All Our Sponsors

What is the true value of sponsorship received for a community event? So much more than the money donated, it conveys a message of shared values, a sense of community spirit and mutual respect.

From a small local event the Onetangi Beach Races has grown over the years into one of Auckland's best-loved summer outings. Local support has always been strong and increasingly off-island businesses are coming forward to show their support of the Waiheke community and a desire to 'give back'. This means that the iconic Onetangi Beach Races lives on as a free, family, fun day out for Aucklanders and Waihekeans and continues to be a major community fundraising day. Onetangi Beach Races committee chairman, Greg Davenport says, "it means that from pre-schoolers to pensioners, clubs to causes, money is available to help enrich the community. Every dollar received by the Rotary Club of Waiheke from the Onetangi Beach Races Incorporated Society and the Beach Races is distributed back into the community. Last year over 30 local charities, good causes, clubs, individuals, Westpac and St John benefited directly as a result of money raised at the Onetangi Beach Races."

If our sponsors were asked why they give to this cause the answer is invariably the same, 'we want to give back and to where it counts'.

Sponsors, thank you for your generosity and for caring.

Platinum Sponsors

In recent years Gulf News and Fullers have shared sponsorship at this level and now they are joined by local department store New Generation. This is how they feel about their sponsorship.

Community newspaper, Gulf News, has been covering news and views on Waiheke for nearly 40 years. "Gulf News was there when Cactus Bay farmers, with colourful annual rivalry, still brought their stock horses for an annual gallop along Onetangi Beach, when a local rider brought his horse into the Onetangi Hotel bar because he was forbidden from setting foot in the place himself and when the first tractor race wheezed its way along the sand. It has been a grand journey and the annual Onetangi Beach Races remain a quintessential Waiheke summer festival: Race-day hats, toddlers on their fathers' shoulders and jumping the waves, sandcastles, treasure hunts, sulkies and the still-fierce rivalries of the horseriders, wheelbarrow drivers and, these days, the amphibious Sealegs owners. It has been our privilege as the island's long-standing community newspaper to have been major sponsors of the event for the last two summers and part of Rotary's largest annual fundraising event and we look forward again this year to watching this magnificent beach fill with tents, flags, the drama of pounding hooves and families having a day at the beach in such fine style." Liz Waters, Gulf News editor and publisher.

"Summer on Waiheke Island brings with it the opportunity to host wonderful events and Fullers has always been proudly committed to working with the Onetangi Beach Races organisers to offer the best support we can to ensure an enjoyable day for all. Douglas Hudson, CEO, Fullers Group Ltd.

Local department store New Generation is welcomed this year and will be sponsoring the Onetangi Cup. "It is important for us to show appreciation to our customers and what better way than to give back to the community through the Beach Races which is such an incredible day." Jenny and Peter Amies, owners New Generation.

Gold Plus and Gold Sponsors

Sealink, a longtime supporter at Gold level has become a Gold Plus sponsor, without this support we wouldn't be able to bring you all the wonderful horse races so eagerly looked forward to.

"SeaLink has been a keen sponsor of the Onetangi Beach Horse Races for many years. Being able to support the wider Waiheke community, through Rotary and this event, is always a pleasure as it is such a fun day out, for all the family - islanders and visitors alike." Jean Goodbrand, Marketing Manager, SeaLink Travel Group.

We welcome three new sponsors at Gold level, Woolworths, Central Landscape Supplies and Sealegs. All the Gold sponsors cover a horse race and Sealegs sponsors the amphibious Sealegs race all of these are TOTE races.

The Waiheke Community Board shows its continued support for community events by contributing towards the costs incurred making the Beach Races as safe as possible.

	Waiheke Island Community Board

Silver Plus and Silver Sponsors

After such a successful Tug o War event last year, where the winning team was able to hand over $1000 to the charity of its choice, Plumbing World ('the only 100% New Zealand owned and operated national plumbing merchant') stepped up as a Silver Plus sponsor to support this competition. It is wonderful to have them on board.

Continuing their Silver sponsorship are ASB (girls race) and Liquorland (Silent Auction).

New Silver sponsors are The Beach Front Cafe (waiters race), Evenflow Plumbing and Gas (wheelbarrow), Bowman Developments (Egg & Spoon), Waiheke Plumbing and Gas (Big Dig), Island Treecare (Sandworks), Waiheke Anglican Church (Mad Hatter).

A joint Silver sponsorship from Charlie Farleys and Waiheke Island Brewery will host the fun of Fashion in the Field at 3.30pm and this event is being produced by Otherworld Productions.

Friends of the Races

This is a new level of support where individuals or businesses make a charitable donation of $300. The 'Friends' have sponsored a horse race, the boys and girls running races and the mens running race.
Friends are invited to lunch on Race Day and can bring a guest with them. New Friends are always welcome, if you are interested in becoming a Friend please contact us.


'Giving Back' and Community Involvement

Year on year, through the Onetangi Beach Races Inc., Rotary volunteers dedicate themselves to helping the Waiheke community and in turn the community lends a hand (many pairs of hands) in creating a day to remember. Some of those who have benefited in the past are now involved in making the day quite a wonderful experience.
Once such recipient is Otherworld Productions. This is not for profit community group that works with schools, community fundraisers and events, fosters children's performing arts and has a fantastic costume hire department (Adele 09 372 8003). This group will oversee one of the day's most entertaining competitions - Fashion in the Field. Another is Once Upon An Island Trust, home to the Story Centre, which has recently obtained charitable status and will organise the Mad Hatter and tea party.
Groups helping include Waiheke Island Pony Club, Waiheke Island Library, Waiheke Scouts and Seascouts, Waiheke, Hey Dads, Waiheke High School Sports Academy, Waiheke Dolphins, Waiheke Island Rugby Club, Waiheke Golf Club, Waiheke Dirt Track, Waiheke Boat Club, Zero Waste Team and Waiheke High School Seasports Academy, Junior Soccer Club.
Thanks to Bernie Lee for the wheelbarrow!

Special Thanks to the following for their support over many years: Denis Dominikovich, Brian Walker, Farley Scott, Alan Anderson, Brian Gartrell, Dave Harold, Calvin Nealey and 'Shortie'.

Special Acknowledgement and thanks goes to all past sponsors, supporters and volunteers without you we would not still be here.

To Get Involved
If you would like to become a future sponsor or a Friend of the Races or even a volunteer please contact us.