Source: New Zealand Police
Media invitation/Advisory
What: Polar Plunge Wellington, take part or donate: www.torchrun.org.nz
Where: Freyberg Beach, Oriental Bay Wellington
Why: To raise funds and awareness for Special Olympics athletes and programmes across New Zealand.
When: Saturday 18 July 2026, 9am start – please arrive from 8am to sign in
Who: Special Olympics athletes, coaches, families, Police, and anyone else over the age of 12
Contacts: Special Olympics contact: Liz Fitzgerald, events@specialolympics.org.nz
Police contact: Inspector Rupert Friend phone 0211911263.
RSVP: Please RSVP your attendance to media@police.govt.nz
Law Enforcement Torch Run New Zealand is welcoming anyone who would like to take part in a polar plunge to raise funds and awareness for Special Olympics athletes in New Zealand.
Police and other emergency services and government agencies will be gathering from 8am in Wellington on Saturday 18 July to take part with the Special Olympics athletes.
The fun and fundraising for New Zealand Special Olympics athletes will be held at Freyberg Beach, Oriental Bay.
Patron for the Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR) Commissioner of New Zealand Police Richard Chambers is sorry to be missing the events due to other commitments. “These events are a great way to support athletes who show strength and courage and I encourage everyone to take part in their local events – whether the LETR or Polar Plunges in Wellington, Christchurch and Auckland in July. It is a chance to support a very worthwhile cause and have some fun along the way,” he says.
Inspector Rupert Friend, Director of Law Enforcement Torch Run New Zealand says, “Our annual Polar Plunge is an opportunity for us to celebrate the athletes of Special Olympics and everything they achieve. We had over 1000 athletes participate at the National Summer Games in Christchurch last December, and it was amazing. Over the last two years we have grown first in Wellington, then in Christchurch and this year we’re including Auckland. These are just three of the 29 plunges occurring across Australasia over the next few weeks. We are proud to play a small but pivotal role in the lives of our New Zealand Special Olympics athletes.”
Chief Executive from Special Olympics New Zealand Fran Scholey says, “We are incredibly grateful to New Zealand Police and our Law Enforcement Torch Run partners for standing alongside Special Olympics. Through sport, Special Olympics empowers people with intellectual disabilities and neurodiverse communities to thrive, belong and achieve their best.
Thank you to the New Zealand Police for not just supporting events like the Polar Plunge, but through the commitment you demonstrate every day serving and supporting communities across Aotearoa. It means so much to have Police championing inclusion and together, we’re helping create a New Zealand where people with intellectual disabilities are seen, valued and celebrated.”
The Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR) engages law enforcement worldwide to champion acceptance and inclusion for individuals with intellectual disabilities (ID), starting with their local communities. Your support empowers individuals with intellectual and learning disabilities to experience the joy, pride, and connection that sport brings.
Dates and times for the 2026 Polar Plunges in New Zealand:
Wellington Polar Plunge, Freyberg Beach, Oriental Bay Saturday 18 July, 9am
Auckland Polar Plunge, Takapuna Beach, North Shore Saturday 25 July, 9am
Christchurch Polar Plunge, New Brighton Beach Saturday 25 July, 9am.
You can register or donate for any of the events here: www.torchrun.org.nz
ENDS
Issued by Police Media Centre
Original source: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/07/15/brrrrrrrrrring-it-on-polar-plunge-for-special-olympics-wellington/