New Zealand Ends Victoria's Three-Year Tri Series Reign

Competition Wrap – 2026 Ngarluma Tri Series

New Zealand claimed the 2026 Tri Series title in Karratha, Western Australia, with New Zealand Team Black ending Victoria's three-year reign as champions. Held from 8–10 July, the series featured five match races where swimmers scored points for their teams while testing their ability to back up performances across multiple events over three days.

But the trip catered for more than just development in the competition pool. In the days leading up to racing, the teams got together for group activities to build camaraderie as part of the experience. This included a trip to Nganjarli (Deep Gorge) in Murujuga National Park, where they viewed rock art dating back as far as 50,000 years and learned more about the history and culture of the Ngarluma Country and First Nations people of the region. In the evenings, teams also participated in group quizzes in teams that were mixed up to encourage bonding.

We have provided a brief overview of the five matches and the overall awards that were presented at the end of competition below.

Match One

After a heartfelt welcome to country from Melanie of the Ngarluma people, the first session saw our two New Zealand teams lead the way on the points table. The New Zealand contingent was by far the loudest on pool deck, with teammates passionately supporting one another.

Swimmer of the Match

• NZ Team Black = April Lin (Phoenix)

• NZ Team White = Kezia Buissinne (North Shore)

Match Two

The second match saw the distance skins swum for the first time at a Tri Series – a welcome addition to the programme, with the distance swimmers enjoying the opportunity to take part in a format that typically favours the sprinters. The cheering poolside was again in full swing, with New Zealand Team Black extending their lead further.

Swimmer of the Match

• NZ Team Black = Tandia Fisher (Wharenui)

• NZ Team White = Mitch Ellis (Liz van Welie Aquatics)

Match Three

The third match finished under the lights, with a stunning sunset setting the scene for another action packed session of racing. While the 25m races didn't quite go New Zealand's way, the distance events were where our swimmers really shined.

Swimmer of the Match

• NZ Team Black = Jonty Howland (Dannevirke) & Alfie Weatherston Harvey (Kiwi & Swim Dunedin)

• NZ Team White = Kezia Buissinne (North Shore)

Match Four

With fatigue starting to set in, the penultimate match of the series was where our New Zealand teams had to really start digging deep. The coaches were impressed with the composure, resilience and teamwork displayed by the athletes, with each and every athlete stepping up to support their teammates.

Swimmer of the Match

• NZ Team Black = Nicola Lovell (Blenheim)

• NZ Team White = Daniel Kregting (Roskill) & Luke Manderson (Wharenui)

Match Five

Team Black continued to build momentum, with strong relay performances and valuable points in the individual events helping extend their lead.

Swimmer of the Match

• NZ Team Black = Soeren Wells (Wharenui)

• NZ Team White = Roman Anderson (Tawa)

Final Points

New Zealand Team Black was crowned the champion team of Tri Series for the first time, defeating three-time champions Victoria. New Zealand Team White were narrowly behind in third place, with Western Australia finishing fourth on the points table.

1. New Zealand Black = 2581

2. Victoria = 1919

3. New Zealand White = 1755

4. Western Australia = 1429

NZ Team Black with their trophy for winning the 2026 Tri Series

New Zealand Team Black's triumph marked a memorable result at the 2026 Tri Series, ending Victoria's three-year reign as champions and showcasing the depth of New Zealand's emerging talent.

Beyond the results, the experience provided athletes and coaches with valuable opportunities to develop their racing skills, perform under pressure and fatigue, and strengthen connections with their peers. The lessons and relationships built throughout the week will continue to support the athletes' development long after this week of racing.

Overall Awards

Overall Top Point Scorers

Multi-class

1. Eli Kerr (Victoria)

2. Ming Ze Pang (Victoria)

3. Londyn Dillinger (NZ Team Black – Murihiku)

Olympic Pathway – Men

1. Lucas Bell (NZ Team Black – Wharenui)

2. Neo Salomonsson (NZ Team Black – Kiwi & Swim Dunedin)

3. Roman Anderson (NZ Team White – Tawa)

Olympic Pathway – Women

1. Laura Menzies (NZ Team Black – Wharenui)

2. April Lin (NZ Team Black – Phoenix)

3. Ciara Conroy (Western Australia)

Team Awards

Top Point Scorers

Multi-class

• NZ Black = Londyn Dillinger (Murihiku) & Jonty Howland (Dannevirke)

