Live Well Waihi Beach

05/10/2026

Wow - it was an epic first weekend of our community MOVE with You, Waihī Beach event.

☀ Day 1 saw multiple groups out and about, on the Trig and around the beach, and of course partaking in the post-exercise coffee!
Other awesome activity of participants included achieving a 5km personal best at the Whanga run; wheelchair wheelie activity of over 3kms, Whaka Ama smashing out long distance training, epic bike rides and even a trail run in Washington State, USA. We love hearing all these adventures! 👩‍🦽‍➡️

We had 3 x ECHO walks over the weekend which got people out and about, and learning about our local history and birdlife.

Plus our MOVE app has been clocking up the kms! We are at over 1114 kms only on day 4! So cool to see this. 📈

Our spot prize winners this weekend are as follows - weekly prizes are given out to those who post or send in pics - via social media, Strava or message them in. Thank you to our awesome businesses for donating the spot prizes!

- Ash & Hannah - Raine & Horne - Coffee vouchers The Joshua Brew
- Briar Carden-Scott - Tea from Sagrada Wellbeing
- Hollie Jones - Honey from BeeNZ Ltd

See you out there moving and remember our fun events coming up this week - two ECHO walks this Tue & Thu; and our fun Mud Run this Sat!! More info to come.

28/09/2026

WHĀNAU DASH & SPLASH – SAT 10 OCT 💦

The estuary mud run is back. And this year, after you told us you wanted it longer and muddier… we listened!

As part of the MOVE with You event this fun, messy community gathering brings whānau and friends together to get active, have a laugh and show support for Mental Health Awareness Week. 💜 And it’s on the last day of the school holidays — so grab your whānau, rally your mates and come get muddy.

🏃 It's FREE to join/everyone’s welcome – no need to be signed to MOVE with You
🎨 Dress up in something colourful or fun to show your support
🏆 Spot prizes for dress-ups and other categories
👧 Tamariki under 12 must be accompanied by an adult
👟 Shoes are recommended – there’s plenty of shells!
🌊 Hear interesting cultural history & importance of the estuary
🚒 Get hosed down by Mayor View Fire Brigade at the finish
🧴 Bring sunscreen, a towel and change of clothes
🌭 Stay afterwards for a sausage sizzle and/or hot chips at the Boat Club

A huge thank you to the organisations coming together to support this community event: Mayor View Volunteer Fire Brigade Waihi Beach Surf Lifesaving Club Te Whānau a Tauwhao Waihi Beach Bowentown Boating and Fishing Club.

And to our overall event sponsors:
Waihi Beach RSA Athenree Hot Springs & Holiday Park Harcourts Waihi Beach Hairwaves Waihi Beach Waihī Beach and Tauranga Western Bay Community Fund.

25/09/2026

🌿 ECHO Encore x MOVE with You!

Echo Walking Festival is supporting Live Well's MOVE with You event with a special lineup of Encore Walks, giving you even more chances to get outside, explore our beautiful backyard and discover something new

There are also some great school holiday options for tamariki and whānau, so there’s plenty of opportunity to get out and get moving together! Whether you’re up for a gentle wander, a cultural experience or a good hike, there’s a walk for you. All walks are free, with a small koha/donation welcome if you’re able.

🌲Sat 3 Oct | 9am – Otawhiwhi Cultural Walk
Join Reon Tuanau of Te Whānau a Tauwhao for a gentle walk through the area’s rich cultural history. Enjoy stunning views of Te Moana a Toi while pausing to hear the stories and connections - this is a real local gem.
Book > https://www.echowalkfest.org.nz/events/otawhiwhi-cultural-walk/

🐦Sun 4 Oct | 2pm – Bird Walk Ōmokoroa
Explore Ōmokoroa’s diverse landscapes on a guided bird walk and discover the native and migratory species that call this area home. Whether you’re an experienced birdwatcher or simply enjoy nature, this is a relaxing opportunity to connect with the local environment.
Book > https://www.echowalkfest.org.nz/events/omokoroa-bird-walk/

⚰ Sun 4 Oct | 2.45pm – Waihī Cemetery: Mishaps & Misadventures
Join the Waihī Branch of the New Zealand Society of Genealogists for a fascinating guided walk through Waihī Cemetery. Discover some of the intriguing stories, mishaps and misadventures behind the names and lives of those buried here.
Book > https://www.echowalkfest.org.nz/events/waihi-cemetery-walk/

