Welcome to your friendly guide to parkrun NZ! Whether you’re a seasoned runner or a complete beginner, parkrun is an awesome way to enjoy running (or walking) in a fun community setting. In this guide, we’ll cover what parkrun is, how it works in New Zealand, where all the NZ parkrun locations are, and tips to get started and make the most of your parkrun experience. We’ll also touch on how to join local running groups through parkrun and point you to some handy resources for NZ runners. Let’s dive in!
What is parkrun (and How Does it Work in NZ)?
Parkrun is a free, weekly community 5km event that takes place every Saturday morning in parks and open spaces around the world
In New Zealand, parkrun events are held every Saturday at 8:00am (some locations may vary seasonally). These events are open to everyone – all ages, all fitness levels, runners and walkers alike. There’s no cost to participate and you only need to register once online to get your personal barcode
Your barcode can then be used at any parkrun event worldwide.
Key features of parkrun:
- It’s positive, welcoming and inclusive – there’s no time limit, and no one finishes last (there’s always a volunteer “tail walker” who stays behind the last participant)parkrun.co.nz. You can run, jog, or walk at your own pace.
- It’s safe and well-organized – each event is run by local volunteers every week. Courses are marked out, and there are marshals and a run director to guide the event.
- It’s timed but not a race – parkrun records your finish time and you can view your results online, but the emphasis is on participation and personal improvement rather than competition.
- It’s a community – after the run, participants often stick around to cheer others in, chat, and sometimes grab a coffee together. Parkruns are known for their friendly community spirit.
Parkrun in New Zealand started in May 2012 with the first event at Lower Hutt
Since then, it has grown rapidly. As of now, there are around 58 parkrun events across New Zealand every Saturday morning from Northland to Southland. (New ones keep popping up as communities start their own events!) Over 155,000 individuals have participated in NZ parkruns so far.
NZ courses range from scenic park paths and lakeside trails to forest tracks and even geothermal areas – each with its own unique charm. For example, Rotorua’s Puarenga parkrun winds through otherworldly geothermal terrain, and Auckland’s Western Springs parkrun might treat you to the sound of lions roaring at the nearby zoo.
In short, parkrun is a free 5k you can join any week. Just register, print your barcode, and show up. Now, let’s look at all the locations you can parkrun in New Zealand.
All Parkrun Locations in New Zealand
Below is a full list of parkrun locations in New Zealand (grouped by island). For each event, we note the city/town and a notable feature of the course or location. You can click the event name to visit its official parkrun page for more details. Find one near you and give it a go!
North Island parkrun Locations
| Parkrun Event (link) | Location (City/Town) | Notable Features of the Course |
|---|---|---|
| Whangarei parkrun | Whangarei, Northland | Waterfront loop on the Hātea River Trail (scenic marina views) |
| Cornwall Park parkrun | Auckland (Epsom) | Through historic Cornwall Park (watch for sheep and farm animals grazing!)blog.parkrun.com |
| Western Springs parkrun | Auckland (Western Springs) | 3 laps around a picturesque lake next to Auckland Zoo (you might hear lions roaring) |
| Barry Curtis parkrun | Auckland (Flat Bush) | Wide paths in Barry Curtis Park, a spacious suburban park with gentle hills |
| Millwater parkrun | Auckland (Silverdale) | Out-and-back along the Orewa estuary walkway (flat course with estuary views) |
| Hobsonville Point parkrun | Auckland (Hobsonville) | Coastal walkway on a former air base, flat and fast with harbour views and a farmers market nearby |
| Sherwood Reserve parkrun | Auckland (Browns Bay) | Three-loop course around Sherwood Reserve on the North Shore (friendly small-community vibe) |
| Owairaka parkrun | Auckland (Mt Albert/Owairaka) | Out-and-back along the Oakley Creek stream path (urban greenway with a mix of boardwalk and paved trail) |
