Taupō pupils thanked with BBQs after writing IRONMAN welcome letters

Taupō primary school pupils who helped welcome athletes to this year’s ANZCO Foods IRONMAN New Zealand have been thanked with new school barbecues after writing more than 1,500 motivational letters for competitors.

ANZCO Foods donated three barbecues to participating schools — Marotiri Primary, Taupō Primary and Wairakei Primary — after pupils wrote more than 1,500 handwritten messages included in every full IRONMAN athlete’s race pack.

Writing personal messages for competitors has become a proud tradition for local schoolchildren, and with a record number of athletes entering the 2026 event, the task was bigger than ever.

The event attracts thousands of athletes and supporters to Taupō each year, providing a significant boost to local businesses and tourism.

ANZCO Foods general manager sales and marketing Rick Walker says the letters are a special part of the Taupō race experience.

“Taupō always turns out to support IRONMAN, and the handwritten letters are a really personal way the community connects with athletes,” he says. 

“For many competitors, opening their race pack and reading a message from a local pupil gives them a real boost before race day.” ANZCO also had 34 employees and farmers competing in IRONMAN New Zealand in Taupō on 7 March, and many experienced first-hand the encouragement those letters provide.

At Marotiri Primary, students were thrilled to have their new barbecue delivered by 12-time IRONMAN New Zealand champion Cam Brown.

Cam Brown says the letters are a unique part of the Taupō race experience. 

“Athletes travel from all over New Zealand and around the world to compete here, and getting a message from a local child makes the event even more special,” he says.

Marotiri Primary principal Rose Symes says the school plans to use the barbecue — along with donated Angel Bay burger patties — for an upcoming school fundraiser.

“Our Year 1, 2 and 3 students really enjoyed writing the letters and cheering on the athletes,” she says.

“Some of their parents and family members competed in the event, so it was very special for them to meet Cameron Brown and show him their medals from the IRONKIDZ race the previous weekend.”

Marotiri Primary is a small rural school in Mangakino, about 30 minutes from Taupō, with 150 students from Year 0–8.

Photo caption:
Marotiri Primary students show IRONMAN legend Cam Brown and ANZCO Foods GM sales and marketing Rick Walker their IRONKIDZ medals.