Supported by local iwi, Ngāti Korokī Kahukura and Ngāti Hauā, the event celebrates more than just competitive excellence—it’s a vibrant expression of cultural pride and community spirit. Waka Ama NZ CEO Lara Collins highlights the significance of this growth, stating:
“Our Sprint Nationals is always a pinnacle event for our waka ama whānau, and it is exciting to see the growth in participation numbers for this year’s event. We are looking forward to coming together as a waka ama whānau for an awesome week of waka ama at Karāpiro.”
The 19% increase in participants since 2024 underscores the sport’s surging popularity. With over 60% of competitors aged between 5 and 23, the next generation is truly embracing Waka Ama as both a sport and a way of life.
Fierce Competition Across All Divisions
The seven-day event will showcase athletes of all ages, from tamariki (children) to kaumātua (elders), including para-athletes. Competitors will race in single (W1), six-paddler (W6), and twelve-paddler (W12) canoes over distances ranging from 250m to 1500m.
The action-packed programme begins on Sunday, 12 January, with a pōwhiri at 8:30 AM, followed by taitamariki (youth) races. Events will take place against the stunning backdrop of Lake Karāpiro in the Waipā District, renowned for its world-class water sports facilities.
More Than a Race: A Celebration of Whānau
Beyond the fierce competition, the Waka Ama Sprint Nationals offer a unique festival atmosphere. With an expected crowd of over 8,000 spectators, the event will feature a bustling vendor lane packed with food stalls, merchandise, hauora (well-being) stations, and activities for tamariki.
Collins emphasises the wider impact of the event:
“Waka ama is more than a sport, it is a way of life. It’s encouraging to see that over 60% of our participation for the event is aged 5-23 years. Our clubs, regions, and wider waka ama whānau are doing amazing work at the community level, and this is reflective in these statistics.”
Watch Live with Whakaata Māori
Fans unable to attend in person can still catch all the action, thanks to Whakaata Māori’s online coverage of the event. With so much talent on display, this year’s nationals promise to be a thrilling spectacle for paddling enthusiasts and first-time viewers alike.
Don’t Miss It!
Whether you’re a competitor, a spectator, or simply curious about the magic of Waka Ama, the 2025 Sprint Nationals at Lake Karāpiro is an unmissable celebration of sport, culture, and community.
Here at Boating New Zealand, we will cover it all! Stay up to date here.
