Oxfam Trailwalker

Final Oxfam Trailwalker event in New Zealand to take place this weekend

March 20, 2024

Since 2006, over 20,000 New Zealanders have taken part in this incredible endurance team event while fundraising for Oxfam Aotearoa.

After 17 events, raising more than $16 million to fund lifesaving work around the world, Oxfam Trailwalker has become a Kiwi rite of passage and this final event will be attended by veterans walking their 5^th or 10^th or 15^th event, by multi-generational families, and by first-timers who are taking this last chance to crush a Trailwalker.

The event raises vital funds to support Oxfam’s work throughout the Pacific, including water projects in Papua New Guinea that help make sure girls can stay in school, and climate change adaptation projects in Solomon Islands that help support families whose homes and livelihoods are being destroyed by rising seas. This year’s goal is to raise $500,000 overall.

Ange Janse van Rensburg, Oxfam Aotearoa’s Head of Public Fundraising completed the 100km walk in 2015 and again in 2018. She said, “All of us in the events fundraising team are excited to welcome our Trailwalker participants and support crew over the weekend. We have some surprises planned along the way to mark this incredible event one last time.”

Oxfam Aotearoa’s Executive Director, Jason Myers, added “We encourage everyone in the Taranaki area to come out and cheer for these incredible teams this weekend. They’ve trained hard and raised thousands of dollars to support Oxfam’s work and now it’s our turn to support them.”

The Finish Line will be at TSB Stadium and whānau, friends, and everyone else are encouraged to stop by and cheer for the more than 500 people who will be crossing the finish line after walking either 25, 50 or an incredible 100 kilometres over the course of the weekend. Visitors and well-wishers are welcome on Saturday from 11.00am to 8.00pm and on Sunday from 8.00am to 2.00pm to show their support.

Janse van Rensburg said, “It has been such a privilege to hold Trailwalker in New Plymouth and we can’t wait to get started!”

Notes to editors: More event info can be found at https://www.oxfamtrailwalker.org.nz/

For more information or to arrange interviews please contact:

Rachel Schaevitz, Oxfam Aotearoa

[email protected]

Oxfam Trailwalker 2023 Results

March 14, 2023

Fastest times 100 km
1. The JMs                              17:14 (Paraparaumu, Havelock North, and Palmerston North)
2. Capital Connection             17:26 (Wellington)
3. Striders of Disfunction        17:53 (Australia)

Fastest times 50km
1. Lost in Pace                        09:04 (Auckland)
2. Proclaimers                         09:32 (Auckland)
3. The Walking Westies          09:34 (Raglan)

Oxfam Aotearoa’s Fundraising Director Ange Janse van Rensburg said:

“Completing Oxfam Trailwalker is an amazing achievement for the teams and something they will remember for the rest of their lives. The fastest 100km team was an incredible group called the JMs who hailed from all over the country and finished at a time of 17 hours and 14 minutes. It is such a thrill to watch the first team cross the finish line and the energy from spectators, friends and whānau was electric.”

Participants in teams of four took on either a 50km or 100km trail across the stunning Taranaki region, from New Plymouth city to Lake Mangamahoe and everywhere in-between. Teams started early Saturday morning and had 18 hours to complete the 50km trail or 36 hours to compete the 100km trail.

“The weather really turned it on for the event over the weekend. Clear skies gave way to the stunning view of Mt Taranaki all weekend,” said Janse van Rensburg. “Even though we had such terrific weather, this year’s event was still a real challenge through tough terrain, which certainly put the teams through their paces. The warm welcome received from New Plymouth was fantastic and will have certainly helped spur teams on through the wee hours of the night. A huge thank you to the New Plymouth District Council, Venture Taranaki and the local community for their support.”

Second to cross the 100km line was Wellington team Capitol Connections local, finishing in 17 hours and 26 minutes. Team Leader Dennis said that it was the team’s encouragement of each other that helped them get through the low points and push them to the end.

In third position, Australian team Striders of Disfunction, who crossed the finish line at 17 hours 53 minutes.

The first team to cross the 50km line was team Lost in Pace, in 9 hours 4 minutes. In second place, the Proclaimers who came in at 9 hours 32 minutes. And third placed was the Walking Westies who crossed the line at 9 hours 34 minutes.

Executive Director of Oxfam Aotearoa, Jason Myers said:

“The teams participating in Oxfam Trailwalker are taking part in something very special. The money raised will go towards Oxfam’s vision of a just, inclusive, sustainable world for everyone, now and for future generations. This means supporting communities to prepare for and survive the immediate threat of disaster. It means helping people rebuild with strength and security – so they can ultimately thrive in the future.

