The 28-year-old had successfully defended her downhill national title last weekend and was able to replicate the feat at her local Queenstown Bike Park.

Columb had clocked 4min 35.40sec in the qualification round, ending as the top seeded rider, before posting an improved time of 4:50.61 in the final.

Her team-mate Ronja Hill-Wright was narrowly adrift of her time, crossing the line in 4:50.79 to win the silver medal.

An all-New Zealand podium was completed by Victoria Armstrong after she finished in 5:13.48.

“I had a small crash early and then got caught unexpectedly and had a pretty big crash near the end of the run," said Columb.

“I broke my peak on the helmet and everyone thought it was quite funny because I had to finish basically blind.

“The focus for me in the next few weeks will be to chase some sponsorship support so I can do the whole circuit this year.”

Kiwi riders were also dominant in the men’s event with Bryn Dickerson winning the title by completing the course in a time of 3:51.84.

He benefited from national champion George Brannigan suffering from a crash in his run, which meant he had to settle for second in 3:54.37.

Australia’s Sean McCarroll claimed bronze in 3:56.87, with New Zealand’s Reon Boe ending 0.4 further back in fourth.

Tomorrow is due to see the cross-country competitions contested, with the event expected to be crucial to the chances of Sam Gaze and Anton Cooper representing New Zealand at Rio 2016.

With the country likely to only receive one berth for the Olympics, the duo will be expected to fiercely contest the men’s event.

Australia’s Daniel McConnell will vie for his third consecutive Oceania title, while his compatriot Rebecca Henderson will look to defend her crown.