The Great Waka Ama Race
The annual race sees teams paddle outrigger canoes around Ōkahu Bay, with amazing views across Tāmaki Makaurau's harbour.
On this page:
Race details
Two races were run. This year we introduced The Novice Race, which is designed for newcomers to the sport.
Race participation
The Novice Race
Perfect for Waka Ama beginners. Teams raced in a 12-person waka with a steerer provided. Teams had up to 11 team members, with a maximum of three non-University of Auckland students or staff permitted.
The Great Race
Competitors raced in a six-person waka as part of a faculty or association-based team. Each team were permitted to have up to 12 members, with no more than two staff included.
About Waka Ama
Waka Ama, or outrigger canoeing, has long been part of life and culture across the Pacific. It sits within a powerful history of waka sailing and ocean voyaging. In Aotearoa, many Māori trace their origins to ancestors who journeyed here by waka.
Waka Ama reflects identity, pride and community, and is guided by tikanga or the values, practices and beliefs of te ao Māori. These principles sit closely alongside Sport and Recreation values of:
- Whanaungatanga: connection, working together and building relationships
- Hauora: health and wellbeing, supporting what it takes to feel alive
- Puāwaitanga: flourishing, growing and becoming the best version of yourself.
Waka Ama is a powerful way to support students to connect, belong and thrive.
2026 results
The Great Race
| Place | Team |
|---|---|
| 1st | Ngā Tauira Māori |
| 2nd | Te Herenga Auaha, Faculty of Engineering and Design |
| 3rd | Te Pūtahi Mātauranga, Faculty of Arts and Education |
| 4th | Te Whare Pūtaiao, Faculty of Science |
| 5th | Te Wāhanga Ture, Faculty of Law |
| 6th | He Manga Tauhokohoko, Faculty of Business and Economics |
| 7th | Mātauranga Hauora, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences |
The Novice Race
| Place | Team name | Members |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | Te Fale Pouwhina & Kaiāwhina Whakaako |
Te Fale Pouwhina, Learning & Teaching Development and Kaiāwhina Whakaako, Leadership Through Learning |
| 2nd | SPIES |
South Pacific Indigenous Engineering Students Association |
| 3rd | Waipapa |
Mātanga Matua Rapunga Tangata, Talent and Recruitment and Commercial Services and students |
| 4th | TOKĀ |
Te Oranga ki Ākarana |
| 5th | CONNECTion |
CONNECTion |
| 6th | UoA Cheer |
The University of Auckland Cheerleading Association |
| 7th | Team Espresso |
University staff from various teams |
| 8th | ALSA | Auckland Lankan Students Association |