March 10, 2026

#hakinakina: World Champion Boxer Lani Daniels Set To Compete In Z Manu World Champs Grand Final

Matthew Tukaki Posted On March 10, 2026

World champion boxer Lani Daniels will trade the boxing ring for the water this weekend as she prepares to compete in the Grand Final of the Z Manu World Champs, one of Aotearoa’s most popular summer competitions.

Daniels, of Ngāpuhi and Ngāti Hine descent, will take part in the Famous Faces division when the event reaches its finale at Karanga Plaza in Auckland’s Viaduct Harbour on March 14 as part of Moana Auckland – New Zealand’s Ocean Festival.

The Pipiwai-born boxer will be among a line-up of well-known competitors including former All Black Piri Weepu, chef Peter Gordon, actor Bruce Hopkins, and former police minister Mark Mitchell. Also competing are singer K’Lee, media personalities Azura Lane and Charlie Pomee, Paralympic champion Cameron Leslie, strongman Rongo Keene, and international content creator JManGo.

More than 2,000 manu enthusiasts have taken part in qualifying events across the country and an international qualifier on the Gold Coast in order to earn a place in the Grand Final.

Daniels’ involvement in the competition is also shining a spotlight on wāhine participation in the sport as the event coincides with International Women’s Day celebrations, highlighting the growing number of female competitors across the competition.

The Northland community of Pipiwai, where Daniels grew up, has developed a reputation as a stronghold of manu talent. The community’s Brooklyn Kay won the Kids Female title at the 2024 Z Manu World Champs Grand Final and will return this year aiming to repeat the achievement.

Across the competition, 135 finalists will compete in a range of divisions covering youth and adult categories for both male and female participants, alongside an “Anything But a Manu” freestyle category that rewards creative water entries rather than the traditional V-shaped splash.

Reigning Adult Female champion Shonte To’a of Ngāpuhi has qualified again through the Waikato and will return to defend her title. To’a works with the One New Zealand Warriors Community Foundation helping deliver programmes in schools and communities aimed at inspiring tamariki and rangatahi.

A strong field of wāhine competitors will feature in the Grand Final including Youth Female contenders Aila McQueen of Hamilton, Zerenity Mill-Simpson of Wainuiomata and Xeina Williams of Wellington, the current freestyle champion. Ella Mohi-Henare and her mother Rebecca Mohi have also both secured places in the final.

The Youth Female division is expected to be particularly competitive, with Māngere qualifier winner Sapphira Mohi-Williams earning her place after a summer spent training with whānau at pools across South Auckland and the east coast.

Other women making waves in the competition include Manu Reedy, a lifeguard from Gore who topped the female standings at the Dunedin qualifier, and Honani Berking, who introduced her daughter Fa’atupuinati Berking to manu and helped inspire the 2024 Adult Female champion.

The Famous Faces competition will use a digital scoring system known as ManuTech, which measures the height of each splash while underwater hydrophones capture the distinctive sound of impact in the water.

Funds generated through the celebrity division will support Water Safety New Zealand, helping provide water safety education for young people through the organisation’s Water Skills for Life programme.

The Z Manu World Champs Grand Final is expected to attract large crowds as competitors from across Aotearoa gather in Auckland to battle it out for national manu bragging rights.