New Zealand’s premier series of track and field events returns this summer, with the 2027 Summer Circuit set to bring the country’s top athletes, alongside international competition, to fans across the country in five top-flight meetings.

From the short track showdowns at Mitre 10 Sports Park in Hastings to Track Stars under the lights at The Trusts Arena in Auckland, the Summer Circuit delivers the biggest names in New Zealand athletics to fans who want to get close to the action. International athletes, Olympic medallists, world champions, and the next generation of New Zealand’s finest, all in the same programme, across the Summer Circuit.

And if you can’t make it in person, you don’t have to miss a moment. Every Summer Circuit meeting will be broadcast live and free on TVNZ+, bringing the action to fans across New Zealand. The pinnacle of the circuit, Track Stars will again reach right into Kiwi homes, airing live and free on TVNZ 1 from 7 PM to 9:30 PM.

Tickets for spectators, plus athlete entries for the Summer Circuit, will be available later in 2026. 

Event assignments and the full event grid will be confirmed and published closer to the summer season.
Dates for the wider national track and field season, including all National Permit (E-graded) events and national championship races, will be announced in the coming weeks.

Summer Circuit Dates

The Allan and Sylvia Potts Memorial Classic, in conjunction with the
New Zealand Short Track Championships
Mitre10 Sports Park, Hastings
23 January 2027

The PAK’nSAVE Cooks International Classic
Cooks Gardens, Whanganui
30 January 2027

The International Track Meet
Nga Puna Wai, Christchurch
21 February 2027

The Sir Graeme Douglas International
Douglas Track & Field, The Trusts Arena, Auckland
28 February 2027

The New Zealand Track and Field Championships & Track Stars
Douglas Track & Field, The Trusts Arena, Auckland
11-14 March 2027

Live Results

Spectators can stay up to date with every event throughout the Championships via the official live results platform, providing real-time updates across all disciplines.
https://live.wordpress-1511583-5805898.cloudwaysapps.com/meets/62749

Watch Live on TVNZ

For those watching from home, Athletics NZ has partnered with TVNZ to provide live coverage of the event starting Friday 6 March from 4:00pm, continuing through to Saturday evening’s Track Stars programme. Track Stars, the premium evening session on Saturday, 7th March, starting at 7:00 PM, brings you the headline events and star-studded celebrity races in an electrifying atmosphere you won’t want to miss.

Watch LIVE on TVNZ https://www.tvnz.co.nz/sport/athletics/summer-circuit/nz-track-field-championships

https://www.tvnz.co.nz/sport/athletics/track-stars/track-stars

Attend in Person — Tickets Available Now

Tickets for all sessions are available, including both single‑session and multi‑day passes.

A limited allocation of free general admission tickets is available for the Track Stars session, alongside premium grandstand options.

Tickets can be purchased at:
https://athleticsnz.flicket.co.nz/events/b69f927a-af20-4d4f-894e-147e00ba9e5d

Be Part of New Zealand’s Premier Athletics Event

Whether supporting from the grandstand or tuning in from home, the 2026 Championships promise a compelling showcase of national athletic talent. Fans can follow all the action in whatever way suits them best. 

A middle-distance showdown between Sam Ruthe and Sam Tanner is on the cards for the men’s 800m. Zoe Hobbs and Tiaan Whelpton will be looking to claim the first-ever NZ 60m Short Track NZ Titles. World Champion Lisa Adams will be headlining the throws in the women’s para shot put. While 2025 World Athletics Champs representative Nick Palmer lines up in the men’s.

View the full meet preview here.

In 2026, we’re welcoming TVNZ to the Summer Circuit as our official broadcast partner, bringing all 5 stops of the Summer Circuit to you live and for free!

The 2026 Potts Classic will be live on TVNZ+ from 4:00 PM on 17 January.

Head along in person! FREE tickets are available for the 2026 Potts Classic. Register online here!

The 2026 Summer Circuit kicks off this weekend, and it all begins with the Andrew Spence Pharmacies Potts Classic in conjunction with the inaugural New Zealand Short Track Championships.

The Potts Classic has some of New Zealand’s top athletes lining up at Hastings’ Mitre10 Sports Park on the 17th of January. 

This is the first stop on the five-meet Summer Circuit that will light up the country from north to south.

Register for free spectator tickets here.

