Bulletin #1 available – updated v1.6
NZ Orienteering Champs 2027 Bulletin #1 is now available on the programme page and here – note, this is now an updated version 1.6 posted 14th September:
Counties Manukau Orienteering Club and Orienteering Waikato are thrilled to be hosting the NZ Orienteering Championships 2027 in and around the Waikato and Counties Manukau regions, from Friday 26 March 2027 to Monday 29 March 2027. Please be familiar with embargoes that apply to these competition areas:
https://www.orienteering.org.nz/news/nzoc-2027-embargo-notice/
Links to the maps can be found on the Results page
The relay courses had such extensive forking and control splits (12 total on some courses, ie over 8000 variations) that we do not believe that the winsplits will be useable. Every runner had a different map and is likely to show up as a single runner on a course. So we decided we would not add to winsplits online.
We have recently published the relays on Livelox. This link can also be found on the Results page.
M55A Sprint distance course – Rathkeale College, Masterton
Thank you to Gavin Milne for creating this video and sharing his course.
Thanks to Gavin Milne for creating and sharing this video
Many thanks to Gavin Milne for sharing
After very careful consideration, we have decided that the Long Distance event at Nationals 2026 will no longer be a World Ranking Event (WRE). It has proved impossible to set courses of the technical level required for a WRE event whilst keeping the extensive fence network on the maps for red courses, especially for the Elite grades. Removal of the fences from the map would require IOF dispensation for a WRE, which is also not possible at this time. In combination, these two factors preclude us from running the Long as a WRE.
Whilst we regret not being able to offer a WRE long distance event, we are confident you will find this spectacular new terrain, along with fenceless maps for the red courses mean you have a very high quality orienteering experience. The Middle and Sprint events retain WRE status.
Please take careful note that there will be a difference between the Middle and Long Distance events relating to fences on the red course maps. This arises from the different fence densities on the two maps. Fences will be displayed for the Middle, and not displayed for the Long. Fences will be displayed on white, yellow, and orange courses for all events.
#WREstatus #NationalsLongDistance #NationalChampsLong
It’s almost time for Nationals, which means it’s time to pass the torch (and the silverware)! 🏃♂️💨
If you’re holding onto a trophy from last year, please help us get ready for the 2026 podium by returning it soon.
How to get it back to us:
- 📍 In-Person: Drop it at the registration desk on Day 1
- 🤝 The Relay: Hand it off to a clubmate who is heading to the event!
See you all soon 🌲🧭
Last date for standard entries for the 2026 National Orienteering Champs is up until midnight 15th March.
After this date, late entry fees will apply until entries close at midnight on 24 March 2026. Late entries incur a 50% surcharge on the standard entry fee. No entries will be accepted after 24 March.
Don’t miss out on the early bird discount. 10% off if you register before this Sunday 15 February 2026 to take advantage of reduced entry fees. Standard fees apply until midnight 15 March – after that, prices go up. From 16 March to midnight 24 March, a 50% late fee will apply. Late Entries = 50% Increase.
Absolutely no entries accepted after midnight 24 March.
Enter now:
https://ochamps.nz/entries/
You are most welcome to camp at Makuri Domain. It is a favourite spot for many, especially over the summer period. Hopefully April still brings settled weather but you should always be prepared for rain in Makuri!
There are basic flushing toilet amenities situated behind the Country Club building and available for public use. No hot water though.
There is a shed next to the Country Club, housing a kitchen space and power that you are also welcome to use.
For those who choose to stay here we do ask for a donation, which goes towards the upkeep of this community facility. Details should be found on the wall inside the shed/toilets.
Wishing you all the best for your weekend.
Regards
Lisa Hull
Chairperson
Makuri Domain Board
Early Bird entries will be 10% off if entered before 15 February 2026. Standard entry fees above apply up until midnight 15 March. After 15 March, late entry fees apply with a a 50% increase until entries close at midnight on 24 March. Sorry, no entries will be accepted after 24 March. We are so looking forward to this! Enter here
#orienteeringchamps #entriesopen #enternow #ochampsNZ
A short wait for entries to open after a long wait to see this terrain, and Wellington club members are buzzing with excitement. The Coonoor area is a striking contrast to the sand dune terrain they usually compete on. As Russell Higham describes it, this is true limestone country, featuring rocky outcrops, large depressions, and tomos.