| Northern Pathway parkrun | Auckland (Albany) | Follows the Northern Pathway cycle trail in Albany, mostly flat with views of bush and nearby estuary |
| Southern Path parkrun | Auckland (Takanini) | Along the Southern Path alongside the Pahurehure Inlet (flat paved path through reserve wetlands) |
| Hamilton Lake parkrun | Hamilton, Waikato | Single loop around Lake Rotoroa (Hamilton Lake); flat, scenic lakeside path popular with all ages |
| University of Waikato parkrun | Hamilton, Waikato | Winding route through the University of Waikato campus, around campus lakes – multiple laps but interesting scenery on campus grounds |
| Cambridge NZ parkrun | Cambridge, Waikato | Out-and-back on the Te Awa River Trail starting by the Velodrome; a mostly flat riverside track with one gradual hill (“the Hill”) to test you |
| Morrinsville parkrun | Morrinsville, Waikato | Two laps around Morrinsville Recreation Grounds; flat grassy course with a rural town atmosphere |
| Taupo parkrun | Taupō, Waikato | Out-and-back along the shore of Lake Taupō; stunning lake and mountain views in NZ’s central North Islandnewzealand-marathon.co.nz |
| Tauranga parkrun | Tauranga, Bay of Plenty | Follows the Kopurererua Valley trail; mix of boardwalk and gravel path through wetlands with views of the Waimapu Stream (flat and fast) |
| Whakatane Gardens parkrun | Whakatāne, Bay of Plenty | Two laps around Whakatane Gardens and along the riverbank; a charming garden setting with some gentle rises |
| Puarenga parkrun | Rotorua, Bay of Plenty | Unique geothermal course on sulfur flats – expect steam vents and mineral-encrusted ground as you run through an eerie lunar-like landscapeblog.parkrun.com |
| Gisborne parkrun | Gisborne, East Coast | Out-and-back along Waikanae Beach and Oneroa walkway; flat oceanside route where you catch the sunrise (Gisborne is the first city to see the sun!) |
| East End parkrun | New Plymouth, Taranaki | Out-and-back on the Coastal Walkway (starting at East End Reserve); flat seafront path with beautiful ocean views and the iconic Te Rewa Rewa bridge nearby |
| Palmerston North parkrun | Palmerston North, Manawatū | Straight out-and-back along the Manawatū River pathway; flat and fast course by the river with a big bridge turnaround point |
| Whanganui Riverbank parkrun | Whanganui, Manawatū-Whanganui | Two out-and-back legs along both sides of the Whanganui River (crossing a bridge); scenic riverside views and a mix of boardwalk and paved paths |
| Lower Hutt parkrun | Lower Hutt, Wellington | Out-and-back on the Hutt Riverbank walkway; flat gravel path along the river with Tararua Range views – NZ’s very first parkrun event (est. 2012!) |
| Porirua parkrun | Porirua, Wellington | Out-and-back through Bothamley Park’s forest trail; gentle uphill to halfway then downhill back – a sheltered, bush-clad course. (Note: Temporarily closed in 2025 for park upgrades) |
| Kapiti Coast parkrun | Paraparaumu, Kapiti Coast | Out-and-back along the Otaihanga Domain riverside track next to the Waikanae River; flat, tree-lined gravel path with a footbridge and often friendly dogs joining in |
| Ara Harakeke parkrun | Plimmerton, Wellington | Follows the Te Ara Harakeke pathway along Taupō Swamp in Plimmertonporiruanews.co.nz; flat, wide sealed trail with wetland scenery – created as an alternative while Porirua’s park is upgraded |
| Waitangi parkrun | Wellington City | Two laps of Waitangi Park and the Wellington waterfront promenade; flat course with beautiful harbour views (watch for a breeze on windy days!) |
| Trentham Memorial parkrun | Upper Hutt, Wellington | Two laps around Trentham Memorial Park; mostly flat mix of paved paths and grass through a leafy park and alongside the Hutt River stopbank |
| Ōtaki River parkrun | Ōtaki, Kapiti Coast | Out-and-back on the river trail at Otaki Gorge Road; flat gravel path through river forest and farmland, often with cows grazing nearby |
| Greytown Woodside Trail parkrun | Greytown, Wairarapa | Out-and-back along an old rail trail starting at Woodside station; straight, flat gravel trail with rural scenery (enjoy the country air and maybe a coffee at the local cafe post-run) |
North Island total: 👉 Approximately 35 parkruns, from Northland down to Wellington region.
