Tairāwhiti waka ama sprint stalwart in it for life

Waka NZ Hall of Fame inductee Raipoia Brightwell, of Gisborne, has competed at all 35 sprint nationals on Lake Karapiro and has no intention of stopping. "There's no age in waka ama," she says. Photo / Waka Ama NZ

The Waka Ama Sprint Nationals held every year on Lake Karāpiro near Cambridge is the biggest event of its kind in the world.

Tairawhiti veteran Raipoia Brightwell said it is hard to sum up the feeling of being part of the event.

It is more than a sport, she said. It is an opportunity for paddlers and whānau to experience manaakitanga (hospitality) and whanaungatanga (building relationships).

Brightwell would know.

She is one of a select few who have been to every Waka Ama Sprint Nationals since it began 35 years ago. Others include Corrina Gage, Hoturoa Kerr, Louise Henderson and Raipoia’s husband Matahi Brightwell – a pioneer of the sport in Aotearoa.

Raipoia Brightwell is a stalwart of Mareikura Waka Ama Club – the first club of its kind to be formed as waka ama was introduced to the country in 1985.

Connecting through waka ama is “essential to our life”, she said.

“This sport goes far beyond competing with each other. It’s linked to our mental health and who we are,” said the Tahitian, who is a Waka Ama NZ Hall of Fame inductee.

It runs in the family as Matahi was instrumental in helping bring the sport back to Aotearoa from Tahiti in the 1980s.

In 2025, paddlers and their whānau from all over the country will celebrate 35 years of waka ama – the Māori form of outrigger canoeing.

Brightwell is looking forward to the milestone and to continuing her legacy at the event, which includes winning the W1 open women’s title in 1994 and 2000.

She has played a leading role in inspiring members of her club and padders from Tairāwhiti to take up the sport.

The 67-year-old has no plans to hang up her paddle.

“There’s no age in waka ama,” she said. “It’s for life. You just need to have the skill and fitness, and you can keep going. I just love being out on the water,” she said.

The Waka Ama Sprint Nationals is an annual week-long event held in January.

It has come a long way since humble beginnings in 1990.

Around 380 races are held over the seven days, making it the biggest event of its kind in the world.

“Waka ama as an event is truly unique,” Waka Ama New Zealand chief executive Lara Collins said.

“Multiple generations of one whānau can compete at the same event – from tamariki through to kaumātua. That’s what makes waka ama mā te katoa, mō āke tonu [for all, for life].

Over 70 of the 90 Waka Ama NZ-affiliated clubs will be represented by more than 3200 competitors at the nationals. Add to more than 8000 spectators and whānau from around the motu.

The field includes paddlers competing in specific adaptive (Para va’a) races, more wāhine than tāne taking part, and all sorts of ethnicities and cultures.

Over the years, waka ama events have been predominantly made up of 70% Māori and Pacific peoples.

Andy Milne, ACC’s deputy chief executive of strategy, engagement and prevention, said they were proud to support the sprint nationals.

“We’re committed to supporting kaupapa like waka ama that promotes the health and wellbeing of whānau of all ages,” he said.

ACC will host a Whānau Zone for supporters, paddlers and wider whānau to relax and watch the racing, as well as try rongoā (traditional Māori healing).

The crown entity will also have a stall where people can learn about ACC’s kaupapa Māori services Hāpai and Te Ara Tuhono – culturally grounded care developed to improve outcomes for whānau after injury.

“Community events like waka ama help us to raise awareness and build understanding around ACC services that improve access and health outcomes for Māori,” Milne said.

- Story supplied by ACC