The 2026 edition of the Potts Classic brings national championship flavour with the staging of the inaugural New Zealand Short Track Championships. For the first time, Kiwi athletes will compete for short track national titles over 60m and 60m hurdles on the track, while long jump, high jump, shot put, and triple jump will be contested in the field. The big question is who will write their names into the history books as the inaugural short track champions?

The traditional Potts Classic meeting lineup will be just as scintillating as the national title events, with the Alan and Sylvia Potts Memorial 800m’s the marquee events of the meeting. 

The headline clash comes in the men’s 800 metres, where Sam Tanner and teen prodigy Sam Ruthe will go head-to-head in what promises to be a two-lap thriller. Tanner has requested a lightning-fast first lap of 50.5s, with plans to rewrite his PB on his mind. With his best currently sitting at 1:46.14s, Tanner is looking to go well under that mark and into 1:45 territory. On the horizon sits James Preston’s national record of 1:44.04, a mark that will be floating in the back of Tanner’s mind over the two-lap race. 

It won’t be a procession around the Hawkes Bay track for Tanner as his training partner, Sam Ruthe, lines up alongside him. Ruthe returns to the Mitre10 Sports Park, where last month he ran a historic 800m, 1500m double at the secondary schools championships. Ruthe’s run of record-breaking over the previous year has seen him fly to international stardom, clocking off historic records from 800m to 5000m. Ruthe’s 800m performance at last month’s championships saw his 1:46.81 time take almost four seconds off the previous championship record. One thing is for certain: there will be fireworks over the two laps. 

In the women’s sprints, all eyes will be on Zoe Hobbs in the 60 metres as she chases the World Indoor qualifying mark of 7.20 ahead of the March Championships. Hobbs owns a personal best of 7.06 seconds, a New Zealand record she set at the 2024 World Indoor Championships in Glasgow. She will be joined by rising stars Kendra Scally-Tui, the national schools champion over 100 and 200 metres, as well as Samantha Lathwood, Brooke Summerfield and Georgia Gibbons.

The para events bring plenty of star power, too. World champion Lisa Adams returns in the women’s shot put, while 2025 World Para Athletics representative, Paddy Walsh, will take on the 60 metres and her specialty, the long jump. 

The men’s sprints will be one not to miss with Tiaan Whelpton eyeing the inaugural NZ Short Track 60m title. His best of 6.50 set in Canberra last year sees him well clear of the field of Shay Veitch, Zach Saunders, and Rylan Noome, who will all be in the medal hunt.

In the men’s long jump, Shay Veitch headlines the field after soaring past eight metres with a personal best of 8.04 in Belgium last season, a mark that ranks him second all-time in New Zealand. The high jump promises a tight battle between Rafe Couillault and Tia Wynyard, who both own personal bests of 2.10 metres, and Ben Walker, who sits just behind at 2.09.

The shot put will feature 2025 World Championships debutant and last year’s Potts winner, Nick Palmer, who holds a personal best of 20.18 metres. Up against Palmer is Blessing Sefo, a talent on the rise. Sefo competed at the 2024 World Under-20 Championships. 

The women’s 400 metres is shaping up as another highlight, with Madeleine Waddell, the New Zealand under-20 record holder at 52.62, lining up against World University Games representatives Isabel Neal and Jordyn Blake.

Middle-distance fans will have plenty to cheer for in the women’s 800 metres. Sarah Hellyer, fresh off setting a New Zealand under-19 record over 1000 metres, will join her twin Lisa in a stacked field that includes Rosa Twyford, who recently won the elite 800 metres at the Night of 5s, and Holly Manning, who will be racing on home turf. 

There’s thrilling relay action on the cards as well, as the New Zealand team of Tiaan Whelpton, Hayato Yoneto, Shay Veitch, and Lex Revell-Lewis set to fly in the 4x100m relay. The team are fresh off an almost record-breaking run in Australia, where they clocked 39.09s, only 0.10s off of the NZ Record of 38.99. They’ll be looking to go one better this weekend. The current record is held by Roberts, Falealili, Dolphin, and Donaldson from 2005.  

In the women’s high jump, Imogen Skelton, who cleared 1.87 metres last season, will face 2024 World Junior representative Naomi Waite, who holds a best of 1.80. 

It’ll be a Potts Classic to remember, with high-profile matchups from start to end of the meet. Head along to the Mitre10 Sports Park in Hastings on the 17th of January. Spectator tickets are free, and you can grab yours at athleticsevents.co.nz!

Pre-program starts from 1:00 PM, with the main program kicking off at 4:00 PM. 

