Climbing New Zealand

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

28 Sep

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; or

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

  • 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

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 .

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

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 .

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

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 .

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

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 .

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

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.

Youth Development Squad Selections 2023/24

29 Oct

Notified 2pm, Saturday 28th October 2023.

Amended 19/11/2023 to correct eligibility errors.

Following the La Sportiva Youth and Masters Bouldering Championships at BoulderCo, Auckland on the 14th and 15th of October the following athletes have been selected into the Youth Development Squad for 2023 / 2024.

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
Jess Young

Youth A Male:

Luka Sugimoto-Faulkner
Wei Zhen Ng
Spencer Menzies
Finlay Cate
Barney Gould
Cullen Campbell
Oliver Chinn
Kesha Cerna
Kieran Death
Will Browne
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
Rio Piatek
Conrad Bolger

Youth C Female:

Anna Evans
Yume Fookes
Ayla Radley
Scarlett Cachatoor-Faber
Autumn Parchomchuk
Gwyneth Parchomchuk (discretionary)

Youth C Male:

Samba Goyal
Tristan Jayasuriya
Xavier Wasek-Webb
Brooklyn Jackson-ger
Lucas Winchester

Youth D Female:

Nina Fookes

Youth D Male:

Hamish McLaughlin
Xavier Faber

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 .

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.

Richard Waldin
President
Climbing New Zealand

Applications for discretionary selection due to exceptional circumstances La Sportiva Youth and Masters Bouldering Championships 2023 2024

08 Oct

According to the CNZ Selection Policy an athlete wishing to be considered for Development Squad or New Zealand Team selection in 2024, but unable to compete, can apply to be considered for discretionary selection under exceptional circumstances.

The selection policy sets out examples for reasons where exceptional circumstances will be considered.

In all cases athletes wishing to be considered for selection (initially to the development squad) under exceptional circumstances still need to apply to CNZ to be included in the selection process.

You need to make your application to  as soon as possible with a cut off date of Monday the 16th of October 2023.

Please state:

Athlete Name:

Athlete DOB:

Event e.g Youth and Masters Bouldering Championships

Send all related information on recent and previous performances, all current or recent climbing activities, any injury, illness and recovery information, climbing goals and anything related that may assist the selectors.

Note: Attendance and performance at prior recent CNZ National Championship events will be expected.

How does selection work when dealing with exceptional circumstances cases?

According to the selection policy there are a range of approaches that the selectors can take to rank athletes who missed a selection event alongside others. The aim is to ensure the process is as fair as possible for all athletes.

According to the selection policy:

Appendix 2

Effect of exemption

If the CNZ Committee has granted an application for Exceptional Circumstances, the Selection Committee may adjust the points to be awarded to the athlete using one or more of the following:

  • If the athlete has missed a National Championship, award the athlete points equal to:

o Their placing at the previous National Championships they competed in, in the same gender, Age Category and Discipline, or

o The points they were awarded at the Selection Camp in that discipline, or

o The average of the points awarded to other athletes under Appendix 1 in respect of the National Championship in the same gender, Age Category and Discipline

Richard Waldin
President
Climbing New Zealand

Development Squad Selections from National Open Bouldering Championships

Development Squad Selections from National Open Bouldering Championships
23 Sep

Notified 1pm, Saturday the 23rd of September 2023.

Following the La Sportiva Open Bouldering Championships at the Northern Rocks, Auckland on the 16th of September the following listed athletes have been selected into the Open Development Squad for 2023 / 2024 for Bouldering.

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 .

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 25% of the eligible athletes invited to be a member of the 2023/24 NZ Open 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.

Open Development Squad

Open Female

Female (top 25% based on results)

Lucy Sinclair
Tayla Manning
Amanda  Speed
Dixie Whiting
Kiri Shibahara

Female (discretionary selections, due to performance equivalence)

Azaria  Briscoe
Jasmine Arnold-Clark
Cirrus Tan
Hannah Zia
Abby Gebert
Meredith Butcher
Mischa Boorman

Female (discretionary due to exceptional circumstances)

Rebecca Hounsell
Bella Domaneschi

Open Male

Oskar Wolff
George Sanders
Jake Townshend
Finlay Cate
AJ Goldsmith
Spencer Menzies

Congratulations to all the athletes selected.

Richard Waldin
President
Climbing New Zealand

Applications for discretionary selection due to exceptional circumstances La Sportiva Open Bouldering Championships 2023 2024

16 Sep

According to the CNZ Selection Policy an athlete wishing to be considered for New Zealand Team selection in 2024, but unable to compete, can apply to be considered for discretionary selection under exceptional circumstances.

The selection policy sets out examples for reasons where exceptional circumstances will be considered.

In all cases athletes wishing to be considered for selection (initially to the development squad) under exceptional circumstances still need to apply to CNZ to be included in the selection process.

You need to make your application to  as soon as possible with a cut off date of Monday the 18th of September 2023.

Please state:

Athlete Name:

Athlete DOB:

Event e.g Open Bouldering Championships

Send all related information on recent and previous performances, all current or recent climbing activities, any injury, illness and recovery information, climbing goals and anything related that may assist the selectors.

Note: Attendance and performance at prior recent CNZ National Championship events will be expected.

How does selection work when dealing with exceptional circumstances cases?

According to the selection policy there are a range of approaches that the selectors can take to rank athletes who missed a selection event alongside others. The aim is to ensure the process is as fair as possible for all athletes.

According to the selection policy:

Appendix 2

Effect of exemption

If the CNZ Committee has granted an application for Exceptional Circumstances, the Selection Committee may adjust the points to be awarded to the athlete using one or more of the following:

  • If the athlete has missed a National Championship, award the athlete points equal to:

o Their placing at the previous National Championships they competed in, in the same gender, Age Category and Discipline, or

o The points they were awarded at the Selection Camp in that discipline, or

o The average of the points awarded to other athletes under Appendix 1 in respect of the National Championship in the same gender, Age Category and Discipline

Richard Waldin
President
Climbing New Zealand