Source: World Vision
An orange glow will light up across Aotearoa this weekend as more than 60 iconic Kiwis landmarks light up orange in support of the country’s largest youth fundraising event, the World Vision 40 Hour Challenge.
This is the sixth year that a multitude of New Zealand’s most recognisable monuments will shine orange to raise awareness for the fundraising campaign which this year is focused on tackling severe child hunger in Solomon Islands.
The nationwide campaign runs from 19-21 June 2026 and invites participants to go offline for 40 hours by giving up phones, gaming, social media, streaming, and even electricity, while raising funds for hungry children in Solomon Islands.
World Vision New Zealand’s National Director, TJ Grant, says young people today live very “online” lives, which makes going offline for 40 hours the ultimate challenge, while also being a great opportunity to help the one in six children in the Pacific living in severe food poverty i.
“We’re asking rangatahi to sacrifice their screentime for a short time to make a lifelong difference for hungry children in Solomon Islands. Nearly half of children under five suffer from chronic malnutrition which means they don’t get what they need to grow and thrive ii.
“Funds raised will give families tools and seeds to farm climate-smart crops, plant mangroves to protect their land from rising sea levels and restore fish populations and provide sustainable food sources for future generations so children can grow up healthy and strong in a changing climate.”
Grant says it’s encouraging that so many landmarks want to show their support for this year’s World Vision 40 Hour Challenge. Some of the key monuments lighting up in Auckland during the World Vision 40 Hour Challenge Weekend (19-21 June) include Sky Tower, Spark Arena, Dominion Road, Eden Park, The Aotea Centre, The Civic Lights, Sylvia Park, and St. Peters Church (Onehunga).
Other key monuments lighting up across Aotearoa, include the Christchurch Botanical Gardens; Forsyth Barr Stadium and Otago Boys High School (Dunedin); The Anzac Parade Bridge (Hamilton); Queen’s Park (Invercargill); The Gold of the Kowhai Sculpture and Tom Parker Fountain (Napier); New Plymouth Clock Tower and Main Street Trees Inglewood; Lake District Museum & Gallery and Queenstown Airport terminal; and Michael Fowler Centre (Wellington).
Unique and iconic landmarks lighting up orange this year include the Gore Brown Trout; the tunnel at Wellington Cable Cars; and the Big Fruit in Cromwell.
The World Vision 40 Hour Challenge takes place from 19-21 June. Sign up to take part in this year’s World Vision 40 Hour Challenge, or donate, at: 40hour.org.nz The full list of landmarks lighting up orange and supporting the campaign on 19-21 June includes:
Arrowtown: Lakes District Museum & Gallery
Ashburton: Clocktower Auckland: Sky Tower, Spark Arena, Dominion Road, Eden Park, The Aotea Centre, The Civic Lights, Sylvia Park, St. Peters Church (Onehunga)
Christchurch: Belfast Road Bridge, Botanical Gardens, Bridge of Remembrance, Bowker Fountain (Victoria Square), Captain Scott Plaza, New Brighton Pier, Vaka A Hina, Fanfare Sculpture, Christchurch Airport (Terminal and Tower), Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū, Christchurch Town Hall Ferrier Fountain, Memorial Gateway Bridge
Cromwell: Big Fruit
Dunedin: Forsyth Barr Stadium and Otago Boys High School will be lighting up orange while Dunedin Airport will be showcasing the campaign on its digital screens.
Gore: Brown Trout
Hamilton: The Anzac Parade Bridge will be lighting up orange, while the Hamilton Airport will be showcasing the campaign on its digital screens.
Horowhenua: Foxton Water Tower
Invercargill: Queens Park (Feldwich Gates, Band Rotunda, and Gala Street Fountain) Napier: The Gold of the Kowhai Sculpture and Tom Parker Fountain Nelson: Civic House Clock Tower
New Plymouth: New Plymouth Clock Tower and Main Street Trees Inglewood
Oamaru: Oamaru Opera House and Craig Fountain Palmerston North: Hopwood Clock Tower
Queenstown: Lake District Museum & Gallery and Queenstown Airport terminal
Rotorua: Rotorua Lakes Council Civic Admin building
Tauranga: Wharf Street Lights, Beacon Wharf, Masonic Park, Waterfront Park North, Waterfront Playground, Wharf Street Lights, Tunks Reserve
Te Aroha: Clock Tower
Timaru: Basilica of Sacred Heart
Tirau: The Big Sheep Dog Waitaki: Craig Fountain Waitomo: Tree of Light Wellington: Michael Fowler Centre, Wellington Cable Car tunnel, Wellington Airport, Kelburn Park Fountain, Hikitia, Nga Kina sculpture and Promenades, Queens Wharf sails shades, Waterfront Light poles (Te Papa Promenade/Taranaki St Wharf/Frank Kitts Park Promenade/Kumutoto area), Wellington Airport (promoting the campaign on their digital screens)
Whanganui: Royal Whanganui Opera House
Whangarei: Victoria Canopy Bridge, Te Matau a Pohe Bridge