Common questions & issues |
The NZSSOC champs offer:
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FAQ's
How do I know what 'technical difficulty' and 'class' to enter ?
The technical difficulty of the championship courses follows the levels recommended by Orienteering NZ for the NZSSOC - for advice on the the right technical difficulty, see the ONZ page on choosing the right course. When selecting a competition class, it helps to think about the level of experience and confidence each student has with championship-level courses (see classes listed here).. Orienteering tends to be most enjoyable when the challenge feels achievable and students are able to complete the course successfully. Students who haven’t yet completed courses at the championship level for their age group often find the standard class a better fit. The novice class is available for senior students who are new to orienteering.
Fair play and rules
All competitors shall behave with fairness and honesty. Attempts to gain any information related to the courses, beyond that provided by the organiser, is prohibited before and during the competition. A competitor who breaks any rule, or benefits from the breaking of any rule, may be disqualified. This competition will be run in accordance with the Competition Rules for New Zealand Foot Orienteering Events and the Special Rules for New Zealand Secondary Schools Orienteering Championships .
Where can I download the Hazard and Risk Management (HARM) forms for the event?
The school principal's sign-off is essentially the school's formal acknowledgement that it has assessed the risks involved in the sporting event and the school understands the reasonable steps taken to manage them. At the base of the programme page, the forms for each event will be uploaded under 'Hazards & Safety' a few weeks leading up to that event.
Where do I get the registration packs?
Registration packs for schools will be available at the Registration desk at the Event Centre. In principle, the registration packs will be issued to team managers only, unless the school is represented by only one or two students without a team manager. The pack will include hired SportIdent cards. The pack will not include a printed copy of this Bulletin or Start Lists as these are on this website for you to access.
When will Bulletin 2 be out?
Bulletin 2 is usually uploaded in the week before the event, similar to when the start lists will be available.
The role of school coordinators before the event
Get to know your school sport coordinator as you are going to need to them to help you enter the event and get sign-off from the school principal before the entry deadline.
What are school team managers responsible for during the event ?
You could be a parent or at teacher bringing students to this event. As team manager you are responsible for transport and accomodation
Are there any promotions or special deals available for this event?
Please check out the Competitions at the base of the programme page
What time do we arrive?
Early! It is recommended to turn up at least 45 minutes before your start time. Allow for car parking and there is likely a walk to the event or start area.
What is the Sprint event like?
This is often in urban and parkland terrain, and a shorter event. Even if you enter easier classes in the forest, it’s worth entering the appropriate class in the sprint so you can test yourself against your peers.
Tell me more about the long distance event
The long distance places a strong emphasis on map skills and navigation, often taking place in forested terrain with longer route choices between controls. With more time spent navigating and maintaining contact with the map, it can be more technically and physically demanding.
How does the relay work?
In an orienteering relay, teams of three each run one leg of the course, handing over to the next runner in a changeover area. Races usually begin with a mass start and use slightly different course variations to ensure fair competition. School teams compete for the championship, while students without a full team may join composite teams and participate for fun.
About the rogaine
You score points by finding as many checkpoints as you can within a set time. Each checkpoint is worth a different number of points, so teams choose their own route and decide which controls to visit before time runs out. It’s usually done in small teams, so you work together to navigate, plan your route, to collect as many points as possible.
When is prize-giving?
There will be a prize-giving after each event to acknowledge the place-getters in the Championship and the standard grades. The Championship grades will receive medals, the standard grades a certificate. The timing will be as early as possible, once all runners have returned and the placings are confirmed. The prize-giving for the Overall Schools Competition will be held on the last day of competition. There may be other competitions also running for this event, which may be advertised on websites or social media.
Where do I return the trophy from last year?
All participants returning trophies from the previous NZSSOC are asked to drop these off at Registration before the first event.
Will media be at the event?
During 2026 NZSSOC photos and moving images will be taken. PAPO and Orienteering New Zealand adhere to the School Sport Charter on the broadcast and sponsorship of secondary school sport. As part of this charter, schools have the choice to have their students opt-out of being photographed or filmed. Schools wishing to do this should contact the event coordinator directly – ideally with a photograph of any competitors who are opting out. These media, taken or recorded by or on behalf of Orienteering New Zealand, may be used in promotional, social and advertising material of Orienteering New Zealand or Orienteering New Zealand partners and sponsors, for their reasonable use as they see fit.