If you can’t make it trackside, tune in live from 4:00 PM on TVNZ+ and watch the first meet of the 2026 Summer Circuit kick off the season.

Watch Potts Classic on TVNZ+
Register for FREE Potts Classic Spectator Tickets
View the Potts Classic timetable and Live Results

Spectator tickets for the 2026 New Zealand Track and Field Championships and the highlight of the weekend, Track Stars, are available now.

The 2026 New Zealand Track and Field Championships will be held from the 5-8th of March 2026 at the Douglas Track and Field, The Trusts Arena, Henderson, Auckland.

Highlighting the weekend’s championship action will be Track Stars, a historic evening of track and field action, featuring New Zealand’s biggest stars – on and off the track – live and free on TVNZ 1 and TVNZ+.

Track Stars will light up screens across the country, and fans in Auckland will be treated to the action live and in person at the Douglas Track & Field, The Trusts Arena. The event offers an unbeatable opportunity to witness New Zealand’s top athletes and celebrity competitors up close in a vibrant, festival-style atmosphere. It’s all happening as the sun goes down on the Trusts Arena on Saturday, 7 March 2026.

Track Stars is a full entertainment experience. Fans will enjoy athlete meet and greets, explore brand activations, and indulge in a variety of food and beverage options throughout the night. With music, entertainment, and surprises in store, it’s a chance to celebrate Kiwi sporting excellence in a bold new way.

Learn more about Track Stars here.

Tickets for Track Stars are available now, with two great ticketing options for all.
FREE general admission tickets are available, or purchase a ticket for premium grandstand seating.

Free General Admission Tickets – Soak up the Track Stars Energy!
Find your perfect spot around the track in our free GA zone and take in the spectacle of world-class track and field. Whether on the family-friendly embankments or in the Track Stars beer garden, it’ll be an electric night trackside. Get your FREE Track Stars GA Tickets here.

Premium Grandstand Tickets – Experience the ultimate view of the Track Stars action!
Enjoy exclusive access to the Track Stars Grandstand, featuring the best seats in the house, front and centre. Overlook the fastest on the track, they fly down the home straight and have a perfect vantage point for every moment of action on the field. Purchase Premium Grandstand Track Stars Tickets here.

Spectator tickets for the 2026 New Zealand Track and Field Championships are also available for purchase. There are options to suit all athletics fans, from comprehensive four-day passes (including bonus premium Track Stars access) to single-day passes. Adult, child, and family passes are available for all sessions now.

Grab your spectator tickets for the 2026 New Zealand Track and Field Championships here.

Athlete entries will be available from early 2026. The untimed programme will be available late 2025 or early 2026. Athletics New Zealand-accredited coaches will receive their complimentary tickets via email in February 2026.

The national calendar features six* World Athletics National Permit Meetings, complemented by five stops on the Summer Circuit. The 2026 Summer Circuit includes three full World Athletics Continental Tour Bronze meetings and two national championships. 

We’re also thrilled to release our 25/26 national track and field event grid, helping you plan your season and know what events are on at what meets. Finally, we’re also sharing our New Zealand Championship event dates for those championship events held outside of the New Zealand Track and Field Champs. 

National Permit Meetings

From the North to the South, athletes can expect strong competition, elevated meets, and a chance to chase personal bests at six National Permit tier meetings: 

Dame Yvette Williams Invitational – Dunedin
Saturday 22 November 2025
Night of 5s – Auckland
Saturday 20 December 2025
Lovelock Classic – Timaru (inc. NZ 10,000m Championships)
Saturday 10 January 2026
Sola Power Throws – Wellington
Friday 30 & Saturday 31 January
Capital Classic – Wellington (inc. NZ U20 Mile Championships)
Sunday 1 February 2026
Porritt Classic – Hamilton (inc. NZ U20 3000m Championships)
Saturday 14 February 2026

Each event will offer local and travelling athletes access to high-quality competition and meaningful development opportunities in their region. With strong community support and a refreshed competition model, these long-standing meets will continue to be staples on the national calendar.
*Six national permit meetings is contingent on World Athletics approval.