“Oxfam confronts the root causes that keep people poor, and makes sure those on the frontlines of the climate crisis have what they need to adapt. We stand with all those facing inequality and discrimination to make sure that everyone has equal rights and opportunities, and that economies work for all, not some. I can speak from personal experience when I say that this is a life-changing challenge, and every step is worth it.”

Once the teams have recuperated and recovered, teams will continue to fundraise until the cut-off of 1 May 2023.

As of today, Oxfam Trailwalker has so far raised $482,050. Donations to teams for Oxfam’s lifesaving work can be made at oxfamtrailwalker.org.nz

Trailwalker has begun!

March 12, 2023

Oxfam Trailwalker 2023 kicked off early this morning with the first wave of participants stomping through the start line at TSB Stadium at 06:00am. Deputy Major David Bublitz welcomed in the first lot of teams well before the sun rise, and Oxfam’s fundraising director Ange Janse van Rensburg hyped the teams up before sending them on their way.

One team hit the first 16km check point at 07:47am – an incredible 1 hour and 47 minutes after kick off. The ambitious team has chosen to run the Oxfam Trailwalker, rather than walk it.

Over 860 participants are taking place this year, that’s a total of 137 teams with their support crew. Teams will walk 50km in under 18 hours or 100km in under 36 hours to raise funds for Oxfam’s vital work in the Pacific and beyond.

Oxfam Trailwalker charity event reaches new heights with record sign-ups

October 2, 2020

New Zealand’s largest team endurance event, Oxfam Trailwalker, is set to welcome a record-breaking number of teams to the Taranaki region on 21-22 March 2021, having surpassed the last record for number of registrations set in 2013.

With the borders closed due to the coronavirus pandemic, Kiwis have turned to this bucket-list event as a way to challenge themselves and challenge poverty. Across the nation participants have rallied their friends and whānau to take part in this ultimate challenge, which sees teams of four tackle either 100 kilometres in 36 hours or 50 kilometres in 18 hours to raise vital funds for Oxfam’s work fighting injustice and poverty.

Since the event’s launch in June, over 310 teams of four have stepped up to the challenge. Oxfam Trailwalker is a Kiwi-classic event that explores New Zealand’s finest regions and frequently attracts everyone from trail-walking novices to pro-athletes seeking an opportunity to experience an exclusive trail and a personal challenge they can feel proud of.

It’s hoped the event will be a superb showcase for this beautiful corner of Aotearoa, hit as many other regions have been by the global pandemic. Oxfam’s events manager Lizzie Quill said the charity is prepared to welcome an influx of teams to the first event held in the Taranaki region.

“We are tremendously excited to reach this milestone, and look forward to putting on a thrilling and safe event for all involved in March,” said Quill.

“It’s great to see that so many people have clearly connected with Oxfam Trailwalker as a way to beat the lockdown lethargy and get out and explore New Zealand. Not only are you challenging yourself by doing so, you will be supporting local communities through visiting a gorgeous part of our country as well as making a genuine difference to people around the world with every step.”

Registrations are still open but due to the high interest so far, limited spots are available. Step up to this incredible team challenge and register at www.oxfamtrailwalker.org.nz.

-ends-

For more information or to arrange an interview please contact:

Kelsey-Rae Taylor | [email protected] | +64 21 298 9854

Be part of something big

February 18, 2020

Volunteering for Oxfam Trailwalker is a unique experience; it’s fun, exciting, emotional, and rewarding.

As a volunteer, you get to support people to take on perhaps one of the greatest challenges of their lives, while at the same time helping people across the Pacific to overcome poverty. To put it simply, as a volunteer you are part of something BIG.

Over 1000 people will be doing the walk this year, aiming to raise close to $1 million for the work that Oxfam New Zealand and our partners do in the Pacific region. The outcome of this event can make a difference to people’s lives in Aotearoa and beyond. We could simply not do this without the help of our amazing volunteers. Join us!

Things you need to know:

The 2020 event will take place in Whakatāne, on 21-22 March, 2020.

You can sign up for as many – or as few – volunteer shifts as you like. Even taking on one shift is a big help, and a great way to be part of the event.

You choose your shift(s). All the available roles and shifts are published in the online registration form. You can view the different positions and shifts that need to be filled throughout the weekend and pick the one that works with your schedule and skills – or whichever you think will be the most fun to do. Most shifts are 4-6 hours long.

You don’t need to be super fit or strong – anyone can be a volunteer. If you’re keen, there will be a role for you, however you want to help out.