Read more about this terrain and how it was discovered on the ONZ website here
Orienteering Wellington is looking forward to welcoming you to the Wairarapa for four days of fantastic orienteering. The M21E and W21E races in the Sprint, Middle and Long will be World Ranking Events. Online entries (www.entero.co.nz) will be open from February 2026. Opening of entries will be announced via the NZOC 2026 website as well as the ONZ website. Book your accommodation, and have a squiz at the previous orienteering maps for Rathkeale and Riverlands.
Link to the NZ Orienteering Champs Bulletin One here
The relay terrain had highly detailed sand dunes with recurring, intricate depressions and small knolls. The planner had prepared a technical and challenging course, but it was the map flip that tested the reading of the Bulletin and who had listened to the briefing. The event centre was tucked in the trees offering shelter and good visibility of the spectator run-through creating an exciting relay atmosphere. Underfoot the pine needles and sand stayed very dry despite all the recent rain.
The Mixed Open relay got off to a tight start, with PAPO 1, Nelson, and PAPO 2 closely matched after the first leg, with Wellington right on their heels. By the end of the second leg, Nelson and PAPO 1 were running neck and neck. However, a mistake by PAPO 1 on the final leg gave Nelson the edge. Meanwhile, Auckland surged through the field, with Zara Stewart delivering a strong run and Nathan Borton finishing to secure second place. PAPO 2 overtook Wellington to claim third.
Results:
🥇 Nelson 1 (Zefa Fa’avae, Tide Fa’avae, Matt Ogden) – 1st place
🥈 Auckland 1 (Sam Carryer, Zara Stewart, Nathan Borton) – 2nd place, +5:51
🥉 PAPO 2 (Tane Cambridge, Katherine Babington, Jakob Knoef) – 3rd place, +10:29
Full results:
https://ochamps.nz/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/20250421_NZ_Champsionship_2025_Relay.pdf
Photos by Andy Johnstone
The NZOC 2025 Long course featured plenty of climbing in steep, rough, rocky terrain which made the stakes high on the key decision-making choices. Later in the day, the rain set in adding to the challenge and making it more slippery underfoot.
In men’s elite, the rivalry between Felix Hunt and Zefa Fa’avae was fiercely contested, with Felix Hunt winning by just 22 seconds. Not far behind, Matt Ogden crossed the line in third, finishing 3 minutes and 43 seconds later.
In the men’s junior 20E category, Jake McLellan claimed the top spot. Oscar Burns, whose route choice led him through some challenging green, followed 10 minutes and 28 seconds behind. Marcus Brennan rounded out the top three, finishing just over 12 minutes after the leader.
In the women’s elite race, Lizzie Ingham was seen to make a fast slide into the second-to-last control, securing victory over Kaia Jorgensen by 2 minutes and 48 seconds. Renee Beveridge claimed third place, finishing 9 minutes and 36 seconds behind the leader.
In the junior 20E women’s category, Rachel Baker led through the hilly terrain, with Tide Fa’avae trailing by 2 minutes and 26 seconds. Katherine Babington followed closely, finishing 3 minutes and 11 seconds back.
M21E
1. Felix Hunt PP 1:42:17
2. Zefa Fa’avae NL 1:42:39 +0:22
3. Matt Ogden NL 1:46:00 +3:43
M20E
1. Jake McLellan HV 1:24:14
2. Oscar Burns BP 1:34:42 +10:28
3. Marcus Brennan BP 1:36:18 +12:04
M21E
1. Lizzie Ingham WN 1:32:36
2. Kaia Jorgensen PP 1:35:24 +2:48
3. Renee Beveridge NW 1:42:12 +9:36
W20E
1. Rachel Baker WN 1:13:19
2. Tide Fa’avae NL 1:15:45 +2:26
3. Katherine Babington PP 1:16:30 +3:11
Relay entries are complete, thanks to all the club managers for putting them together. The orders are set now, there will be no changes on the day. If you want to run a different leg, the only important thing is that the sport-idents run in the listed order. We don’t care whose finger they are on! The bib/leg number should go with the correct sportident too.
