Source: Waka Ama Aotearoa NZ (WAANZ)
Lake Karāpiro is set to host nearly 4,000 kaihoe from Sunday 11 January to Saturday 17 January as part of the 2026 Waka Ama Sprint Nationals. Supported by mana whenua Ngāti Korokī Kahukura and Ngāti Hauā, and organised by Waka Ama Aotearoa NZ (WAANZ), the annual event is expected to bring together tamariki, pakeke and kaumātua, including adaptive paddlers, in a celebration of hauora and kotahitanga.
During the seven-day event, crews will race in single-paddler (W1), six-paddler (W6) and twelve-paddler (W12) outrigger canoes over a variety of sprint distances. The 2025 championships, met a record number of participants — 3,875 paddlers, a near 20% increase over the prior year, and upwards of 10,000 supporters — a clear indicator of the growing popularity and reach of waka ama.
While 2026 focuses on whānau health, WAANZ Chief Executive Lara Collins says that health is a priority every year, and this time there will be a dedicated Hauora Hub to support the ongoing message and practices of whānau well being.
“Waka ama has always been more than just a sport, it’s a living expression of hauora whānau in all spaces. The 2026 Sprint Nationals embody that wairua, from first-time paddlers to seasoned crews. This event reminds us that waka ama truly is ‘mā te katoa, mō āke tonu’ — for all, for life.”
Hauora Hub stations will include The Heart Foundation, ACC, NZ Blood Services and more, offering whānau the opportunity to do health checks onsite at the event.
“Waka Ama Sprints Nationals has become a powerful intergenerational gathering. If we can get the whole whānau on the waka to health and well-being, by uplifting te whare tapawhā, then we are doing our job well,” says Collins.
2026 also marks world intents, where registered teams can qualify to represent Aotearoa at the 2026 World Club Sprint Championships in Singapore, this coming August. The opportunity to qualify and compete goes from J16s (13-16 years old), right through to Master 80 (80+). This year being the largest submissions of intents ever recorded by WAANZ, with more than 200 teams competing to claim a spot to represent Aotearoa in Singapore next year.
With over 60% of paddlers aged 5-23 years at the 2025 event, Collins says 2026 is aiming for even more tamariki and rangatahi participation to continue the positive growth of the sport.
Event Information
11-17 January 2026, Lake Karāpiro.
Event Page: https://www.wakaama.co.nz/racecalendar/lookup/2304
