The Goal, the Sport, the Outcome
This is our Why … What’s yours?
Ko te waka ama he kaupapa whakahirahira kia whakapakari ai i ngā pou kātoa o Te Whare Tapa Whā. Waka ama is a powerful kaupapa (purpose) that strengthens all the pillars of Te Whare Tapa Whā.
We have our gym bunnies, those seeking connection, and others wanting to explore Te Ao Māori – we all came to waka ama for different reasons.
But through the sport, we’ve each strengthened the pillars of wellbeing outlined in Te Whare Tapa Whā, the Māori health model of holistic wellbeing by Sir Mason Durie (1984).
Te Whare Tapa Whā – the Māori Health Model
Taha Tinana – Physical Wellbeing
Paddling reflects physical strength and stamina. The low-impact nature of waka ama makes it accessible to people of all ages and fitness levels.
This inclusivity is why National Sprints, held every January over seven days, has become one of the country’s largest sporting events – and one of the most exciting!
- Competitors: 3,875
- Spectators and Whānau: over 8,000
- Location: Lake Karāpiro, Cambridge
Taha Hinengaro – Mental Wellbeing
Mental intellect is built through learning paddle techniques, navigation, and strategy. Long-distance races especially require deep focus and mental resilience.
Mauri Tau (mental peace)
“When you’re paddling for 2 hours, there is a silence in the waka … you can’t keep talking, so eventually you settle into rhythm – just feeling, one stroke after another. It’s in those moments that I connect with my crew, and it’s on those long paddles in the quiet that I find my favourite moments.” – Mike Bennett
Taha Whānau – Whānau & Community Connection
Waka ama builds strong community bonds and resilience. It’s a very social sport. First, there’s the inter-crew connection – six paddlers working as one in the waka! Then, inter-club connections – our relationship with our sister club Hauraki has been vital to our journey. Without their tautoko in establishing our club, we wouldn’t be here today. Finally, there’s the race community – waka ama is competitive, with dozens of national races held each year. You’ll hear te reo Māori spoken, and whānau are always welcome. High fives are everywhere – it’s a humble, supportive and inclusive environment.
Taha Wairua – Spiritual Wellbeing
We express spiritual wellbeing through karakia – asking for safe passage on the wai (water) and acknowledging the sacred spaces we enter. Whakataka te Hau is one of our club karakia.
“My experience of Taha Wairua is best described by my race in the Rotohoe Series on Lake Rotorua – about half way through, I started to think and see clearly, I felt deeply connected to the wai – hearing it lapping and feeling it on my skin – my soul felt on fire. It’s a feeling I’ll never forget and it left me wanting more!” – Natalie
Whenua – Our Foundation and Identity
The fifth dimension, Whenua (Mental Health Foundation, 2025) speaks to our identity and connection to place. Where are my roots? Where do I come from? How do we fit in this world? Waka ama is more than a sport – it’s a doorway to reconnecting with tikanga, kaupapa, and whakapapa / identity.
Come and find out if waka ama is for you!
Nau mai – we welcome paddlers of all experience levels to connect with us on the wai.
Mauri Tū Mauri Ora! An active soul is a healthy soul!
Join Whitianga Waka Ama on Facebook or email wakawhiti@gmail.com.
Read the other articles of the Waka Ama series on Coromind here.
Words by Mike Benett and Natalie Jones
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