Heights of Winter
Welcome
Peninsula and Plains Orienteers (PAPO) organises the Heights of Winter every two years in turn with the NZ Rogaine Association.
PAPO hosts it on even years, and the NZRA organises the odd years. The event comprises of two 6 and 12 hour rogaine events.
This next event in 2026 will be the 27th annual Heights of Winter and is in the Banks Peninsula organised by PAPO.
Popular among outdoor enthusiasts, adventure racers, and orienteering lovers, the Heights of Winter offers a challenging and rewarding and memorable experience in new terrain.
The Heights of Winter rogaine is an endurance event combining navigation skills with physical fitness using a map and compass to navigate through various checkpoints.
Participants in teams are given a set amount of time (6-hours or 12-hours) to visit as many checkpoints as possible. The goal is to accumulate the highest possible score by finding and correctly identifying and tagging the locations of control points marked on the map.
Heights of Winter 2026
Peninsula and Plains Orienteers welcomes you to the 27th annual Heights of Winter, to be held in Banks Peninsula on Sat 13th June 2026.
Event Bulletin:
This Bulletin has all the final information required for the event and the indemnity form. Please print and complete the indemnity form (Appendix 3) before arriving. Bring it to registration completed with all signatures & emergency contact details.
Location: Banks Peninsula with the start/finish at Orton Bradley Park, Charteris Bay, Lyttelton Harbour. (Previous HoW 2009).
Event Centre We will be using Base Camp, which is an Outdoor Education Centre in Orton Bradley Park complete with toilets and a multi-function room, chairs and tables for planning and eating at after the event.
Park Entry fee: There is an entrance fee to enter Orton Bradley Park, which is a charitable trust. The fee is $5 per adult, children (under 16) free and free to members of their ‘Friend of the Park’ scheme. This additional fee will be included in the entry system.
No dogs permitted at the event.
Courses:
12 hour or 6 hour options.
- The 12 hour will run from 9am to 9pm.
- The 6 hour will run from 11am to 5pm.
The NavLight punching system will be used.
Event notes:
Registration is from 7:00am for the 12hr event and 9:30am for the 6hr event.
Please know your team number when you come to registration.
Event meal
Community fundraising through local provision of an after event meal has always been a part of Heights of Winter. This year, PAPO are proud to partner with a local school who will provide the catering. Both the 12hr and 6hr event participants will have a full post-event meal.
Those with dietary requirements can fill out form: Heights of Winter 2026 Changes & Requests
Camping: Overnight camp or caravan/camper sites are available before & after the event. Showers are available. Camping can be booked directly with the Park https://www.ortonbradley.nz/camping
From the HoW team, we wish you luck and hope you have a good day.
Enter by: 11.59pm Wednesday 10 June 2026 here
HoW 2026 Sponsors
Many thanks to our Heights of Winter 2026 sponsors. Further Faster, Kaikoura Adventure Race. and CJs Plant Farm, Amberly.
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