Waka Ama Nationals
Te Paepae o Aotea Waka Ama at the 2025 NZ Secondary Schools Nationals
Earlier this year, two teams from Te Paepae o Aotea Waka Ama travelled to Rotorua to represent their kura at the 2025 NZ Secondary Schools Waka Ama Nationals, held from 24–28 March. Our students competed across multiple categories, including W6, W12, and the W12 Mixed division.
Our teams are guided and supported by their dedicated management crew: Matua Mahaki Akauola and Whaea Mere Hooker.
In a nail-biting finish, our TPOA W12 Mixed team narrowly missed qualifying for the Te Kei finals—falling short by just 0.5 seconds.
In the W6 Girls division, both teams put in strong performances, finishing mid-pack in their heats. TPOA Paepae – B team advanced to the Te Kei semifinals, while TPOA Taupaenui – A team made it through to the Te Takere semifinals in the 250m race.
TPOA Tama Toa also showed great determination, earning a spot in the Te Takere semifinals.
Waka Ama continues to grow in popularity among our students, and it’s exciting to see our teams making waves in the sport.
