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Ki Uta Ki Tai Waka Challenge (Sanctioned)

Venue:

Marakura Yacht Club, Lake Te Anau

Date:

Sat 25th Oct 2025

Distance:

Various 200m - 15km

Host:

Te Ara a Kewa Waka Ama Trust

Contact Details

Name: Karina Davis-Marsden
Ki Uta Ki Tai Waka Challenge Team Waiver.docx
Ki Uta Ki Tai Waka Challenge Individual Waiver.docx
Panui 2 amended - KUKT 2025.pdf

Regatta Cancelled

Sorry, but this regatta has been cancelled.

View other events on our Events page

Description

EVENT CANCELLED - LAKE IN FLOOD

Kia ora koutou katoa
Unfortunately we regret to inform you all that we have made the difficult decision to postpone Ki Uta Ki Tai Waka Challenge 2025 in Te Anau this Labour Weekend.
You may be aware that the Stabi Craft Te Anau Manapouri Fishing Classic has also made the same decision. Lake Te Anau has experienced heavy rain over recent weeks and the Lake is currently in flood. There is more heavy rain expected over the next few days, which increases the risk of debris under the water itself, making the lake extremely dangerous.
Keeping our kaihoe and whānau safe is always paramount in our mind, and this decision has not been reached lightly, we have sought consultation from the Harbourmaster and our safety management team.
Ki Uta Ki Tai Waka Challenge begun in 2020 – with the whakaaro to bring people together in the beautiful Te Anau and paddle on this majestic roto, and amongst the surrounding mauka and landscape. We have been fortunate to have had the weather gods on our side for 5 years!
To all of the clubs and kaihoe throughout Te Waipounamu, who have entered this years challenge we look forward to seeing you all again on the water. We had the most entries we have ever had – 53!
To our kaihoe, rangatahi and pakeke who have trained hard for this event, stick with us, E kaua e hemo – dont give up! we’ll be back!

Kia piki te whānau – kia piki te ora
Kā mihi,
Kōrari Māori Public Health
Ngā Kete Matauranga Pounamu

Ki Uta Ki Tai Waka Challenge is an event hosted by Ngā Kete Matauranga Pounamu Charitable Trust and Te Ara a Kewa Waka Ama Trust, and sits within the takiwa of Oraka Aparima Runaka, Lake Te Anau. The Whakatauki – Ki Uta Ki Tai (From the mountains to the sea) encompasses this takiwa.

This event is to be held on Saturday 25 October 2025 and is sponsored by Oraka Aparima Rūnaka and Nga Kete Matauranga Pounamu (Māori Health Organisation based in Invercargill). The event will be based at the Marakura Yacht Club, Lake Te Anau and involve racing for rangatahi and pakeke.

This event was held for the first time in October of 2020. Ki Uta Ki Tai Waka Ama Challenge is supported by the Te Anau community and offers Kaihoe and supporters (near and far) an opportunity to paddle and enjoy the majesty and beauty of Fiordland.

Ki Uta Ki Tai Waka Challenge is run annually on the beautiful Lake Te Anau and is intended to be a fun but competitive event to support whānau hauora through waka ama. The event is a full day of fun racing, health stalls, coffee, kai vendors and prize giving. It also provides a warmup opportunity before the Te Waka o Aoraki Regional Sprints. We welcome you and your whānau to join us for this event.

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