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 of phone 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.
