Every year, tens of thousands of families make the journey to Tauranga for Australasia’s biggest junior sporting event. With over 14,000 athletes descending on Tauranga across 7 action packed days, finding accommodation that genuinely feels like a home away from home (and not just a roof over your head) takes a little bit of extra planning. That’s where Five Star Focused comes in. Our portfolio of luxury accommodation in Mount Maunganui and Papamoa offers spacious, family-friendly homes designed for comfort and convenience, so you can focus on supporting your young athlete while enjoying everything the Bay of Plenty has to offer.
We’re offering an exclusive 15% off 5+ night stays between the 5th and 11th of September, so your AIMS Games experience is made that little bit sweeter.
Why Mount Maunganui and Papamoa Are the Best Bases for the AIMS Games
AIMS Games spans more than 30 venues across the Tauranga region, but the majority of action is concentrated around Mt Maunganui and Papamoa. Staying in these suburbs puts you within minutes of the key courts, fields, and aquatic centres, which matters enormously when you’re navigating a week of multiple sessions.
Beyond convenience and proximity, a Five Star Focused holiday home in Mount Maunganui or Papamoa offers something that hotels simply can’t. Space. Families travelling to support their athletes need room to spread out after long days on the sidelines, including a proper kitchen to fuel up, a laundry for muddy uniforms, outdoor space for the kids to decompress and enough bedrooms that everyone actually gets proper rest.
What to Look For in AIMS Games Accommodation
Not all holiday homes are created equal, especially when you’re travelling with kids and a packed schedule. When comparing options for AIMS Games accommodation, keep these priorities at the front of your mind.
Proximity to Competition Venues
When you’re juggling early starts, multiple events and changing schedules, location matters. Five Star Focused offers accommodation that places families within easy reach of many of the AIMS Games venues. Many of our properties sit within a 5-10 minute drive of key AIMS Games venues including Baywave Aquatic Centre, Blake Park, and Tauranga Domain, meaning less time in the car and more time focused on what matters. For families juggling multiple athletes competing at different venues on the same day, that proximity is priceless.
Full Kitchen & Laundry Facilities
The tournament week is sure to be a busy one, and dining out for every meal quickly becomes expensive and a chore. A fully equipped kitchen gives families the flexibility to prepare breakfasts before early starts, pack lunches for long competition days and enjoy relaxed dinners together in the evening.
Laundry facilities are equally important. Between training gear, muddy uniforms, sports towels and everyday clothing, having access to a washing machine and dryer can be a true lifesaver during your AIMS Games stay.
Space for the Whole Family
Our portfolio of spacious holiday homes are intentionally designed for larger groups, so everyone has plenty of room to breathe. With multiple living areas, outdoor spaces and enough bathrooms (absolutely crucial!), many Five Star Focused properties sleep upwards of 6 guests comfortably.
Easy Access to Shops, Dining and Beaches
While the AIMS Games may be the core reason for your visit to the Bay of Plenty, there will still be moments to enjoy everything our stunning region has to offer. Both Mount Maunganui and Papamoa offer an enviable combination of convenience and coastal lifestyle, making them ideal bases for families throughout the tournament.
Mount Maunganui Accommodation: Premium Stays Close to the Action
Mount Maunganui is where the AIMS Games comes alive. Staying here puts your family within minutes of the action and everything else that makes tournament week a completely memorable experience.
Papamoa Accommodation: Space, Surf and Easy Access to Venues
Stretching along one of the Bay of Plenty’s longest coastal strips, Papamoa offers generous properties with room for the whole team, easy beach access and straightforward connections to tournament venues.
Stay with Five Star Focused for the 2026 AIMS Games
Make your 2026 AIMS Games experience one the whole family remembers, for all the right reasons. Our portfolio of luxury holiday homes in Mount Maunganui and Papamoa is designed to give your family the space, comfort, and convenience to perform and enjoy every moment of tournament week. Book your AIMS Games accommodation direct through Five Star Focused and enjoy 15% off all 5+ night stays between the 5th and 11th of September.
Frequently Asked Questions
The AIMS Games (Aotearoa Interschool Multisport Games) is Australasia’s largest junior sporting event, held annually in Tauranga, New Zealand. The tournament welcomes over 14,000 athletes from more than 430 schools, competing across 27 sporting codes over seven action-packed days. It’s widely regarded as the premier school sport competition in the region, and for many young athletes, it’s a highlight of their sporting careers.
Mount Maunganui and Papamoa are the ideal bases for AIMS Games families. The majority of competition venues are concentrated in these two suburbs, putting you within minutes of key locations like Baywave Aquatic Centre, Blake Park, and Tauranga Domain. Both areas also offer easy access to beaches, shops and restaurants, so you can make the most of your time in the Bay of Plenty between sessions.
The 2026 Zespri AIMS Games will be held from Saturday 5 September to Friday 11 September, across venues throughout the Tauranga region.
Yes! Many of our holiday homes comfortably sleep six or more guests, making them ideal for families travelling with multiple children or groups combining with another family for the week.
September marks the beginning of spring in the Bay of Plenty, and Mount Maunganui typically enjoys mild, improving weather as the month progresses. Expect average daytime temperatures around 14-18°C, with a mix of sunny spells and the occasional shower.
Beyond the AIMS Games action, Mount Maunganui has plenty to keep the whole family happy. The main strip along Maunganui Road is packed with great cafés, ice cream spots, and casual eateries perfect for a post-event debrief. It’s one of New Zealand’s most loved coastal towns and a brilliant backdrop for tournament week.
