The 2026 Australia-New Zealand Challenge will be held in Canberra, Australia from 26 September to 04 October 2026, in conjunction with the Oceania Orienteering Championships.

The Challenge will consist of an Individual Challenge, based on the Oceania Long Distance, Middle Distance and Sprint Distance Championships, and a Relay Challenge, based on the Oceania Relay Championships.

Challenge Team and role of the Manager

The Challenge shall be contested in M/W16A, M/W20E, M/W21E, M/W40A, M/W50A and M/W60A.

As the visiting nation, New Zealand will also nominate M/W18A and any additional five-year age classes from M/W35A onwards.

The Senior Selection Panel will confirm the additional classes by 26 August 2026.

Once the Challenge age classes are confirmed and entries have closed, all competitors entered in the Oceania Orienteering Championships will be considered for selection for the Challenge Team, subject to meeting the eligibility requirements outlined in the Selection Process and Criteria.

The Manager will be responsible for notify our teams (including relays) for each event to the OA Manager and the Oceania Championships organiser at least 48 hours prior to the start of that event. The Manager’s will co-ordinate those selected in accordance with the Aus-NZL Challenge Rules.

The manager position is unpaid and is suited to someone already attending the event.

Timeline

• Additional classes expression of interest close: 23 August 2026
• Final Challenge classes advised to Australia: 26 August 2026
• Event entries close: 6 September 2026
• Challenge Team selected by Senior Selection Panel following close of entries

Questions and Notifications

Expressions of interest for the ONZ Manager for the 2026 AUS-NZL Challenge should be made by email to our General Manager – GM@orienteering.org.nz by Friday 4 September.

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