News & Media Releases
Annual Report 2025
In December 2025 we wished our Board Chair Tom Elvin all the best as he concluded his tenure with Sport Bay of Plenty. Read about his final reflections and find out more about Sport Bay of Plenty's work and our impact across the 2024-25 financial year in our Annual Report 2025.
A message from our Board Chair
Tēnā koutou katoa
As I present this Annual Report for the year ending 30 June 2025, I do so with pride and a sense of reflection. After nine years on the Board—nearly six as Chair—I will conclude my time with Sport Bay of Plenty this December, handing over the Chairperson role to Jeremy Mihaka-Dyer, who has been a valued trustee since 2022. It has been an honour and privilege to serve this organisation and our communities.
When I stepped into the Chair role in March 2020, the world was about to change. Covid-19 brought unprecedented challenges, and the Board embraced its responsibility to govern through uncertainty—ensuring continuity, supporting staff wellbeing, and maintaining our focus on community impact. Those early months tested our resilience but strengthened our commitment to the value of physical activity across our Bay of Plenty communities.
In 2021 the Board and I had the privilege of seeing through the development of our 2022–26 Strategic Plan—a bold, insights-driven roadmap focused on equity, collaboration, and system leadership. Our role as governors has been to set clear strategic direction, ensure financial stability, and confirm that our work adds value to the sport, recreation, and play sector.
Since then, we have made significant progress: targeting those with the greatest needs, investing in a pilot community-led health programme in Murupara, embracing Te Ao Māori in our work through the appointment of a Tumu Kaihonohono – Strategic Māori Partnerships Manager, and advocating for a stronger and more connected physical activity system in the Bay of Plenty.
A key component of the current strategic plan is the development of a Play, Active Recreation and Sport (PARS) Strategy. The development of this strategy, which is currently in progress, is bringing together six district councils to collaborate across boundaries and steer the region toward a sustainable, engaging, and inclusive future that encourages and supports an active population. This work is ongoing, and while I leave before its completion, I remain excited about the vision and opportunities it will present for the Bay of Plenty.
The importance and value of community-focussed work cannot be understated, and I want to acknowledge and congratulate Sport Bay of Plenty staff for their ongoing commitment to this kaupapa. It is not easy to step away while the sector faces a tighter financial environment. These challenges are real, but I am optimistic that Sport Bay of Plenty can navigate them. Our strategic direction puts us on the right course, the work remains valuable, and I have great confidence and appreciation for the Board to continue this mahi and carry on the proud legacy of Sport Bay of Plenty.
Looking back, I am humbled by what we have achieved together: steering through Covid, setting a clear strategic direction, encouraging greater collaboration and capability across the play, active recreation and sport sector, and investing over $3.5 million through Tū Manawa to enable more young people, women and girls and disabled young people to be active. None of this would have been possible without the dedication of our Board, leadership team, staff, partners, and funders.
I would like to extend a heartfelt thanks to all trustees, past and present, that I have had the privilege of working alongside. As I hand over to Jeremy, I do so with gratitude and confidence that Sport Bay of Plenty is future-fit, resilient, and ready to continue shaping a region where everyone has the opportunity to be active and thrive.
Ngā mihi nui
Tom Elvin
Board Chair, Sport Bay of Plenty
A warm welcome to our new Board Chair - Jeremy Mihaka-Dyer.
Jeremy is a partner and the CEO of consulting firm Navigator Limited, a social and cultural development firm that focuses on supporting organisations translate strategy into sustainable operations across the social sector (housing, health, Iwi development, Whanau Ora, education and not for profit).
Prior to joining Navigator, Jeremy spent over twelve years as a Chief Executive; first of Lake Taupō Primary Health Organisation and then Tuwharetoa Health Charitable Trust. He is a past Board member of the Rotorua Chamber of Commerce and Primary Health Organisations of New Zealand, and a current member of the New Zealand Law Society Standards Committee and Pathways New Zealand.
Jeremy is an amateur but keen sportsperson (cricket, basketball, running and mountain biking), is a past treasurer of Lake Taupō Cricket Inc and current Chair of Lake Taupō Basketball Association.
Jeremy joined the board in March 2022.
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