Climbing New Zealand

Author: President Climbing NZ

Climbing New Zealand National Speed Championship

03 Jan
President Climbing NZ News

Event Details

  • Date: 2026-02-15 7:00 am – 6:00 pm
  • Categories: National, Speed

CNZ National Speed Championship

Date: 15 February 2026 | speed

Time: 0700 – 1800

Venue: BOPSCA Speedwall

Categories:

  • U11, U13, U15, Veterans (K-Route)
  • U17, U19, Opens, Masters

Day two of the Festival of Climbing brings the nation’s best to the line for the 2026 Climbing New Zealand National Speed Championship. From emerging youth athletes to seasoned open and masters competitors, this full-day event showcases the depth and future of New Zealand speed climbing.

With adrenaline, precision, and explosiveness on full display, the National Champs promise an incredible day of racing for athletes, whānau, and fans alike.

Join us for an unforgettable weekend of speed climbing at its absolute best!

Looking forward to seeing you in Mount Maunganui!

Registration:                     https://forms.gle/WCkEY4aQ9uSpLTRz5

Info Sheet:                        Please do not print off as this is subject to change.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1RyZz7G99S2yz_FQuewsdoVGowVDFvex-/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=118439911314198560409&rtpof=true&sd=true

Domestic License:           https://forms.gle/UmFLxcnx3TinkSxC7

Timetable:                         Changes to the timetable may occur and will be communicated as required, CNZ Reserve the right to change the timetable.

Climbing New Zealand National Speed Championship
15 February: Sunday AM
07:00 – 08:00Registrations CNZ National Speed Championship (competition venue)
07:45 – 08:00AM Coaches / Managers Briefing
08:15 – 08:45Athlete Briefing
09:00 – 10:30CNZ National Speed ChampionshipU11, U13, U15, Veteran Qualifications
10:40 – 10:50Presentation of Finalists
11:00 – 11:15CNZ National Speed ChampionshipU11, U13, U15, Veteran Finals
11:15 – 11:30Award Ceremony
15 February: Sunday PM
11:00 – 12:00Registrations CNZ National Speed Championship (competition venue)
11:45 – 12:00PM Coaches / Managers Briefing
12:15 – 12:45Athlete Briefing
13:00 – 15:00CNZ National Speed ChampionshipU17, U19, Masters, Opens Qualifications
15:40 – 15:50Presentation of Finalists
16:00 – 17:00CNZ National Speed ChampionshipU17, U19, Masters, Opens Finals
17:15 – 17:45Award Ceremony for CNZ National Speed Championship
17:45 –Pack up

💳 Payment Details
Bank:                                   BNZ
Account Name:                  Climbing New Zealand
Account Number:              02-0940-0184145-000
Reference:                           First Name – Last Name
Code:                                    (S=Speed, Age Category, M/F) e.g., SU11M

Start List                             https://piki.trainingsims.com/#CNZ/event/I6JLRicKUXUsjcIvj/show

Join the 2026 CNZ Speed Volunteer Team: https://forms.gle/QEJoeAMVp2jekRcW6

Looking forward to seeing you in Mount Maunganui!

OCEANIA Continental Speed Championship

03 Jan
President Climbing NZ News

OCEANIA Continental Speed Championship

Event Details

OCEANIA Continental Speed Championship

Date: 14 February 2026 | speed

Time: 0945 – 1500

Venue: BOPSCA Speedwall Mount Maunganui, NZL

Category: Open

Get ready for one of the fastest days on the climbing calendar! We’re excited to confirm that the IFSC Oceania Continental Speed Championship will take place at the BOPSCA Speedwall in beautiful Mount Maunganui.

This event marks the kick-off to the Festival of Climbing weekend — a two-day celebration of elite competition and community stoke. The Oceania Continental Speed Championship launches the action on 14 February, followed by the CNZ National Speed Championships on 15 February 2026.

Come watch the best speed climbers from Aotearoa and Australia go head-to-head in a high-energy showdown where every millisecond counts. Whether you’re a dedicated fan or new to the sport, this is the perfect opportunity to witness elite athletes pushing the limits on Oceania’s premier speed stage.

Looking forward to seeing you in Mount Maunganui!

Registration:                  At the time of publishing Vertical Life is yet to go live.