🦋 Tue 6 Oct | 10am – Tamariki Nature Journaling Workshop & Walk
Create your own nature journal before heading out to explore and record the wonders of Waihī Beach. All materials are provided free. Recommended for ages 7+, with children accompanied by an adult. Please register both child and adult.
Book > https://www.echowalkfest.org.nz/events/tamariki-nature-journaling-workshop-walk/

💦 Thu 8 Oct | 9am – Ōtanewainuku Trig, Rimu & Whataroa Falls Track
Explore native forest, towering rimu and spectacular views on this 5–6 hour hike. The journey includes the Ōtanewainuku Summit Loop, Rimu Loop and Whataroa Falls, with time for lunch and, if you fancy it, a refreshing swim.
Book > https://www.echowalkfest.org.nz/events/ōtanewainuku-trig-plus-rimu-and-whataroa-falls-track/

⛰Sat 24 Oct (Labour Wkd) | 9am – Horse Whim & Komata Reefs Mine Walk
Step back in time on a fascinating 6.5-hour walk through historic gold workings at Golden Cross, between Waihī and Paeroa. Follow the track from open country into native forest, with several short, steep climbs and stream crossings along the way.
Book > https://www.echowalkfest.org.nz/events/horse-whim-and-komata-reefs-mine-walk/

22/09/2026

🤸‍♀️ MOVE with You, Waihī Beach - 2 Oct - 1 Nov.

☑️ Haven’t joined yet? Get to it - great for people of all ages & abilities. t’s FREE to join and it’s not a race — no pressure, just move at your own pace. More info & sign up here > https://www.facebook.com/share/1BWQuvEnV9/

🧢 MOVE caps are here!
The first 130 participants to sign up get a cap. Pick yours up from Te Ara Mātauranga – Waihī Beach Library, 5–6pm on Wed 23 Sep (tomorrow) & Tue 29 Sep.

🚶 Mini-MOVE Events
There are loads of events happening throughout the month to this are open to ALL whether you’re signed up to MOVE or not! A big thanks to Echo Walking Festival, who are supporting us with 6 walks over the month. 🌿👟 👉 Register for ECHO walks via their website here > https://www.echowalkfest.org.nz/events/

Any questions about any of this - message us or comment on the post! See you out moving soon!

10/09/2026

🎨 And the winner is…

Back in September, we asked you to vote for the mural you’d like to see brighten up our new Accessible Changing Facility at Waihī Beach.

Today, we’re delighted to announce the winner — but first, we want to say a huge thank you to every artist who supported this project and took the time to submit a design. 🖌

We really want to acknowledge the creativity, time and mahi that went into every submission. We were so impressed by the talent and thought behind each of the designs.

Please see all of the submitted designs - and take a moment to check out the artists, follow them and support these fabulous creators. We’ve highlighted the artists based in Waihī Beach too, so you can give our local creatives a little extra love. 🫶

And now… congratulations to our winner, ! 🎉 Sarah’s design received the most votes through our public voting process and will be the mural bringing some colour, warmth and creativity to our new facility.

Thank you again to everyone who entered, voted, shared and supported this project; and to our sponsors and supporters -

Sarah Kolver - FB Sarah Kolver Art / Insta @ sarahkolver_art
Sarah Cornish - Insta
Kathryn Sanders (Waihī Beach) – Insta
Jess Ellis (Waihi Beach) – FB: Ranger Studio / Insta .nz
Kirst O’Rourke (Waihī Beach) – Insta @ kirsttheartist
Catherine Franzoi – FB Franzoi Photography & Creative
Paige Walker – Info TBC.

07/09/2026

MOVE with You, Waihī Beach is back! 🤸

It’s more than getting active. It’s about checking in on your mates, your whānau and the people around you — and getting out and moving together for better mental health. Proudly aligned with Gumboot Friday. 💜

Choose from 4 challenges and complete yours over the month. Walk.Bike. Dance. Paddle. Wheel. Stretch. Whatever gets you moving! And it’s no race, no pressure and no one to answer to but yourself. Move at your own pace, in your own way.

