Porirua To Host Over 1000 Paddlers At 2025 Waka Ama Long Distance Nationals

The 2025 Waka Ama Long Distance Nationals will take place 24-27 April 2025, Porirua, Wellington. Hoe Tonga Pacifica Waka Ama Association in association with Waka Ama NZ will host the event at Ngāti Toa Domain with racing taking place on the waters of Pari-ā-Rua (Porirua). The event will officially open with a pōwhiri 8.00 am Thursday 24 April at Ngāti Toa Domain.

The event will welcome 1050 paddlers from 59 clubs from all across Aotearoa, with racing starting on Thursday. Paddlers will take to the waters and compete on a circuit race course completing distances of 8km, 16km, or 24km depending on their respective divisions. The event includes paddlers from J16 up to Master 75, inclusive of adaptive paddlers.

“We are looking forward to hosting this event with the Hoe Tonga Region in Porirua and having our waka ama whānau join us at this awesome location. Our Long Distance Nationals changes location annually, offering our distance paddlers an opportunity to paddler all across Aotearoa in some great locations”, says Waka Ama NZ CEO, Lara Collins.

From the outset, the event has had strong support from Te Rūnanga o Toa Rangatira, Porirua City Council, Air Tahiti Nui and local clubs.

This National event is also a qualifying event for the upcoming 2025 International Va'a Federation World Distance Championship to be held in Brazil from 13-21 August. The competition will be fierce out on the water for this year's national event as hopeful paddlers compete in their respective divisions and events to secure a spot in the Aotearoa team.

The Waka Ama Long Distance Nationals is a free event for all whānau to come down to watch. Make sure to come check out the kai, coffee, and goods for sale from our vendors, watch some competitive racing, and enjoy the waka ama atmosphere in Porirua.

Event Information

24 - 27 April 2025

Key links

Event Information (race schedule, pānui etc.)

Event Statistics

WANZ Website

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