Make sure your crew and waka are good to go for the LDNs with this safety checklist! Please note that this is the minimum requirement for safety gear, but Waka Ama NZ encourages you to include any further equipment you deem relevant.
Key information
What you need to know
On behalf of Waka Ama NZ, Hoe Tonga Pacifica Waka Ama Association and the collective of Hoe Tonga Clubs we look forward to hosting you all in Porirua for the 2025 LDNs!
Are you looking to add some kupu hou to your kete? Have a go using these kupu at your next Waka Ama training!
Mā Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Māori me Hoturoa Barclay-Kerr i ēnei kupu.
If you are keen to register as a support boat for the Long Distance Nationals at Ngāti Toa Domain, Porirua – complete the EOI form or get in touch hoetonga@gmail.com
After a few years based at Lake Henley in Masterton, the Secondary School Regionals returned to Onepoto Domain, Porirua. Rangatahi powered through the water and no amount of wind or rain was stopping their waka from racing!
Interested in the final placings of the day? Have a look at the 2025 Race Results here.
We want to take this time to thank everyone who helped to make this day possible, especially with the change in venue.
Ka nui te mihi ki a Ngati Toa Rangatira, Porirua City Council, Porirua Rowing Club, Greater Wellington Harbour Masters Office, Titahi Bay Intermediate and Tai Paddles for your tautoko.
Ngā mihi David Fa’atafa and the team at College Sport Wellington for supplying us with equipment and coordinating all schools’ registration details within the Hoe Tonga region.
Huge thank you to our local Hoe Tonga clubs Ōtaki Waka Hoe, Hikoikoi Waka Club, Porirua Canoe Kayak Club Inc, Hawaikinui Tuarua Waka Ama and TOA Waka Ama Club for providing your waka so the rangatahi could get out on the water!
To all of the whānau, coaches, managers and kaiako that volunteered your time in the loading bay or anywhere else, thank you so much.
Ā, he mihi whakamutunga tēnei to the Hoe Tonga Board for all of their mahi organising and running the whakataetae. Kei runga noa atu koutou!
A big congratulations goes out to the following:
Finally, we would like to wish the best of luck to all of our competitors heading away to the Secondary Schools Nationals in a couple of weeks. Karawhiua koutou mā!
Please find below some information regarding this weekends event at Onepoto, Porirua on Saturday 8 March 2025.Download Updated Information Sheet for all participants.
Due to the closure of Lake Henley to recreational users Hoe Tonga have been busy organising and changing venue to Onepoto Domain with the support of Porirua City Council’s team and our thanks to the many kaitūao/volunteers who consistently show up to assist. We have an amazing team on board – Ngā mihi mahana kia koutou katoa!
Just a reminder that all race times, heats and results will be available on Live Results so managers, paddlers are encouraged to charge up your phones.
Race Draw can be downloaded and a link to Live Results is here: https://liveresults.co.nz/competition/490
Safety Waivers must be completed for all teams and handed in at our registration desk on arrival. Please advise team managers to check in and advise asap if any teams will not be attending or racing as this will affect the flow of our day. Download Safety waivers here: Hoe Tonga Waivers for Regional Secondary School Sprints 2025
Information available on www.wakaama.co.nz any enquiries please do not hesitate to contact us hoetonga@gmail.com
Please be patient when parking and ensure you are prepared – Kia Hiwa Ra!
Waka Ama NZ and Hoe Tonga Pacifica Waka Ama Association are happy to host the Long Distance Nationals in Porirua for 2025.
If you’re bringing waka to the event or you would like to hire waka from our region, please read about the waka hire process and enter your details on the waka hire spreadsheet.
Hoe Tonga values our kaitūao (volunteers) “he rau ringa i oti ai”. If you would like to take part in the biggest event that this region has hosted for many years, please complete this expression of interest form.
To see the list of teams that have entered or find more information about this event, check out this post from Waka Ama NZ.
Waka Ama NZ and Hoe Tonga Pacifica Waka Ama Association recently announced and welcomed Jasmine as the new Regional Development Coordinator (part time) for the Hoe Tonga Region. Nau mai, haere mai!
The appointment comes as part of the Aukaha project, focussed on strengthening the capability, capacity, and system of waka ama in our regions. Along with clubs, Jasmine will drive and facilitate growth and development in the region aligned with the Aukaha project.
During her first week Jasmine was welcomed alongside our Board Chairperson Anita Taggart into the Waka Ama NZ whānau and spent the day with the team in Auckland.
Hoe Tonga now looks forward to orienting Jasmine to you our clubs and to developing waka ama in our region. You can reach Jasmine at hoetonga@gmail.com and will meet her at our Special General Meeting on 12 February.
If you are keen to volunteer at our 2025 Regional Secondary School Sprints at Henley Lake, Masterton on Saturday 8 March 2025 please do not hesitate to contact us hoetonga@gmail.com
What would I volunteer to do? An example of what tasks volunteers undertake are below:
Due to high levels of toxic algae currently in Lake Henley, Masterton the Hoe Tonga Board along with College Sport Wellington have changed the venue for 8 March 2025 to Onepoto Domain, Porirua. This has been made possible through the mahi of our volunteers and the greater Porirua Harbour water users – lets make this years event a great success!
It’s that time again whānau, Ko wai ka hua, ko wai ka tohu, ko wai ka toa!!
2024’s event was such a success, our biggest ever Hoe Tonga event and we are definitely looking to replicate it. 🙂 We love seeing all of our rangatahi enjoying Waka Ama, enjoying paddling with their friends, creating new experiences whilst representing their school and their whānau.
Notices
All schools MUST fill out their Wavier forms before the event and hand into registration. There will be no waiver forms printed off at the event. No Wavier, your team will not be racing.
College entries are through Sports Coordinators via SPORTY
Year 7&8’s entries to be sent to hoetonga@gmail.com
Ngā mihi
Hoe Tonga Pacifica Waka Ama Association 