South Island parkrun Locations
| Parkrun Event (link) | Location (City/Town) | Notable Features of the Course |
|---|---|---|
| Blenheim parkrun | Blenheim, Marlborough | Out-and-back beside the Taylor River in Blenheim; flat course on a riverside path, often sunny and vine-lined (Marlborough wine country charm!) |
| Nelson (Neale Park) parkrun | Nelson, Nelson | Double out-and-back along Nelson’s Maitai River and waterfront at Neale Park; flat and fast with views of Tasman Bay and the distant mountains |
| Greymouth parkrun | Greymouth, West Coast | Out-and-back on the Grey River floodwall in Greymouth; flat concrete path with river and Tasman Sea views (rain or shine – true West Coast experience!) |
| Hagley parkrun | Christchurch (Hagley Park) | Single big loop around Hagley Park North in central Christchurch; wide flat paths under oak trees and around a lake – large attendance and great atmosphere |
| Broad Park parkrun | Christchurch (Parklands) | Mix of trail and hardpack through Bottle Lake Forest and along Waimairi Beach dunesblog.parkrun.com; mostly flat but on sandy/firm trail – a touch of beach scenery in the garden city |
| Halswell Quarry parkrun | Christchurch (Halswell) | A hilly two-lap course in Halswell Quarry Park (an old quarry turned park); features the steepest climb of any NZ parkrun with ~180m total elevationscoop.co.nzscoop.co.nz, rewarded by great views over Canterbury! |
| Scarborough parkrun | Christchurch (Sumner) | Out-and-back along the Sumner beachfront at Scarborough Park; flat paved promenade with ocean views – sea breeze in your hair and coffee by the beach afterward |
| Pegasus parkrun | Pegasus, N. Canterbury | Two laps around Lake Pegasus (north of Christchurch); flat lakeside gravel path with views of the Southern Alps on a clear day, and a cool suspension bridge on the course |
| Foster parkrun | Rolleston, Canterbury | Two laps of Foster Park in Rolleston; flat and fast on paved park paths around sports fields – great for recording a PB in a friendly community setting |
| Ashburton parkrun | Ashburton, Canterbury | Two laps around Ashburton Domain (a lovely garden park); flat course on mix of paved and gravel paths, passing ponds and gardens in this relaxed rural town park |
| Dunedin parkrun | Dunedin, Otago | Two laps through Dunedin’s Botanical Gardens; very hilly – includes a notorious climb through the Rhododendron Dell on the second lap. A beautiful but challenging course (you’ll earn that post-run coffee here!) |
| Balclutha parkrun | Balclutha, Otago | Two laps at Naish Park along the Clutha River; mostly flat grass/gravel track with a small hill and a footbridge. Friendly small-town vibe – sometimes livestock cheer you on from adjacent fields! |
| Queenstown parkrun | Queenstown, Otago | One varied loop around Queenstown Gardens and along the lakefront in Queenstown; some gentle hills, stunning views of Lake Wakatipu and surrounding mountains – a tourist favorite for scenery. |
| Wanaka parkrun | Wanaka, Otago | Out-and-back along the lakeside path of Lake Wanaka (starting near Wanaka Station Park); flat course with breathtaking lake and Southern Alps views – absolutely picturesque in any season. |
| Otago Central Rail Trail parkrun | Alexandra, Otago | Out-and-back on the Otago Central Rail Trail starting on the edge of Alexandra; flat, straight gravel trail through classic Central Otago landscape (dry hills and big skies). Often crisp, cool mornings – very refreshing! |
| Invercargill parkrun | Invercargill, Southland | Two laps around Queens Park in Invercargill; flat tar-sealed paths winding through gardens and trees. This is NZ’s southernmost parkrun – known for its super friendly volunteers and even the occasional bagpiper at the finish! |
South Island total: 👉 Approximately 23 parkruns, covering every region from Marlborough down to Southland.
