#HePūrongo Hei Matau J16 Kōtiro W6 team have won their ticket to the World Sprints in Singapore this August after taking out the the 500m race final at Karāpiro. The rangatahi from HMP Mako have been training all summer at Ōkere Falls on Lake Rotoiti and beat out 11 other teams from around the motu to claim gold. Te Kawa Paora was there to witness their win. #TeArawa #WakaAma #Nationals #HeiMatau #AukahaNews Waka Ama race footage provided by Whakaata Māori 🎥 | Aukaha News

#HeAtaata Hei Matau teammates Hamiora Katu and Lennix Thomas go head-to-head in the J16 W1 final at the 2026 Waka Ama Sprint Nationals, with Hamiora qualifying for the World Sprints in Singapore. For Lennix, the race is a milestone moment after years of missing out, as he lines up proudly against his teammate. #TeArawa #WakaAma #HeiMatau #AukahaNews Waka Ama race footage provided by Whakaata Māori 🎥 | Aukaha News

#HeAtaata A dominant performance at Lake Karāpiro has seen Hei Matau J16 Kōtiro single haul crew HMP Mako claim the 500-metre final and qualify for Singapore. The win marks a huge milestone for first-time Worlds paddlers as the young crew turns its focus to the challenges still ahead. #TeArawa #WakaAma #Nationals #HeiMatau #AukahaNews | Aukaha News