Last year Orienteering Waikato celebrated 50 years with a special event at Waikato University. A sprint race in the morning and a relay event in the afternoon bookended a celebration lunch beside the campus lake.

A couple of tables of club memorabilia were on display for everyone to peruse. Old club maps and old club newsletters were interesting, as were original cartographic foils from pre-computer map days.

Long-term members in attendance included Janet Downs, Arthur Giffney, Kim Pickering & amp; Tim Hunt (who was event controller on the day). New committee member Kat Pett (nee Reynolds) produced a 50th birthday cake which was ceremoniously cut by the longest standing club member (Janet) and enjoyed by all.

Orienteering Waikato was originally named Hamilton Orienteering club and was formed at a meeting at the Hamilton YMCA in July 1975. Within a few years membership had risen to 200 and the club was here to stay. The club currently has approximately 150 members and hosts 26 events each year.

Thanks to Robyn Davies (PAPO – and ex Pinelands club member), evidence recently surfaced O Hamilton events occurring in 1973 when people from outside of Hamilton organised some events to stimulate the sport. The first map being a black and white drawing of Lake Rotoroa (Hamilton Lake). In 2025 the club hosted the NZ Short-Course Rogaine champs and will co-host the NZ Orienteering champs for the 3rd time in its history in 2027.

Orienteering Waikato is looking forward to the next 50 years.

Waikato 50th celebration photos:
1) Above banner image left: Janet Downs Cutting Jubilee Cake (Janet is longest standing club member)
2) Above banner image middle: A speech about the clubs history to add some formality
3) Above banner image right : Winning relay team (Sarah, Kim, Scott)
4) Below: News article about the first event in Hamilton (1973 – pre club formation)
5) Below: First O map in Hamilton (1973 – pre club formation) (thanks to Robyn Davies