(Tip: You can also find the closest parkrun to you via the official parkrun NZ events map on their website.)
How to Get Started as a Beginner
So you’ve found your nearest parkrun – what next? Here’s a step-by-step on how beginners can join in:
1. Register Online: Before your first parkrun, take a minute to register on the parkrun New Zealand site. It’s free and quick. You’ll be asked for basic info and to choose a “home parkrun” (usually the one you plan to attend most, but you can go to any). After registering, you’ll get a personal barcode – print it out (or save it to your phone wallet, or order a keytag/wristband). This barcode is your ticket to record your time. You only register once and the same barcode works at any parkrun in the world
2. What to Bring: Just your barcode and some basic running/walking gear. Wear comfortable shoes and clothing suitable for the weather. Many parkruns have a post-run coffee meetup, so maybe bring some cash or card if you’d like to join that.
3. On the Day – Arrive Early: It’s good to show up at least 10–15 minutes before the start (which is usually 8:00am for NZ parkruns). This gives you time to park, visit the loo if needed, and find the start area. Most events have a first-timers briefing a few minutes before the main start – listen out for it or ask someone. A volunteer will explain the course, how the finish funnel works, and answer any questions. Don’t be shy – parkrunners are friendly and love welcoming newcomers!
4. The Start: There will be a short welcome and safety briefing for everyone, then usually a countdown to start. Position yourself according to your intent – faster runners toward the front, walkers toward the back. Then you’re off!
5. The Course: Enjoy the run or walk. Follow the marked route (there are usually arrows, cones or marshals at key points). There’s no pressure to go fast – go at a pace you’re comfortable with. You’ll see all sorts of people: speedy club runners, parents with strollers, seniors, kids, even dogs on leashes. (If you have a dog, check the event page – most NZ parkruns do allow one dog per runner, on a short leash.) A volunteer tail walker will always be last, so you never need to worry about “coming last.”
6. The Finish: As you cross the finish line, a timekeeper will log your time. You’ll be funneled to get a finish token – a small plastic token that shows your finish position. Stay in order and take a token. Then, take your finish token and your personal barcode to the volunteer scanners. They will scan your barcode first, then the finish token. (Drop the finish token in the collection bucket – it’s not a souvenir!) If you forget your personal barcode, you’ll appear as “unknown” in the results (the golden rule is “No barcode, no time”. After scanning, you’re all done!
7. Results: Later that day, you’ll get an email (and/or a text if you set it up) with your time and placement. You can also check the event’s results page online. That’s where you’ll see if you got a personal best (PB) time, and how many parkruns you’ve done now.
8. Join the Community: Many parkruns have an informal meetup for coffee or brunch nearby after the run – everyone is welcome! For example, Lower Hutt parkrunners grab coffee together at a local cafe. This is a great way to chat with others, swap stories, and make friends. Also consider following your local parkrun’s Facebook page – they often post photos, announcements, and run reports each week.
That’s it! You don’t need to be “a runner” – parkrun welcomes walkers and beginners. In fact, parkrun has an initiative called parkwalk to encourage walkers. The aim is to make it enjoyable so you keep coming back. Many people start by walking or run-walking, and over weeks they build up to jogging or running the whole 5k. Go at your own pace and have fun. After your first one, you might be hooked!
Tips for Making the Most of Your parkrun
Whether it’s your first 5k or your 50th, here are some tips to enhance your parkrun experience:
- Arrive Early and Warm Up: Give yourself time to stretch or warm up with a light jog. This not only preps your body but also reduces any stress about being late. Plus, you can meet the locals and ask questions if you’re new.
