A Southern venue will be part of a world harness racing championship later this year.
New Zealand will, for the first time, be the sole host of the World Drivers’ Championship in November.
The championship, featuring drivers from 10 different nations, will be held at Winton, Kaikoura, Cambridge and Addington.
"It’s an exceptional opportunity to showcase our sport and to show New Zealand off to the world," Harness Racing New Zealand chief executive Brad Steele said.
"And the fact we have never been the only host before makes it even better."
Heats will be held at Kaikoura on November 2-3, Cambridge on November 5, Addington on November 7 and Winton on November 9 before the final heat as part of New Zealand Cup Day at Addington on November 11.
"It’s on the bucket list for many to drive on our biggest day at Addington so this will be super special — the best drivers here with a world title on the line," Steele said.
"It doesn’t get much better."
Australia and New Zealand have been the joint hosts of the championship five times, most recently in 2007.
New Zealand drivers have twice won on home soil: Tony Herlihy triumphing in 1985 and Maurice McKendry in 1991.
Other New Zealand winners since the first championship in 1970 have been Dexter Dunn (2015), Mark Jones (2003), Robert Cameron (1983) and Kevin Holmes (1978).
New Zealand’s representative at the championship will be announced on April 19.
Blair Orange wore the silver fern at the last championship in Europe in 2023.
The defending champion is two-time winner Rick Ebbinge, from the Netherlands. — APL
