Lake Karapiro was the stage for thousands of paddlers from more than 40 clubs from New Zealand, Australia and the Cook Islands. 

The event is hosted by the national waka ama organisation, Ngā Kaihoe o Aotearoa, and has been supported by Te Puni Kōkiri for several years. 

Ngā Kaihoe o Aotearoa organiser Maggie Greening says each year just gets better and better.  “The event is a whānau concept and that is who we are catering for.”  Waikato’s own junior men’s team, Te Toki, came third.