👉 Head to our Event page for all the details and to SIGN UP. https://www.facebook.com/share/1PAq2icUpM/

Thanks to our sponsors & supporters- Waihi Beach RSA, Tauranga Western Bay Event Fund, Hairwaves Waihi Beach Harcourts Waihi Beach Athenree Hot Springs & Holiday Park Echo Walking Festival Waihī Beach Waihi Beach Surf Lifesaving Club Hollie Jones Gumboot Friday

06/09/2026

Farewell Jim. 💚 A tireless carer of our bush, our beach and our community. Your contribution to Waihī Beach has been immense, and you’ll be deeply missed.

A sad farewell from the ECHO family ❤️

It is with great sadness that we share the news that Jim Cowern has passed away.

Jim has been such an important part of the ECHO Walking Festival family for many years, and his passing leaves a very large Jim-shaped hole in our little motley crew.

Jim was a committed member of our committee, a wealth of knowledge, always willing to lend a hand, share his experience, tell a story and, more often than not, keep us grounded with his quiet wisdom and good humour. But beyond all of that, Jim was a friend.

He really was one of the good guys.

We know that Jim was known and loved by many throughout the wider ECHO family, not just those of us who sat around the committee table. His contribution to ECHO, his generosity with his time and knowledge, and the friendships he made along the way have left a lasting mark on our festival.

We will miss his humour, his stories, his knowledge and, most of all, simply having Jim there.

Our thoughts are with Jim’s family and loved ones at this incredibly sad time.

From all of us in the ECHO family – thank you, Jim. For everything you gave to ECHO, and to us.

You will be deeply missed, but you will always be part of ECHO. ❤️

25/08/2026

🎨 HELP US CHOOSE OUR NEW MURAL! 🌊

🗳️ VOTE HERE: https://forms.gle/i4yovs1GWh1TpcCp7

This year Live Well Waihī Beach and the Waihi Beach Surf Lifesaving Club officially opened the community Accessible Changing Facility.

The facility includes a ceiling hoist for wheelchair transfers, adjustable change table, accessible shower and toilet. This facility complements the beach wheelchair mats and our free beach wheelchairs; providing a safe, comfortable place for people with disabilities and complex illnesses to get ready for the beach – please spread the news far and wide about Accessible Waihī Beach!!

Now it’s time to give this special facility a bit of colour and personality! 🖌

We received 7 incredible mural submissions, and we were genuinely blown away by the quality, creativity and thought that went into every single one. Choosing just three finalists was seriously tough — our judging panel had some very difficult decisions to make!

But after plenty of discussion, we’ve selected our Top 3… and now it’s over to YOU — our community! 🙌

👉 Take a look at the three designs and VOTE for your favourite.

🗳️ VOTE HERE: https://forms.gle/i4yovs1GWh1TpcCp7

Voting Close: 2 September.

Thank you to our supporters & sponsors - Creative Communities Scheme, coordinated by Creative Bay of Plenty - Te Waka Auaha Toi ; Resene and Surf Shack Eatery; and to our top 3 design judges - Emmet, Dave and Pippa.

30/06/2026

Celebrate Matariki at the 16th Annual Waihī Beach Dawn Viewing!

Everybody is welcome to join for a truly special morning as we celebrate Matariki, the Māori New Year ✨

You’ll experience a unique blend of education and entertainment. Speakers from Te Whānau a Tauwhao hapū ki Otawhiwhi Marae, local community members, and students from Waihī Beach School will share insights and stories, offering a chance to learn more about the significance of Matariki.

Following the dawn viewing, you’re invited to a delicious, cooked breakfast at Otawhiwhi Marae, where you’ll receive a warm welcome from Te Whānau a Tauwhao hapū.

Don’t forget to wrap up in your warm blankets to witness the beauty of Matariki and deepen your understanding of this important cultural celebration.

When: 9th July – arrive at 5.45am for a 6.00am start
Where: Waihī Beach Coastguard Reserve – 511 Seaforth Road, Bowentown
Price: Free

Thanks to Waihī Beach School - Te Kura Tātahi o Waihī and Events & Promotions | Waihī Beach for coordinating this special community gathering and to Otawhiwhi Marae Public Info Page for hosting kai 🙏