Gisborne leaders were confident the city could pull off hosting the tournament, saying it already caters for large events such as the Rhythm & Vines music festival.<\/p>\n
\u2018Rung every marae in Tair\u0101whiti\u2019<\/p>\n
A parent said they had given up trying to get a Waikato team to nationals because there was nowhere left to stay.<\/p>\n
The woman, who spoke on the condition she was not named, said she knew of several other teams not attending, including some that previously won medals.<\/p>\n
They were instead aiming for next year\u2019s event, which Touch NZ had signalled could be in the South Island.<\/p>\n
She said there were concerns about holding national events in areas such as Gisborne.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt makes a mockery of the results if teams can\u2019t compete because there is no accommodation.\u201d<\/p>\n
She said the girls\u2019 team her daughter is in would be upset to learn they could not go as nationals was the pinnacle of the season.<\/p>\n
She said she had exhausted all avenues of trying to find accommodation.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve rung every marae in Tair\u0101whiti, but the problem with marae is if there is a tangi, you can\u2019t stay there.\u201d<\/p>\n
She said there were no boarding schools nearby and many motels could only sleep two people in each unit, which she said was unsuitable for teen groups.<\/p>\n
The secondary school national touch competition is moving from Rotorua to Gisborne this year. Photo \/ Supplied<\/p>\n
Announcement criticised<\/p>\n
Touch NZ will host the event at Harry Barker Reserve and Nelson Park from December 11 to 13. Expressions of interest open soon for girls\u2019, boys\u2019 and mixed-grade team entries.<\/p>\n
The announcement said the venue change was part of its \u201ccommitment to growth, inclusion and strengthening regional connections\u201d. <\/p>\n
It would also support a community that faced significant challenges in recent years.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor many participants, this will be their first experience of a major sporting event in Gisborne.\u201d<\/p>\n
Rotorua has held the NZ Secondary Schools National Touch Tournament annually since 2019. Photo \/ Andrew Warner<\/p>\n
The news copped criticism on Touch NZ\u2019s Facebook page.<\/p>\n
One person said: \u201cCome on Touch New Zealand. You\u2019ve probably just crippled the tournament by changing venue\u201d, estimating Gisborne could host only 30 teams.<\/p>\n
Another said Rotorua was an amazing host \u2013 cost-effective, central, excellent accommodation \u2013 while Gisborne was harder to reach: \u201cWe can\u2019t find accommodation either.\u201d<\/p>\n
Others claimed schools would be priced out, with one person saying their school\u2019s costs would \u201ctriple\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis tournament is too big for Gisborne.\u201d<\/p>\n
What city leaders, Touch NZ say<\/p>\n
Rotorua Mayor Tania Tapsell commented on the Facebook page, acknowledging those who preferred Rotorua as host.<\/p>\n
She said Rotorua loved hosting touch tournaments and, while sad to see this one go, she wished \u201cGizzy all the best\u201d and hoped to \u201cwelcome you all back to Rotorua\u201d soon.<\/p>\n
Rotorua Mayor Tania Tapsell says the city loves hosting touch tournaments. Photo \/ Laura Smith <\/p>\n
Touch NZ community engagement and partnerships manager Pat Spellman told NZME the touch community\u2019s concerns had been heard.<\/p>\n
The organisation was working with provincial association T\u016branga-nui-a-Kiwa Touch Association, key partners Trust Tair\u0101whiti, and local contacts to find solutions.<\/p>\n
Spellman said they were engaging with local marae, community halls, private rental providers and other accommodation avenues, and had already \u201csuccessfully housed schools\u201d struggling to find somewhere online.<\/p>\n
Schools could request accommodation help when registering their expression of interest.<\/p>\n
Touch NZ was confident Gisborne was \u201cmore than equipped\u201d to host the event.<\/p>\n
Spellman said Rhythm & Vines catered for more than 20,000 people. Other events held successfully included the National Surf Lifesaving Tournament and Waka Ama Nationals.<\/p>\n
He said they were looking forward to enjoying the manaakitanga and sunshine the region was world-famous for.<\/p>\n
Gisborne beaches were busy during the Rhythm & Vines festival in 2025. Photo \/ Liam Clayton <\/p>\n
Trust Tair\u0101whiti contributed $65,000 towards delivering the Gisborne event. Chief executive Doug Jones said Gisborne had a strong track record of hosting large events, and noted about 700 Rhythm & Vines attendees stayed at motels, Airbnbs, campgrounds and private accommodation.<\/p>\n
He said the region\u2019s young local athletes regularly fundraised and travelled long distances to compete at national tournaments, so it was nice for them to compete \u201con home turf\u201d occasionally.<\/p>\n
Gisborne Mayor Rehette Stoltz said Gisborne was \u201cstoked\u201d Touch NZ had chosen it to play host and shared events across New Zealand. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe have a lot to offer, including beautiful beaches, restaurants and facilities. We look forward to welcoming the schools to Tair\u0101whiti and wish them all the best of luck at the championships.\u201d<\/p>\n
Gisborne Mayor Rehette Stoltz is \u201cstoked\u201d Touch NZ had chosen the city to host the national championships. Photo \/ Supplied <\/p>\n
Rotorua Lakes Council community experience group manager Alex Wilson said it was advised of the venue change after inquiring following the 2025 tournament. There was no bidding process.<\/p>\n
The council had a five-year agreement with Touch NZ from 2019 to 2024, covering three events annually.<\/p>\n
After the first year, Touch NZ chose to bring only the secondary schools event to Rotorua, Wilson said.<\/p>\n
In 2025, Touch NZ looked at other cities before asking to return to Rotorua.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur district has a long history of successfully hosting large sporting tournaments, offering facilities with experienced event operators and a compact layout that makes it simple for teams, supporters and officials to get around,\u201d Wilson said.<\/p>\n
Rotorua\u2019s central location, accommodation network and reputation for manaakitanga also made it an attractive and reliable choice for events.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe continue to value our longstanding relationship with Touch New Zealand and remain open to future [hosting] opportunities,\u201d Wilson said.<\/p>\n