Plans for Tauranga's annual jazz festival to be held in April have been thwarted by the current Covid-19 red light restrictions.

Under the red light restrictions, gatherings can still proceed but are limited to 100 people if everyone has a My Vaccine Pass.

The festival attracts thousands of people each year.

Because of the uncertainty of when the restrictions will end, organisers of the 2022 Port of Tauranga National Jazz Festival and National Jazz Youth Competition have made the decision to postpone the event until June.

'As well as creating festival complications at the red-light level leading up to, and at festival time, the decision to postpone has been based on the health and safety of our audience, artists, staff, volunteers, sponsors, and community.”

The Port of Tauranga National Jazz Festival including the National Youth Jazz Competition will now be held over the week leading up to, and the long weekend of Matariki from June 20 - 26, 2022.

'This is of course provided we are at least back to the orange light level in the current pandemic system,” says festival manager Marc Anderson.

'The festival will still be an exciting opportunity for thousands of people to enjoy wonderful live music and spectacular jazz performances in Tauranga.

'While postponing is disappointing, the 2022 Port of Tauranga National Jazz Festival is still very much alive and kicking and fingers crossed we see you all in Tauranga from June 20 - 26, 2022.”

For programme information please go to www.jazz.org.nz where updates will be displayed.

'The Tauranga Jazz Society Committee and the Port of Tauranga National Jazz Festival team wish you all the best and thank you for your continued support.”