The Ki Uta Ki Tai Waka Challenge is back at Lake Te Anau on Saturday 24 October, with racing from 8.30am at Marakura Yacht Club.
Now in its sixth year, the outrigger canoeing event is delivered by the Kōrari Māori Public Health team at Ngā Kete Mātauranga Pounamu Charitable Trust. Its name means “from the mountains to the sea”.
Kōrari Māori Public Health Service Manager Karina Davis-Marsden says: “For us, Ki Uta Ki Tai is a celebration of who we are. We hope paddlers and whānau leave feeling connected and uplifted, with beautiful memories that will draw them back.”
Families are central to the day. The Morgan families from Whanganui made the trip to Te Anau three years running to support their son Sean, who was working as the young people outrigger canoeing coach at the time. Local group the Waka Changi Wahoos pitch in across the event — towing, lifting and strapping canoes, helping with the safety boat, setting up and packing down, and cooking food for those involved.
The event is part of Ngā Kete’s Kia Piki Te Ora all-ages suicide prevention work, and highlights the importance of connection, purpose and belonging in supporting wellbeing.
“We hope tamariki and rangatahi can look towards the horizon and see hope. We want them to experience aroha and manaaki and feel inspired to be part of it. This really is a big whānau event, and that’s why our kids love it.”
Beyond the water, the day will include health stalls, local businesses, market stalls and food trucks. Betty the Bus will be on site, with the Te Waka Wahine Health team providing gynaecology support and a gynaecologist available on board.
The event also provides a lead-up to the Te Waka o Aoraki Regional Sprint Championships at Lake Ruataniwha in Twizel on 5 December.
A blessing kicks things off at 8am, with racing from 8.30am. Families and community members are warmly invited to come along, support the paddlers and enjoy the day.
Event details:
- Date: Saturday 24 October 2026
- Venue: Marakura Yacht Club, Te Anau
- Blessing: 8am
- Racing begins: 8.30am
- Delivered by: Kōrari Māori Public Health team, Ngā Kete Mātauranga Pounamu Charitable Trust