Epic Mud Festival Returns: The Y Initiative to Support Tongan Society and South Canterbury Youth

On 11 April 2026, the mud will be flying for a cause as The Y Central South Island and the Tongan Society South Canterbury join forces for the annual Mud Festival. This year’s event moves to a stunning new location at Rosewill Hall, thanks to the generous support of local farmer Bruce Washington, who has opened his land to create the festival’s most adventurous courses yet.

At its heart, this year’s festival represents a dedicated initiative by The Y Central South Island to champion and support the Tongan Society South Canterbury. Recognising the Tongan Society’s vital role in the social fabric of our region, The Y has partnered with them to ensure their community-led youth programmes receive the visibility and funding they deserve.

Both organisations are focused on “filling the gaps” for local youth who fall through the cracks of traditional funding. By working together, they aim to empower young people to build strong futures, gain confidence, and reach their highest potential through programmes that would otherwise remain unfunded.

The move to the Washington farm has allowed organisers to design two brand-new courses that utilise the natural landscape:

The Family/Junior Course: A shorter, accessible route perfect for younger participants (ages 5+) and those looking for a lighter challenge but still wanting a challenge and to get muddy!

The Endurance Course: A longer, more rugged track for the older and fitter participants, featuring ponds, streams, and forest sections and loads of epic mud!

Both courses feature water slides, more natural obstacles, and—as promised—significantly more mud than ever before.

Designed as a non-competitive event, the Mud Festival is about bringing families, youth and community together for a great cause. In addition to the mud runs, the day will feature an Easter Egg Hunt for the under 5s, a sausage sizzle to refuel and the classic Y Pop Ups with bubble balls and activities.

Event Details

Date: Saturday, 11 April 2026

Time: 10:30 am start (Gates open at 10:00 am)

Location: Rosewill Hall & Washington Farm, 2 Fraser Road, Timaru.

Registration: Online registration at $20 per ticket or sign up on the day for $25

Tickets: Available now at ymcasc.org.nz/mud-festival-2026/

“This collaboration is a core part of The Y’s initiative to stand alongside the Tongan Society and support the incredible work they do for our community,” says Katy Houstoun, Programme & Funding Leader at the Y.  “By combining our resources, we can ensure that the youth who need it most—those often overlooked by standard funding—get the support and uplifting environment they need to thrive.  We are excited to be bringing such an awesome event to our community and we look forward to your support and a load of fun and mud on the day!”

About The Y Central South Island:  

The Y Central South Island has been committed to “Te Whakangao i te Reangā a Mua | Investing in the Next Generation” since 1917. Now providing youth centred services across Christchurch, Ashburton, Timaru, Twizel and Oamaru.

We believe in realising the potential of every person by offering programmes in education, employment pathways, youth and community development, and driver licensing.

About the Tongan Society South Canterbury: The Tongan Society works to empower the Tongan and wider Pasifika community through collaborative partnerships, cultural preservation, and youth advocacy.

Media Contact: Katy Houston, 0273 580 618, katy@ymcasc.org.nz