The 12ks of Christmas is a fundraising challenge event that we started in December 2024 to get active, have a lot of fun, and raise important funds for the continued regeneration of the islands of Ipipiri.
After two fantastic editions, it’s back for 2026 and we are hoping it will be the best and biggest yet!
There’s lots of ways to take part so there’s something for everyone – check out the options below and find out how to sign up!
The original 12ks of Christmas sees you build up a kilometre of walking or running for 12 days straight.
So, day one you complete 1km, day two you complete 2km, day three you complete 3km and so on until the final day where you complete 12km, a fantastic achievement and a total of 78km across the 12 days!
For the hardcore amongst you, this option means completing 12km of walking or running each day for 12 days straight.
That’s an epic 144km in total, which does have a nice association to the Project as there are 144 islands in the Bay of Islands, seven of which are pest-free thanks to the efforts of our community over the past 15 years!
Follow your own interests, skills, or passions, to create your own personal challenge – the options are endless!
We just suggest it needs to be a suitably challenging goal for you, based around the number 12, and taking place between 1st and 12th December.
Scroll down for examples of some awesome creative fundraisers from previous years, and a few ideas to get you thinking!
In 2025, Jo decided to clean up 1km of roadside rubbish every day for 12 days, improving her local environment and raising funds at the same time!
“This was an opportunity to fundraise in my own community, combining a desire to clean up my local roadside with the 12ks of Christmas challenge.”
“Engaging with my community about roadside litter, and promoting Project Island Song at the same time.”
“Just do it. The momentum and excitement of the challenge will carry you through. Also, doing it with a friend is great.”
1. Click here to get the sign up process started and follow the steps.
2. Our template content will automatically appear for you, so you just need to customise this for your personal challenge.
3. Hit Publish and start sharing the message, collecting your own sponsors to add to the total, and get training!
As a keen walker and collector of vintage fashion, Jacqui was inspired to take on the challenge of walking 12km every day decked out in different outfits from her extensive vintage wardrobe, attracting a lot of attention along the way including this interview on RNZ.
“I think Project Island Song is amazing, I’d like to help, and while I’m not great with a machete and spade, I can walk…”
“Lots of unexpected conversations with folk asking what I was doing in nice clothes, hiking boots, and a label on my front.”
“Do it! If you already walk a fair bit, you don’t have to ramp up too much. If you already walk the dog for example, you can add that to your daily total. Think creatively. If you have an eye-catching hobby, include that.”
Raising funds for our work is always challenging, but is only getting harder with many grant funds disappearing or seriously overstretched at the moment.
The funds raised through the 12ks of Christmas contribute to numerous essential parts of Project Island Song, including:
