The 2025 Waka Ama Long Distance Nationals will take place April 24-27 in Porirua, Wellington.

Hoe Tonga Pacifica Waka Ama Association in association with Waka Ama NZ will host the event at Ngāti Toa Domain with racing on the waters of Pari-ā-Rua (Porirua).

The event opens with a pōwhiri at 8am on Thursday, April 24, at Ngāti Toa Domain.

The event will welcome 1050 paddlers from 59 clubs across Aotearoa, with racing starting on Thursday.

Paddlers will compete on a racecourse completing distances of 8km, 16km, or 24km.

The event includes paddlers from J16 up to Master 75, inclusive of adaptive paddlers.

Waka Ama NZ CEO Lara Collins said: “We are looking forward to hosting this event with the Hoe Tonga Region in Porirua and having our waka ama whānau join us at this awesome location”.

“Our Long Distance Nationals changes location annually, offering our distance paddlers an opportunity to paddler all across Aotearoa in some great locations.”

The event has strong support from Te Rūnanga o Toa Rangatira, Porirua City Council, Air Tahiti Nui and local clubs.

It is also a qualifying event for the 2025 International Va’a Federation World Distance Championship in Brazil from August 13-21.

The Waka Ama Long Distance Nationals is a free event.