THE Z MANU WORLD CHAMPS RETURN

This article originally appeared in Stoppress https://stoppress.co.nz/events/the-z-manu-world-champs-return/

The Z Manu World Champs return bigger this year after sweeping the New Zealand Event Awards.

The event won Marketing or Creative of the Year 2025 and Technology Innovation of the Year 2025, while organiser Scott Rice was named Established Industry Professional of the Year 2025. 

On demand strategy & execution consultancy, These Guys I Know is proud to have partnered with Z Manu Champs since Year 1 and is back for the third year with its first international qualifier.  

The competition kicks off on November 29 in Dunedin with a line-up of sponsors and partners, including naming rights sponsor Z Energy.

Now in its third year, it spans 10 cities across two countries, featuring the first-ever trans-Tasman qualifier on the Gold Coast.

A strong line-up of returning sponsors includes Tip Top, Burger King, Bluebird and Snickers. Meanwhile, Genesis and Hallenstein Brothers join the whānau for 2025, alongside partners Water Safety New Zealand, CLM and Push Play.

Manu Champs backed by strong sponsors

Rice credits the event’s growth to the creativity and loyalty of its partners.

Their creative ideas include the Z Manu Wildcards competition, which gives 10 people the chance to jump straight into Grand Finals Day by submitting a video of their best Manu; Tip Top’s Shoot to Scoop and Burger King’s Dry Thru – a human-sized dryer for jumpers to dry off post-Manu.

For the first time, Hallensteins will stock a limited edition Z Manu World Champs range in store including bucket hats to basketball shorts.

NZME and LUMO are once again media partners for the event, with strategy and communications consultancy These Guys I Know returning for a third year. Wellington and Hamilton City Councils will host two-day Super Qualifiers with councils throughout the city supporting regional qualifiers.

Draw many eyes

The Grand Final will be held in Auckland in March 2026 as part of Moana Auckland, New Zealand’s Ocean Festival.

It is expected to draw thousands to Viaduct Harbour, along with many famous faces, including ambassador Piri Weepu.

“From Dunedin to the Gold Coast and back to Auckland’s viaduct, this year’s competition is going to be huge,” says Rice. “Our network of sponsors and partners is very much part of our success – leveraging the opportunity that Z Manu World Champs presents with great creativity and collaboration. We can’t wait to get into it”

Media are welcome at all Z Manu World Champs events - please reach out to These Guys I Know for more details.