Media is invited to attend the Southern Law Enforcement Torch Runs to take photos and interview participants, including some of the local Special Olympics stars.
The Law Enforcement Torch Run is in Dunedin on Saturday and Invercargill on Sunday.
DUNEDIN
Where: Meeting outside the Dunedin Central Police station at 12pm. Departing at 12.15pm, and finishing in the Octagon for games with the athletes.
When: Saturday 29 November 2025.
Who: South Canterbury, Otago, South Otago Special Olympics athletes, coaches, families and police.
INVERCARGILL
Where: Meet outside Stadium Southland, 18 Surrey Park Road at 12pm. Departing at 12.15pm, for a walk around the athletics track.
When: Sunday 30 November 2025.
Who: Southland Special Olympics athletes, coaches, families and police.
Police will be part of something special this weekend supporting Southern District's Special Olympics athletes to carry the Flame of Hope.
The Law Enforcement Torch Run will happen this Saturday 29 November in Dunedin, and Sunday 30 November in Invercargill, and marks the countdown to the National Summer Special Olympics Games.
Known as Guardians of the Flame, Police members, along with Special Olympics athletes from South Canterbury, Otago, South Otago, and Southland, will carry the Flame of Hope to get local communities excited about the Games.
In Dunedin on Saturday, athletes, supporters, and Police will assemble at 12pm outside Dunedin Central Station, and start moving at around 12.15pm. The route will take us up to the Octagon for a series of games with the athletes.
In Invercargill on Sunday, athletes, supporters, and Police will assemble at Stadium Southland on Surrey Park Road at midday and start moving at 12.15pm. We will walk around the athletics track, then have speeches and a lighting of the torch afterwards.
"Lighting the Flame of Hope means that the games are just around the corner," says Special Olympics Chief Executive Fran Scholey.
The New Zealand Law Enforcement Torch Run which started in Northland on October 4 is working its way down to Southland, before it ends up in Christchurch in the week before the games start.
The countdown is on:
The Special Olympics Games will be held at the new Wolfbrook Arena from Wednesday 10 until Sunday 14 of December.
Inspector Rupert Friend from New Zealand Police says, "We are proud to take part in the Law Enforcement Torch Run to help raise awareness and funds for the Special Olympics movement.
"The Torch Run has grown over the years and now includes many fundraising platforms including Polar Plunges.
We held two plunges in Wellington and Christchurch this year where a total of $26,000 was raised for our New Zealand athletes.
"The Law Enforcement Torch Run is a worldwide organisation and celebrated this year raising $1 billion to support the athletes of Special Olympics.
We encourage all kiwis to come out and show their support at Torch Run events up and down the country from October to December leading up to the games."
