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Central Champs 2027 - 23 & 24 January 2027

 

Welcome

Orienteering Taranaki is proud to host the Pokapū (Central) Regional Championships on 23–24 January 2027 (Wellington Anniversary Weekend). The championship weekend features Middle, Sprint and Long Distance events across classic Taranaki farmland, pine forest, native bush and complex gardens.

The new map being prepared for the middle event is particularly exciting - a distinctive orienteering terrain, with relatively flat ground just outside the national park,  intricate networks of linear marshes and streams, and complex contour detail. The young pine plantation has been planted with plenty of space between the trees, providing good runnability.

Competitors and supporters can also enjoy the final weekend of New Plymouth’s award-winning Festival of Lights, which runs daily from 8:30pm to 10:45pm.

This will be an A level event.

Event schedule

Date 

Event 

Location 

Registration / starts 

Course closure 

Saturday 23 January 

Middle Distance 

New map near Opunake 

Opens 10:30am 
Starts 11:00am–12:30pm 

2:30pm 

Saturday 23 January 

Sprint Distance 

Pukeiti 

Opens 3:30pm 
Starts 4:00–5:00pm 

6:00pm 

Sunday 24 January 

Long Distance 

Hurworth 

Opens 9:00am 
Starts 10:00am–1:00pm 

3:00pm 

Directions to each event centre will be provided in Bulletin 2.

The venues

Middle Distance

The Middle Distance will use a brand-new map near Opunake, approximately 60 minutes from New Plymouth and 30mins from the the Pukeiti Sprint. This isthe closest thing to Scandinavian orienteering right in the heart of rural Taranaki. A young pine plantation with scatterings of native bush all seton a naturally eroded landscape and a smattering of rocks and boulders. All of which is grazed allowing fastpaced technical orienteering.The map offers a taste of what to expect at King’s Birthday 2028.

Sprint Distance

The Sprint Map is Pukeiti Gardens.These fantastic and complex gardens were last used for the Oceania Sprint Championships. They combine fast and complicated navigation with great spectating.

Long Distance

The Long Distance will take place at Hurworth on classic Taranaki farmland. The terrain is steepish, with a mixture of open farmland and native bush. The map has previously been used for one club event.

Courses and event experience

  • Championship classes are available across junior, open, masters and elite age grades.

  • Recreational, easy and very easy courses are included for newer and non-championship competitors.

  • All races will use SportIdent electronic punching, with SI Air+ contactless punching available for competitors using SIAC cards.

  • Each arena will include registration, toilets, first aid, the finish and an unofficial O-Lynx results display.

Embargoes

Embargoes apply to all maps. Competitors must not bring previous physical or digital maps into the competition arenas. Pukeiti Garden is the only public space open all year round and must not be entered with a map in hand.

Rules

The events will be conducted under the latest Orienteering New Zealand Competition Rules for New Zealand Foot Orienteering Events. Complaints and protests will be handled under the applicable ONZ rules.

Plan your weekend

Competitors travelling from the south on Saturday can travel directly to the Middle Distance venue, which is south of New Plymouth. Staying overnight in New Plymouth is recommended because Sunday’s events are nearby. The Festival of Lights provides an ideal evening activity after racing.

Accommodation options - search on https://www.taranaki.co.nz/visit 

Download the Bulletins

Bulletin 1 is now available (1 Novemeber 2026). Bulletin 2 will be provided in the first week of January.

We are happy to answer any questions you have, event enquiries: orienteering@orienteeringtaranaki.org.nz

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