Supporting our community | Barfoot & Thompson

From sports to charities, family events to arts and cultural activities, we’re thrilled to lend our support through a diverse portfolio of local, regional and national sponsorships.

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Charity and Community Partnerships

Starship Foundation

If ever there was a worthy cause, Starship is it! As New Zealand’s national children’s hospital providing essential medical care to children all around the country, this not-for-profit invests in programmes to save lives, support wellbeing and give much-needed family support. Since becoming a Five-Star Partner with the Foundation, we have raised over $6m through company-wide initiatives, branch fundraising events and individual staff efforts.

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Mercy Hospice

Mercy Hospice steps up with vital clinical services and specialist palliative care at a time when it’s needed most. It’s a charity that’s helped countless Kiwis over the years, caring for those nearing the end of their lives, but also educating and supporting family, friends and carers, to help them cope with the difficulties arising from illness. We’re super proud of our affiliation with Hospice, and we step up too, with help where we can.

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Farmers Santa Parade

If you’re an Aucklander, chances are you’ve been to the Farmers Santa Parade. It’s a fabulously festive event that happens in the CBD just before Christmas. Est. in 1938, and still going strong today, hundreds of thousands of families turn up each year to line the streets and share the joy. Of course, we’re there with bells on too… the Barfoot & Thompson Gingerbread House float and dancing houses have been firm crowd favourites for years.

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Auckland Grammar School Foundation

Supporting students by awarding teachers; that’s what the Auckland Grammar School Foundation Trust is all about. Barfoot & Thompson is proud to be affiliated with this future-forward cause. Keeping the best teachers in the classroom and ensuring the highest level of education, for today’s students - tomorrow’s leaders.

The Food Truck Collective

An organisation dedicated to the support and wellbeing of Auckland’s most promising street food vendors. It's passionate about showcasing the best street food in Auckland and the brilliant people behind the scenes. Talented chefs create a range of incredible, authentic, vibrant food that bursts with flavour in your mouth and leaves you wanting more every time. The Collective’s dream is to connect people - because being together is better.

Auckland Zoo

Many Aucklanders have fond memories with family and friends at the Zoo. Barfoot & Thompson is proud to be an Auckland Zoo principal partner and delighted to be supporting its 2023 Conservation Fund Small Grants Aotearoa-focused round supporting the conservation of threatened wildlife and wild places throughout New Zealand. Image by Auckland Zoo

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Takapuna Winter Lights

Takapuna Winter Lights is a free event that brings the community out of their homes mid-winter to share in an experience based around art and performance. Having welcomed 45,000 people in 2023 and receiving significant positive feedback, Takapuna Winter Lights is cemented as a major community event in North Auckland.

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Sports Partnerships

Barfoot & Thompson Marathon and Kids Marathon

It’s important we support events that not only promote healthy and active Aucklanders, but also give internationals a reason to visit our amazing city. We have a long-standing history with the Auckland Marathon - previously the principal sponsor of the Half Marathon and Kids Marathon but now stepping up to Title Partner for the main event, further cementing our support for one of Auckland’s biggest days out.

Barfoot & Thompson People’s Triathlon

The Barfoot & Thompson People's Triathlon Series is a four-part event that takes place each Summer around Mission Bay and Maraetai Beach. It’s Auckland’s longest-running triathlon series, with competitors having the chance to race a variety of distances, in both triathlon and duathlon. We love it!

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Barfoot & Thompson Mount Triathlon

Join us for a triathlon event in April 2025 that starts and finishes at Mount Maunganui's stunning Main Beach. The Mount Maunganui Triathlon also features a selection of other multi-sport races for individuals and teams.

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New Zealand Olympic Committee

Barfoot & Thompson is an official New Zealand partner for the NZOC, supporting Kiwi athletes to ‘go for gold’ and realise the dream of competing at the very highest international level, at the Olympic Games. As they wear the silver fern and represent Aotearoa New Zealand with honour and pride, we too, are proud to back these elite sportspeople.

Auckland FC

As the official and exclusive real estate partner of AFC, we are proud to help bring professional football to Auckland, and to help create pathways for boys and girls to get the best coaching and playing opportunities, and to represent their city and their country. We love being a part of what makes Auckland a great place to live.

