Hoe Tonga will be holding the 2026 Hui ā Tau / Annual General Meeting next week, Friday 20th November at 6:30PM
We require one nominated representative to attend from each of our Hoe Tonga Clubs to ensure we have a quorum. Additional club members are welcome to join – please email hoetonga@gmail.com for the invite and Zoom link.
All relevant documentation has been emailed out to clubs for review. This includes the 2025 AGM Minutes, 2026 SGM Minutes and the 2026 AGM Agenda.
We are pleased to announce entries are now open for the 2026 Hoe Tonga Pacifica Regional Sprint Champs. This event will be held at Henley Lake in Masterton, with W6 races taking place on Saturday 5th and W1 races on Sunday 6th December.
Club coordinators can process entries online in the Members Area of the Waka Ama NZ website. All kaihoe must be affiliated and verified members of their club and Waka Ama NZ for the 2026-2027 season in order to be entered. All entries close on Friday 27 November at 11.59pm.
Volunteer Registration Form: The rapid growth of our regional sprints event relies heavily on the efforts of our incredible waka ama community. Kaitūao get the chance to experience first-hand the mahi involved in running a large-scale event and take their new skills back to their clubs. Each club is required to register two volunteers to support the event, although anyone who is keen to tautoko can sign up!
2027 Sprint Nationals Entries: If your club intends on competing at Lake Karapiro next year, you must get your entries submitted by Sunday 22 November 11:59pm. (Those that qualify for the Hoe Tonga W1 quota and W12 will be entered upon completion of our regional sprints event, and are unaffected by this date)
Safety Notice for W1 / OC1 waka: In accordance with the new NZ national maritime law introduced on October 9, 2026, all waka used to compete in this event must be measured beforehand to ensure full safety compliance. All paddlers using a waka that measures 6 metres or under from ihu to kei (bow to stern), is required by law to wear a properly fitted lifejacket or PFD at all times while racing. No exceptions.
Introducing our hosts for the fifth and final race of the 2026 Hoe Tonga Winter Paddler Series – Ratana Pā!
Bring your confidence, knowledge and experience to paddle from the unique estuary and river mouth towards the challenging West coast waters and bar crossing environment.
Saturday 12 September 2026
Sunday 13 September 2026 (postponement date)
1 Wharf Street Castlecliff, Whanganui
8km short course
16km long course
W1, W2, W6
Open, Master, Senior Master, Golden Master divisions
Entries Close: Monday 7th September 2026 at 11:59pm
Hei aha te makariri, whakamahana tō tinana i te reihi tuawhā ki Ākau Tangi! Entries are open for the fourth race of the Hoe Tonga winter series, proudly hosted by Tai Tonga 41 Waka Ama Outrigger Canoe Club.
Saturday 29 August 2026
Evans Bay, Wellington
8km short course
16km long course
W1, W2, W4, W6 & W12
J16, J19, Novice, Open, Master, Senior Master, Golden Master divisions
Entries Close: Tuesday 25th August 2026 at 11:59pm
Kia ora e te whānau, we’ve got something pretty special lined up for Race 4 of the Hoe Tonga Winter Series on 29 August at Evans Bay — thanks to the awesome support of AkzoNobel. A massive raffle prize valued up to $1,000
The winner will receive up to $1,000 worth of International Paints / AkzoNobel yacht, marine, or protective coatings — primers, fillers, epoxies, undercoats, finish coats… everything you need to keep your club’s (or your) waka or your yacht in peak condition, or to bring an older vessel back to life.
Work directly with Rob The winner will team up with Rob to figure out exactly what materials their club or vessel needs. Rob’s email: rob.durham@akzonobel.com
Raffle Details $15 per ticket OR grab 2 for $20 – Only 100 tickets available Anyone can enter — individuals, clubs, supporters, yachties, whānau Drawn live at Evans Bay after racing on 29 August
How to Purchase To purchase a ticket, either: Fill out the Google Form — one ticket per form submission. If you want more than one ticket, simply fill it out again.
Once you’ve submitted the form or messaged us, make payment to confirm your entry: Tai Tonga 41 Outrigging Club 38-9011-0013609-00
Where Your Support Goes Every dollar raised goes straight back into our kaupapa — improving our club gear, looking after our waka, upgrading the equipment we use for our paddlers, and supporting the community members who come to try out waka with us
Due to the impending unfavourable weather coming into Wellington, PCKC have postponed Saturday’s racing until Sunday 2nd August.
All current entries remain valid for the change to Sunday. If you need to make changes for your club, the WAANZ online entry system has been re-opened until midnight today to change/withdraw teams. https://www.wakaama.co.nz/racecalendar/lookup/2459
Nau piki mai ki te reihi tuatoru! Entries are open for the third race of the Hoe Tonga winter series, hosted by Porirua Canoe Kayak Club – PCKC. Get your crew together to celebrate the grit of winter racing in the home waters of PCKC at its best!
Saturday 1 August 2026
Onepoto, Porirua
8-10km short course
16-20km long course
W1, W2, W3, W4, W6 & W12
J16, J19, Novice, Open, Master, Senior Master, Golden Master divisions
Calling all W1 paddlers – entries are open for the first event hosted by Tai Awa Waka Ama to celebrate their one-year anniversary as a club. Head along to experience the beauty and mana of Te Awa Tupua.