BFA proud to support the return of the Day Night Thriller

Written By Kim Manunui

The Day Night Thriller MTB Event is returning to Taupō after a 12-year hiatus, and BFA is proud to be the naming rights sponsor of this iconic event!

The event will take place on Saturday, 26 September 2026 at Spa Park and Patuiwi Forest.

Renowned as one of New Zealand's premier mountain bike events, the Day Night Thriller caters to riders of all abilities. Participants ride a 6km circuit through the Patuiwi Forest, with each lap taking approximately 20–30 minutes. Riders can compete either as a solo rider or as part of a relay team in one of the following categories:

12 Hour Event: 10:00am – 10:00pm (Teams of 2–5 or Solo)

6 Hour Event: 10:00am – 4:00pm (Teams of 2–5 or Solo)

3 Hour Event: 1:00pm – 4:00pm (Teams of 2–3 or Solo)
 

Along with sponsoring the event, we are getting together a group of riders - BFA staff, and clients alike, and will be setting up an awesome BFA Site in the Village at the event. This promises to be an epic event and a fantastic opportunity to challenge yourself, enjoy the atmosphere, and connect with fellow BFA clients and team members. If you're interested in participating as part of team BFA, please get in touch with Julz Satherley via email: Julies@bfa.co.nz to express your interest.


Read more about the event below:

After nine years away, New Zealand's most iconic mountain bike event is returning to its spiritual home at Spa Park, Taupō. The Taupō Day Night Thriller is back for 2026, and excitement is already building as riders from around the country secure their place on the start line.

Race Director Murray Fleming said the Day Night Thriller was unlike anything Event Promotions had delivered in its 30-year history.

"The Day Night Thriller is, without doubt, the most exhilarating event we've ever staged. We've been organising events for 30 years, including iconic events like the Rotorua Marathon, but the atmosphere, energy and vibe at this event were on another level. It was incredible to see riders from around New Zealand and overseas come together to create such an electric experience. The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, and it's clear this event has a very exciting future."

The Day Night Thriller has always been more than just another mountain bike race. It's an event built on camaraderie, endurance, fun and the unforgettable experience of racing from daylight into darkness alongside your mates.

The journey began on 9 October 1999 when the inaugural Mongoose Day Night Thriller was held at Deer World on the Rotorua–Taupō Highway. A hand-built forest course welcomed an incredible 1,080 competitors, instantly establishing the event as something special.

"When we first held the Day Night Thriller back in 1999, many competitors were incredibly innovative, designing and building their own bike lighting systems just to tackle the night stages. Today, thanks to the outstanding LED technology from Ledlenser, riders can enjoy an even more exhilarating and immersive night-riding experience," Fleming said.

Its popularity meant the venue at Deer World was quickly outgrown, and in 2000 the event moved to Spa Park in Taupō. Within just three years, the Day Night Thriller had become the largest 12-hour mountain bike event in the world, attracting 1,700 riders. More than 540 five-person teams competed during the event's peak, transforming Spa Park into a festival of mountain biking that attracted riders of every age and ability.

For over a decade, thousands of competitors experienced the thrill of weaving through the Patuiwi Forest, completing lap after lap as the atmosphere built throughout the day before riders switched on their lights and tackled the course under the stars.

When the forest was harvested in 2012, organisers adapted, even racing through the newly planted seedlings for one final year before relocating to Cougar Park in Tokoroa in 2014. The event continued there until 2017 before taking a break.

With the Patuiwi Forest once again flourishing, the Day Night Thriller is returning to the place where so many unforgettable memories were made.

Whether you're chasing the podium, taking on the challenge with workmates, riding with family, or simply looking for an incredible day out, the 2026 Day Night Thriller has something for everyone. Teams and solo riders alike will experience the unique atmosphere that has made this event legendary for more than 25 years.

"We're thrilled to unveil a new, smooth, wide trail that will provide an outstanding riding experience for all competitors. Just as exciting is bringing back the atmosphere of the event village—the music, food, spectators and camaraderie that made the original Day Night Thriller such a memorable experience," Fleming added.

The response has already been fantastic, with entries arriving steadily and interest growing every week. If history is anything to go by, the start line will once again be packed with riders ready to be part of another memorable chapter.

The return of the Day Night Thriller is made possible through the fantastic support of our sponsors and community partners. A huge thank you goes to the Patuiwi Forest Reserve Trust for land access, our naming rights partner  BFA – Business Advisors and Accountants, along with Taupō District Council, Jasco Distributing, Lakeman Brewing and Ledlenser, whose sponsorship of the event grades is helping bring this iconic event back to life.

"This is a special event because it's the only time each year riders get access to this spectacular trail on private land. Taupō is also the perfect host location, sitting in the heart of the North Island and making it easy for riders from across New Zealand to come together for an unforgettable weekend."

The Taupō Day Night Thriller returns on Saturday, 26 September 2026, ready to make history all over again.

"If you've been thinking about entering, now is the time to do it. Entries are coming in fast, and the late entry fee takes effect from 14 September. Gather your mates, enter your team, and come and experience the return of the Day Night Thriller. It's going to be an unforgettable weekend."

Visit www.eventpromotions.co.nz for full details.

Kim Manunui

Hi, I’m Kim and I work with a great team to help individuals, as well as small and not so small businesses get their message, product and services to the world using digital media and creating wonderful websites that don’t cost the earth.

I was born in Canada, and grew up around Vancouver and the mountains of British Columbia. My love of pristine environments led me to New Zealand and eventually to the mountains, lakes and rivers of the central North Island which is home. My family’s heritage is here, and it’s from here that Korio traverses the planet.

The digital world is never static and neither are we.

And I say ‘we’ because I work with an awesome group of talented people who I gather together as required to complete a project.  Whatever your business, not-for-profit or individual needs are we gather the best team to get the job done.

Collaboratively we are creative, share sustainable values and work hard for great outcomes because that’s the buzz of satisfaction that drives us.

If you have an audience and market to reach, we can make that happen. Creative design, words that work and smart behind the scenes stuff that cuts through the online noise. We’ll design your website and then build it. We’ll manage the content as well as all your hosting needs. We can handle your online advertising so you get noticed,
and we’ll manage your social media presence so you get the clicks, likes and engagement to grow your business. All within the budget you set, because none of this needs to cost the earth.  And the job doesn’t stop when your website goes live. We are your virtual business partner.

https://www.korio.co.nz
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