Organisers of a Rotorua mountain biking event have been given the green light to use the word Anzac in the event's title.
After controversy and an appearance on TV One News by Rotorua Singlespeed president, Gary Sullivan, the Anzac Singlespeed Championships is on in four weeks.
Following an exchange ofphone calls and emails the Ministry of Culture and Heritage has confirmed that the Rotorua Singlespeed Society can use 'Anzac' as part of the event title.
"We've considered your advice that the 2015 Singlespeed Championships is a not-for-profit event, that the entry fee is used solely to cover the costs associated to the event itself, and that any and all net proceeds remaining from the event will be donated to charity (this year's recipient charities being the RSA and Kidney Health New Zealand).
"Based on this advice, we do not consider your proposed use of 'Anzac' to constitute a commercial use. Consequently we do not consider that the Society's proposed use of the word 'Anzac' in this instance would breach the Flags, Emblems and Names Protection Act 1981."
The society initially used 'Anzac' with the best of intentions, it said in a statement.
"We've always run the champs as close to Anzac Day as possible, with a ride to the dawn parade and service at Ohinemutu on the shores of Lake Rotorua," said Society treasurer and race organiser, Paul Laing.
"2015 is the 100th anniversary of Gallipoli when the ANZAC tradition was formed and we wanted to celebrate and remember the sacrifice of Australian and New Zealand servicemen and women over the last century."
Race day is on Sunday April 26, based at Waipa mountain bike car park, followed by prize-giving at the society's long-time HQ, the Pig and Whistle Historic Pub. The riders will return to the Pig on Monday morning for a Big Kiwi Breakfast.
The Millenium Rotorua is baking 500 Anzac biscuits for the event.
The Singlespeed Championships are part of three months of world class action in Rotorua, the world's premier all-year-round mountain bike destination.
Entry for the Anzac Singlespeed Championships (till Sunday April 12): www.rotoruasinglespeed.com and facebook.com/2015AnzacSinglespeedChamps.
