Connecting with whānau

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National Hauora Coalition (NHC) is encouraging sportspeople and spectators at the 2025 Waka Ama National Sprint Championships to prioritise their hauora (health) in between races during the week-long event.

Waka Ama sprint champs 2024. Photo: Garrick Cameron, Waka Ama NZ

Held at Lake Karāpiro from Sunday to Saturday January 18, the event will feature approximately 380 races for competitors aged 5-85 years old.

As an event sponsor, NHC’s diverse clinical kaimahi supported by kaimanaaki (health navigators) and pou oranga (support staff) will be on-site to conduct free health checks and deliver health education to anyone in attendance during the week, addressing the barriers that whānau often face in prioritising their hauora.

Regarded as the pinnacle race on the Waka Ama calendar, the championship is expected to draw over 10,000 whānau to the region, along with 4000 paddlers set to compete.

“Waka Ama is an inclusive, accessible sport with a wide range of ages and abilities participating in the event,” says NHC chief executive Rachel Brown (Te Atiawa, Ngāti Mutunga ki Wharekauri, Kāi Tahu, Tuahiwi and Kāti Māmoe).

“The Sprint Nationals brings a huge community of supporters and spectators so this is a great opportunity for NHC to realise our moemoeā, Mana Whānau, Whānau Ora—prosperous families living well, by connecting with whānau in a meaningful way, kanohi ki te kanohi over the coming week.”

NHC’s activation will prioritise key inequalities in health, such as healthy homes, sore throats and rheumatic fever, diabetes, heart health, and hinengaro (mental health), with a focus on indigenous pathways to hauora.

Health checks will be conducted in a safe and accessible environment throughout the duration of the sporting event from a gazebo on-site.

Whānau will receive info packs and have opportunities to kōrero with local service providers supporting communities in the region.

Kaimahi will provide referrals to programmes such as Te Kaupapa, NHC’s kaupapa Māori mental health and addiction service, the AWHI

Healthy Homes Initiative (HHI), and Waikato-based mobile long-term conditions programme, Tiakina te Tangata for any whānau
who require further support. Access to sore throat screening and health education from Mana Kidz and Manawa Ora kaimahi will also be available.

Clinical teams from various NHC focus areas will align with the age group events on the racing schedule, ensuring the corresponding hauora services and health promotion information will benefi t whānau who need it most.

“NHC’s moemoeā embodies our commitment to improving the health and wellbeing of whānau Māori—that occurs when we mitigate barriers to seeking health advice and foster connections between communities and local providers. Our kaupapa will be in full effect at the National Sprint Championship and we’re incredibly proud to continue our support for this vibrant and inclusive event for another year.”

As part of the partnership, NHC is also sponsoring the J16 and J19 wāhine and tāne junior races – for paddlers aged 11-16 and 14-19, respectively.

Waka Ama sprint champs 2024. Photo: Garrick Cameron, Waka Ama NZ

 

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