2026 Orienteering
Registration for the Harbour Sprint Series will open on Tuesday 6 January.
Before your child commits to this sport please read the very important information below.
If you have any questions or require additional information about Orienteering, please email our Sports Department.
Orienteering Information
General Information
Orienteering is a largely individual sport where participants navigate a set course between control points, usually marked by orange and white flags, using their skill in map reading to choose the best route and their running ability to get there as quickly as possible. The map is the central focus of orienteering and map reading is the central skill. There are different formats and competitions in school orienteering offering challenge and experience across a variety of terrain.
The school orienteering season starts in February with the Sprint Series and ends in September with AIMS. For those new to orienteering and wanting to give it a go, the Sprint Series is a great way to get started. It is also the foundation event that highlights students who are capable of further competition. For students wishing to progress throughout the season, the Sprint Series is a must-attend event.
North Zone Sprint Series - urban terrain, usually through school grounds, great for beginners.
Auckland Regional Sprint Final - urban terrain, for top students who qualify from each zone.
North/West Zone Day Competition - teams of six, urban terrain, usually through park grounds, students are selected for this event based on their results from the Sprint Series.
Interzone Day Competition (Auckland Champs) - urban or rural terrain, often park or farm land, students are invited to this event based on their results from the North/West Zone Day.
Auckland Relay Champs - teams of three, rural/rugged terrain, often regional park, farmland, or forest, students are selected for this event based on their results in previous events.
Auckland Individual Champs - longer course through rural/rugged terrain, usually in a forest or native bush, students are selected for this event based on their results in previous events.
Auckland Rogaine Champs - teams of two, rural/rugged terrain, often regional park, farm, forest, or coastal areas, students are selected for this event based on their results in previous events.
North Island Secondary School Champs - 3-day event during school holidays, Y7 & Y8 students welcome, includes sprint, long course, and relay, students self-select to attend, often requiring travel.
New Zealand Secondary School Champs - 3-day event during school holidays, Y7 & Y8 students welcome, includes sprint, long course, and relay, students self-select to attend, often requiring travel.
Students who self-select to attend the North Island or New Zealand Secondary School Champs will need a certain level of experience within expected time limits. Confirmation of attendance will be at the discretion of the Orienteering Manager and NX Sports Department.
NZ AIMS Games - includes a sprint and Rogaine. Although an individual code, 10-12 students are selected to attend as a team, travelling and staying with the NX contingent. Students are selected for AIMS based on their results, commitment, and behaviour throughout the orienteering season.
For students wishing to progress throughout the season and excel in orienteering, it is highly recommended that they participate in club events for further training and experience. NorthWest Orienteering Club is the local club for those living on the shore.
Event times, dates & venue
North Zone Sprint Series - urban terrain, usually through school grounds, great for beginners.
Sprint Series Dates:
Thursday 19 Feb
Thursday 26 Feb
Thursday 5 Mar
Thursday 12 Mar
Thursday 19 Mar
Auckland Regional Sprint Final - Sunday 29 March. @ races.
Urban terrain, for top students who qualify from each zone.
North/West Zone Day Competition - Thursday 26 March
Teams of six, urban terrain, usually through park grounds, students are selected for this event based on their results from the Sprint Series.
Interzone Day Competition (Auckland Champs) - Thursday 7 May
Urban or rural terrain, often park or farm land, students are invited to this event based on their results from the North/West Zone Day.
Auckland Relay Champs - Thursday 30 April
Teams of three, rural/rugged terrain, often regional park, farmland, or forest, students are selected for this event based on their results in previous events.
Auckland Individual Champs - Tuesday 12 May
A longer course through rural/rugged terrain, usually in a forest or native bush, students are selected for this event based on their results in previous events.
Auckland Rogaine Champs - Sunday 14 June
Teams of two, rural/rugged terrain, often regional park, farm, forest, or coastal areas, students are selected for this event based on their results in previous events.
North Island Secondary School Champs - 3-day event during school holidays, Y7 & Y8 students welcome, includes sprint, long course, and relay, students self-select to attend, often requiring travel.
New Zealand Secondary School Champs - Thursday 16-Saturday 18 July
A 3-day event during school holidays, Y7 & Y8 students welcome, includes sprint, long course, and relay, students self-select to attend, often requiring travel.
Students who self-select to attend the North Island or New Zealand Secondary School Champs will need a certain level of experience within expected time limits. Confirmation of attendance will be at the discretion of the Orienteering Manager and NX Sports Department.
NZ AIMS Games - includes a sprint and rogaine. Although an individual code, 10-12 students are selected to attend as a team, travelling and staying with the NX contingent. Students are selected for AIMS based on their results, commitment, and behaviour throughout the orienteering season.
For students wishing to progress throughout the season and excel in orienteering, it is highly recommended that they participate in club events for further training and experience. NorthWest Orienteering Club is the local club for those living on the shore.
Training
Training is not held at NX. Joining a club is suggested.
Please see the daily notices for any information regarding training.
Fees
A non-refundable fee of $65 will be required at the time of registration.
Registration
Registration for the Sprint Series will open Tuesday 6 January
Register Now
Transport
Transport for the Sprint Series is the responsibility of individual families.
Uniform & Equipment
Students are required to attend all events in their PE uniform with appropriate footwear, students are not able to compete in bare feet.
It is suggested that each competitor have their own whistle for some events.
Further equipment recommendations will be advised at the time of each event registration.
Selection Policy
NX Selection Policy
We go through a very thorough selection process to finalise our teams and players will be placed in a team that our selectors have determined best suits their ability and experience. While inevitably there will be some movement of players, both up and down teams, it is important to remember that this movement can be a result of the following factors:
- New players who didn’t play last year can also create movement for other players, especially if they are placed in a higher team, resulting in other players moving down to a lower team.
- Individual development and growth over the summer months. If individual players have put in an extra effort and completed additional training over the holiday, this can definitely show during trials, resulting in higher performance on the court and some movement between teams.
We understand that some students will have questions regarding the trial process and eventually the team selection – if your child does, please ask them to see Anna in the sports office.
As per our Sports Selection Policy, no correspondence regarding team selection will be entered into. If you wish to view it, please download the document at the bottom of this page.
Club Information
Please see links for club information.
