Over 3000 paddlers have descended on Lake Karapiro for the Waka Ama Sprint Nationals. It’s the biggest crowd the competition has seen since its inception in 1989.
The biggest club competing this year is Hamilton’s Te Toki with over 200 paddlers. The head of the club, and waka expert, Hoturoa Kerr discusses the growth and popularity of the sport.
For more information about our Fees Free Certificate in Waka Ama click here
11 December 2025
Te Rita Papesch, musician, educator, and kapa haka stalwart, has been inducted as a Companion of the Royal Society Te Apārangi. Discover her inspiring journey of music, haka, and te reo Māori, and how her lifelong dedication to Māori culture shaped generations.
30 November 2025
Discover how Te Wānanga o Aotearoa’s Certificate in Māori Performing Arts goes beyond kapa haka, empowering tauira with skills in drama, screen acting, and public speaking. Hear how graduates like Niquita Samuel are building confidence, careers, and cultural pride.
24 November 2025
Lizzie Dunn created Te Arawhata to help people reconnect with te ao Māori through media, resources, and kōrero. Discover how her reo journey and passion for sharing knowledge are inspiring thousands to embrace Māoritanga and strengthen cultural connections.
19 November 2025
Alex Maddox is turning her lived experience as a māmā into a powerful Rangahau kaupapa through He Waka Hiringa at Te Wānanga o Aotearoa. Discover how her vision aims to amplify whānau voices in research and policy for tamariki with vision impairments.
