We moved to a Pay What You Want (PWYW) model to motivate people to be more active – without cost being a barrier.

We moved to a PWYW model to give more low-income individuals/households/families the opportunity to participate.

We moved to a PWYW model to be as inclusive as possible.

We have decided to cancel the 2022 Pay What You Want Tauranga Half Marathon because of today’s announcement.
We apologise to those who were looking forward to it.

There’s a piece of student art in our 9yr old daughter’s classroom that says “Wrong is wrong even if everyone is doing it. Right is right even if no-one is doing it” attributed to 4th century philosopher Augustine of Hippo.

Doing this feels right to us. We realise there might not be many (or any) doing the same, but we are not interested in being complicit in creating further division and segregation in our communities.

St Augustine is also credited with “Hope has two beautiful daughters; their names are Anger and Courage. Anger at the way things are, and Courage to see that they do not remain as they are.”

We’re making a choice to not support things the way they are. We’ve watched other people with running and/or events profiles share our position and be attacked by keyboard warriors. We understand people will lash out because this stance makes them feel uncomfortable. We’re just event managers and this is just a running event.

You do you and we’ll do us.

Kia maia (be brave, be bold)

Luke and Jo.