The 2026 New Zealand Mountain Bike Orienteering Championships, hosted by Orienteering Bay of Plenty over 16–17 May, delivered drama, laughs and some serious racing in good conditions. More than 100 competitors enjoyed near-perfect weather across three championship events, testing riders in three very different ways.

The fine weather was a welcome contrast to what had hit the region just six weeks earlier. Severe weather and windfall caused significant forest damage at Onepu, forcing the team to abandon the original Middle Distance venue. A late switch to Tui Ridge proved to be a very worthy replacement – the organising team navigated the challenge with flexibility and persistence. Fitting, really.

The Sprint Championship on Saturday morning at Centennial Park used two contrasting maps – the first threading through school buildings, local reserves and tight trail networks, before an untimed leg connected riders to a complex network of garden tracks and open parkland on the second map. Contour challenges and technical navigation rewarded fast decision-making and close map contact throughout.

The usual fun, and  unexpected navigational twists were evident. The normally ice-cool Deb Bain (W60) had an over 6-minute adventure to the first control, while Sally Dickson was on an absolute flyer of a ride… right up until a mispunch at the finish line. Oh so close! .

It was fantastic to host riders from Australia with Maya Bennett pushing North Island rider Marquita Gelderman hard in the Women’s Open sprint. Local Bay of Plenty rider Alfie Cochrane took top honours in the Men’s Open sprint.  

The Long Distance Championship at Cougar Park on Saturday afternoon shifted the emphasis to hills and power. Longer legs and route choice delivered a few humbling fitness reality checks along the way. Controller Phil White notes the elevation was all in the bulletin, but the logging and brand new trail building before which continued right up to race day was not in the original plan. Added to the planning complexity, alongside the storm-wiped forest, was a venue change for the middle 6 weeks before the event. Add onto that a heartfelt farewell to a local adventure racer which several OBOP members wanted to attend –  it all made for dramatic MTBO champs lead-up, but the organising team delivered fantastic courses.  

The long distance podium was well claimed by Conal Boland-Bristow from Dunedin in the Men’s Open and Katie Symons from PAPO in the Women’s Open. A celebration dinner and prizegiving capped off a fantastic, and demanding, first day.

Sunday dawned cold and clear with frost on the ground for the middle event at Tui Ridge. The Middle Distance served up some mud-sliding action and greasy trails that tested knobbly tyre traction on steep contours in native forest, open fast parkland and a complex track network. Constant concentration was in demand and with repeated switching between fast riding and precise navigation.

The middle distance first open podium positions were a repeat of Saturday’s long event with Conal Boland-Bristow and Katie Symons nabbed the top spots once again.  

The highlight was the growing strength of the junior fields which bodes well for the future of MTBO in New Zealand. Local MTB club riders stepped up to test their navigation chops on the trails, with George Fisher from Taupō – a keen rider and a keen navigator – flying around the M14 course, pocketing some medals, then disappearing for a gravel race on Sunday. Priorities! And a great shred of South Island riders made the trip north to tackle some classic Bay of Plenty terrain.

Different winners across many classes over the three events reflected the varied nature of the challenges and the real depth of competition on show. Feedback from athletes was very positive, and the weekend provided a valuable opportunity to test the specifications on championship-level MTBO maps. The maps showed how the IOF standards can be applied successfully in New Zealand terrain, helping provide clearer and more internationally consistent mapping for competitors. Overall feedback on the new symbols was very positive, with the weekend providing a valuable test of international-standard mapping on championship-level MTBO courses.

A huge thank you to all competitors, officials, planners, controllers, volunteers, and to the incredible landowners and supporters:  Advocate Print, Hancock Forest Management, Lakes Rotorua Council, Otonga School, Tokoroa Mountain Bike Club and Tui Ridge Park . 

Results, further information and sample maps can be found at mtbochamps.nz.