The key takeaways from the 2026-27 Tri NZ Suzuki Series calendar released today?
A race and pace for everyone, beginners included. Two showcase events in the South Island. A standout day for the sport in Tauranga. And a clear pathway for age-groupers chasing World Triathlon selection for Edmonton and Hamburg next year.
Sprint Triathlon Champs head to Christchurch
The Tri NZ Suzuki Series Sprint Triathlon Championships will be held at the Waitomo Triathlon Festival in Christchurch on December 13, 2026.
After three seasons in Napier, the Sprint title fights moves south as part of Tri NZ’s ongoing commitment to rotate key events around the country and ensure the series reflects its national footprint.
The Waitomo Triathlon Festival has been a fixture on the domestic calendar for the past 15 years. Originally based at Pegasus, the event has found its long-term home at Lake Rua, where it has continued to grow in popularity courtesy of a picturesque lake swim, a fast, multi-lap bike course on fully closed roads and a run on a predominantly shingle track with a handful of punchy climbs.
Says Race Director John Newsom: “Everyone knows Christchurch is the place to be in NZ right now. Hosting the Tri NZ Suzuki Series Sprint Championships is just another reason for out of towners to come to Christchurch to see what all the hype is about.
“With this race being so close to the airport you can literally fly in, stay at an airport hotel and bike to the race site on race morning.”
A big day for the sport in Tauranga
The Tri NZ Suzuki Series Standard Distance Triathlon and Para Sprint Championship returns to Triathlon Tauranga’s showcase Tinman Triathlon in Pilot Bay, Mount Maunganui on November 22, 2026, and will launch a major day for triathlon in New Zealand.
That same afternoon, World Triathlon Cup Tauranga will take place on a slightly modified course to Tinman, creating a rare opportunity for age-groupers to race on essentially the same course as their elite heroes.
It also continues a significant build for Tauranga, which will host:
- 2026 World Triathlon Cup Tauranga
- 2027 World Triathlon Championship Series (WTCS) Tauranga
- 2028 World Triathlon Age Group Championships
This November isn’t a qualifier for the 2028 home worlds but it is your chance for a dress-rehearsal on the course that will host the official selection trials in 2027.
Pathway to World Triathlon racing
The Tri NZ Suzuki Series remains the qualification pathway for New Zealand age groupers targeting Team NZL selection for the two 2027 World Triathlon Age Group Championships.
• World Triathlon Multisport Championships
Edmonton, Canada – July 16-25, 2027
Tri NZ Suzuki Series Qualifiers: Duathlon, Aquathlon, Cross Triathlon and Long-Distance Aquabike
• World Triathlon Age Group Championships
Hamburg, Germany – September 8-12, 2027
Tri NZ Suzuki Series Qualifiers: Sprint and Standard Distance Triathlon, Mid-Distance Aquabike
The Tri NZ Suzuki Series continues to provide grassroots athletes with clear opportunities to race their way onto the international stage.
Suzuki Series prize draw
The Suzuki Series prize draw returns again this coming Tri NZ Suzuki Series season.
Athletes who enter a Tri NZ Suzuki Series event and attend prizegiving automatically go into the draw on the day. The winner from each event then will progress into the season-end draw for the chance to win a Suzuki Swift Hybrid GLS Manual valued at $25,990 plus on-road costs.
Tri NZ Suzuki Series 2026–27 Calendar
Tri NZ Suzuki Series Sprint, Schools & Para Duathlon Championships
September 20, 2026
Māngere Bridge, Auckland
Hosted by Auckland City Triathlon Club
Tri NZ Suzuki Series Standard Distance Triathlon & Para Triathlon (Sprint) Championships
November 22, 2026
Tinman Triathlon, Mount Maunganui
Hosted by Triathlon Tauranga
Tri NZ Suzuki Series Sprint Triathlon Championships
December 13, 2026
Waitomo Triathlon Festival, Christchurch
Hosted by Canterbury Triathlon Club
Tri NZ Suzuki Series Mid-Distance Triathlon Championships
January 23, 2027
Fulton Hogan Mount Festival of Multisport, Mount Maunganui
Hosted by SMC Events
Tri NZ Suzuki Series Aquathlon Championships + Aquabike Qualifier
February 13–14, 2027
Kinloch Triathlon Festival, Kinloch, Taupō
Hosted by Tri-Sport Taupō
Pacific Radiology NZ Schools Triathlon Championships
March 18–19, 2027
Rabbit Island, Nelson
Triathlon NZ / School Sport NZ
Tri NZ Suzuki Series Cross Triathlon Championships
April 10, 2027
Rotorua
Hosted by XTERRA Rotorua
*NB: The Long Distance Aquabike qualifier will be held at Challenge Wanaka on February 20, 2027
She said it…
Anna Russell, Triathlon New Zealand GM Community
“We’re excited to release the 2026-27 calendar with a continued focus on making sure the Tri NZ Suzuki Series reflects our sport, the athletes and clubs, across the whole country,” Russell says.
“Moving the Tri NZ Suzuki Series Sprint Triathlon Championships to Christchurch is part of that approach, ensuring we keep rotating key events and giving different regions the chance to host our showcase racing.
“At the same time, Tauranga is becoming a really important hub for the sport. The connection between Tinman, World Cup racing in 2027, and what’s coming in 2028 with NZ hosting the World Triathlon Championship Finals gives us a unique opportunity, but the focus right now is still on giving athletes great racing, strong club connections, and clear pathways through the season.
“A reminder that although we are all super excited about the 2028 World Triathlon Age Group Championships being on home soil, those qualification races won’t happen until the 2027-28 season. This coming season will be a good time to dust off the race gear, get back in with your club crowd, and start that consistent training so that you’re peaking and ready for qualification time.”
