Tauranga Racecourse (Place)

TIMELINE

"The Crown initially awarded a portion of the [now] race course land to tangata whenua, and then rescinded and awarded alternative land in Taumata (beyond Pyes Pā)."

Bonnie Whaeanui Pearson referencing her great-grandfathers manuscript Te Haari Piahana

1874 - 200 acres of reserve land at Gate Pā / Greerton was given to Tauranga Jockey Club for the formation of a racecourse and recreation reserve.

1879 - Under the Public Domains Act 1860, the reserve was made permanent.

1914 - Provision was made for a neighbouring 18 hole golf course.

1961 - Tauranga Racecourse Domain Board was appointed as Controlling Authority.

1977 - Tauranga Racecourse Reserve Board established.

1989 - Tauranga Racecourse Reserve Board became part of Tauranga District Council.

2017 - Tauranga Racecourse Charitable Trust takes over administration of the whenua.

2021 October - December -  Phase 1 of Te rangahau ki Greerton Mārawaewae - The Greerton Maarawaewae study, with Tauranga City Council seeking ideas from mana whenua, existing users and wider community for the project.

2021 December - Phase 2 of Te rangahau ki Greerton Mārawaewae - The Greerton Maarawaewae study, ran through to 6 March 2022, feedback was sought.

2022 July-August - Phase 3 of Te rangahau ki Greerton Mārawaewae - The Greerton Maarawaewae study, update to Commissioners and consultation the communities.

2023 April 3 and 4 - Hearings on the submissions heard by the Commissioners.

2023 August 14 - Commissioners at a Tauranga City Council meeting discussed the deliberation report on the Greerton Maarawaewae Study options, and adopted a revised Option D called Community Plus - an adaptive future-proofed programme pathway.

This option provides for greater recreational access to, and public use of the existing Racecourse Reserve while Te Whatu Ora - Health New Zealand continues progressing its business case on future site options for Tauranga Hospital. This is expected to be completed mid-2024.

2023 September - The timeline for business case completion was updated to be mid-2025 by Te Whatu Ora.

See also: Racing Tauranga (Organisation).