24/04/2026
And with that whānau our Aus Champ Trans Tasman and Oceania journey has come to an end.
Four days of racing.
Four days of challenge, pressure, and moments that asked more of us.
And every time… we found a way to answer.
We came here to race, and we did that. We pushed hard, we competed, and we walked away with results we can be proud of.
But what stays with us isn’t just the medals.
It’s the connections we built.
The way we came together.
The way we showed up for each other, on and off the water.
This campaign was about whānau.
About heart.
About the journey we’ve been on together.
About the intent behind every stroke and the meaning behind every moment.
That’s what carried us.
We leave with titles.
With memories.
With moments that will stay with us.
But more than that…
We leave knowing who we are.
And how we show up.
Ngā mihi to our whānau back home for your tautoko, to the new friends we’ve made here in Aus, and to our sponsors who made it all possible.
Ka mau tā Wairau
Ki tōna ringa
Tē rūrū
Ka kai tā Wairau
Ki te ngongi
Ka toa
Ka mau ka ita
Ka eke panuku
Once Wairau takes hold, it does not let go.
Our blades take effect upon the water.
We hold firm.
And success rises to meet us.
Awhi when it’s needed. Fire when it counts.
💙🩵💙
24/04/2026
Backed by the best.
We had some mahi to do and you, our sponsors, helped make it happen.
Your support got us to the start line and backed us all the way through. When we stepped out there, we carried that with us.
Massive thanks to:
pai_industries
Canyonz Adventure Company
Moana Road moanaroad
skindepot.nz
hair_by_ariane
heavenlybeautynails
Vaikobi
officemaxnz OfficeMax New Zealand
bunningsnz
raglanboatcharters_
We’re proud to represent you and grateful to have you in our corner.
23/04/2026
An ode to our drummers.
Before the blade enters the water…
there is a call.
A rhythm.
A heartbeat.
The drummers.
Not just keeping time,
but giving life to it.
The pulse of the waka.
Felt through the hull,
through the bodies of every paddler,
binding them as one.
What they give is felt before it is heard.
In the lift.
In the drive.
In the moment a crew locks in.
They read the water.
They feel the crew.
They know when to hold,
when to build,
when to call something forward.
It takes time and skill to learn to draw the lift from a crew with very few words.
They speak through the beat.
Through the intensity of the drum.
Carrying the mauri.
Holding the ihi.
Drawing out the wehi.
Igniting the wana.
This is not just timing.
This is trust.
Its own form of leadership.
Ngā mihi to our drummers.
For the rhythm you carry.
For the heartbeat you give.
For the way you move us as one.
An integral part of what makes us Wairau
The Wairau way. Always.
21/04/2026
She’s a bit windy out there today as we come to the start of another epic day. Day 5 of the event and Day 3 of racing for our Wairau whānau.
It’s the fast and furious 200m races today, with our Senior B Smooth Operators leading the charge.
With racing over in the blink of an eye, every move is made early, made with intent, and made with speed. All action. No hesitation.
So much excitement packed into one 🔥 race.
Go hard. Go well. Fire when it counts.🔥🩵💙
Morning feels pics ⬇️⬇️
21/04/2026