• NZ White = Summer Vincent (Dannevirke) & Preston Maxwell (Nga Tai Tuatea a Taraika)

Olympic Pathway

• NZ Black = Lucas Bell (Wharenui) & Laura Menzies (Wharenui)

• NZ White = Roman Anderson (Tawa) & Kiri Yamagami (United)

Coaches Choice Award

• NZ Black = Alex McIntosh (United)

• NZ White = Kiri Yamagami (United)

2026 Tri Series Teams

Overall Support Staff

Name	Club	Role
Carl Gordon	Wharenui	Head Coach
Brigitte Mahan	North Canterbury	Team Manager & Assistant Coach

Team Black

Name	Club	Coach	Role
Ben Lavigne	Tawa		Team Black Coach
Wilrich Coetzee	Coast		Team Black Coach
Lucas Bell	Wharenui	Carl Gordon	Swimmer
Declan Broadfoot	Nga Tai Tuatea a Taraika	Chris Paproski	Swimmer
Charlie Dickison	Nga Tai Tuatea a Taraika	Chris Paproski	Swimmer
Londyn Dillinger	Murihiku	Madison Wills	Swimmer
Tandia Fisher	Wharenui	Carl Gordon	Swimmer
Chloe Gladwin	United	Mason Pickering	Swimmer
Orlando Hardie	Hamilton Aquatics	Mat Woofe	Swimmer
Jonty Howland	Dannevirke	Lin Tozer	Swimmer
Connor Jenkins	Wharenui	Carl Gordon	Swimmer
April Lin	Phoenix Aquatics	David Lyles	Swimmer
Nicola Lovell	Blenheim	Shane Skehan	Swimmer
Jade Lyles	Phoenix Aquatics	David Lyles	Swimmer
Holli Macdonald	Hamilton Aquatics	Mat Woofe	Swimmer
Alex McIntosh	United	Andy McMillan	Swimmer
Laura Menzies	Wharenui	Carl Gordon	Swimmer
Alanna Rawson	St Peter's	Alastair Johnson	Swimmer
Neo Salomonsson	Kiwi & Swim Dunedin	Lars Humer	Swimmer
Alfie Weatherston Harvey	Kiwi & Swim Dunedin	Lars Humer	Swimmer
Soeren Wells	Wharenui	Carl Gordon	Swimmer
Nathaniel Wood	Porirua City Aquatics	Justin Roberts	Swimmer

Team White

Name	Club	Coach	Role
Kirsty Johnson	Trojans		Team White Coach
Chris Paproski	Nga Tai Tuatea a Taraika		Team White Coach
Roman Anderson	Tawa	Ben Lavigne	Swimmer
Millie Bell	North Canterbury	Brigitte Mahan	Swimmer
Jenna Borea	Jasi	Peter Burgon	Swimmer
Kezia Buissinne	North Shore	Michelle Gillies / Graham Hill	Swimmer
Hana Carnie	Wanaka	Erika Ikeda	Swimmer
Alex Copocean	St Paul's	Graham Smith	Swimmer
Mitch Ellis	Liz van Welie Aquatics	Matt Teokotai-White	Swimmer
Sheldon Hogan	Mount Maunganui	Stan Teokotai-White	Swimmer
Grace Jeromson	North Shore	Sandra Burrow	Swimmer
Daniel Kregting	Roskill	Josh Munro	Swimmer
Thomas Magill	Papamoa	Stan Teokotai-White	Swimmer
Octavia Mahoney	United	Andy McMillan	Swimmer
Luke Manderson	Wharenui	Carl Gordon	Swimmer
Preston Maxwell	Nga Tai Tuatea a Taraika	Chris Paproski	Swimmer
Phoebe Nettle	Trojans	Kirsty Johnson	Swimmer
Quinn Pike	Hamilton Aquatics	Alison Fitch	Swimmer
Sam Skidmore	Trojans	Kirsty Johnson	Swimmer
Neo Urlich	St Paul's	Graham Smith	Swimmer
Summer Vincent	Dannevirke	Lin Tozer	Swimmer
Kiri Yamagami	United	Mitch Nairn	Swimmer