and space, the performance explores shared experiences through the natural world while blending Māori and Indian cultural traditions.

International volleyball comes to the Mount

The beach volleyball series will form part of the centenary celebrations, with fixtures taking place at both North Harbour and Mount Maunganui.

Volleyball New Zealand chief executive Debbie Hyland said the series offered local fans a rare opportunity to watch international beach volleyball on home sand.

The New Zealand squad combines experienced internationals with emerging talent.

Beach Fern Olivia MacDonald is set to compete at both venues, partnering with Lani Rawle in Auckland and Meile-Rose Green in Tauranga. MacDonald has competed extensively overseas, including at last year’s world championships.

“Having an international tour player such as Liv McDonald playing at both Auckland and Tauranga is great,” Hyland said.

“She adds so much to the sport and has respect among peers and is a leader in the sport in Aotearoa.”

The Tauranga leg will also showcase local talent, including Tauranga Boys’ College student Cruize Satiu, who represented New Zealand at the Under-18 Beach Volleyball World Championships in The Hague earlier this year. Commonwealth Games bronze medallist Sam O’Dea will partner Satiu in Mount Maunganui.

Sam O'Dea in action at the Mount Maunganui. Photo / File

National training academy athlete Noah Smith is also scheduled to feature and is fifth on the Asian Tour rankings.

Hyland said India has a growing presence in beach volleyball.

“In beach volleyball, India is a sleeping giant and rapidly growing. It will be a good test for New Zealand.”

The beach volleyball series adds to a busy period of sporting rivalry between New Zealand and India, with international cricket and basketball fixtures also forming part of the Tauranga programme.

Organisers are encouraging residents and visitors to attend the events, with beach volleyball and 3x3 basketball free to watch, while tickets are available for the Black Caps v India matches at Bay Oval.

- Additional reporting by Francesca Marr. Francesca is a Wintec intern at the Rotorua Daily Post.