
Three of New Zealand’s most iconic athletics events have joined forces to create a world-first: an integrated bronze meet. The Pak’nSave Cooks Classic (Whanganui), the Team Ledger Harcourts Capital Classic (Wellington), and the Andrew Spence Pharmacies Potts Classic (Hastings) have elevated their status on the World Athletics Continental Tour to Bronze level in a world-first move.
A Bronze meet represents the third-highest tier on the World Athletics Continental Tour, offering significant benefits for both athletes and fans. Athletes will now have access to more rankings points, increased prize money, and opportunities to compete against stronger international and domestic competition. For fans, the upgrade promises more engaging spectating experiences with deeper fields, higher stakes, and world-class performances.
Unifying these three longstanding events marks a significant evolution in New Zealand’s domestic athletics scene. Together, the meets form a powerhouse trifecta within the Summer Circuit. This collaboration enhances the competitive landscape, creating a pathway for Kiwi athletes to perform on a global stage while delivering more electrifying moments for spectators.
The Pak’nSave Cooks Classic, held at the historic Cooks Gardens in Whanganui, is famous for its rich tradition of middle-distance excellence, including Sir Peter Snell’s legendary world mile record in 1962. The Andrew Spence Pharmacies Potts Classic in Hastings, steeped in innovation and community spirit, has long been a favourite for its vibrant atmosphere and a strong focus on sprints and middle-distance events. Meanwhile, the Team Ledger Harcourts Capital Classic, hosted in the nation’s capital, boasts a reputation for attracting some of the best talent across all track and field disciplines.
With this new integrated structure, the three events will provide New Zealand’s rising stars and international athletes a platform to test their limits, build rankings, and inspire fans nationwide. This summer, expect stellar performances from stars like Zoe Hobbs (100m), Hamish Kerr (2024 Olympic high jump champion), Maddison-Lee Wesche (2024 Olympic shot put silver medalist), and Anna Grimaldi (2024 Paralympic 200m gold medalist).
Grab your tickets to the 2025 Summer Circuit today.
The bonus rankings point structure for bronze meets are
1st place: 60 pts
2nd place: 50 pts
3rd place: 45 pts
4th place: 40 pts
5th place: 35 pts
6th place: 30 pts
7th place: 27 pts
8th place: 25 pts