3rd Katoa Po Explorer - 11/12 March 2023

Bulletin 2


Event Info

When - Saturday 11th March 2023
           - 4:00pm Campsite opens
           - 5:30pm Registration opens
           - 8:00pm Briefing for all competitors, maps handed out
           - 8:30pm Start of 3 hour Night Rogaine

           - Sunday 12th March 2023
           - 9:00am Start of 90 minute Daylight Rogaine

Where - Scoria Road off Poihipi Road, Taupo

Organizer - Taupo Orienteering Club

Planner - Phil White

Controller - Anne Mortimer

Registration: - Online

Entry Deadline - Wednesday, 8th March 11:59pm

• enquiries to entries@taupoorienteering.nz

Event format

Combination of 3 hour night rogaine plus 90 minute daylight rogaine on Sunday morning in teams of 2 or 4 persons.

Entry fees per person

  • Juniors (born 2003 or later)
    Early bird  $45 (by Tuesday 28th Feb 11:59pm)
    Late entry  $60 (after 28th Feb and before Wednesday 8th March 11:59pm)
  • Seniors
    Early bird  $80 (by Tuesday 28th Feb 11:59pm)
    Late entry $100 (after 28th Feb and before Wednesday 8th March 11:59pm)

What - The night rogaine will be in two parts, on two separate maps. You will have a total time of 3 hours for the two maps - you can take as long as you want on the first map, but will lose points if you are longer than 3 hours in total. Each map will have 25 controls worth 50 points (total 1250 points). You will have about 15 minutes before the start to plan your route on the first map, and when you return you will receive the second map. Any planning time for the second map is included in the 3 hours.
The Sunday morning rogaine will comprise 30 controls that are worth 30, 40 or 50 points (total 1200 points).

Being a rogaine means that you can get as many (or as few) controls as you like, in any order. At the end of the 3 hour night rogaine, any teams that are late back will lose 10 points per minute or part of a minute that they are late back. At the end of the 90 minute day rogaine, the penalty will be 20 points per minute or part of a minute.

A prizegiving will be held as soon as results have been finalised after the Sunday rogaine. The major prize of a coaching session with Tom Reynolds (an elite level orienteer and adventure racer) will go to the winning mixed 4 person school team.


The Terrain - The event is on the Scoria Road map, last used (partly) in 2020. It has areas of farm with rolling hills and erosion gullies along with pine, eucalypt and manuka forest.


Some notes from the Course Planner -

  • All fences have been mapped, along with gates and crossing points. The boundary fence between the farm and the forest is rather fragile and has barbed wire, so be careful. Expect the electric fences to be turned off.
  • The farmland is mostly fast running but there are the usual farm hazards including a few thistles, blackberries, and rough ground in places, with pine cones a particular hazard around the large pine trees.
  • The forest is mostly clear except for patches of blackberry around old pine trees and in some gullies; these are mapped as dark green and are easily avoided. The area of manuka (shaded light green on the map) is clear underneath but the trees are not very high.
  • There are several small cliffs and pits that could be difficult to see at night; we have designed the rogaine to minimise the risk to you, but please familiarise yourselves with the orienteering symbols for cliffs, earth banks and pits.


Compulsory Gear list

  Individual gear (must be carried by each competitor)

  • Fleece
  • Polyprop top
  • Water/wind proof jacket
  • Head torch (with enough batteries)
  • Beanie
  • Gloves
  • Whistle
  • Sufficient food and drink for the duration
  • Survival Bag

  Team Gear (may be carried by anyone in the team)

  • Cell Phone (for emergency use only)
  • Multi purpose knife (eg. Swiss Army)
  • First Aid Kit (minimum= plasters, small and large bandages, tape, paracetamol, crepe rolls, anti-histamine pills)
  • Compass


Camping Facilities

Access via a Farm Track. Maybe tricky if wet or for very large Motorhomes, caravans or trailers.
Great views, Portaloos, bring your own water (some water will be available for competitor hydration).
No fires or pets allowed.

Event Location

From Wairakei Dr turn onto Poihipi Rd (signs for Kinloch/Mangakino/Te Kuiti/Great Lake Trail)
After 2 Km - turn left on to Scoria Road (Private road to Seays quarry)
After 2 Km - turn left on to farm track to Event Centre