Info Sheet:                     Please do not print off as this is subject to change.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ySxTWsyCl1TYanQFysDN11PxZyajL-ev/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=118439911314198560409&rtpof=true&sd=true

Domestic License:        https://forms.gle/UmFLxcnx3TinkSxC7

Timetable:                      All times are provisional and subject to change by the Jury President.

International Federation Sport Climbing – Oceania Continental Championship
13 February: Friday PM
18:30 – 19:00Confirmation of IFSC Oceania Continental Athlete registration (competition venue)
19:00 – 19:30IFSC Oceania Continental Technical Meeting (competition venue)
14 February: Saturday PM
09:45 – 10:00Check in: IFSC Oceania Continental Championship (competition venue)
10:15 – 10:45Athlete Briefing
11:00 – 12:30IFSC Oceania Continental Championship Qualifications
13:10 – 13:20Presentation of Finalists
13:30 – 14:00IFSC Oceania Continental Championship Finals
14:15 – 15:00Awarding ceremony for IFSC Oceania Continental Championship

💳 Payment Details
Bank:                            BNZ
Account Name:          Climbing New Zealand
Account Number:      02-0940-0184145-000
Reference:                   First Name – Last Name
Code:                            OCSC M/F

Start List                     Available once Vertical Life goes live.

Join the 2026 CNZ Speed Volunteer Team: https://forms.gle/QEJoeAMVp2jekRcW6

Looking forward to seeing you in Mount Maunganui!

End of year message,

23 Dec
President Climbing NZ News

The Climbing New Zealand Management Committee has been hard at work throughout the latter half of 2025, and we are pleased to share several key updates with our community.

Our current areas of focus include the upcoming events that will conclude the 2025–26 season, namely Speed Nationals and the Oceania round held at Blake Park in Mt Maunganui, followed by the final event of the season, Lead Nationals to be held in Rotorua, info for both events can be found in our events page.

We are also progressing the development of our new 2026–2030 Strategic Plan, alongside the introduction of our pilot High Performance programmes for Lead and Boulder.

You can view the Strategic Plan, and find details of the High Performance pilot programme on our website, including the application form for coach registration. These resources have also been shared on our Facebook and Instagram pages to help engage the wider community.

Please note that the deadline for application submissions is 16 January 2026.

On behalf of the Climbing New Zealand Committee, we wish you all a safe and enjoyable Christmas and a happy New Year.

2025-26 Development Squad (Provisional) announced for U15-U13 Boulder + Lead/Toprope

27 Oct
President Climbing NZ News , , , ,

Good Evening, 

Climbing New Zealand is pleased to announce the provisional selections for the 2025 NZ Boulder + Lead/Toprope Development Squads across the U15 and U13 categories.

This is the provisional team selections; they are subject to appeal and subject to being ratified by the CNZ Committee.

Any athletes wishing to appeal the selection process, appeals need to be made within 2 working days of this post being notified to all climbers. Please ensure that you refer to the section 7 of the selection policy and send any appeal to selection@climbing.nz.

Climbing New Zealand selection processes are documented in our selection policy page on our website, please refer to this in the first instance if you have questions. The actual policy document is on our web page here.

Provisional Team Selections,

Bouldering Under 13 Female
(7 eligible, 3 selected)
Nina Fookes
Olivia Chellet
Trixie de Jong

Bouldering Under 13 Male
(5 eligible, 2 selected)

Hamish McLaughlin
Xavier Faber
Discretionary – Mikhail Dergilev (Discretionary selection – cannot be selected for NZ Team in current season)

Bouldering Under 15 Female
(13 eligible, 5 selected)

Yume Fookes
Ayla Radley
Anna Evans
Lucy Ranger
Marley de Jong

Bouldering Under 15 Male
(9 eligible, 4 selected)

Hugo Harkness
Brooklyn Jackson-Gers
Tobin Priestley
Max Lepper
Kāhu Coholan  (Discretionary selection based on equal performance with those selected)

Top rope / Lead Under 13 Female
(7 eligible, 3 selected)

Nina Fookes
Olivia Chellet
Trixie de Jong

Top rope / Lead Under 13 Male
(6 eligible, 2 selected)