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The Blues Men's Super Rugby team

It's no secret that we love the Blues, in fact, we've been passionately following the Blues since 1996. That's almost 30 years of Barfoot & Thompson backing the team, the players and the community of fans.

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The Blues Women's Super Rugby team

Just as we were there for the inaugural season of the Blues men’s team all those years ago, Barfoot & Thompson is getting in behind the nib Blues squad, as the women gear up for the all-new Aupiki Super Rugby competition. Promoting equality, celebrating inclusivity and helping pave the way for greater representation of women and diversity in sport? We’re in!

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Auckland Rugby Union

Promoting rugby, nurturing young ones, running competitions (from primary school level, to club, to the Mitre 10 Cup), coordinating coaching, training and event management programmes – is there anything that The Auckland Rugby Union doesn’t do?! This sporting body is a true champion for the game, and Barfoot & Thompson is right there with them, as a keen ARU sponsor since 1986.

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Counties Manukau Rugby

Counties Manukau Rugby have rocked the red, white and black for South Auckland and the Franklin district since 1955. A mighty Provincial Union with a proud tradition of forging winning teams and producing extraordinary athletes. We’re proud to be onside with this legendary team.

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North Harbour Rugby

More rugby greatness can be found at the North Harbour Rugby Union, and again, Barfoot & Thompson is there in support as Major Sponsor. Formed in 1985, this union has a reputation for playing awesome rugby through all grades. It has won its fair share of division titles over the years, and produced some truly legendary players, many who have gone on to represent NZ.

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Northland Rugby

Another Provincial Union that we’re super proud to be associated with as Major Sponsor is the Northland Rugby Union. It covers 50+ clubs from Wellsford in the south, to Te Hapua in the north. It’s been around since 1920 and has produced dozens of All Blacks over the years. Today it heads up a terrific team in the Mitre 10 Cup competition.

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Northern Mystics

Our love of sport continues, with a long-term sponsorship of The Northern Mystics. This super popular Auckland team competes in the ANZ Premiership alongside five others, it was formed in 2008 (which is when we came on board) and over time it has nurtured some of New Zealand’s finest netballers and Silver Ferns players.

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Auckland Thoroughbred Racing

Entertainment, hospitality, fashion and big wins… a day at the races has it all! And we’re a part of that action, as principal sponsor of the Twilight Summer Races, an exciting evening event that hosts the Jockey World Cup, and Auckland Cup Day, the most prestigious race day that sees top equestrian athletes gather from far and wide.

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Bay of Plenty 5 Course Golf Classic

Barfoot & Thompson are excited to support the BOP 5 Course Classic. Our goal is that sponsorships like this will help the growth of golf at a community level through to those who reach professional status. We are proud to be an integral part of the places where we do business and love to play a part in making Auckland, Northland and the Bay of Plenty (Tauranga) great places to work and live.

G9

The G9 golf tournament at Eden Park is a fantastic annual event, with big prizes, big personalities and a whole heap of hole-in-one fun. Barfoot & Thompson has been there, as a key partner, since the first tee-off in 2017, and our commitment to the G9 continues.

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Davis Cup - The World Cup of Tennis

Barfoot & Thompson are proud official sponsors of the World Cup of Tennis, the Davis Cup.

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Squash New Zealand

Helping players, clubs and the entire squash community succeed nationwide, Barfoot & Thompson is thrilled to partner with Squash New Zealand – reaching more than 90,000 Kiwis who play or try squash each year, in more than 300 clubs and other facilities around the country.

Squash Auckland

Sharing our enjoyment of squash and bringing the excitement of this fast-paced racquet sport into the public arena across Auckland, Barfoot & Thompson is proud to sponsor the Auckland Open regional tournament every year.

Piha Surf Lifesaving Club

Piha is one of Auckland’s most beautiful and popular surf beaches, but also one of its most treacherous. Which is why we give two thumbs up to the Piha Surf Lifesaving Club - now in its 87th year and busier than ever. With no guaranteed government or local body funding for the club, it relies on sponsors like us to keep things afloat.

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Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron

The Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron is our nation’s leading yacht club, with a history dating back to 1871. Home base is at Westhaven Marina - official home to the America’s Cup. Barfoot & Thompson’s involvement is via ‘support level’ sponsorship, which means we get to attend and back some great on and off the water events throughout the year.

