Source: New Zealand Police
Media is invited to attend the Northland Law Enforcement Torch Run event to take photos and interview participants, including some of the local Special Olympics stars.
What: Law Enforcement Torch Run
Where: Meet at Whangārei Central Police station 9.45am then go to Whangārei Town Basin, 14 Quayside
When: Saturday 4 October 2025
Who: Northland District Special Olympics athletes, coaches, families and police
Police contact: Mark Harrison 021 1907 805
Special Olympics contact: Coen Lammers 021 730 239
Police will be part of something special: supporting Northland’s Special Olympics athletes to carry the Flame of Hope.
The first Law Enforcement Torch Run will happen on Saturday 4 October in Whangārei. It will start the countdown to the National Summer Special Olympics Games.
Known as Guardians of the Flame police members, along with Special Olympics athletes, will carry the Flame of Hope as it traverses the country to get local communities excited about the Games.
Athletes, supporters, Police and police dogs will assemble at Whangārei Central Police Station at 9.45am then head to the Whangārei Town Basin.
Police will assist athletes in carrying the torch over an identified route and back to the starting point.
The mayor will be on hand to greet the athletes as they complete the run.
“Lighting the Flame of Hope means that the games are just around the corner,” says Special Olympics Chief Executive Fran Scholey.
The New Zealand Law Enforcement Torch Run that starts in Northland on October 4 will travel all the way down to Southland, before it ends up in Christchurch in the week before the games start.
The countdown is on
The Special Olympics Games will be held at the new Wolfbrook Arena from Wednesday 10 until Sunday 14 of December.
Inspector Rupert Friend from New Zealand Police says, “We are proud to take part in the Law Enforcement Torch Run to help raise awareness and funds for the Special Olympics movement.
“The Torch Run has grown over the years and now includes many fundraising platforms including Polar Plunges. We held two plunges in Wellington and Christchurch this year where a total of $26,000 was raised for our New Zealand athletes.
“The Law Enforcement Torch Run is a worldwide organisation and celebrated this year raising $1 billion to support the athletes of Special Olympics. We encourage all kiwis to come out and show their support at Torch Run events up and down the country from October to December leading up to the games.”
ENDS
Issued by Police Media Centre
