The 45th Katoa Po and Explorer events took place from the night of March 8th to 9th, 2025, under perfect cool and clear weather.

The new/old map, Hoanga/Ngahiwi featured steep terrain, cliffs, and native bush that challenged competitors, especially in the dark. Around 120 competitors took part in the relay, 40 in the Explorer, and 80 in the Sunday Relay. The weekend began with the popular “The Gambler” event on a nearby farm, which saw top orienteer Gene Beveridge tie for first place with rising star Freddy Flynn. The relay featured teams of five, with the first leg starting around 8:15pm, and the last competitor returning around 2am Sunday. Meanwhile, the Explorer event involved teams of two or more in a 3-hour Rogaine, finishing at 11:30 PM. On Sunday morning, a 90-minute Rogaine was held for the relay competitors and counted towards the Explorer competition. Overall, it was a fantastic weekend of fun Orienteering. Full results  available on the Taupō Club website

Taupō Orienteering would like to thank Kyle Brennan and Olivia McLeod who planned events with plenty of challenges. We are looking forward to Katoa Po at Opepe in 2026. Jim Lewis says that the old Opepe map was the last time Taupo OC used an off-set printed map for Katoa Po. He was the course planner then. The map hasn’t been used for any orienteering events in over 25 years and the new Opepe map is being completely remade from a blank sheet, using new LIDAR data, and field-worked by Russell Higham.

Katoa Po event Review by Neill McGowan:
Katoa Po returned this year to the Hoanga map in Reporoa, northeast of Taupō. This premier night orienteering competition is a highlight of the orienteering calendar and the organisers went all out, providing a massive marquee for shelter, refreshments, barbecues and even a morning breakfast bap to fuel weary competitors!

The map was extended west and south, featuring a particularly challenging native bush block filled with steep gullies and rolling spurs. We sent four teams to compete against strong opposition from North West, Taranaki and Bay of Plenty.

This year’s event was adjusted to a 5-person team format, with Leg 2 now open to MW16 and MW50, creating interesting team selection dynamics between speed and experience. The course updates added some exceptionally tough hill legs, alongside the usual night-time navigation challenges.

The Auckland teams placed 6th, 8th, 14th and 23rd, in a competition ultimately won by North West Orienteering Club. All teams finished by 2AM before heading straight into the adjacent campsite to rest before the morning rogaine on the same map.

Looking ahead, we have exciting news—organisers have secured the legendary Opepe map for 2026! This map hasn’t been used in over 25 years, making next year’s Katoa Po an unmissable event. This is definitely one not to miss!Quotes from the event:
” The quality of the course setting and terrain for Leg 5 was off the scale.” 
“Fantastic event! Best Katoa Po I’ve ever been to… the hot drinks were awesome too!“

2025 WINNERS:

Relay:
1st  Northwest
2nd OBOP Freddies Freaks
3rd Taranaki 1

Explorer:
Mens Out for the Night View  – Rhys Burns, Dave Blundell
Womens Hales Family – Louise Hales, Bella Hales
Mixed Step By Step – Arthur Delaporte, Juliette Pecqueur
School The Lost Three- Imogen Blundell, Doug Monk, Aaron Pepper

Sunday Rogaine
1st Cameron Bonar 57:22
2nd Gene Beveridge 59:10
3rd Xavier White 1:00:20