After 17 years and raising more than $16 million to fund lifesaving work around the world,
Oxfam Aotearoa will be celebrating the final Trailwalker event in New Plymouth next March.
Since 2006, over 20,000 New Zealanders have taken part in this incredible endurance team
event walking 50 or 100 kilometers through stunning Aotearoa terrain and raising vital funds
to help eliminate poverty.
While huge efforts have been made to adapt Trailwalker to changing conditions, including a
virtual event in 2022, Oxfam Aotearoa’s Executive Director Jason Myers said a variety of
external factors have led to hosting the final Oxfam Trailwalker on 23-24 March 2024.
“It is with a heavy heart that I share the news that we will deliver our last Oxfam Trailwalker
in 2024. I know that many of you will share in the sadness with us. The difficult reality is that
recent years have been incredibly hard for the events sector in Aotearoa. Sadly, Trailwalker
has not been spared,” he said.
“Rising operational costs coupled with cost-of-living pressures made fundraising more
difficult and meant that the viability of the event had to be questioned. Ultimately, the
unpredictability of how much the event can raise is no longer a risk that the organisation can
carry.
“To those incredible past participants, staff members and volunteers, who really put their
heart and soul into making this a significant part of Oxfam Aotearoa’s lifeblood for
fundraising, we will ensure that we do our 17th and final event proud. In this, we will honour
those who will be joining us on Event weekend, as well as all those that came before them.”
For those who have always wanted to take on the challenge, or for those wanting to walk the
trail one last time, Oxfam Aotearoa’s Fundraising Director Ange Janse van Rensburg is
encouraging people to sign up, as registrations are now open for the once-in-a-lifetime, epic
adventure.
“This is an opportunity to be a part of Oxfam Aotearoa’s history by participating in our very
last Trailwalker event next March. Having participated in the 100km walk twice myself, I can
say it is an incredible challenge and one of the best things I have ever done.
“I would encourage anyone who has ever thought about doing it to register now!”
/ENDS
Notes to editors: Participants can register by visiting https://www.oxfamtrailwalker.org.nz/
For more information or to arrange interviews please contact:
Ben Ryder, Oxfam Aotearoa
ben.ryder@oxfam.org.nz
+64 22 310 2765
