Advisors Challenge Cup 2026
More than 50 professional advisors — representing the legal, banking, accounting, insurance and investment sectors — gathered at the Bullock Bar on Thursday 12 March for the Aoraki Foundation’s third annual Professional Advisors Challenge Cup. This year’s theme, The Generosity Game, took playful inspiration from Bruce Forsyth’s iconic Generation Game, setting the stage for an evening full of humour, friendly rivalry and unexpected talent.
The Bullock Bar proved the perfect venue, buzzing with energy as advisors arrived ready to compete, collaborate and enjoy a night out together. With its warm atmosphere and lively crowd, the scene was perfectly set for the spectacle to come.
Like previous years, the teammates must come from different firms and include at least one male & one female. This year’s teams were:
Accounting – Captain Daniel Webber, Jess Hampton, Nick Krivan
Legal – Captain Craig O’Connor, Lauren Hansen, Liam Goodman
Banking – Captain Courtney Robson, Alex Ulrich, Simon Cooney
Investment & Insurance – Captain Phill Kinney, Georgia Fifita, Cassie Jamieson
Hosted by Aoraki Foundation’s own “Bruce Forsyth” (Chief Executive Richard Spackman) and “Rosemarie Ford” (Gift & Community Advisor), the evening unfolded across three chaotic and crowd-pleasing rounds:
1. Drawing a Blank
Teams of three scrambled to recreate a mystery image, one line at a time — but only the team captain had seen the original.
Architect Josh Newlove of NB Architects served as guest artist and judge, naturally choosing to draw a house. His judging was uncompromising, awarding the accountants just one point for what he deemed a less-than-recognisable structure. The room erupted with laughter as teams revealed wildly different interpretations of the same simple sketch.
2. Office Basketball
A test of trust and teamwork, this round involved a blindfolded shooter, a stationary basket, and a “backboard” who could call out directions. The spectacle of advisors attempting pinpoint accuracy with limited sensory input made this one of the most entertaining events of the night.
3. Memory Relay
The final round challenged players to recall as many of the 21 items as possible from the human conveyor belt — a nod to the most beloved Generation Game tradition. Teams raced against the clock, each player getting just one chance to record their memories before passing the sheet to the next. The pressure and chaos produced some impressive results… and a few baffling guesses.
After a spirited competition, the Insurance & Investment Team claimed the 2025 Challenge Cup with an impressive total score of 31 points. Special recognition goes to the Legal Team for their creativity — and their determination to find loopholes in almost every rule.
Final Scores
Insurance & Investment
Drawing a Blank: 6 | Office Basketball: 5 | Memory Relay: 20 | Total: 31Banking
Drawing a Blank: 3 | Office Basketball: 10 | Memory Relay: 15 | Total: 28
Legal
Drawing a Blank: 5 | Office Basketball: 3 | Memory Relay: 17 | Total: 25Accounting
Drawing a Blank: 1 | Office Basketball: 8 | Memory Relay: 16 | Total: 25
Although the evening was purely for fun, the Foundation took a moment to thank advisors for their ongoing support and the crucial role they play in Aoraki Foundation’s growth. The current Give and Get Your Tax Back campaign was also briefly highlighted — a reminder of the tangible impact advisors help create in the South Canterbury community.
Feedback after the event was overwhelmingly positive, with many staying well after the games ended to enjoy the night. Among the internal team achievements: no injuries occurred, and “Bruce’s” moustache notably remained attached throughout the show.