Haere Mai / Welcome

ABOUT

The Taniwha Outrigger Canoe Club is based on the North Shore of Auckland, New Zealand’s largest city.  The club evolved in the 90’s from being both an outrigger (Waka Ama) and a dragon boating club to being a club that has grown into one of the strongest Waka Ama clubs in the country.

The club is lucky enough to have access to two superb paddling venues, Lake Pupuke and Takapuna Beach.  Both venues are only minutes from downtown Auckland, and each other, and provide the full range of conditions for all paddlers of varying experience and confidence to enjoy. 

Nationally, Waka Ama has enjoyed a significant period of growth in recent years with the National Sprint Championships and the Secondary Schools Nationals being amongst the biggest sporting competitions in New Zealand in terms of team numbers and participants.    

The Taniwha club has contributed to that growth and, in 2007, a team within the club, the Grizzlies, successfully established the Takapuna Beach Cup, a 42km long distance race that is now regarded as one of the best races in the Pacific.  From an initial fleet of 19 waka in 2007, it quickly evolved into a truly international race with crews from all around the world and attracts race fleets in excess of 95 waka.

MANAAKITANGA

The Taniwha club supports and embraces the goals and values of the national Waka Ama body, Nga Kaiohe O Aotearoa (NKOA), and in particular:

Manaakitanga – the practice of reciprocity and inclusivity through sharing of ourselves and our resources, nurturing all people and accepting our differences, Whaunaugatanga – belonging, identity and collective strength, Hauroa – well-being, and Tū Tangata – accountability, respect, integrity & passion.

Those concepts are reflected and incorporated in the club’s strategic vision – PRIDE

People – recruitment and retention

Resources – coaching and equipment

Involvement – culture and relationships

Direction – clear and communicable

Excellence – achievement and recognition

OUR COMMITTEE

WHY WAKA AMA?

Waka Ama provides a superb opportunity to get fit while enjoying both the company of similarly minded people and the challenges of varying water conditions.   It’s a natural blend of competition and culture that is healthy on a number of levels.  Paddlers can range in age from 5 to over 75, and although predominantly of Māori and Pacific Islands ethnicity, Waka Ama includes paddlers from very diverse ethnic backgrounds.

WHY TANIWHA OCC?

The Taniwha club is a great illustration of the above.  It is composed of a number of training groups that are both competitive and recreational.  The club has a strong and progressive administration that is always seeking to develop the club so that it can be enjoyed by all.

Transition from a new paddler to a confident paddler in a crew is undertaken in a structured way by experienced coaches.      

WAKA AMA SAFETY

Taniwha Waka Ama Club treats the safety of its members with with upmost importance. We comply with the safety guidelines and rules set out by Waka Ama NZ and Maritime NZ. Click here to access the Maritime NZ Waka Ama Safety rules.