The King's High School pupil has made a name for himself on the national secondary schools athletics scene as well as the New Zealand under-17 mixed touch team.
Haugh said training for the two sports could be difficult "at times" but because he could incorporate some touch practice into his athletics training, it was a lot easier to "balance the two out".
"It is hard to go to touch tournaments when you want to do athletics, but I don't want to let the team down." He said he might have to choose between the two sports this year, but for now he was enjoying doing both.
He began taking his athletics seriously when he was about 11, and has never looked back. He has won numerous Otago-Southland secondary schools titles, and set Otago records in both high jump (under-13 and under-14) and long jump (under-14 and under-16).
Haugh said his third place in the under-16 100m hurdles at the national secondary school championships in 2010 really sparked his interest in athletics.
"That was when I really thought I could achieve something."
Out of all of his athletic events, it is the octathlon that Haugh enjoys competing in the most.
"I really like it because there are eight different disciplines and, athletically, it pushes you to your limit."
His parents, Brett and Karen, were "incredibly proud and supportive" of his achievement and made every effort to watch him compete regardless of the location.
Needless to say, sport is in the Haugh family's genes. His mother played "most sports" and his father was "quite good at athletics".
"He had a New Zealand record in the 400m hurdles at some stage."
Haugh's younger brother, Taylor, is in an Otago age-group rugby team, and his sister, Riley, was in the Otago athletics team.
Haugh said he was inspired by his parents and his athletics coach, Megan Gibbons.
King's sports co-ordinator, Paul Miller, said Haugh was an "extremely talented athlete".
"Thanks to his parents and coaches, he has been introduced to a great training ethic at a young age and is committed to whatever he tries."
Miller said with sevens coming into the Olympics, and Haugh still growing, he had every chance of one day playing for the national team.
"He is a relaxed character and does not get overly stressed, and that may be why he has reached the peaks that he has so far."
Name: Mackenzie Haugh (16).
Sports: Athletics, touch.
Achievements: Has won more than 15 Otago-Southland secondary schools athletics titles; third in under-16 100m hurdles at national schools championships, 2010; New Zealand under-17 mixed touch team.