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The ASB Classic

It's important to Barfoot & Thompson to back the things that make Auckland a great place to live, and the ASB Classic in January 2026 is certainly one of those highlights. It’s a privilege to be part of something that not only showcases world-class tennis but also brings our community together.

Supporting the NPC & FPC

We are enthusiastic supporters for four local NPC teams - Auckland Rugby Union, Counties Manukau Rugby, North Harbour Rugby & Northland Rugby.

Arts and Cultural Partnerships

Auckland Writers Festival

Testimony to our love of the literary world, we show up every year to support the Auckland Writers Festival as a Gold Partner. The programme never fails to please, bringing together the best local and international writers with a massive audience (80,000+ attendees), to explore ideas, share stories and experience brilliant conversations.

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Young Authors Challenge 2025

Barfoot & Thompson proudly supports the Young Authors Challenge because it inspires creativity and gives young writers a platform to share their stories. Encouraging the imagination and talent of future generations is part of our ongoing commitment to the community.

Kiwi Indian Hall of Fame

Rolling out the red carpet once a year, this star-studded awards event celebrates high achievers and trailblazers within the Indian-Kiwi community. A chance to applaud those who have stepped up and made a difference. And we’re there as sponsors, cheering them on.

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NZ Symphony Orchestra

As one of the oldest national orchestras in the world, the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra has been making beautiful music and inspiring audiences since 1947. It is renowned internationally, but also very much-loved at home, and Barfoot & Thompson is delighted to be ‘instrumental’ in its ongoing success.

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BNZ Diwali

Celebrating diversity and embracing the communities and cultures that make up Auckland’s melting pot is something we’re passionate about. And what better way to get our name in lights, than by backing the BNZ Diwali Festival. Famous Bollywood stars, delicious food, craft stalls and fireworks – this family-friendly event has it all! We are delighted to sponsor the Barfoot & Thompson Family Zone.

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St Patrick's Day Parade

Did you know that more than 70 million people worldwide can claim Irish heritage? And there’s a fair few of them here in New Zealand, which is why we love to celebrate St Patrick's Day! Auckland’s festival is a highlight on the March calendar, with a parade, music and dance, food and drink, culture, sport and entertainment. A chance to get our green on, connect with our Celtic cousins and revel in the sights and sounds of Ireland.

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Chinese New Year Festival

A true cultural highlight in Auckland city is the Chinese New Year Festival and Market Day at the Auckland Showgrounds. We proudly sponsor this popular celebration, which marks the start of the traditional lunar calendar in a spectacular showcase of food, fun, dance, arts and entertainment for over 20,000 attendees.

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Matilda The Musical

We are proud to be the naming rights sponsor of Matilda the Musical (presented by North Shore Music Theatre in association with G&T Productions). Taking place at the Bruce Mason Centre from 25th September - 13th October 2024, The Barfoot & Thompson Season of Matilda the Musical is the story of an extraordinary little girl who, armed with vivid imagination, a sharp mind and psychokinetic powers, dares to take a stand and change her destiny.

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Priscilla Queen of the Desert musical

We are proud to be the naming rights sponsor of Priscilla Queen of the Desert taking place at The Civic Auckland in September. Experience the glittering, high-energy adventure packed with dazzling costumes and the biggest disco hits of all time!

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Industry and Awards

Westpac Auckland Business Awards

Commending innovation and creativity in the business sector, these high-profile awards have grown in size and reputation over the past 15 years. Barfoot & Thompson sponsors the Excellence in Customer Service Delivery Award, which is entirely appropriate, given this is a big part of what we do every day.

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The Auckland Home Show

The Auckland Home Show has always been a crowd pleaser – with most of that crowd being our customers! So, each year, we fly the flag and join 500+ other exhibitors in a spectacular showcase of ‘all things home’. From the latest products and trends to building and renovating – and of course real estate. It’s all there.

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NZIBES

The New Zealand International Building Expo and Summit (NZIBES) provides a valuable and unique platform for leading overseas and local suppliers, developers, architects/designers, builders and other industry participants to share vital information and innovative ideas, discuss topical issues and share essential resources.

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Venues

Barfoot & Thompson Kohimarama Stadium

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Barfoot & Thompson Netball Centre

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Auckland Netball Centre

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