Saturday 14th February 2026
TSB Hub, Hāwera.
Saturday 14th February 2026
TSB Hub, Hāwera.
What is it?
Taranaki’s Toughest Firefighter is a unique challenge consisting of 5 obstacles that firefighters complete wearing all their firefighting PPE.
The first obstacle sees the firefighter scaling 2 levels of scaffolding with a 70mm hose draped across their shoulders. When at the top, they hoist a coiled hose from the ground to the top before scaling back down the scaffolding. Obstacle 2 sees the firefighter hit the ‘Keiser’ machine with a sledgehammer until the block passes the goal, before the firefighter sets off for a quick jog through a zig-zag course. The firefighter must then pick up a charged length of hose, advancing and firing water from a set distance to open the saloon doors. The firefighter passes through the saloon doors and heads to the final obstacle, the dummy drag!
While it all sounds very technical, help and guidance is with you all the way through the course, it is very much designed for all ability levels to come and give it a go!
Taranaki's Toughest Firefighter 2026
Taranaki's Toughest Firefighter 2026
2026 Event – DONE & DUSTED
What a day! Held alongside the Hāwera Community Fun Day at the TSB Hub on Saturday 14th February, this year’s event brought the heat in more ways than one.
Natural (Rural) and Built (Urban) firefighters showed up, geared up in their Level 2’s and Rural PPE, strapped on the supplied BA sets and hose packs… and then proceeded to question every life decision that led them to that start line.
There were struggles. There were aches. There were pains discovered in muscles no one knew existed. And there were plenty of “why did I sign up for this?” moments mid-course.
But there was also grit. Determination. Some serious engine-room lungs. And a whole lot of pride crossing that finish line.
Huge effort from those who doubled down and ran both categories — yes, twice through the course in full PPE. Absolute machines.
The individual runs brought the competition, and the pairs and teams events lifted the volume (and the banter) even higher.
We wrapped it all up with a well-earned BBQ and prizegiving at the Hāwera Volunteer Fire Station — because nothing tastes better than a feed after emptying a BA set.
Massive thanks to everyone who entered, supported, volunteered and cheered from the sidelines. Whether you smashed it or just survived it — you showed up, and that’s what counts.
Until next year… start stretching now. 💪🔥
Highlights from the 2026 event in Hāwera
Photos from the 2025 event in New Plymouth
Some snaps from 2024
