It’s an event you need to experience to appreciate its magnitude and mana.

The Waka Ama Sprint Nationals is an annual week-long event held in January at Lake Karāpiro, Cambridge.

In 2024, paddlers and their whānau from all over Aotearoa will celebrate 34 years of Waka Ama.

The event has come a long way since the humble beginnings of the inaugural event in 1990 at Lake Karāpiro. Around 380 races are held over the seven days, making the Waka Ama Sprint Nationals the biggest event of its kind in the world.

“Waka Ama as an event is truly unique,” says chief executive Lara Collins.

Ngā Kaihoe o Te Pūaha (Tuakau). Photos supplied.

“In the sense that multiple generations of one whānau can compete at the same event, from tamariki through to kaumātua, that’s what makes Waka Ama – mā te katoa, mō āke tonu (for all, for life).

“It’s a really special week for the whole whānau and a great way to begin the New Year.”

Over 70 of the 90 Waka Ama NZ-affiliated clubs will attend the event, as well as more than 3,200 competitors and more than 8000 spectators and whānau from around the motu.

This includes adaptive paddlers competing in specific adaptive (Para va’a) races; more wāhine than tāne taking part; and all ethnicities and cultures competing.

Over the years, Waka Ama has been predominantly made up by 70 per cent Māori and Pacific peoples.

The Waka Ama Sprint Nationals is also a qualifying event for the World Sprint Champs that will be held in Hawaii in August 2024.

Toa Waka Ama Club (Porirua). Photos supplied.

Up to 500 paddlers are expected to travel and compete in the world championship event.

In 2024, ACC is partnering with Waka Ama to support the Sprint Nationals from January 14-20 at Lake Karāpiro, and the Secondary School Nationals being held at Lake Tikitapu in Rotorua from March 18-22.

“We are committed to supporting kaupapa like Waka Ama that promotes the health and wellbeing of whānau of all ages,” says ACC deputy chief executive – Māori Tumuaki Whakarae Renata Blair (Ngāti Whātua Ōrakei).

“I know from my experience, Waka Ama is an awesome week to be part of and we’re proud to contribute to the manaakitanga (hospitality), whanaungatanga (relationships), oranga (wellbeing), of these regattas.”

ACC’s partnership with Waka Ama aligns with its new strategy, Huakina Te Rā, which has the vision of Tōnui Ake Nei – A Thriving Aotearoa.

ACC research shows that Māori are twice as likely to sustain a serious injury than non-Māori, but 34 per cent less likely to make an ACC claim.

This is something ACC is committed to changing.

“Our partnership is an opportunity to engage with whānau Māori,” Blair says.

“We are focused on better serving whānau Māori and Māori communities, from mokopuna to kaumātua, and deliver on our purpose of improving lives every day.”

Blair says ACC wants all New Zealanders to have the help and support they need when they are injured.

“If you’re injured, don’t tough it out (taihoa ake) and get help.”  

ACC will host a whānau zone for supporters, paddlers, and wider whānau to relax and watch the racing and try rongoā Māori – a traditional healing system.

Horouta Waka Hoe Club (Gisborne). Photos supplied.

Māori clients generally account for 12 per cent of new claims volumes annually but account for 16.7 per cent of the population.

ACC data shows rongoā Māori claim volumes more than doubled in the 12 months to November 2023, with 5,649 claims using rongoā in the year ended November 2023.

And it’s not just Māori who are accessing rongoā Māori services: 59 per cent of kiritaki (clients) accessing rongoā Māori are Māori and 41 per cent are non-Māori.

Waka Ama Sprint Nationals Fact Box

When – 14- 20 January 2024 Where - Lake Karāpiro, Cambridge What – More than 3,200 competitors and 8,000 spectators and whānau from around the motu.

Waka Ama is supported by mana whenua Ngāti Korokī Kahukura and Ngāti Hauā.

For more information: https://www.wakaama.co.nz/.