- Listen to the Briefings: Important safety info or course changes are given in the pre-run brief. Also, first-timers briefings can be super helpful. Even as a regular, listen in – sometimes there are fun announcements (milestones, visitors, celebrations).
- Pace Smartly: If you’re new to 5k, start at a comfortable pace. It’s easy to get excited and go out too fast with the crowd – but it feels better to finish strong than to burn out at 2km. You can always push harder in the second half if you’re feeling good. Remember, it’s absolutely fine to take walk breaks. Many people do a mix of jogging and walking, especially when starting out.
- Enjoy the Scenery: We have some beautiful parkrun venues in NZ, so take it in! For instance, if you’re at Tauranga or Napier, enjoy those waterfront views; if in Rotorua, notice the geothermal steam; if in a botanical garden like Dunedin or Hamilton, appreciate the flowers and trees. It’s a great way to explore a new area – a bit of “sightseeing on the run.”
- Sociable Cooldown: After finishing, cheer on others who are still coming in. It feels good to support fellow parkrunners. Stick around to chat – parkrun is as much about community as it is about the run. The post-run coffee is often the best part! You’ll hear about upcoming local races, running tips, or simply make new friends.
- Consistency is Key: If your goal is to improve, the best trick is simply to show up regularly. You’ll be amazed how quickly you progress by doing a 5k each week. Many people find they set a new personal best (PB) after a few weeks of consistency. You can also do a bit of training during the week (even just one shorter run or some run-walk intervals) to help build fitness.
- Set Personal Goals: Some like to aim for running the whole 5k without stopping, others target a time improvement, and others just enjoy notching up their total count of parkruns. Parkrun has milestone clubs (with cool t-shirts!) for 50, 100, 250 runs, etc. Celebrate progress – maybe treat yourself when you hit 10 parkruns, or when you beat your PB.
- Try Volunteer Roles: A huge tip for getting the most out of parkrun is to experience volunteering. It’s incredibly rewarding to help make the event happen. There are roles like timekeeper, barcode scanner, marshal (cheering and directing people on course), tail walker, photographer, or run report writer – lots of options! Volunteering lets you see the community spirit from another angle and often builds even more connections. All training is provided on the day, and it’s fun to wear the high-vis vest 😃. Parkrun suggests volunteering occasionally (like once every 10 or so runs) if you can – it keeps events sustainable and strong. As the parkrun saying goes, “parkrun wouldn’t happen without volunteers.”
- Explore Other Parkruns (parkrun Tourism): Once you’ve got the parkrun bug, try visiting other events when you can – this is called parkrun tourism. With so many NZ locations, you could plan a weekend trip to, say, Queenstown or Taupō and include the local parkrun. It’s a great way to see new parks and meet new people. Every parkrun follows the same basic format but has its own local flavor. Some avid parkrunners attempt to complete all in NZ! (There are 50+ so that’s a fun challenge.)
- Join The Community Online: Consider joining the “parkrun NZ” Facebook group or your local event’s Facebook community. It’s a good place to see announcements (like if an event is cancelled due to weather or a park event) and to share your own journey or photos. The positivity is infectious.
In essence: have fun and soak up the experience. Parkrun is a casual, no-pressure environment. If you attend with a smile and maybe say “thanks” to a volunteer, you’re already winning at parkrun. Over time, you’ll find it’s not just a run, but a highlight of your week.
Joining Local Running Groups via parkrun
One of the best things about parkrun is how it can connect you to the broader running community. If you’re keen to keep running or improve your fitness, joining a local running group or club can be fantastic. Here’s how parkrun can help you with that:
- Meet Like-Minded Locals: At parkrun you’ll naturally meet people who enjoy running. Strike up a conversation – you might find out about a weekday group run, a running club in the area, or just make a buddy to train with. For example, many towns have a Harriers club or informal running meetups. Parkrun is a perfect place to network and hear what’s going on. Don’t be afraid to mention you’re new and looking for group runs – parkrunners are usually welcoming and will loop you in if they know something.
