LATEST UPDATES
03/03/2022 4:20pm
Over the past 24 hours some of our key suppliers have notified us that there is likely to be disruption of their supply/service for the event as we head towards the Omicron peak.
We would like to thank all the riders, sponsors and stakeholders for bearing with us while we assess all the options available to run this year’s Merida Highlander Geyser to Trails.
With Omicron hitting in a big way, we’ve made the tough decision to cancel the Highlander for this year. We know a number of the riding community are already unwell, and there is a growing risk of event disruption with both staff, volunteers, suppliers and participants being absent.
If you have entered the event, please check your email as we’ve sent an important update.
We hope to see you all again soon. - Highlander Team
28/02/2022 4:00pm
Rotorua Lakes Council have yet to provide us processes on how decisions are made around forest use during COVID-19. We want to be confident we can host an awesome riding experience for you and our other 600 riders.
As such, we're making alternative plans to host the event at Cougar Park, and surrounding trail network, within a 45 minute drive of Rotorua. We hope to be able to make a final call this week and let you know the outcome.
Over the past 24 hours some of our key suppliers have notified us that there is likely to be disruption of their supply/service for the event as we head towards the Omicron peak.
We would like to thank all the riders, sponsors and stakeholders for bearing with us while we assess all the options available to run this year’s Merida Highlander Geyser to Trails.
With Omicron hitting in a big way, we’ve made the tough decision to cancel the Highlander for this year. We know a number of the riding community are already unwell, and there is a growing risk of event disruption with both staff, volunteers, suppliers and participants being absent.
If you have entered the event, please check your email as we’ve sent an important update.
We hope to see you all again soon. - Highlander Team
28/02/2022 4:00pm
Rotorua Lakes Council have yet to provide us processes on how decisions are made around forest use during COVID-19. We want to be confident we can host an awesome riding experience for you and our other 600 riders.
As such, we're making alternative plans to host the event at Cougar Park, and surrounding trail network, within a 45 minute drive of Rotorua. We hope to be able to make a final call this week and let you know the outcome.
21/02/2022 12:00pm
We are still waiting for communication from Rotorua Lakes Council in relation to the new forest "for COVID' access rules as soon as they make them available.
We are also looking an option to moving the event to a nearby trail network outside of the Rotorua area.
We have extended the final decision on how we proceed to 4pm Monday 28th February 2022.
We are still waiting for communication from Rotorua Lakes Council in relation to the new forest "for COVID' access rules as soon as they make them available.
We are also looking an option to moving the event to a nearby trail network outside of the Rotorua area.
We have extended the final decision on how we proceed to 4pm Monday 28th February 2022.
04/02/2022 9:00am
In the wake of our major event, the Whaka 100, being cancelled at late notice by Rotorua Lakes Council, we’ve made the call to to review the Council new forest access rules as soon as they make them available.
It’s currently unclear on how access to the Whakarewarewa Forest will be mandated for events over the next few months due to the assumed Omirocn COVID-19 Surge.
We will make the final decision on how we proceed at 4pm on. Friday the 18th of February 2022.
In the wake of our major event, the Whaka 100, being cancelled at late notice by Rotorua Lakes Council, we’ve made the call to to review the Council new forest access rules as soon as they make them available.
It’s currently unclear on how access to the Whakarewarewa Forest will be mandated for events over the next few months due to the assumed Omirocn COVID-19 Surge.
We will make the final decision on how we proceed at 4pm on. Friday the 18th of February 2022.
COVID-19 Policy
COVID-19 Vaccination
The New Zealand Government has announced that all events are likely to require all participants, staff, suppliers and volunteers to provide a valid COVID-19 Vaccine Pass on arrival to register for the event. The Government has indicated this will be enforced from 3 December 2021.
This means all participants over the age of 12, will need to be fully vaccinated or have a medical exception which entitles them to the Vaccine Pass.
Find out how to get your Vaccine Pass at covid19.org.nz.
For those turning 12 around the time of the event, they will be required to provide a valid Vaccine Pass 3 months after their 12th birthday.
For those who are 12 years and older, and will be unvaccinated for the event, whatever the reason, please check back here regularly as the rules will continue to evolve. We are pressing official channels to see if other exceptions will be made, such as negative test results ahead of the event.
What if COVID-19 prevents the event going ahead as scheduled?
Where possible, the Highlander MTB Marathon will be rescheduled to a date in September. If this happens all participants will have their entry moved to the new date. If the new event date is not suitable to the participant, an event credit will be provided which can be used at any event in the Nduro Events portfolio within the next 12 months.
If you become sick with COVID like symptoms
If you exhibit COVID like symptoms in the period between 11-16 April 2022, please stay home. We will organise an entry transfer to another event within the next 12 months provided you have a medical certificate.
Regional COVID restrictions (NZ)
Any participant in a region that has been restricted from travelling to other parts of New Zealand due to COVID-19 at the exact time of the event will be able to organise an entry transfer to another event in the Nduro Events portfolio within the next 12 months. Participants affect must provide a utility bill header with their address on it to verify their location, The bill must be dated within the month of March/April 2022.
The New Zealand Government has announced that all events are likely to require all participants, staff, suppliers and volunteers to provide a valid COVID-19 Vaccine Pass on arrival to register for the event. The Government has indicated this will be enforced from 3 December 2021.
This means all participants over the age of 12, will need to be fully vaccinated or have a medical exception which entitles them to the Vaccine Pass.
Find out how to get your Vaccine Pass at covid19.org.nz.
For those turning 12 around the time of the event, they will be required to provide a valid Vaccine Pass 3 months after their 12th birthday.
For those who are 12 years and older, and will be unvaccinated for the event, whatever the reason, please check back here regularly as the rules will continue to evolve. We are pressing official channels to see if other exceptions will be made, such as negative test results ahead of the event.
What if COVID-19 prevents the event going ahead as scheduled?
Where possible, the Highlander MTB Marathon will be rescheduled to a date in September. If this happens all participants will have their entry moved to the new date. If the new event date is not suitable to the participant, an event credit will be provided which can be used at any event in the Nduro Events portfolio within the next 12 months.
If you become sick with COVID like symptoms
If you exhibit COVID like symptoms in the period between 11-16 April 2022, please stay home. We will organise an entry transfer to another event within the next 12 months provided you have a medical certificate.
Regional COVID restrictions (NZ)
Any participant in a region that has been restricted from travelling to other parts of New Zealand due to COVID-19 at the exact time of the event will be able to organise an entry transfer to another event in the Nduro Events portfolio within the next 12 months. Participants affect must provide a utility bill header with their address on it to verify their location, The bill must be dated within the month of March/April 2022.
COVID-19 Protection Framework
The COVID-19 Protection Framework, aka the 'traffic light system' is the new Government's new approach to managing COVID-19 in the community. It is expected to come into effect on 3 December 2021.
At each level of the Framework our status will be as follows:
🟢 Green, Event will go ahead as planned.
🟠 Orange, Event will go ahead as planned, slight changes may be made to the schedule and gathering points.
🔴 Red, Event will go ahead as planned, slight changes may be made to the schedule and gathering points.
The COVID-19 Protection Framework, aka the 'traffic light system' is the new Government's new approach to managing COVID-19 in the community. It is expected to come into effect on 3 December 2021.
At each level of the Framework our status will be as follows:
🟢 Green, Event will go ahead as planned.
🟠 Orange, Event will go ahead as planned, slight changes may be made to the schedule and gathering points.
🔴 Red, Event will go ahead as planned, slight changes may be made to the schedule and gathering points.