All those in composite teams: meet at registration at 9:10am to collect your bib and meet your teammates. Team managers please collect your relay bib packets between 9:00 and 9:10am if possible.
All those in composite teams: meet at registration at 9:10am to collect your bib and meet your teammates. Team managers please collect your relay bib packets between 9:00 and 9:10 if possible.
Please reuse your safety pins from the individual events, we have no more!
Teams are listed on the programme page
Elites in 20E and 21E thrashed it out competitively on a new technically demanding sand dune map for the 2025 NZ National Orienteering Champs middle distance event. Quick recovery was the key to crack today in order to remain on task throughout the course in challenging terrain. The hotly contested racing in the finish results will make selectors happy, as the chosen JWOC team features in the top 6 women’s results and 5 of the JWOC team are in the top 6 in the junior men finishers.
In the senior women Lizzie Ingham holds onto her title, with Kaia Jorgensen just less than two minutes behind. The big thrashing was in the battle between the junior and senior men’s elites, with Felix Hunt showing the gutsy success of the juniors by outpacing Matt Ogden.
M21E
1st Matt Ogden NL 43:09
2nd Zefa Fa’avae NL 43:27 +0:18
3rd Joseph Lynch PP 46:34 +3:25
W21E
1 Lizzie Ingham WN 35:43
2 Kaia Jorgensen PP 37:40 +1:57
3 Zara Stewart AK 39:50 +4:07
M20E
1 Felix Hunt PP 41:20
2 Jakob Knoef PP 49:08 +7:48
3 Jake McLellan HV 50:16 +8:56
W20E
1 Katherine Babington PP 37:44
2 Rachel Baker WN 38:59 +1:15
3 Anna Babington PP 39:41 +1:57
Middle distance results here
Despite huge adjustments to the map in the last few weeks due to a last minute change in consent, planner Ryan Moore & controller Bruce Steven worked hard to extend, and map, a new section for the sprint. Light drizzle on race day created slippery conditions, challenging competitors’ speed and stability especially on smooth stone and wet grass. The courses featured many short sharp legs, a small maze and barriers on a central Christchurch’s park area to added another layer of complexity.
The race between Zefa Fa’avae and Joseph Lynch in Men’s 21E was exciting to watch, with Zefa finishing only 16 seconds in front. Nathan Borton followed-up fast in third place despite wearing sprint shoes with hardly any grip, he finished 21 seconds behind.
In the Women’s 21E favourite Lizzie Ingham’s resilience, unflappable navigation and consistent running strength was evident. Lizzie holds onto top position with 54 seconds spare in front of Renee Beveridge. Zara Stewart placed third 59 seconds later. Kaia Jorgensen just missed out on podium place in the finish line, as her last punch didn’t function. Her return to re-punch criminally dropped her down exceedingly fast into fourth place on the finish line.
M21E
1st Zefa Fa’avae NL 12:14
2nd Joseph Lynch PP 12:30 +0:16
3rd Nathan Borton AK 12:35 +0:21
W21E
1st Lizzie Ingham WN 12:23
2nd Renee Beveridge NW 13:17 +0:54
3 Zara Stewart AK 13:22 +0:59
M20E
1st Jake McLellan HV 12:22
2nd Jakob Knoef PP 12:30 +0:08
3rd Zack Meads CM 12:51 +0:29
W20E
1st Rachel Baker WN 13:16
2nd Katherine Babington PP 13:27 +0:11
3rd Anna Babington PP 13:49 +0:33
Full NZ Orienteering Championships Sprint results:
https://ochamps.nz/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/20250418_NZ_Championship_2025_Sprint.pdf
Due to soft ground, we will implement new parking arrangements as per the attached map.
A big thanks to those who returned trophies to Registration today.
Lost property from today and Club Relay entry forms can also be collected from there tomorrow.
Note that JWOC team members will be running a fundraising BBQ and PAPO juniors going to Australia will be running a bake sale, so please bring plenty of cash and a good appetite to support them.
A coffee van will be on site so remember you’re keep cups, and last but not least, if the weather improves, we heartily recommend the real fruit ice creams available at the general store in the village.
The weather forecast for the next few days and over the Easter weekend is looking wet.
Please ensure you dress appropriately; raincoats, umbrellas and gumboots are recommended!
