5th Katoa Po Explorer - 8/9 March 2025

(updated 26 Feb)

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Event Info

• enquiries to entries@taupoorienteering.nz

Event format

Combination of 3 hour night rogaine plus 90 minute daylight rogaine on Sunday morning in teams of 2 to 5 persons.

Optional warm-up event: The Gambler, a 30 minute fun event, mass start 4:00 pm on Saturday 8th March.

See the supporting event page for details

Entry fees per person

• Juniors (born 2005 or later)
  Early bird  $45 (by Sunday 3rd Feb 11:59pm)
  Late entry  $60 (after 23rd Feb and before Sunday 3rd March 11:59pm)
• Seniors
  Early bird  $80 (by Sunday 23rd Feb 11:59pm)
  Late entry $100 (after 23rd Feb and before Sunday 3rd March 11:59pm)

What - The night rogaine will be in two parts, on two separate maps. You will have a total time of 3 hours for the two maps - you can take as long as you want on the first map, but will lose points if you are longer than 3 hours in total. You will have about 15 minutes before the start to plan your route on the first map. There will be a map exchange out on the course, at which time you will get another map with additional controls to locate. Any planning time for the second map is included in the 3 hours.
The Sunday morning rogaine will be on another map, and you will have 90 minutes for this.

Being a rogaine means that you can get as many (or as few) controls as you like, in any order. At the end of the 3 hour night rogaine, any teams that are late back will lose 10 points per minute or part of a minute that they are late back. At the end of the 90 minute day rogaine, the penalty will be 20 points per minute or part of a minute.

A prizegiving will be held at 11am Sunday morning when the overall results will have been finalised after the Sunday rogaine.

The Terrain - The event is partly on the Hoanga map (last used for Katoa Po in 2021) which has been expanded substantially to include a large part of the neighbouring Ngahiwi farm. It has areas of farm with rolling hills, small stands of trees, rocky outcrops and a beautiful piece of native forest with some very large old native trees.

Compulsory Gear list

  Individual gear (must be carried by each competitor)

• Fleece
• Polyprop top
• Water/wind proof jacket
• Head torch (with enough batteries)
• Beanie
• Gloves
• Whistle
• Sufficient food and drink for the duration
• Survival Bag

  Team Gear (may be carried by anyone in the team)

• Cell Phone (for emergency use only)
• Multi purpose knife (eg. Swiss Army)
• First Aid Kit (minimum= plasters, small and large bandages, tape, paracetamol, crepe rolls, anti-histamine pills)
• Compass

Event Location

- Jay Road is West off SH5 half way between Taupo and Rotorua (approx 40km)
- After 2.8km - turn on to farm road to Event Centre at the end of Jay Road
- Event centre is approximately 1.6km up the farm road