Hamish McLaughlin
Xavier Faber 
Lochie Ward (Discretionary selection based on equal performance with those selected)
Discretionary – Mikhail Dergilev (Discretionary selection – cannot be selected for NZ Team in current season)

Top rope / Lead Under 15 Female
(10 eligible, 4 selected)

Anna Evans
Ayla Radley
Yume Fookes
Marley de Jong

Top rope / Lead Under 15 Male
(7 eligible, 3 selected)

Hugo Harkness
Max Lepper
Brooklyn Jackson-Gers
Tobin Priestley (Discretionary selection based on equal performance with those selected)
Huxley Bolger (Discretionary selection based on equal performance with those selected)

🧗‍♂️ 2025/26 CNZ Lead, Top Rope & Boulder National Championships – Event Details

28 Sep
President Climbing NZ News , , , ,

Ready to push your limits? This October, Climbing New Zealand invites all U15, U13 — and for the first time in Boulder U11 — climbers to compete at the 2025–26 National Boulder Championships, proudly hosted by Basecamp Adventures Climbing Gym in Queenstown.

This exciting weekend will be Individual events, with both Lead/Top Rope and Boulder Championships held over the same weekend — a unique and action-packed format for all participants.

🧗‍♀️ Event Details:

🧗 Lead / Top Rope Championship

Categories: U15, U13, U11

  • U15: Lead climbing
  • U13 & U11: Top Rope climbing
  • Format: 4 qualifying climbs per athlete (no finals)
  • Time limit: 6 minutes per climb
  • Scoring: A unique aggregate scoring system across the four climbs to crown the CNZ National Champion.

🧱 Boulder Championships

Categories: U11, U13, U15

  • Format: Session-based bouldering
  • Problems: 7–9 boulder problems per category
  • Problems will be designed to reflect the style and challenge of the Australian Youth Nationals, helping prepare athletes for international competition and Development Squad selection.

🎯 Why Compete?

  • Earn your spot on the Climbing New Zealand Development Team
  • Experience a national-level event in a supportive and exciting atmosphere
  • Challenge yourself on world-class routes and problems
  • Connect with the NZ climbing community

🎟 Registration for Lead/Toprope open; https://climbalong.com/competitions/384/info

🎟 Registration for Lead/Toprope open; https://climbalong.com/competitions/383/info

* For registration Queries, please contact; secretary@climbing.nz or president@climbing.nz

This Climbing New Zealand sanctioned event will determine the 2025/26 National Champions and placings in Lead/Top Rope and Boulder across the following age categories:

  • U15 (born 2012–2013)
  • U13 (born 2014–2015)
  • U11 (born 2016–2017)

📅 Event Date & Schedule

  • Competitions will take place on, October 18-19 2025
  • Start times may be as early as 8:00 AM on either of the days
  • A confirmed timetable will be published closer to the event on Climbalong.

📝 Registration & Entry Fees

Registrations close at midnight, Tuesday 16th October 2025.

Entry Type Cost (NZD)Requirements

Single Entry

$150

NZ athlete with current Domestic License & Paid Club Membership

Dual Entry (Lead & Boulder)

$200

NZ athlete with current Domestic License & Paid Club Membership

International or Non-Club Entries (Single or Dual Entry)

$280

💳 Payment Details

Please make payment via bank transfer:

  • Bank: BNZ
  • Account Name: Climbing New Zealand
  • Account Number: 02-0940-0184145-000
  • Reference: [Last Name – First Name]
  • Code: [Your Category] (e.g., U13-TR)
  • (Code – TR= Toprope – L=Lead – B=Boulder)

🛑 Important Notes

  • A New Zealand Domestic License is required for all NZ competitors.
  • The license application form will be available closer to the event.
  • All competitors must be members of a CNZ-affiliated climbing club to qualify for domestic pricing.

2025-26 Development Squad (Provisional) announced for Open, U19 and U17 Boulder

27 Sep
President Climbing NZ News , ,

Provisional team notified 6pm, Saturday the 27th of September 2025.

The following athletes have been selected for the NZ Open, U19 and U17 Boulder Development Squad.

This is the provisional team selections, they are subject to appeal and subject to being ratified by the CNZ Committee.

Any athletes wishing to appeal the selection process, appeals need to be made within 2 working days of this post being notified to all climbers. Please ensure that you refer to the section 7 of the selection policy, and send any appeal to selection@climbing.nz.

