9 April 2018
Extreme Sky Tower challenge event returns to Auckland
Seven teams from the New Zealand Defence Force and emergency response services will go head to head in the second Tower
De Force challenge, which reaches the Sky Tower’s highest point to raise funds for the Auckland RSA’s Annual Poppy
Appeal.
On Friday, 20 April, SKYCITY Auckland’s annual Tower De Force challenge will present the teams with a series of
challenges to retrieve their flag from the mast of the Sky Tower (328m high) and return it to ground level. The
challenges include a military skills course, a climb up 1229 stairs, a mock-emergency first aid scenario, a climb up the
mast of the Sky Tower (91m vertical ladder climb) and abseiling 180 metres down the Sky Tower lift shaft.
Brad Burnett, SKYCITY General Manager of Hotels and Sky Tower, is excited about witnessing yet another challenging event
supporting SKYCITY’s Poppy Partnership with the Auckland RSA.
“I was blown away last year by the strength, skill and dedication shown by every team in the event. It’s great to see
that the SKYCITY partnership with the Auckland RSA to support Poppy Day has such an interactive and challenging event,
that we can host at our very own Sky Tower.”
Last year, the Royal New Zealand Navy won the inaugural Tower De Force title. This year an additional team – New Zealand
Police – will join teams from New Zealand Army, Royal New Zealand Air Force Navy, New Zealand Defence Force Veterans, St
John New Zealand and SKYCITY competing for the title.
New Zealand Defence Force spokesman Mike Kennedy, Warrant Officer Physical Performance Squadron, said the Army, Navy,
Air Force and NZDF Veterans teams were looking forward to testing their fitness and skills against the other competitors
in this year’s challenge.
“It is great to engage in some friendly rivalry – between the different NZDF teams, as well as those from the Police, St
John, and SKYCITY. Everyone will no doubt be trying to stop Navy from repeating their success of last year,” Warrant
Officer Kennedy said.
“This really is the ultimate event for us to challenge the skills and resilience of our personnel, as well as promoting
the importance of fitness, health and wellness in the workplace, for all our organisations. We hope it continues for
many years to come.
“And it is so special to us that the funds raised will go to the Auckland RSA’s Annual Poppy Day Appeal, to support New
Zealand veterans, past and present, their families and dependents.”
The Tower De Force course has been developed by SKYCITY in conjunction with NZDF Physical Training Instructors and will
test skill, agility, teamwork, stamina and brute strength.
As well as fundraising for the Auckland RSA’s annual Poppy Day Appeal, the teams will be competing for the Tower De
Force title and the honour of lighting the Sky Tower with the Poppy emblem later that night.
SKYCITY has supported the Auckland RSA and Poppy Day and Anzac Day commemorations since 2012. Since 2014, the Sky Tower
has projected a large poppy on to the Sky Tower for Poppy Week and Anzac Day.
Friends, family and the public are invited to come and watch the challenge at SKYCITY Auckland and donate to the
Auckland RSA on behalf of the teams taking part at https://www.skycityauckland.co.nz/towerdeforce/
Tower De Force, Friday, 20 AprilTimeAction1:00pmMilitary ceremony, raising of the New Zealand flag, Haka performance (SKYCITY Auckland Plaza)
Two Harvard aircraft will fly over Auckland CBD2:00pmChallenge begins, teams start on 15-minute intervals
Final team begins at 3.45pm4:45pm (approx.)Challenge completed and all teams assemble5:00pmMilitary ceremony, lowering of the New Zealand flag, bugle plays ‘The Last Post’ followed by the reciting of ‘The Ode’5:15pmAndy’s Burgers & Bar (“The Green Zone”) opens – refreshments served 6:00pmPrize giving in Andy’s Burgers and Bar, winning team is announced6.45pmWinning team escorted to location to light the Sky Tower7:10pm (approx.)Sky Tower lights with Poppy emblem
*Approximate time, to be confirmed.
ENDS