Summer Circuit

The Summer Circuit brings together five major meets, including three Continental Tour Bronze events and two national championship events:

Andrew Spence Pharmacies Potts Classic & New Zealand Short Track Championships – Hastings
Saturday 17 January 2026
PAK’nSAVE Cooks International Classic – Whanganui (inc. NZ Mile Championships)
Saturday 24 January 2026
Sir Graeme Douglas International – Auckland
Sunday 8 February 2026
International Track Meet – Christchurch (inc. NZ 3000m Championships)
Saturday 21 February 2026
New Zealand Track & Field Championships – Auckland (Trusts Arena)
Thursday 5 – Sunday 8 March 2026

The summer circuit is the pinnacle of domestic athletics in Aotearoa, bringing together New Zealand’s top athletes and international contenders for a series of high-performance, fan-focused meets that define the season. Featuring three World Athletics Bronze-level competitions and two national championships, the circuit offers crucial points-scoring opportunities for athletes chasing world rankings. 

National Championship Events

Highlighting our National Championship events is the 2026 New Zealand Combined Events Championships. Set to be held after the 2026 New Zealand Track and Field Championships in late March in Auckland, within the qualification period for the 2027 World Athletics Championships. The 2026 New Zealand Combined Events Championships will be held on the 21st and 22nd of March at Mt Smart Stadium, Auckland

NZ 10,000m Championships – Lovelock Classic – Timaru
Saturday 10 January 2026
NZ Short Track Championships & 300m Hurdles Championships – Potts Classic – Hastings
Saturday 17 January 2026
NZ Mile Championships – Cooks International Classic – Whanganui
Saturday 24 January 2026
NZ U20 Mile Championships – Capital Classic – Wellington
Sunday 1 February 2026
NZ U20 3000m Championships – Porritt Classic – Hamilton
Saturday 14 February 2026
NZ 3000m Championships – International Track Meet – Christchurch
Saturday 21 February 2206
NZ Track and Field Championships – Auckland, Trusts Arena
Thursday 5 to Sunday 8 March 2026
NZ Combined Events Championships – Auckland, Mt Smart
Saturday 21 & Sunday 22 March 2026

Athletics NZ Chief Executive Cam Mitchell says the updated calendar reflects a growing sport and a commitment to athlete development:

“We’re focused on building a calendar that meets athletes where they are. High-quality meets spread across Aotearoa, more opportunities to compete, and more chances for communities to engage with the sport,” said Mitchell.
“This is about making sure our athletes have local opportunities to develop and perform, while also ensuring fans around the country get to see top-level track and field in their own backyard.”

Entries and schedules for all events will be available in late 2025 or early 2026.

View full event calendar here
View full event grid here (PDF)
View full event grid here (Excel)

Allan & Sylvia Potts Classic / NZ Short Track Championships – Hastings – 17 January 2026
PAK’nSAVE Cooks International Classic – Whanganui – 24 January 2026
International Track Meet – Christchurch
Sir Graeme Douglas International – Auckland
Jennian Homes New Zealand Track & Field Championships – Auckland – 5-8 March 2026

The Bronze designation acknowledges the continued commitment of the PAK’nSAVE Cooks International Classic team to creating a premier event for the region and country. An event that continues to attract top international talent, provides an athlete-first meet experience and an engaging track and field spectacle for fans in person and via livestream. The home of the PAK’nSAVE Cooks International Classic, the Whanganui Cooks Gardens, known as the home of the mile, was awarded the World Athletics Heritage Plaque in 2023 in the ‘Landmark’ category.

“We are thrilled that our iconic venue, Cooks Gardens, is to host a World Athletics Continental Tour Bronze event not just for 2026 but also for 2027 and 2028. We are grateful to the Whanganui District Council, who in 2024 had the track resurfaced and recertified by World Athletics to enable us to continue to host these types of events in Whanganui,” said meet director, Russell Sears.

“An annual event that will bring over 50 overseas athletes to compete at Cooks to add to the heritage the Gardens hold in World Athletics. The mile will continue to be our signature events for the Classic. By moving to a complete Bronze meeting, we will be able to showcase another 12 events, offering opportunities for more New Zealand athletes to compete against world-class athletes.”

As a full World Athletics Continental Tour Bronze Event, the PAK’nSAVE Cooks International Classic brings the opportunity for athletes to earn valuable world-ranking points at the Bronze level (C) and compete against leading international athletes right here in New Zealand. Along with the bronze status comes higher prize money for athletes, more internationals travelling to the region, and a bigger spotlight on the event.

The 2025 edition of the event drew the biggest crowd in over a decade, as the sport of track and field continues its rise in New Zealand. A big drawcard to the event was Olympic champion, Hamish Kerr, competing on home soil for the first time since winning his historic Olympic gold.