Climbing New Zealand selection processes are documented in our selection policy page on our website, please refer to this in the first instance if you have questions. The actual policy document is on our web page here.

Open Females
Lucy Sinclair
Phoebe Kenderdine
Kiri Shibahara (discretionary)
Open Males
Finlay Cate
Luke Williams
Oliver Chinn
Zhen Ng
Luka Sigamoto-Faulkner (injury dispensation)
Under 19 Female
Grace Hansen
Katie Chinn
Zoe Ball (discretionary)
Under 19 Male
Eliezar Cachatoor-Faber
Conrad Bolger
Luca Verheul
Flynn Richards
Luka Sigamoto-Faulkner (injury dispensation)
Under 17 Female
Mila Piatek
Lauren Williams
Holly Meyer
Scarlett Cachatoor-Faber
Under 17 Male
Fletcher McGrath
Ben Giles
Rio Piatek
Leo Goffinet
Quinn Boetzelen-McIntyre

Youth Development Squad Selections in Lead

27 Feb
President Climbing NZ News

Notified 9pm, Tuesday the 27th February 2024.

Following the La Sportiva Youth Masters and Paraclimbing Championships at Extreme Edge, the following athletes have been selected into the Youth Development Squad for 2023 / 2024.

Any athletes wishing to appeal the selection process, appeals need to be made within 2 working days of this post being notified to all climbers. Please ensure that you refer to the section 7 of the selection policy, and send any appeal to selection@climbing.nz.

Reminder of the criteria for selections:

Athletes need to be eligible for selection, which means being a member of a Climbing New Zealand Affiliated Club and being eligible to hold a New Zealand passport.

Automatic selection of the top 40% of the eligible athletes invited to be a member of the 2023/24 NZ Youth Development Squad. Discretionary selections can also be made, refer to the policy for details.

Climbing New Zealand selection processes are documented in our selection policy page on our website, please refer to this in the first instance if you have questions. The actual policy document is on our web page here.

Being selected into the Development Squad makes the athlete eligible to seek New Zealand Team selection in 2024.

Congratulations to those selected.

Junior Female 
Rebecca Hounsell 
Ngaire North 
  
Youth A female 
Mischa Boorman 
Grace Hansen 
Laura Townshend 
Sophia Cook 
Renna Park 
Cara HicksDiscretionary
  
Youth B Female 
Katie Chinn 
Xanthe Saunders 
Amaya Tan-Peters 
Mila Piatek 
Fia Warburton 
Alisa Schenk 
  
Youth C Female 
Ayla Radley 
Charlotte Chinn 
Anna Evans 
Gwyneth Parchomchuk 
Lucy RangerDiscretionary
  
Youth D Female 
Pippa Gower-Johnson 
Nina Fookes 
  
Junior Male 
Nathan Clapperton 
Fynn Marno-Simpson 
  
Youth A Male 
Spencer Menzies 
Finlay Cate 
Zhen Ng 
Oliver Chinn 
Grayson Meaclem 
Harrison LarkinDiscretionary
  
Youth B Male 
Fletcher McGrath 
Toby Gower-Johnson 
Teo Besier 
Conrad Bolger 
  
Youth C Male 
Tristan Jayasuriya 
Xavier Wasek-Webb 
  
Youth D Male 
Hamish McLaughlin 
Xavier Faber 

Richard Waldin
President
Climbing New Zealand

NZ Team to Australian Youth Nationals – Lead Athletes

27 Feb
President Climbing NZ News

Provisional team notified 9pm, Tuesday the 27th of February 2024.

The following athletes have been selected to compete in Lead at the Australian Youth Nationals in 2024.

This is the provisional team selections, they are subject to appeal and subject to being ratified by the CNZ Committee.

Details for the event are found here:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1SivTxZFHmP8pD_5XdnIn1oCgno9JASmz/view

Any athletes wishing to appeal the selection process, appeals need to be made within 2 working days of this post being notified to all climbers. Please ensure that you refer to the section 7 of the selection policy, and send any appeal to selection@climbing.nz.

Climbing New Zealand selection processes are documented in our selection policy page on our website, please refer to this in the first instance if you have questions. The actual policy document is on our web page here.