The technical difficulty of the championship courses follows the levels recommended by Orienteering NZ for the NZSSOC - for advice on the the right technical difficulty, see the ONZ page on choosing the right course. When selecting a competition class, it helps to think about the level of experience and confidence each student has with championship-level courses (see classes listed here).. Orienteering tends to be most enjoyable when the challenge feels achievable and students are able to complete the course successfully. Students who haven’t yet completed courses at the championship level for their age group often find the standard class a better fit. The novice class is available for senior students who are new to orienteering.
Fair play and rules
All competitors shall behave with fairness and honesty. Attempts to gain any information related to the courses, beyond that provided by the organiser, is prohibited before and during the competition. A competitor who breaks any rule, or benefits from the breaking of any rule, may be disqualified. This competition will be run in accordance with the Competition Rules for New Zealand Foot Orienteering Events and the Special Rules for New Zealand Secondary Schools Orienteering Championships .
Where can I download the Hazard and Risk Management (HARM) forms for the event?
The school principal's sign-off is essentially the school's formal acknowledgement that it has assessed the risks involved in the sporting event and the school understands the reasonable steps taken to manage them. At the base of the programme page, the forms for each event will be uploaded under 'Hazards & Safety' a few weeks leading up to that event.
Where do I get the registration packs?
Registration packs for schools will be available at the Registration desk at the Event Centre. In principle, the registration packs will be issued to team managers only, unless the school is represented by only one or two students without a team manager. The pack will include hired SportIdent cards. The pack will not include a printed copy of this Bulletin or Start Lists as these are on this website for you to access.
When will Bulletin 2 be out?
Bulletin 2 is usually uploaded in the week before the event, similar to when the start lists will be available.
The role of school coordinators before the event
Get to know your school sport coordinator as you are going to need to them to help you enter the event and get sign-off from the school principal before the entry deadline.
What are school team managers responsible for during the event ?
You could be a parent or at teacher bringing students to this event. As team manager you are responsible for transport and accomodation
Are there any promotions or special deals available for this event?
Please check out the Competitions at the base of the programme page
What time do we arrive?
Early! It is recommended to turn up at least 45 minutes before your start time. Allow for car parking and there is likely a walk to the event or start area.
What is the Sprint event like?
This is often in urban and parkland terrain, and a shorter event. Even if you enter easier classes in the forest, it’s worth entering the appropriate class in the sprint so you can test yourself against your peers.
Tell me more about the long distance event
The long distance places a strong emphasis on map skills and navigation, often taking place in forested terrain with longer route choices between controls. With more time spent navigating and maintaining contact with the map, it can be more technically and physically demanding.
How does the relay work?
In an orienteering relay, teams of three each run one leg of the course, handing over to the next runner in a changeover area. Races usually begin with a mass start and use slightly different course variations to ensure fair competition. School teams compete for the championship, while students without a full team may join composite teams and participate for fun.
About the rogaine
You score points by finding as many checkpoints as you can within a set time. Each checkpoint is worth a different number of points, so teams choose their own route and decide which controls to visit before time runs out. It’s usually done in small teams, so you work together to navigate, plan your route, to collect as many points as possible.
When is prize-giving?
There will be a prize-giving after each event to acknowledge the place-getters in the Championship and the standard grades. The Championship grades will receive medals, the standard grades a certificate. The timing will be as early as possible, once all runners have returned and the placings are confirmed. The prize-giving for the Overall Schools Competition will be held on the last day of competition. There may be other competitions also running for this event, which may be advertised on websites or social media.
Where do I return the trophy from last year?
All participants returning trophies from the previous NZSSOC are asked to drop these off at Registration before the first event.
Will media be at the event?
During 2026 NZSSOC photos and moving images will be taken. PAPO and Orienteering New Zealand adhere to the School Sport Charter on the broadcast and sponsorship of secondary school sport. As part of this charter, schools have the choice to have their students opt-out of being photographed or filmed. Schools wishing to do this should contact the event coordinator directly – ideally with a photograph of any competitors who are opting out. These media, taken or recorded by or on behalf of Orienteering New Zealand, may be used in promotional, social and advertising material of Orienteering New Zealand or Orienteering New Zealand partners and sponsors, for their reasonable use as they see fit.
