New Zealand's premiere adventure race GODZone which finished yesterday in Queenstown has announced that Kaikoura will the be the host location for 2014.
Race directors Warren Bates and Adam Fairmaid released the information last night at the GODZone prize giving saying the adventure expedition event would be moving east after two years being based out of Queenstown.
"This event has always been about the journey, the wilderness, and the adventure of discovering new landscapes," says Adam.
There are obviously a lot of incredible geographical options here in the South Island where we could take the event. Kaikoura offers everything we could ask for with an unique and challenging landscape that will inspire and excite participating teams."
He says developing key relationships with regional tourism organisations and councils is vital to the growth of the event and in turn GODZone will create new opportunities for the host town.
"When we approached Kaikoura their reaction was instantly positive and we are delighted to be partnering with them for 2014.
The coastal aspect is different from what we have had before and everywhere you look from the inland mountains out towards the sea, there is a rich layer of options for designing a spectacular course."
The Kaikoura District Council is fully supportive of the event coming to the region and Mayor Winston Gray says they are firmly focused on attracting more event tourism to the area.
"The GODZone is the perfect fit for Kaikoura and we were immediately on board when Adam Fairmaid first meet with us. Our region has a backdrop designed for this type of adventure activity with majestic landscape from the hinterland out towards the sea."
The event is expected to bring significant national and international exposure to Kaikoura and Mayor Gray says this will add to the regions global attraction.
"We have had a lot of focus on our marine life here which has really put us on the global stage but when you look back behind the township there is the perfect playground for adventure. This is where the growth for the region will come from by attracting people who are keen for lifestyle pursuits."
Entries for the 2014 GODZone will be opened on 1st of July, 2013.
