2024 will see the two schools compete for a new trophy for the first time ever in the Northpower Wild Kiwi this Saturday, March 16, and Mel is hoping for a good turnout.
The inaugural school competition is open to all students, past students, teachers and parents, with the total points for each school calculated by adding up the best 10 individual scores on Saturday.
The winning school will then be the one with the lowest total score when all 10 scores are added together. The trophy will be presented to the winning school at prize giving on event day!
Entrants running as part of a school team, are still eligible for individual placings.
But regardless of who takes out the trophy, for Mel, the Northpower Wild Kiwi is about families being outdoors and being active.
“Events like these aren’t just about placing, they are about starting and finishing in a great environment whether you are taking part with family or friends. It’s a wholesome, quality atmosphere with good people,” she says.
Come Saturday, Mel will be teaming up with her daughter Caoimhe and her friend Madison Macmillan (both year eight students at Pompallier Catholic College) to tackle the 15km run/walk.
Total Sport’s Mark Fordham says over 700 contestants are registered for Northland’s premier multi-sport event but his ultimate aim of attracting 1000 entrants to the iconic Whangārei Heads event remains.
“The Northpower Wild Kiwi has become a landmark multisport event in Te Tai Tokerau in recent years because it is a family friendly occasion, with plenty of distances to choose from and for the second year, a 1km kids dash for the youngsters will be a highlight,” says Mr Fordham.
Total Sport’s drive is to encourage more Kiwis to get active and outdoors. Having a multitude of events at the Northpower Wild Kiwi provides something for everyone. We see the MILD Kiwi as the ideal introduction to Multisport that can be tackled in a team or individually. It includes a 5km sea kayak, an 18km mountain bike (MTB) and a 10km run.”
The Wild Kiwi Multisport is for teams or individuals (from 14 years and up) and comprises a 10km sea kayak, 25km MTB and 14km run to the finish line. Run/walk events include 8km, 15km and half-marathon (21km) options.
Northpower’s General Manager of People and Capability Andrea O’Brien says over 100 Northpower staff from multiple offices between Wellington and Northland will compete this year.
“Once again, people can expect to see a sea of Northpower’s bright orange t-shirts and smiling faces throughout the course and at the finish line,” says Ms O’Brien.
We love getting out amongst our community, working with Total Sport to bring a great event to Northland and supporting the Bream Head Conservation Trust along the way. Like Mark and his team, we would love to see a record number of entrants there on March 16.”
Northpower began encouraging staff to enter off-road events in 2018 as a way of improving wellbeing and staff, their whānau and friends have embraced the opportunity, particularly amongst the stunning scenery the Northpower Wild Kiwi courses cover in Whangārei Heads.