A Complete Guide to parkrun in New Zealand

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 comprehensive list of parkrun locations in New Zealand, organized by city, including the parkrun name, location details, and event timing. Unless otherwise specified, all parkruns take place Every Saturday at 8:00am.

North Island

Whangarei

Auckland

Hamilton

Cambridge

Morrinsville

Taupō

Tauranga

Whakatāne

Rotorua

Gisborne

New Plymouth

Palmerston North

Whanganui

Lower Hutt

Porirua

Paraparaumu

Plimmerton

Wellington City

Upper Hutt

Ōtaki

Greytown

South Island

Blenheim

Nelson

Greymouth

Christchurch

Pegasus

Rolleston

Ashburton

Dunedin

Balclutha

Queenstown

Wanaka

Alexandra

Invercargill

(Tip: You can also find the closest parkrun to you via the official parkrun NZ events map on their website.)​

parkrun.co.nz

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!

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.

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.
  
• 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!