TVNZ on Track for Live Athletics

On your marks: star lineup revealed for TVNZ and Athletics New Zealand’s Track Stars

The hosting team and celebrity competitors have been revealed for TVNZ’s Track Stars – an electric evening of track and field action airing live on Saturday 7 March.

Audiences will watch the country’s top athletes as they vie for national titles, while well-known Kiwi personalities take on a raft of track and field events in a format that blends world‑class sport with high‑impact entertainment.

Leading the charge on the night, the presenting team features Dame Valerie Adams, Scotty Stevenson, Sarah Cowley Ross and Matt Gibb. Together, they’ll bring their expertise and Kiwi flair to a fun evening of high-energy sports competition.

Reflecting on her role, Dame Valerie Adams says: “I’m really excited to be co-hosting Track Stars. It’s not every day you get to bring together elite athletes and some celebrity faces to celebrate the sport we all love.

“Athletics has shaped so much of my life, and I love being able to showcase both rising talent and those at the top of their game. It’s going to be a fantastic event, and I can’t wait to share that energy with everyone”.

Joining the action on the track is a stellar lineup of celebrity competitors, including: The Hits radio host and all-round funnyman Jono Pryor, award-winning actor Te Kohe Tuhaka, former Silver Fern Maia Wilson, The Morning Shift co-host and ex-Tall Black Brook Ruscoe and actress Turia Schmidt-Peke.

The celebrities will step out of their comfort zones and onto the starting blocks as they compete for the gold, battling it out against each other in the 100m, 400m and Shot Put events to be named NZ’s first Track Star.

Jono Pryor is throwing himself into the competition with his trademark mix of enthusiasm and chaos, saying: “I couldn’t be more excited and more underprepared for Track Stars, but there’s nothing more exhilarating than the thrill of potentially pulling a hamstring live on national TV.

“The event is free to air, free general admission and is going to be fun for the whole family”.

Showcasing New Zealand’s biggest names in athletics, Track Stars gives a front row seat to the stars of today and the future as they compete in the New Zealand Track and Field Championships, including Hamish Kerr, Zoe Hobbs, Sam Ruthe, Tiaan Whelpton, Tom Walsh, Sam Tanner, Jacko Gill, Maddie Wesche, Anna Grimaldi, Lisa Adams, Will Stedman, Mitch Joynt, Madeliene Waddell, Lex Revell-Lewis, Nick Palmer, Blessing Sefo, Holly Robinson,Danielle Aitchison, Alex Rose and Connor Bell.

World champion high jumper Hamish Kerr is gearing up for a meaningful start to his season, saying: “I’m very excited to be opening my season at Track Stars.

“The summer season has been so exciting with so many great athletes competing so I’m looking forward to hopefully adding my name to a list of great domestic performances.

“Track Stars is particularly special for me as it will be the first time competing in my hometown for a few years, so I’m looking forward to sharing it with my family and supporters. If you can’t get down in person I’d strongly encourage you to watch live on TVNZ.”

Viewers can enjoy a night of athleticism and competitive spirit live on TVNZ 1 and TVNZ+, while fans in Auckland can experience the action in person at Douglas Track & Field, Trusts Arena. Free general admission (GA) tickets, and premium grandstand seating are available at www.athleticsevents.co.nz/trackstars.

With the chance to see New Zealand’s top athletes and celebrity competitors up close, it promises to be an unforgettable night as the sun sets over the arena.

Tracks Stars will air live on Saturday 7 March, 7pm – 9.45pm on TVNZ 1 and TVNZ+.