Rotorua Harcourts Dancing for Hospice 2026 raises record
The annual Harcourts Dancing for Hospice event in Rotorua raised a record-breaking $180,000 to support local palliative care services. The funds will help the organization meet its $1.2 million annual community fundraising goal to provide free patient care.
Why it matters
Community-led fundraising events are essential for the financial sustainability of non-profit healthcare providers that offer free end-of-life services.
The Harcourts Dancing for Hospice 2026 dancers. Photo / Tracey Scott
A new fundraising initiative and a “hugely competitive” contest for one award helped Rotorua Community Hospice raise a record-breaking $180,000 at this year’s Harcourts Dancing for Hospice.
The competition’s ninth show was on September 19 at Rotorua’s Energy Events Centre.
Ten couples took the floor in front of more than 1700 people. It marked 10 years since the competition launched in 2016 to raise money for hospice.
Helloworld Travel Rotorua owners Paul and Deborah Kay won with their Viennese waltz. Deborah said it was a “fairytale” to win.
Runners-up were Andrew Strickland and Aroha Dorset, who captured the audience with their lively cha cha to a Michael Jackson mix.
Rotorua Community Hospice fundraising and marketing manager Jessica Meade told the Rotorua Daily Post the event raised a record-breaking $180,000, beating its $120,000 target.
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