Are you bubbly and excited? Consider being a Finish Line Host, presenting medals and giving the occasional sweaty hug to the walkers that have finally completed their journey.

Friendly, always with a smile, and patient? Be a Trail Marshal and be the face that tired teams see after many kilometres of sand dunes, stop-banks and hilly forests. You’ll give them that extra spring in their step, while also making sure they cross the road safely.

Want to literally give a helping hand? Grab that Jet Boat shift and help people up from the shortest jet boat ride of their lives. Love driving? Help with the logistics of the event and be a Courier. Read more about the different roles on our website or directly in the online registration form.

The most interesting ones are the graveyard shifts. According to the team average times, many of them are expected to finish their journey very late on Saturday or in the early hours of Sunday. Though this is not a time most of us are used to being awake and functional, it’s exactly why the presence of volunteers along the trail is valued even more by our amazing Trailwalkers.

Whakatāne is GORGEOUS! Totally worth a weekend away and reasonably close to most major cities in the North Island. Sunshine more often than not (oops, hope we haven’t jinxed it), stunning scenery and native bush, the beautiful Ōhope beach nearby and the most welcoming people. During the event weekend, the whole area gets transformed into “Trailwalker town” and the vibe is just incredible.

If you’re still thinking about it, read the following quotes from the 2019 volunteers, about why they signed up to help at Oxfam Trailwalker:

· “I’m a local and want to share our amazing place with others.”

· “I have been a walker twice and needed a year off, really wanted to give back to the event and share my experience.”

· “I have grown up very community centred. I help at the local holiday programmes and primary schools of West Auckland to increase the learning opportunities for the children of our future. This will be an exciting opportunity and I would like to step out into the wider community to aid the walkers in achieving their goals with Oxfam. I am very passionate about being active and would maybe like to participate in the trail myself one day.”

· “I love encouraging people for their achievements! And making people feel so good on the inside about the amazing progress they choose to do for others and also themselves, plus I get excited over the smallest things so easily 😀 I have always heard about this from many of my friends in Australia and I finally get a chance to be a part of something that’s not just life changing but also plays a huge part in fighting poverty.”

· “I heard Oxfam Trailwalker is the only team challenge charity event in NZ to raise funds to end the injustices of poverty in the Pacific region. I think it will be a life-changing adventure and it would be meaningful if I could participate and be of help to someone.”

Head over to our website for more information on volunteering for Oxfam Trailwalker or get in touch! Olga, our lovely Volunteer Coordinator, can be reached at [email protected] and is happy to answer your questions.

See you in Whakatāne?

Aroha and gratitude for our volunteers

September 18, 2019

Oxfam is lucky enough to be supported by countless inspiring volunteers, who make so much possible around the globe.

Volunteers get involved with many, varied aspects of Oxfam’s work; from office administration to data analysis, marketing, fundraising, and campaigning, they generously give their time and skills out of the kindness of their hearts, greatly adding to what we can achieve.

As Sasha Fesenko, one of Oxfam’s Auckland volunteers says:

“Oxfam. Have fun while helping make a difference! I have been volunteering at Oxfam Aotearoa for almost a year, but they still always find ways to surprise me. Maybe it is because I’m not from New Zealand, but it seems to me that it is because of the people who work there.

“A year ago, having recently moved to New Zealand, I was studying English and looking for an opportunity to practise the language whilst also learning more about the world-famous New Zealand work-life balance. The solution was found in volunteering, which in addition to meeting my goals, made it possible to do something useful for people in need. I applied for a data maintenance role in Oxfam and was very worried before my first ‘interview’ in New Zealand. When I arrived, I was met by a smiling and shining Volunteer Coordinator, who immediately made me feel at home and I felt like the happiest person.

“I was impressed with how many volunteers are involved in the activities of Oxfam and how the charity is working at in several directions at once. In my personal opinion, one of the strongest values of Oxfam is connectedness because in some way everyone is involved in each other’s activities and projects, always sharing their ideas with colleagues – whilst also having fun.

“What can volunteering bring to you? A lot! You can improve your skills or acquire new ones, meet interesting and extraordinary people and make new friends from all over the world, gain work experience or learn more about charity work, and of course feel good by helping people. Moreover, as a foreigner you can get language practice, local work experience, references and even a job offer.

“It’s wonderful to know that as a volunteer, I am making a difference in someone’s life who lives far away. I want to say that I’m grateful to Oxfam for allowing me to be a part of the team.”

Find out more about volunteering with Oxfam here.

Express you interest to volunteer for Oxfam here