Car Parking is limited at the event centres, please carpool where possible. The Long Distance and Relay will have separate car parking for 4WD vehicles and 2WD. The 2WD carpark is a longer walk to the event centre, or you can get a lift in a 4WD with spare seats. If you are hiring a car for the weekend, upgrading to a 4WD would probably be worthwhile.
Shelter. The events have compact arenas, meaning we are unable to pitch a large marquee for competitor shelter. All PAPO tents and gazebos have been allocated to official event tasks. We request that anyone driving to the event with access to a free-standing camping shelter to please bring it to the events and pitch at the event centre to provide shelter for competitors.
The Start Lists and Bulletin 2 for NZOC 2025 are now available on the programme page: https://ochamps.nz/programme
Bulletin 2 is the detailed resource for all information for the 2025 New Zealand Orienteering Championships. All competitors are advised to read all details carefully.
A few finer details are being worked through, an updated version will be published just prior to the event.
Start Lists are available for the Sprint, Middle and Long events and also for the Knockout Sprint qualifying heats.
A chat with Matt Ogden before Nationals 2025
1. Thinking back to your orienteering beginnings, what was the event you started orienteering, and what sparked the initial interest? There was no specific event that I can remember which got me hooked, but the influence of Mike Beveridge and Rob Garden, two passionate orienteers from North West, cannot be understated.
2 How do you prepare for Nationals and big competitions/ events? Any key advice for orienteers just starting out and heading to nationals or overseas? Before big races I love to fuel the hype. When it comes to performing though, it is about doing the basics well and ignoring any pressure, simply taking one control after the other. Some races require specific preparation when there are factors such as altitude or heat. Typically we don’t really think about this in New Zealand, but it is very important, and needs to be integrated into training well in advance of the competition. Otherwise preparation should focus on understanding and simulating specific technical demands, faster sessions in comparable terrain, and avoiding any minor injuries or illnesses.
3. What is your favourite type of terrain for orienteering? Detail rich (lots of contours) with good runnability therefore requiring high map contact and being able to run at speed. Favourites include Woodhill, New Zealand and Lunsen, Sweden.
4. Is there an orienteering technique you remind yourself about just before a competition? The three pillars – Compass, Simplification, and Forward Thinking.
5. What’s the secret to NZ orienteering’s success? Because kiwis are awesome and consistently punch above our weight. I think also our “out-of-phase” seasons and the beautiful natural environment here means that we can train all year round and be well prepared going into the European summer when most of the international events that we target happen. Because of our size, we do not have the management and organisation that is behind the bigger orienteering nations. As a result, we self-organise, take initiative, and probably achieve greater social cohesion.
6. What future untapped prospects can you see for events in the future for NZ? For events, I hope one day we can hold an orienteering race in Fiordland. Nick Hann and I have been exploring some simply outrageously good areas down there. I thought Canaan Downs was unbeatable, but this is a whole new level.
7. Has orienteering shaped or influenced your practices in life and/or in your profession or workplace? Absolutely, orienteering has provided many useful tools to navigate other aspects of my life. Reasoning by analogy is a great thinking framework and orienteering provides many examples. This has included “mapping” out processes, simplifying complex situations, making a decision (route choice) and then focusing on execution rather than the decision itself. Not getting caught up when you find yourself in dark green or a swamp, or how powerful simply heading in the right direction can be. Orienteering is a great teacher of resilience and finding your way in uncertain times. No day or race is ever perfect, or the same, the fun is in trying your best, learning from mistakes, and moving through nature.
8. What are you looking forward to at Nationals this year? The CBD Sprint will be iconic. I work on the edge of the embargo area and I am super confident the planning team will put on a special event. It is always fun running on new terrain, so I am also looking forward to the Long on Mt Cass. I am also eager for the competition in M21E. Since 2013, every nationals I have run, I have taken at least one title each year. I hope that I still have a few tricks up my sleeve.
A chat with Lizzie Ingham before Nationals 2025
- Thinking back to your orienteering beginnings, what was the event you started orienteering on and /or sparked the initial interest?
The national junior training camp and being in the school team got me motivated in my teenage years, even though I’d been dragged along to every event since before I could walk, it was the competition and being in a team that got me hooked. - How do you prepare for Nationals and big competitions/ events?. Any key advice for orienteers just starting out and heading to nationals or overseas?
