International travel
The North Island’s international airports are in Auckland and Wellington, and there are direct flights from most Australian airports to both. Travellers coming from further afield may need to change in Auckland, but it depends on your airline and route. Once you’re on the ground, you can take a road trip (more fun) or a domestic flight (faster) to reach the orienteering.
If you hold an Australian passport, NZ citizenship or permanent residency, you can visit New Zealand freely. Citizens of most other countries can visit by applying for a New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA). Citizens of some countries may need to apply for a visitor visa. You can check your visa or NZeTA requirements at New Zealand Immigration.
Getting around Aotearoa
The warm-up events on the 18th and 19th are just outside New Plymouth, Taranaki, which is about half-way between Auckland and Wellington. Driving time is approximately 4.5 hours from either end, and domestic flights to New Plymouth airport take about one hour. After you’ve warmed up on Taranaki’s middle and long distance, it’s another 3 hours’ drive to the Oceania 2025 events in the Manawatū. The programme allows a full day for this so you have time to enjoy the trip.
If you’re travelling via Wellington, driving to or from the Oceania 2025 events and training map takes around 2 hours.
Area map
Where to base yourself
The seat of the Manawatū-Whanganui region is Palmerston North, which is an hour’s drive (or less – the sprint is right there) from all Oceania 2025 events and training maps. Palmy, as the city is often known, has a regional airport and is about two hours’ drive from the nearest international airport in Wellington. There is a wide variety of accommodation and some great opportunities for eating out.
If you’re after something a little quieter, many of the beach townships west of Palmy have affordable holiday lets, campgrounds and holiday parks and are similarly close to the Oceania 2025 events.
What to see and do while you’re here
New Zealand is a great place to visit, and the Manawatū and Taranaki regions offer some spectacular scenery and opportunities to extend your orienteering trip into a memorable holiday. We’ve got suggestions of attractions to visit, interesting places to run and gourmet treats for you to enjoy, split up roughly by region.
Palmerston North
Taranaki
Wellington
Kāpiti coast
