The Great Waka Ama Race

The annual Great Waka Ama Race sees students paddle for the chance to represent Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland at the largest outrigger canoe race in the world!

The Great Waka Ama Race combines paddling and running across Tāmaki Makaurau's iconic surroundings. Teams paddle a course around Okahu Bay, run the length of Okahu Bay beach twice, before returning to the water for the final paddle section. The winning team will travel to Hawai'i to represent the Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland at the Queen Lili’uokalani Canoe Race in September. This 30km six-person race is the largest outrigger canoe race in the world. 

Our 2024 event was a huge success, with the teams taking on the course at Okahu Bay on a beautiful sunny day in Auckland!

After a demanding paddle-run-paddle course, Engineering Eagles came out on top, beating Arts Alligators to the finish line by a matter of seconds!

2025 Race Course:

The course map for our 2025 event will become available soon. Keep an eye out for updates on this webpage in the next few weeks! 

2024 Results

  Team
1st Engineering Eagles
2nd Arts Alligators
3rd Ngā Tauira Māori
4th Law Lions
5th FMHS
6th Science Spartans
7th Business School
8th Creative Arts
9th  Waikato University