Athletes are ranked, those in black are selected (noting we are limited to 2 places per category), those in orange are reserve selections, that can be awarded a place if those above them decline the opportunity.

Selections and Reserves

Junior Female
Rebecca Hounsell 
Ngaire North 
Youth A female
Mischa Boorman 
Grace Hansen 
Laura Townshend Reserve
Youth B Female
Katie Chinn 
Xanthe Saunders 
Amaya Tan-Peters Reserve
Youth C Female
Ayla Radley 
Charlotte Chinn 
Youth D Female
Pippa Gower-Johnson 
Nina Fookes 
Junior Male
Nathan Clapperton 
Fynn Marno-Simpson 
Youth A Male
Spencer Menzies 
Finlay Cate 
 
Youth B Male
Fletcher McGrath 
Toby Gower-Johnson 
Youth C Male 
Tristan Jayasuriya 
Xavier Wasek-Webb 
Youth D Male 
Hamish McLaughlin 
Xavier Faber 

New Zealand Team selections for Australian Youth Nationals.

07 Feb
President Climbing NZ News

Provisional team notified 1pm, Tuesday the 7th of February 2024.

The following athletes have been selected to compete in Bouldering at the Australian Youth Nationals in 2024.

This is the provisional team selections, they are subject to appeal and subject to being ratified by the CNZ Committee.

Details for the event are found here:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1SivTxZFHmP8pD_5XdnIn1oCgno9JASmz/view

Any athletes wishing to appeal the selection process, appeals need to be made within 2 working days of this post being notified to all climbers. Please ensure that you refer to the section 7 of the selection policy, and send any appeal to selection@climbing.nz.

Climbing New Zealand selection processes are documented in our selection policy page on our website, please refer to this in the first instance if you have questions. The actual policy document is on our web page here.

Athletes are ranked, those in green are selected (noting we are limited to 2 places per category), those in yellow are reserve selections, that can be awarded a place if those above them decline the opportunity.

Note: Lead selections will be made as soon as possible for the Youth and Masters Lead event in Hamilton.

Selections and Reserves

Junior Female:
Rebecca Hounsell
Lucy Sinclair
Azaria Briscoe
Bella Domeneschi (discretionary)
Junior Male:
Oskar Wolff
Fin Newton-Howes
Antony Death
Youth A Female
Sophia Cook
Mischa Boorman
Grace Hansen
Laura Townshend
Dixie Whiting
Youth A Male
Luka Sugimoto-Faulkner
Wei Zhen Ng
Spencer Menzies
Finlay Cate
Youth B Female:
Katie Chinn
Alisa Schenk
Fia Warburton
Mila Piatek
Xanthe Saunders
Manaia Johnson (discretionary)
Youth B Male
Fletcher McGrath
Teo Besier
Jamie Birchler
Youth C Female:
Anna Evans
Yume Fookes
Ayla Radley
Scarlett Cachatoor-Faber
Youth C Male
Samba Goyal
Tristan Jayasuriya
Xavier Wasek-Webb
Youth D Female:
Nina Fookes
Youth D Male
Hamish McLaughlin
Xavier Faber

Wrap up from Melbourne (IFSC Oceania Qualifier 2023)

Wrap up from Melbourne (IFSC Oceania Qualifier 2023)
30 Nov
President Climbing NZ News

It has been an incredible ride over the last week with the IFSC Oceania Qualifier 2023 in Melbourne Australia.

We are extremely proud of the whole team who represented Climbing New Zealand and their sport with pride.

We are obviously especially proud of the results from the Speed Team with Sarah and Julian on their wins and being awarded places at the Paris Olympics.

We are also proud of the rest of the Speed team, with many personal best times and 3rd places for Abby and Flynn. 

Congratulations to Jorja, Ned, Mischa, Meredith and Luke for all making finals.

Congratulations to Rebecca, Speedie and Oskar for making finals in the highly competitive Lead-Bouldering event.

Many thanks for Rob and Troy for supporting you all and to your supporters and Whanau for either being there or supporting from afar.

If you missed the Speed finals from Julian and Sarah, here is a better view that we got from the live feed care of Rob (only one camera involved, so much easier to follow) Very nervous times for all watching!

We will hear more from Sarah and Julian soon.