- Running Clubs and ‘Clubs’ in Results: Parkrun results often list runners’ club affiliations. If you see the same club name popping up (e.g. “Auckland Joggers” or “Wellington Scottish”), that indicates an active local club. You could approach a member wearing a club shirt and ask about it. Many clubs have training nights and anyone can trial joining.
- Social Media Groups: Many areas have Facebook groups like “<City> Runners” or “<Region> parkrun Tourists” where people coordinate for attending different parkruns or plan runs. For instance, there’s a parkrun NZ Tourists group where folks carpool to events. Also, the official parkrun NZ Facebook page sometimes highlights local run groups partnering with parkrun. Joining these online communities can plug you into real-world groups.
- Athletics NZ and Jogging Clubs: In some cities, Athletics New Zealand clubs or jogging groups use parkrun as a stepping stone for new members. For example, Wellington, Auckland, Christchurch, etc., have well-known running clubs that you’ll often see at parkrun. You can check the parkrun “club list” on the event website (some parkrun pages show a list of running clubs with members who attend that event). If a club interests you, look them up – they probably have a website or FB page with their run schedule.
- Start Your Own Meetups: If there isn’t an obvious group, you might start inviting a fellow parkrunner or two for a mid-week easy run. Before long, you’ve got your own little running group. Parkrun’s community is fertile ground for finding accountability partners or friends to run with outside of Saturdays.
- Volunteering and Connections: Volunteering, as mentioned, can also connect you deeper. While marshalling or tail walking, you might chat with others and learn about training runs or events. The more people you know, the more likely you’ll hear, “Hey, come along to our Tuesday night run.”
In summary, use parkrun as a hub to branch out. It’s very common for parkrunners to end up joining local races, relays, or clubs together. In New Zealand, there’s a strong running community and parkrun is a friendly entry point. If you’re keen on improving, a running group can provide structure (like interval training or long runs) and motivation. Ask around at parkrun – you’ll be surprised how many opportunities pop up, from casual runs to events like Round the Bays, trail running groups, and more.
Additional Resources for NZ Runners (Especially Beginners)
To wrap up, here are a few handy resources and links for running in New Zealand and making your parkrun journey even better:
- 🏃♂️ parkrun New Zealand Official Site: The main hub for all info – parkrun.co.nz. Here you can find your event’s page, check cancellations (useful around holidays or bad weather), read the parkrun blog for inspiring stories, and access your profile (to re-print barcodes, etc.). The parkrun NZ Facebook and Instagram (@parkrun.nz) are also worth following for weekly photos, news and motivational posts.
- 🎽 Beginner Training Programs: If you are completely new to running and want guidance on building up to 5km, consider a gentle program like “Couch to 5K.” There are free apps and plans that give you a week-by-week run/walk schedule. Many parkrunners (globally) have used these to start – by the end of ~9 weeks, you’ll be running 5k nonstop. It’s a perfect complement to doing parkrun weekly as your target run. Also, the parkrun website’s blog has a section on training tips and beginner advice.
- 👟 parkrun Volunteer Hub: If you’re interested in the volunteering side, parkrun’s support site has descriptions of each role. You can simply email your local event (emails are usually like eventname@parkrun.com) or speak to the run director to sign up. It’s a resource to learn more about how parkrun operates behind the scenes.
Lastly, remember that at its heart, parkrun is about community and wellness. It’s not a competition or an elite race. It’s perfectly okay to come last (which really means you were the “tail walker” hero for the day!), and it’s fine to just enjoy each outing without worrying about time. If you keep showing up, you’ll reap benefits in fitness and friendships.
So go ahead – join parkrun. Now you know where to go and what to do. Register, bring your barcode, wear a smile, and have fun. You’ll soon understand why parkrun has been such a positive movement here and around the world.
Happy parkrunning! 🏅🏃♀️🎉