Up to 30 waka ama teams will grace the ocean off Onerahi on Saturday as part of a family fun day to mark Mental Health Awareness Week.
The family fun day and waka ama races will be the main event marking this year's Mental Health Awareness Week (MHAW) in Whangarei.
The "Up the creek, with a paddle" Waka Ama Challenge at the Onerahi foreshore happens between 10am and 1pm on Saturday, and will feature as many as 30 competing waka ama teams.
The idea is to have fun while providing a friendly reminder to the Whangarei community that a little support and understanding from friends, family and workmates makes a big difference to the lives and recovery journey of those living with mental illness.
Contestants making up the six-person waka ama crews will comprise a mix of mental health service consumers, staff from service providers and staff members of businesses who have agreed to be part of the event.