EVENT INFORMATION - 2026
The 2026 NZ MTBO Championships will be held close to Rotorua with a Middle Distance event at Onepu (Kawerau), Sprint at Centennial Park (Rotorua), and Long Distance event at Cougar Park (Tokoroa). The Champs are being hosted by Orienteering Bay of Plenty (OBOP) with support from Taupo Orienteering club. This promises to be a fantastic weekend of competition, challenge, and fun for Mountain Bikers, Orienteers, and Adventure Racers of all abilities.
We expect competitive fields that will suit experienced and competitive athletes, however there will also be recreational courses for people newer to the sport, and young juniors. For those coming for longer than the two days racing, Rotorua is the mecca for mountain biking in NZ, and there are also fantastic adventure rides in easy reach as well, so people may choose to enjoy world class riding outside of the competition programme.
The information on the website gives preliminary information useful to know ahead of the NZ Champs happening. More detailed information will be provided in due course, including a detailed bulletin (which can be downloaded and printed) at least 1 week prior to the event.
Check in to this website to stay up to date with other information, including entries opening late January 2026, entry lists going up, and any changes to plans that may happen prior to or during the event.
We expect competitive fields that will suit experienced and competitive athletes, however there will also be recreational courses for people newer to the sport, and young juniors. For those coming for longer than the two days racing, Rotorua is the mecca for mountain biking in NZ, and there are also fantastic adventure rides in easy reach as well, so people may choose to enjoy world class riding outside of the competition programme.
The information on the website gives preliminary information useful to know ahead of the NZ Champs happening. More detailed information will be provided in due course, including a detailed bulletin (which can be downloaded and printed) at least 1 week prior to the event.
Check in to this website to stay up to date with other information, including entries opening late January 2026, entry lists going up, and any changes to plans that may happen prior to or during the event.
ENTRIES
Entries open 31 Jan 2026
COURSES & GRADES
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The NZ MTBO Champs includes 3 events:
The NZ Championships is contested in the Open and Age grades. There will be no winners in the M10 and W10 grades. Instead each competitor will receive a certificate of participation. Recreational classes are not championship events, and are open to anyone of any age, who may wish to participate in a less competitive environment. Recreational grades are also open to families, or people who may wish to ride with someone else in a pair or team. E bikes are also permitted in the recreational classes, but the estimated winning times will not be relevant for e-bikes. |
To calculate your age grade, you base it on your age as at 31 December 2026.
Junior grades are age 20 and below, and riders in those grades must ride their age grade or higher - eg a 15 year old would be eligible for M/W16, but could ride M/W20 or even Open if they wish (but not any of the older grades above Open). Senior grades are age 21 and above, and riders in those grades must ride their age grade or lower - eg a 65 year old is eligible for M/W60, but could ride M/W50, 40, or Open (but not below 21). |
KEY PEOPLE & CONTACT
- Event Organisers - Erin Swanson, Peter Swanson
- Middle Setter/Controller - Lisa Haycock & Peter Swanson
- Sprint Setter/Controller - Anna Goodman & Peter Swanson
- Long Setter/Controller - Tom Reynolds & Phil White
- Erin Swanson: [email protected], 021 486 977
EMBARGOED AREAS
The following embargo conditions apply to venues being used for the NZ Champs:
- Cougar Park (Long Distance Champs) - no person may access this area with a map, or with the express purpose of learning the terrain for navigation purposes.
- Onepu MTB Park (Middle Distance Champs) - no person may access this area with a map, or with the express purpose of learning the terrain for navigation purposes.
- Centennial Park, Otonga School and park (Sprint Distance Champs) - no person may access these areas with a map, or with the express purpose of learning the terrain for navigation purposes.
ACCOMMODATION
Rotorua has a huge range of accommodation which can be found online and here: https://www.rotoruanz.com/visit/stay
EVENT LOCATIONS
PRIOR MAPS
The following maps were used in the 2022 and 2016 NZ MTBO Champs
Onepu
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Centennial
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Cougar Park
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