New Zealand Community Trust has granted Te Waiariki Purea Trust $43,660 towards the costs of hosting the Secondary School Waka Ama National Championships which is set to commence on Monday, March 18 at Lake Tikitapu.

Now in its twenty-second year, the championships will run until March 22 and bring together youth from across the country to compete.

Lake Tikitapu, commonly known as Blue Lake, is the smallest of four small lakes lying between Lake Rotorua and Lake Tarawera in the Bay of Plenty.

With schools participating from as far as Kaitaia to Queenstown and even two teams from Tahiti, the event hosts over 2,000 young paddlers and 100 plus volunteers for four days of exhilarating racing.

"Our main focus is on ensuring the safety and security of all participants and their equipment," says event coordinator Kelley Korau.

"NZCT’s grant helps cover the cost of essential services such as first aid, traffic management, fencing and Maori wardens."

The Secondary School Waka Ama National Championships will be held at Lake Tikitapu from March 18-22. Photo: Supplied.

Te Waiariki Purea Trust a not-for-profit organisation with a thirty-seven-year history in the community, aims to promote youth and family services in Rotorua and Murupara.

By engaging whanau in outdoor activities like Waka Ama, Te Waiariki Purea believes in fostering valuable skills and creating positive role models for future generations.

“Waka Ama helps connect and unite whanau and iwi from across Aotearoa," says NZCT’s GM Grants, Marketing and Communications, Ben Hodges.

"We're delighted to be able to help. We thank our responsible gaming hospitality partners in Rotorua – Mo’s Tavern, Kaspers Sports Bar, and the West End Tavern – for their help in making this grant possible.’’

New Zealand Community Trust (NZCT) is one of the largest gaming societies in New Zealand. In 22/23, NZCT awarded over $40 million in grants for a wide range of community services, including sports, rescue services, youth development, the arts and cultural activities.

Click here for more on NZCT’s grants programme, harm prevention approach, and partnership with hospitality venues throughout New Zealand.