Waka Ama Long Distance Nationals

The 2024 Waka Ama Long Distance Nationals is set to be an exciting and inclusive event, drawing participants and spectators from all over Aotearoa. Scheduled for October 2024 at Midway Beach in Tūranganui-a-Kiwa, this three-day competition will showcase participants of all ages, from Junior 16 to Master 70, spanning from 11 years old to over 70 years old, including adaptive paddlers, and those representing diverse ethnicities and cultures.

Crews compete over a distance of between 8km - 24km in single-person (W1), double (W2), four-man (W4) and six-man (W6) waka in Tūranganui-a-Kiwa.

Having run successfully for more than two decades, the Waka Ama Long Distance Nationals have seen a consistent rise in participation as the sport gains popularity across Aotearoa. The event is co-hosted by Waka Ama NZ and Te Uranga o Te Rā (East Coast Region).

Come October, Paddlers and clubs from all over Aotearoa heading to the East Coast with around 1,000 competitors from 60 clubs and an estimated 2,000 spectators, the event will be a significant gathering, celebrating the diverse and vibrant culture of waka ama.

The event is supported by local clubs and the community, with backing from Trust Tairāwhiti, Te Puni Kōkiri, Air Tahiti Nui, and the MAS Foundation.