February 10, 2026

#hakinakina: Waka Ama Takes Over Takapuna Beach for 17th Annual Cup

Matthew Tukaki Posted On February 10, 2026

Takapuna Beach is set to come alive this weekend as the 17th Takapuna Beach Cup returns for three days of elite paddling, culture and competition on the shores of the Hauraki Gulf.

From Friday 13 February to Sunday 15 February, more than 1,000 paddlers and supporters will gather for what is regarded as the biggest change race in Aotearoa, drawing rangatahi, pakeke and international crews to Tāmaki Makaurau.

Organised by Waka Ama Aotearoa and supported by the Taniwha Outrigger Canoe Club, the Takapuna Beach Cup has grown into a world-class event, attracting teams from Australia, Hong Kong, Tahiti, New Caledonia, Hawai’i, Canada, the United States and the United Kingdom.

WAANZ Chief Executive Lara Collins says the event showcases not only physical endurance but deep commitment to the kaupapa of waka ama.

“The distances across the three days require stamina and mental toughness, battling other teams and the taiao. The skill level is high and the challenge of completing these races is an experience like no other,” Collins says.

The competition schedule tests paddlers across multiple disciplines:

Friday

W6 (six-person canoe) 5km sprint
W6 16km mixed race

Saturday

Marathon W6 and W4 42km changes race
21km Iron events

Sunday

W6 10km (J16/J19)
Relay events for W1 and W2 crews

The headline 42km marathon will see teams navigate the Hauraki Gulf, circumnavigating Rangitoto, Motutapu and Rakino Islands, executing crew water changeovers mid-race – a spectacle that blends strategy, strength and seamless teamwork.

Hauraki Gulf provides both beauty and challenge, with shifting winds and ocean conditions adding another layer of unpredictability.

From humble beginnings, the Takapuna Beach Cup has evolved into one of the premier waka ama events in the Southern Hemisphere. Collins acknowledges the vision of the late Ken Gilbert and the role of the Taniwha Outrigger Canoe Club in shaping its success.

“Takapuna Beach Cup promotes the growth of waka ama and celebrates the culture that underpins paddling in Aotearoa.”

For many rangatahi, it is not just a race – it is an opportunity to connect with tikanga, teamwork and resilience, all underpinned by the values of whanaungatanga and manaakitanga.

Spectators are encouraged to attend along the Takapuna Beach foreshore, with prime vantage points to watch crews launch, change and finish. Event details, race times and amenities are available via the official Takapuna Beach Cup website.

As waka ama continues to expand internationally, this weekend’s competition reinforces Aotearoa’s place at the heart of the sport – where paddling is not just competition, but culture in motion.