Nationals is the one national event I’ll specifically train toward each year. I’m lucky now with my base fitness that I can take a shorter period before to focus on intervals and the technical side. For those starting now – it might be a bit late for base training! But some short sharp intervals and map training, even if it’s just desktop study, will help a lot. - What is your favourite type of terrain for orienteering?
Any type of technical terrain, from the mining areas in Australia to complex sand dunes and Karst or the rocky Dolomites. Any terrain where I have to be right on point in balancing the running speed with the map reading, - Is there an orienteering technique you remind yourself about just before a competition?
Compass work and confidence. Every time. You know what you’re doing, so stick to your plan on each leg and trust the control will show up where and when you expect it. - What’s the secret to NZ orienteering’s success?
A large part is the environment we have built up, and our commitment to train and push for better results together right from the junior camp to schools competition in Australia. And the fact we meet more regularly, can adapt to different terrain, and the kiwi attitude that we do not get fazed at stuff thrown at us. - What future untapped prospects can you see for events in the future for NZ?
Night orienteering! I love Katoa Po and there are plenty of opportunities for night events and training in NZ as it is winter when clubs have their main seasons and as we head into the European season. Learning to orienteer at night is amazing for your technical skills, and is just plain fun. I’d love to see more clubs coming to Katoa Po again!
- Has orienteering shaped or influenced your practices in life and/or in your profession or workplace?
Yes, in field work everyone else needs GPS or coordinates, but I can take a glance at the field map and pinpoint the investigation location. And general problem solving, if you make a mistake, reset and keep going. - What are you looking forward to at Nationals this year?
Always the terrain! So looking forward to a challenging long distance and a technical middle and relay. It will also be really cool to have an urban city sprint in NZ – so different to the many campuses we run on !
On the fence about entering the NZOC relay? Here are some excellent facts about possibly the best event of the NZ National Champs!
1. This event has the strongest club atmosphere, and the crowd will be cheering hard at the run-through and finish chute all day long. Your club would love to have you in a relay team, so more people get the chance to run in a full 3 person team.
2. Worried you might be out there a while? There are options to run in the open short, which is a short red level course for anyone regardless of age or class. There are also the age graded races, mixed open/masters/veteran as well as the mixed short orange-white-yellow for all the new or young orienteers.
3. You can run 1st leg for the thrill of the mass start, or if you need to leave early to travel home. Alternatively, you can run 2nd or 3rd leg for a less hectic start. Your teammates will always be happy to see you at the changeover, even if you’ve been out there enjoying the beautiful forest for a longer time.
4. We have kept the relay prices the same, instead of applying the late fee, because we want as many people as possible to enjoy this awesome event!
5. Your club team manager will organise all the teams for your club, but if there are spare people, or you don’t come from a big club then the NZOC relay organisers will arrange you into mixed club teams so you still get the chance to run. Even if you don’t want to run in your age grade or difficulty class, we can arrange any sort of grade change so you get to go out in the forest on a course you will enjoy
6. While there are the teams gunning for the top spot on the podium, most teams are there to have a great day supporting their clubmates and having a great time orienteering, so there is something for everyone!
If you would like to add the relay, to your entry, the easiest way is to create a new entry in EnterO and just include the relay in the races selected. https://entero.co.nz/evento.php?eventName=NZOC2025. If you have any questions, email nzoc2025@gmail.com.
More adventures await, with a new forest to explore on Mt Cass and runnable terrain on fresh maps – what are you waiting for? Enjoy all the Easter chocolate you deserve, guilt-free! If you haven’t entered yet, visit the entry page now – as the standard entry price is only available until Monday 31 March 2025.
Latest News/Posts
Bulletin #1 available – updated v1.66 September 2026 - 4:44 pm
Nationals 2027 Embargo18 August 2026 - 10:23 pm- All 2026 Course Maps are available as well as Sprint Livelox19 April 2026 - 11:29 am
- Relive your Relay!15 April 2026 - 9:55 am
- M55A Sprint event – Rathkeale College, Masterton10 April 2026 - 6:58 pm
- M55A Middle distance course – Rewanui10 April 2026 - 6:48 pm