The PAK’nSAVE Cooks International Classic, together with the full Summer Circuit, forms the pinnacle of domestic competition in New Zealand. Dates for each event, event grid, entry information, and ticketing details will be released as available.

A bidding process was held by Athletics New Zealand to allocate the third Bronze meet. Applications were reviewed by a panel of five, including Athletics NZ CE, Cam Mitchell, Head of Track and Field Events, Keegan McCauley, a representative from the Athletes Commission, a representative from Oceania Athletics and a representative from the Athletics New Zealand board.

Athletics New Zealand is delighted to announce the addition of the short track championships, set to debut at the Mitre 10 Hawke’s Bay Sports Park next year. The chance for athletes to mark their names in history as the first ever short track champions is set to be a significant draw card.

The New Zealand Short Track Championships will be held in conjunction with the Allan and Sylvia Potts Classic and will kick off the 2026 Summer Circuit in January. The partnership with the Allan and Sylvia Potts Classic has been confirmed through to 2028, with the Hawkes Bay hosting the championships for the next three years. Partnering with the Allan and Sylvia Potts Classic and Athletics Hawkes Bay Gisborne brings a top national tier event together with strong organisational experience to deliver the historic championships.

Inaugural short track champions will be crowned over the 60m, 60m hurdles, high jump, long jump, triple jump, pole vault, and shot put for both able-bodied and para-athlete senior grades. In addition, the national championships for the 300m hurdles will be staged for the first time for U20 and Senior athletes. While New Zealand doesn’t have a banked 200m track, we’re able to hold these championships for events that don’t require the use of the full 200m banked track.

The outstanding indoor facility at the Mitre10 Sports Park will allow some short track disciplines to be held indoors, a first for a senior national athletics championship in New Zealand.

A crucial world rankings opportunity is on the cards ahead of international events in 2026.  Top kiwi athletes will earn points to qualify for the World Athletics Indoor Championships in Poland and the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland. The wider Potts Classic will also be designated as a World Athletics D meeting, ensuring all athletes competing at the Potts Classic will earn world-ranking points at the D level.

By offering athletes a world-class domestic opportunity to compete in short track events, Athletics New Zealand continues to invest in improving opportunities for athlete performance, building domestic depth, and providing meaningful stepping stones to global success.

Athletics NZ CEO Cam Mitchell said the New Zealand Short Track Championships are a major step forward in evolving the sport’s competition offerings.

“With New Zealand athletes consistently delivering on the global stage, it’s critical that our domestic competition structure keeps pace. The launch of the New Zealand Short Track Championships reflects our commitment to creating world-class performance opportunities here at home,” said Mitchell.

“Short track athletics is growing internationally, and we’re proud to bring this championship opportunity to our domestic calendar. The Hawke’s Bay Sports Park, with its outstanding facilities, gives us a unique chance to build an exciting new event that benefits our athletes, our fans, and the next generation coming through.”

New Zealand 100m resident record holder Tiaan Whelpton is thrilled to have the opportunity to chase a national title over 60m. “I’m beyond excited to have our first short track nationals in New Zealand, and the thought of being possibly New Zealand’s first 60m champion gets me very excited.”
Whelpton was also complimentary of heading to the sunny Hawkes Bay for the Championships, “Hastings is a fantastic venue for it, it’s probably one of the quickest tracks we have in New Zealand, and I cannot wait to fly over the 60m next year.”

The meeting director of the Allan and Sylvia Potts Classic, Richard Potts, was thrilled to host the inaugural championships alongside the long-standing classic.

“The Allan and Sylvia Potts Classic is proud to be part of Athletics New Zealand’s announcement today that we will be hosting New Zealand’s first-ever Short Track Championships here in Hawke’s Bay for the next three years! This exciting development allows us to showcase New Zealand’s best athletes, alongside top international and our domestic talent, to our local community. We’re equally proud to continue honouring our legacy by keeping the Allan and Sylvia Potts Memorial 800m events at the heart of the meet. We can’t wait to bring world-class racing to Hawke’s Bay and inspire the next generation of athletes!”

New Zealand has enjoyed a golden period at the World Indoor Championships, with Hamish Kerr capturing high jump gold in Glasgow 2024 and silver in Nanjing 2025, and Tom Walsh claiming his third World Indoor shot-put title in Nanjing. Historic achievements showcase the impact that short track and indoor athletics can have for Kiwi athletes on the global stage.

