About the Challenge Wānaka Sports Trust
The Challenge Wānaka Sports Trust is a charitable trust dedicated to fostering sport, recreation, and community engagement in the Southern Lakes region and across New Zealand. Through its events and initiatives, the Trust supports local charities and organisations while subsidising opportunities for youth, adaptive athletes, and community participation.
At the heart of its mission is the belief that sport has the power to bring people together, inspire achievement, and enhance wellbeing. The Trust’s primary objective is to organise and deliver events that provide sporting, recreational, and social value, benefiting both the local community and the wider New Zealand sporting landscape.
A key focus of the Trust is supporting youth participation, creating opportunities for young people to engage in sport, challenge themselves, and develop a lifelong love of physical activity. Events like the Puzzling World Junior and Intermediate Challenge and the Mitre 10 Mega Secondary Schools Challenge introduce tamariki and rangatahi to the excitement of multisport, helping them build confidence, resilience, and a passion for an active lifestyle.
The Gallagher Insurance Challenge Wānaka Half is the Trust’s marquee event—the iconic triathlon that has grown into one of the most scenic and celebrated races in the world. Set against the breathtaking backdrop of Lake Wānaka and the Southern Alps, the race attracts elite athletes, age-group competitors, and first-time triathletes alike. Alongside the Half, the Trust delivers a festival of multisport, ensuring people of all abilities and backgrounds can experience the magic of Challenge Wānaka.
By reinvesting in the community and championing inclusive participation, the Challenge Wānaka Sports Trust continues to make a lasting impact—building a legacy of sport, support, and shared success.
Meet the Trustees
Tony Pfeiffer
Tony moved to Wanaka in 2018 after a 30 plus year career in Energy in Australia. Tony’s latest business endeavours have been with Community owned Social Enterprises both here in Wanaka and in Australia. He is currently the GM at Wastebusters.
Tony is a passionate sports person having competed at the elite level in several sports as well as having coached juniors at the elite level.
“Working with the Challenge Wanaka team is a huge privilege and an opportunity to provide an exemplery sporting experience to a very wide and diverse group of our community.”
Wayne Hudson
Wayne retired from 30 plus years of legal practice and moved to Wanaka in 2014. He now owns a small hobby farm on the outskirts of town, while continuing to do some legal work, as well as getting involved with several local not-for-profit organisations.
Wayne has had a long involvement in sports and sports governance and administration. After several years of dabbling in triathlons, Wayne was seduced by cycling and still maintains a strong interest in that sport, competing in regional and national age group events.
Joining the trust board of Challenge Wanaka will give Wayne the chance to share some of his experiences and learn from the expertise and experience of the Challenge Wanaka team.
Andrew Mcleod
Andrew discovered triathlon with the first Challenge Wanaka event and Swim Bike Run has become a mantra at home.
“It has been a privilege to be part of an enthusiastic team determined to provide an excellent experience of althetes of all ages and abilities in the amazing environment that we enjoy in Wanaka. As a charitable trust the Challenge Wanaka team are focussed on the athlete and community experience rather than a monetary return. I am fortunate to have been able to travel to a number of different triathlon events and this background allows me perspective of what a quality event looks like on an international scale.”
Shaun Hubbard
Shaun is a passionate sports enthusiast with significant experience in business and project leadership. He co-founded Peopleology, an organisation that focuses on business leadership and helping people and organisations thrive through collaboration, culture, and change. With a background in engineering, Shaun has led large organisations and teams, and some of NZs largest and most complex infrastructure projects.
Shaun has competed in multiple full-distance triathlons, coast-to-coast and ultramarathons. As a member of the Board of Trustees, Shaun strives to drive positive change and ensure a sustainable and inclusive sports events and activity programme that is accessible to all.
Penny Batchelor
Penny Batchelor brings a wealth of experience and passion for community sport and recreation to her role as a trustee. Currently based in Wānaka, Penny is the Recreation Programmes Coordinator for Queenstown Lakes District Council, working out of the Wānaka Recreation Centre. Prior to this, she was the driving force behind the success of the Cross Recreation Centre in Balclutha, where she served as Facility Manager from its opening in 2011.
Penny continues to channel that same passion into creating inclusive, engaging recreational opportunities for the local community. Her deep understanding of facility management, community engagement, and programme development makes her a valuable asset to any team—and a trusted voice in shaping the future of recreation in the district.
Paddy Cribb