We punch well above our weight as a sport and have proven success across multiple Olympic Campaigns in Canoe Sprint, as one of New Zealand’s best performing Olympic sports.
But it’s not all about high performance. We are actively focused on grassroots growth of paddling, removing barriers and helping to drive participation and engagement across all disciplines through smart, strategic initiatives.
There are three pillars to our organisation and strategic direction:
Build a large, diverse community of paddlers, coaches and volunteers, participating in a range of disciplines for fun, wellbeing and competition.
New Zealand kayakers consistently winning world and Olympic medals.
A talent pathway that consistently identifies and prepares the right athletes for high performance.
A healthy, vibrant sport providing a pool of talented athletes and opportunities for those athletes to achieve their goals in kayaking.
Connect kiwis with our sport and build a more engaged community through communication and technology
Canoe racing in Aotearoa has evolved from traditional paddling practices into a modern competitive sport spanning flatwater, river, and ocean environments.
Across the Pacific, paddling has long been central to life, navigation, and identity. Canoe racing was practiced for centuries in Polynesia, where it formed part of cultural and social activity. In New Zealand, early competitive paddling was evident in waka racing, including regattas held in the mid-1800s, where Māori and European participants competed alongside one another.
Organised canoeing as a sport began to take shape in the late 19th century. River journeys, particularly on waterways such as the Whanganui, required endurance, skill, and navigation – forming the early foundations of competitive paddling. In 1870, the establishment of the Tainui Canoe Club in Wellington marked the beginning of organised canoe sport in New Zealand, with participation growing steadily through club activity and informal competition.
By the mid-20th century, canoe racing had become more structured. National championships were established, and racing formats began to align with international standards. The development of purpose-built racing craft and more systematic training supported the growth of both flatwater sprint and longer-distance racing.
From the 1990s, Canoe Racing New Zealand has led the continued evolution of the sport, supporting pathways from entry-level participation through to international competition. New Zealand has since achieved sustained success on the Olympic stage in canoe sprint, while the sport has expanded to include canoe marathon and ocean ski racing.
Today, canoe racing in New Zealand reflects a connected system – linking clubs, events, and performance pathways – across flatwater, river, and ocean racing formats.
We acknowledge the richness of Aotearoa New Zealand’s culturally diverse communities and how all people, past, present and future, have and will shape our nation. We create welcoming and inclusive spaces for all of Aotearoa New Zealand’s many beautiful cultures. We celebrate the many diverse peoples of Aotearoa New Zealand and their contributions to our nation’s history and heritage. We recognise and honour Tangata Whenua – the foundation document te Tiriti o Waitangi, Tangata Moana (our Pacific peoples) in whakapapa (genealogies), histories, and pūrākau and all unique connections and all contributions to Aotearoa New Zealand’s paddling heritage in wayfaring and waka-building expertise.
We aspire to be respectful of all communities and in particular be te Tiriti o Waitangi honouring in heart, mind and act and we are committed to continuously building our understanding and cultural competency in Te Ao Māori. To do this we:
We are encouraging of all people in New Zealand to paddle, and aim for paddling to be accessible and inclusive, including providing accessibility for Tāngata Whaikaha (people with disability).