They won’t just be back for one year. Athletics New Zealand is delighted to announce that Auckland will host the national championships for three consecutive years, beginning in 2026 and running through to 2028.

The 2026 championships will run from March 5 to 8, bringing the pinnacle of New Zealand’s domestic athletics season to Aotearoa’s largest city. With a thriving athletics scene and a packed international schedule in the years ahead, establishing a consistent home for the event will provide athletes, coaches, and fans with a strong platform as we build towards the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Los Angeles.

Athletics New Zealand CEO Cam Mitchell says the return to Auckland for the next three years is an exciting step forward for the sport.

Auckland last hosted the Jennian Homes New Zealand Track & Field Championships in 2013. Over the past decade, the event has moved around the country to locations including Wellington, Hastings, and, most recently, Dunedin. With Tāmaki Makaurau serving as the base for some of New Zealand’s most high-profile athletes and offering world-class facilities, the timing felt right to bring the event back to the region.

Bryce Hall, Chairman of Athletics Auckland, is excited to bring the country’s best athletes together in Auckland for three years.

“We are thrilled to be able to host the best of New Zealand’s athletics talent at the Jennian Homes New Zealand Track & Field Championships for the next three years in Auckland.  Building on all the hard work by the hosts of previous Track & Field Championships, we are excited by the challenge and opportunity to work with Athletics New Zealand to showcase the best of what Tāmaki Makaurau has to offer for athletes, officials and spectators attending the event.”

The decision to return to Auckland aligns with a stacked international calendar, providing Kiwi athletes with the perfect domestic stage to prepare for major global events. Over the next four years, New Zealand’s top track and field stars will be targeting selection for:

• 2025 World Athletics Championships (Tokyo, Japan)
  2025 World Para Athletics Championships (New Delhi, India)
• 2026 World Athletics Indoor Championships (Torun, Poland)
  2026 Commonwealth Games (Glasgow, Scotland)
• 2027 World Athletics Championships (Beijing, China)
  2027 World Para Athletics Championships (TBD)
• 2028 Olympic & Paralympic Games (Los Angeles, USA)
  

With major qualification standards on the line, fans can expect New Zealand’s best athletes to bring their A-game each summer, chasing national titles and personal bests to secure their spots on the world stage.

Over the past decade, the national championships have moved between cities, allowing different regions to host New Zealand’s premier domestic athletics event. With Auckland now confirmed as the home of the championships through to 2028, this new era will bring stability, increased fan engagement, and the opportunity for the event to grow.

The three-year hosting agreement also allows Athletics New Zealand to further develop the Jennian Homes New Zealand Track & Field Championships into a must-attend event, attracting larger crowds, greater media attention, and an electric atmosphere for athletes and fans alike.

Whether you’re an athlete, coach, official, or fan, the Jennian Homes New Zealand Track & Field Championships in Auckland will be the premier domestic athletics event each summer.

Event Details

Dates: March 5–8, 2026 (2027 & 2028 dates TBC)
Venue: To be confirmed
Ticketing & event details: Coming soon

More information, including entries and ticketing, will be released in the coming months. For now, mark your calendars and get ready for an incredible three-year stretch of world-class athletics in Auckland.

Olympic silver medallist Maddison-Lee Wesche showed her class in the Women’s Shot Put, dominating the competition with a winning throw of 18.49m. Natalia Rankin-Chitar (15.21m) took silver, while Kate Hallie (13.59m) finished third. After a wobbly start of three foul throws, Wesche found her rhythm in her first competition in NZ since Paris. Her best of the day proved to be a class above the field.
Weshe now turns her attention to the World Indoor Championships in Nanjing, China. Ahead of her is a diamond league circuit before the year’s pinnacle in Tokyo – The World Athletics Championships.

World U20 Champion Ethan Olivier continued his dominance in the Men’s Triple Jump, winning with a best jump of 16.33m. Sebastian Panakkal (14.60m) took silver, while Scott Thomson (14.35m) finished third.

Tori Moorby (56.15m) secured gold in the Women’s Javelin, with Alexa Duff (46.84m) and Mya Phillips (41.88m) rounding out the podium.

In the Men’s Discus, Olympian Connor Bell (60.73m) finished well clear of the field, ahead of Nathaniel Sulupo (52.59m) and Kieran Fowler (51.76m)

Cropp Beats Own U20 NZ Record

One of the standout moments of the day came in the Men’s 3000m Race Walk, where Jonah Cropp delivered a strong performance, clocking 12:10.56 to break the New Zealand U20 record. His time eclipsed his own best from 2024 of 12:16.43. His record-setting effort saw him finish ahead of Daniel Du Toit (12:44.11) and Lucas Martin (12:50.49) in a high-quality podium.

