KB2023 incorporated the New Zealand Secondary Schools Regional Challenge (the Challenge). The grades for school students differ in this competition from those at other school competitions. The M/W14/16/18 grades are replaced with Junior Girls/Boys and Senior Girls/Boys grades; Senior grades are for those 16 and over (as of 31 December 2023), but still at school and run red-level courses, Junior grades are for those aged 15 and under and run orange-level courses.

For the Regional Challenge in 2023, competitors were grouped into three teams based on their club and region. With a very strong contingent the three Auckland Clubs formed one team, the rest of the North Island another team, and competitors from the South Island in the last team. For points, the NZSS Top School Point System was used, with a maximum of 10 points and the ‘no blocking’ rule applied.

Congratulations to the Auckland Clubs who took out the trophy for 2023 with a convincing overall performance! The Southern Clubs almost pipped them in the Middle Distance at Waiuku Forest North but Auckland took the clean sweep. Well done to those classed as MVPs; the top three point scorers for their respective team in each grade. The trophy will be presented at NZSS Champs in Blenheim in July. 

Sprint: Auckland Clubs (83), Southern Clubs (72), North Island Clubs (56)

Long: Auckland Clubs (89), Southern Clubs (69), North Island Clubs (54)

Middle: Auckland Clubs (80), Southern Clubs (78), North Island Clubs (51)

Overall: Auckland Clubs (252), Southern Clubs (219), North Island Clubs (161)

MVPs

Senior Boys: Jake McLellan (HV), Nicholas Green (HV), Sam Carryer (AK)

Senior Girls: Alicia McGivern (CM), Tide Faavae (NL), Kate Borton (AK)

Junior Boys: Harry Borton (AK), William Wood (CM), Oscar Burns (BP)

Junior Girls: Anna Wright (PP), Greta Prince (PP), Torun Joergensen (PP)