The MFNZ nationals are held every year to allow MFNZ members to compete against each other in various disciplines at a nationals level. Typically they are are held in early January each year to take advantage of the long summer days and the end of the Christmas/New Year holidays. Usually competitors number between 110 to 150 and come from all areas of New Zealand… and sometimes overseas. There are a number of trophies that competitors compete for and there are champions for the various disciplines and then the champion of champions.
The nationals require alot of organisation as there are normally around 90 events which are flown over 5 flying fields over 5 days. Each event can have from 3 to 25 entries so its quite a bit of work to get them to run smoothly. The last few years, the nationals have been held at Clareville near Carterton in the Wairapapa which is fairly central in terms of the whole of New Zealand and the flying fields are relatively close (there are some quite specific requirements for some events).
The next nationals will be the 76th nationals. All MFNZ members are welcome to come and even compete, even if you haven’t been before its a great experience. Even if you are not a member of the MFNZ, you can enter as a temp member. Contact Kevin Botherway on 0275 570 470 to get the details.
Currently the event schedule is being put together for the 2024 Nationals and will be released when complete. It will be published on the Nationals website.
Kevin Botherway, one of the nationals organisers, released this statement in August 2023:
