Hine Brooking pauses for a moment to consider the question.

We are sitting down with the 16 year old from Gisborne Girls’ High School to reflect on her incredible year in 2024. She is asked how much the support of the Waka Ama community has played a part in her success. She takes a moment.

“They’ve been a huge support to me,” said Brooking.

“I have grown up in this community and the support for one another is really special. I wouldn’t have had any of the success I’ve had without that upbringing in this environment.

“So of course, I want to pay that back and support the Waka Ama Sprint Nationals, it’s ​one of ​my favourite week​s​ of the year.”

This year will be even more special. Brooking said when she takes the water she will be thinking of Kiwi Campbell. The world and national championship-winning coach and paddler died in November aged 43.

“I would like to acknowledge Kiwi for the opportunities that she presented to me to help build on my waka ama goals,” said Brooking. “She has paved the way for many of our junior squad here in Te Tairāwhiti. Her presence will be missed in our club.”

Brooking said her own success at the nationals gave her the confidence that she could compete internationally. She travelled to the Worlds in Hawaii in ​August ​ and made a name for herself.

Brooking is the current double world junior champion in individual events. She is the world junior 16 women’s sprint champion and world junior women’s long-distance champion.

Those achievements saw Brooking nominated as a finalist for the Junior Māori Sportswoman of the Year for a second year in a row.

For Brooking (Ngāti Porou, Rongowhakaata, Ngāti Tūwharetoa) being part of Waka Ama in New Zealand is bigger than just a sport, it is being part of a whānau.

“It is hard to explain it unless you have been in that environment. We all have a lot of support for each other and that makes you want to compete at your best and do your region proud.

“I can’t wait to get back to Lake Karāpiro to catch up with some friends from all over the country.”

Her coach Sieda Tureia mentors the NZ Waka Ama Elite women’s team. She said Brooking is a huge talent.

“Hine is one of those exceptional rangatahi that is so determined to achieve her goals,” she said. “She is unafraid to dream big and has the plans and work ethic to match.

“Hine works exceptionally hard training multiple times a day, six days a week. Part of her success is her ability to critique her performance, take on feedback and pinpoint areas for development.”

Tureia said Brooking has a strong sense of self and connection with her community.

“Knowing her whakapapa, her roots as ​ a ​rangatahi Māori and where she comes from helps to keep her centred and grounded in her pursuit for excellence on the world stage.”

Brooking adds: “It feels cool [to inspire others] because I’m just a young girl from a little town in New Zealand and being able to represent my Whanau and ​Te Tairawhiti ​​ ​means a lot to me.

“Being from the East Coast is a huge part of who I am. With this success my hope is to inspire my Whanau and other rangatahi from our region. Because if I can achieve it on the world stage then they can too.

“Representing Horouta Waka Hoe both nationally and internationally has helped to get me to where I am.”

The Waka Ama Sprint Nationals is an annual week-long event held in January at Lake Karāpiro, Cambridge.

In 2025, paddlers and their whānau from all over Aotearoa will celebrate 35 years of waka ama, the Māori form of outrigger canoeing.

The event has come a long way since the humble beginnings of the inaugural meeting in 1990.

Around 380 races are held over the seven days, making the Waka Ama Sprint Nationals the biggest event of its kind in the world.

“Waka ama as an event is truly unique,” Waka Ama New Zealand chief executive Lara Collins said.

“Multiple generations of one whānau can compete at the same event, from tamariki through to kaumātua. That’s what makes waka ama mā te katoa, mō āke tonu (for all, for life).”

Andy Milne, ACC’s deputy chief executive of strategy, engagement and prevention, said they are proud to support the Waka Ama Sprint Nationals.

“We’re committed to supporting kaupapa like waka ama that promotes the health and wellbeing of whānau of all ages,” said Milne.

ACC will host a Whānau Zone for supporters, paddlers and wider whānau to relax and watch the racing, as well try rongoā (traditional Māori healing).

“Community events like Waka Ama help us to raise awareness and build understanding around services that improve access and health outcomes for Māori.”

Waka Ama Sprint Nationals

When: January 12-18, 2025 Where: Lake Karāpiro, Cambridge What: More than 3200 competitors and 8000 spectators and whānau from around the motu Supported by mana whenua Ngāti Korokī Kahukura and Ngāti Hauā