In the Women’s 3000m Race Walk, Arnika Nelson led the way in 13:57.14, followed by Alana Mathews (16:08.46) and Rozie Robinson (17:34.53). In the U18 division, Alysa Brown impressed with 15:52.77.

The Women’s 800m final was a thriller, with the race running five wide down the straight! Boh Ritchie prevailed, stopping the clock at 2:07.23 ahead of Stella Pearless at 2:07.51. Holly Rule (2:07.91) was right on their heels in one of the tightest finishes of the championships so far.

With 2024 champion and NZ record holder James Preston opting to focus on building up towards global championships, the title race was wide open. Ethan Smolej stepped up to claim gold with a solid time of 1:52.62, holding off Kosta Mills (1:54.13) and Oliver Dunshea (1:55.56) after a brave long kick down from over 300m out.

The Men’s 3000m Steeplechase came down to the wire as Michael Sutton (9:03.11) held off Ben Bidois (9:03.48) in a dramatic final stretch, with Matthew Arnold (9:04.72) securing bronze. With four athletes in contention going over the final water jump, it was anyone’s race to win. Sutton’s surging tactics over the last paid dividends as he stormed away to the title once over the final barrier.

Eva Pringle continued her impressive form on the women’s side, cruising to victory in 10:26.09, ahead of Ashleigh Gardner (10:55.97) and Laura Fernandez (11:30.84).

Paralympic star William Stedman (T36) put on a dominant display in the Men’s Para 400m, crossing in 54.51 (94.55%), well ahead of Jaxon Woolley (57.59, 84.20%) and Finn Tregurtha-Nairn (59.45, 81.56%).

In the Women’s Para 400m, Amy Ellis (T13) ran 1:11.77 (74.61%) to take the win, with Sarah James (1:15.00, 65.91%) and Sasha Al-Dazhani (1:19.70, 73.61%) rounding out the podium.

The Men’s 400m Hurdles delivered a fantastic race, as Jonathan Maples (52.80) edged out Hunter Dale (52.99) and James Hansen (53.50) in a high-quality final.

In the Women’s 400m Hurdles, Grace Wisnewski (1:02.78) won, with Zarah Rattray (1:05.47) finishing second.

The Men’s 4x100m Relay saw the home team of Otago claim gold ahead of Canterbury and Hawke’s Bay Gisborne. Shay Veitch was triumphant for Otago across the line, raising his baton to the sky. Meanwhile, the Women’s final was marred by a Canterbury disqualification, allowing Hawke’s Bay Gisborne to secure the win over Otago.

In the U20 Men’s 4x100m, Canterbury narrowly took the title from Wellington by just 0.01 seconds, providing one of the most thrilling finishes of the day.

In the Men’s Para Shot Put, Jack Adams (F46) claimed gold with 10.12m (60.24%), while Rorie Poff (F34) continued his remarkable run at this meet, throwing 7.10m (57.96%).

In the Women’s Para Shot Put, Sionann Murphy (F37) produced the best throw of 8.98m (57.94%), ahead of Una Kinajil-Reding (F46) – 8.10m (57.61%) and Charli Gardiner-Hall (F37) – 8.11m (52.37%).

The Women’s Long Jump was a highly competitive event, with Maddie Wilson leaping to a personal best 6.17m to claim gold. Phoebe Edwards (6.02m) and Kelsey Berryman (5.98m) completed the podium in a closely contested battle.

With two more days and more finals still to come, the 2025 Jennian Homes NZ Track & Field Championships action is heating up. Tune in to the live stream on Saturday at 3 pm on the Athletics NZ Youtube Channel.

#athleticsnz #SummerCircuit #JennianHomes #TrackandField #NZTF25

Chignell Claims Senior Men’s 5000m Crown

Local favourite Oliver Chignell (Otago) delivered a dominant performance to claim the national 5000m title, crossing the line in 13:55.77. Wellington’s Toby Gaulter (14:04.49) and Canterbury’s William Little (14:09.98) rounded out the podium after a tactical race that saw Chignell pull away in the closing laps.

