Season 4 | Episode 13 | Rangatahi paddling their way to Waka Ama Worlds

Beyond the Paddle 🛶
We recently voyaged to Perth to catch up with the Kwillana Va’a OCC waka ama club as they gear up for the IVF World Sprint Championship this month.
Western Australia boasts 9 out of the 18 waka ama clubs in Ahitereiria, and soon, Hilo, Hawaii will welcome over 2000 competitors from 22 countries. The team to beat? Aotearoa.
For Rachel Matapuku-Walker, Kai-Rana (Te Arawa), Micaiah-Jade, and Korbin, waka ama is far more than just a “summer sport”. It’s a vital link to Aotearoa while living abroad, a way to carry forward a legacy for future canoeing athletes, and an opportunity to deepen their connection with culture and taiao.
Watch their full story and discover what’s driving them to compete in this year's Waka Ama World Sprint Championships.
Ohinga is a Māori-focused digital series for Rangatahi, exploring current affairs and events through their lens in Aotearoa and beyond. Join the conversation on our TikTok account @ohinga_nz or find us on Instagram @ohinganz.
#ohinganz #aotearoa #newzealand #maoriculture #maori #wakaama #wakaamachampionships

[@ksmithson2859]

Ka rawe, ka pai whanau It will grow massively, the same way it has in Aotearoa Especially with the blessings of the tangata whenua