One NZ has been title partner of GODZONE since 2022, supporting an event that brings together many things at the heart of New Zealand – adventure, teamwork, resilience and a deep connection to the outdoors.
This year, teams will once again journey through some of Aotearoa’s spectacular and challenging landscapes as they race non-stop across Aoraki Mt Cook and the Mackenzie region - navigating, trekking, mountain biking and paddling their way through an approximately 600km expedition course.
For One NZ, the partnership is about much more than putting its name on the start line. Susannah Winger, Head of Brand Experience at One NZ says GODZONE reflects a distinctly Kiwi attitude to getting out there, giving things a go and looking out for your mates along the way.
“GODZONE is an incredible expression of who we are as New Zealanders. It’s people taking on something seriously tough, in some of the most spectacular places in our country, relying on their teammates and backing each other all the way.”
Next year’s event – Chapter 13 - also builds on GODZONE’s relationship with the Department of Conservation (DOC), enabling the race to traverse parts of the conservation land and giving competitors an extraordinary perspective on New Zealand’s natural environment. The relationship has resonance for One NZ, which also partners with DOC as one of its National Conservation Partners.
It’s that combination of extraordinary landscapes, adventure and the people you share it with that has made GODZONE such an enduring challenge. Former All Black captain and experienced GODZONE competitor Richie McCaw continues to back One NZ GODZONE this year.
McCaw says “There’s something pretty special about One NZ GODZONE. You see some amazing parts of the country, but it’s the people alongside you and the way teams look after each other when things get tough that you remember.”
Richie McCaw and NZRPA CEO Rob Nichol are lead Trustees of the PURE ADVENTURE Charitable Trust that now owns and operates GODZONE. Rob Nichol says the trust has a shared appreciation for New Zealand’s outdoors, adventure and teamwork which has made One NZ such a natural partner for the event over the past four years.
“One NZ genuinely understands the DNA of the event, backing Kiwi adventure and helping GODZONE take people into remarkable parts of New Zealand.”
One NZ’s technology also plays an important role behind the scenes. One NZ Satellite gives event crews another way to communicate well beyond the beaten track with a clear view of the sky, while One NZ also supports transition areas with connectivity infrastructure to help race management, volunteers and support crews stay in touch.
It means technology can quietly do its job in the background while competitors get on with the considerably harder job in front of them. Susannah says that is connectivity at its most useful.
“But ultimately this partnership is about the people. It’s about teammates looking after one another, volunteers giving up their time, communities getting behind the race and people doing epic things in our own backyard. That’s the New Zealand we want One NZ to be part of.”
One NZ GODZONE Chapter 13 takes place from 25th February to 5th March 2027 in Aoraki/Mt Cook and the Mackenzie region with teams from New Zealand and around the world competing.
Fans will be able to follow the teams, who all carry GPST tracking, throughout the event at godzoneadventure.com.
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Imagery: Click here to download an image of Chapter 11 winners Team Avaya (L-R) Nathan Fa’avae, Stu Lynch, Chris Forne, Sophie Hart win One NZ GODZONE Chapter 11 in Southland
Video: Click here to download a video Richie McCaw and Adam Fairmaid announcing the GODZONE Chapter 13 host location of Mt Cook/Aoraki, New Zealand
Video: Click here to download a video of GODZONE Chapter 12 showing teams in action in Marlborough, New Zealand last year
For more information, interview & imagery requests, contact:
Margo Berryman, Media Manager | One NZ GODZONE
M: +64 21 246 3342, E: margo@qt.co.nz
Jane King, Brand Influence and Advocacy | One New Zealand
M: +64 21 871 771 | E: jane.king@one.nz