“Brilliant, home track, home field, awesome. Can’t really ask for much more,” said a thrilled Chignell of his title. Chignell has set his sights on the national 10,000m record as a big goal for the year “My main goal this year is to break the NZ 10,000m record, it’s something that’s been in my sights for a number of years now.” The NZ record stands at 27.30.90 held by Jake Robertson from the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games. Chignell will look to race in Europe or the USA as he chases this record. Chignell will return on Saturday afternoon in the men’s 1500m heats. 

Nagel Takes Women’s 5000m Gold.

North Harbour Bays’ Laura Nagel ran a well-executed race, taking the senior women’s 5000m title in 16:27.38. Canterbury’s Eva Pringle (16:30.77) fought hard for second, while Brigid Dennehy (North Harbour Bays) secured bronze. Nagel was too strong for Pringle over the last lap. The two having pulled away from Dennehy over the closing stages. Nagel’s 1500m speed was on show as she flew home over the final 200m. 
Nagel said she had a good time out on the track today” It was a bit of fun to race with the U20s. Great to have them in there and to give them a chance to have some more championship racing experience”. Cool to run.” Looking ahead, Nagel’s sights are set on the September World Championships, “Japan is the biggest one this year. I’ve wanted to make a national senior team for the last couple of years, so that’s the main goal.”
Nagel had a strong start to the year at the Perth Track Classic last weekend over 1500m, “It was nice to run a 4.09 in Perth, given how I felt and how early in the year it is, it’s certainly exciting.”

Witt Leads Junior Men’s 5000m Battle.

Canterbury’s Harry Witt produced a personal best performance to secure the Under 20 Men’s 5000m title, crossing the line in 14:46.24. Auckland’s Redd Scampion (14:59.41, PB) followed in second, with Taranaki’s Nick Dobbie (15:01.22) rounding out the podium.

Currie Secures Junior Women’s 5000m Title.

Canterbury’s Kate Currie (16:48.29, PB) took out the Under 20 Women’s 5000m, with Southland’s Siena Mackley (16:52.79) not far behind. Auckland’s Sascha Letica (17:02.59) completed the podium in a competitive race that was combined with the Senior Women’s race. Letica took the early pace, putting a strong gap on the rest of the U20 field, however patient racing from Currie and Mackley saw Letica come back to them over the closing laps. 

Paralympians In Action on Day One 

In the Men’s Para 100m, WaiBOP’s Jaxon Woolley (11.91, 89.34%) narrowly held off Riverhead’s Mitchell Joynt (11.92, 89.01%) in a thrilling sprint finish, while Canterbury’s William Stedman (12.43, 94.29%) impressed with a high-percentage performance. Jaxon’s time was a new NZ 100m T38 record, eclipsing his own time set at the 2024 Night of 5s in Auckland.

In the Women’s Para 100m, Amy Ellis (Athletics Taranaki) took the win in 14.46 (1.5m/s), setting a personal best. Paddy Walsh (Athletics Auckland) finished second in 14.60, also a PB, while Kate Danaher (Athletics Auckland) claimed third in 15.83, securing a personal best as well.

Michael Whittaker (Whippets Running Project) claimed victory in the Para Men’s 5000m with a time of 15:32.66.

In the Men’s Open Para Discus, Canterbury’s Zack Lappin produced the best throw of the competition, launching 33.96m (56.84%). He held off Jack Adams (Hawke’s Bay Gisborne, 29.95m, 56.67%) in a tight contest, with Stephen Hills (Taranaki, 17.88m, 41.30%) completing the podium.

The Women’s Open Para Discus saw Sionann Murphy take top honours with a throw of 26.38m, ahead of Charli Gardiner-Hall and Milly Marshall Kirkwood.

View the full results from Day 1 on our live results portal.
Tune in tomorrow on our live stream for Finals Friday from 3 PM. Read more on how to watch here.

With Finals Friday and Super Saturday set to feature many of New Zealand’s top Olympians and Paralympians, including Hamish Kerr, Maddi Wesche, Tom Walsh, Anna Grimaldi, Zoe Hobbs, and Jacko Gill, the 2025 Championships promises an exciting weekend of high-stakes competition. From thrilling sprint showdowns to record-breaking field events, the timed programme provides a full breakdown of when each event will occur, ensuring spectators don’t miss a moment.

Click here to view the draft full-timed programme and start planning your championship experience.
This is a draft program and subject to change.

Tickets are still available, and fans can also tune into the livestreams on the Athletics NZ YouTube channel on Friday and Saturday. Get ready for an unforgettable weekend of world-class athletics in Dunedin!