The Waka Ama Nationals is the second biggest Mātauranga Māori event in Aotearoa next to Te Matatini, drawing in thousands of people.  This is the second year Ara Poutama Aotearoa has had a presence at this event, first attending in 2023.

The National Waka Ama Sprint Championships have been held annually since 1990 (the first attracting 43 teams from 17 clubs). The 2024 event was the 34th annual Waka Ama Sprint Championships on Lake Karāpiro and attracted a record number of paddlers. More than 1,800 teams from 63 clubs raced for national sprint titles, with crowds of up to 10,000 cheering them on.

With paddlers ranging in age from 5-86 years old, the competitors enjoyed six days of racing, all broadcast on Māori TV, and equally importantly, six days of hauora (wellbeing) and immersion in Māori culture.

Recruitment Lead Waikeria and Hikitia Tania Kuiti says the paddle fans were a very useful resource in the 32 degree heat.

"We had many visitors to our whare (tent) over the days - relaxing and having a go on our Paddlepro Erg set up just outside our tent," says Tania. "It was awesome hearing their kōrero, taking on the wero (challenges) provided by staff, and having them engage and feel comfortable in our space."

Tania says the Waka Ama community was interested in hearing what we are about and what job opportunities we have available particularly surrounding the Waikeria new build. All interactions with the community throughout the week were extremely positive. We even had staff from NRCF, Auckland Women’s, Gisborne Community Corrections, Tauranga, Rimutaka, and Porirua approach us and make connections as well.

This year we entered two teams in the Corporate races/whakataetae. The whakatauki He Waka eke noa (we are all in this together) was firmly put into action. One team was from Waikeria and the other was from Waikato Community Corrections, both teams did really well and enjoyed the experience. Waikeria placed 3^rd in the Te Kei final!

Well done to both our teams for the participation and getting involved in this kaupapa and giving it a go.

Watch the replay of Te Kei final Lane number 2 (Waikeria) and Lane number 6 (Community Corrections)

The Waikeria an Hikitia Recruitment Team would like to thank all our amazing staff who volunteered to be a part of the Waka Ama Nationals event. Your time, your presence, your energy, your awhi and support was absolutely incredible!

E rere ana ngā mihi nui ki ngā Kaimahi katoa i whakapau kaha ai tatou ki te Kaupapa I tera wiki, ōtira ki a koutou katoa tō mahi, tō awhina, tō hapai, tō wairua!