Aotearoa-NZ crews crowd the podium

A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.

Aotearoa-New Zealand waka ama teams continued their domination of the podium at the Va'a World Sprint Championships overnight (NZ time).

Tairawhiti paddlers who honed their skills with Mareikura and Horouta waka ama clubs feature heavily in the elite squads.

The junior elite men's and women's V6 crews won the 1000-metre races with turns, to go with their success in the 500-metre races the day before.

The senior elite women's team won theV6 1500m race with turns, while the senior men finished second to Hawaii.

Both senior elite teams won their double-hull V12 500m races.

Aotearoa-NZ crews finished first and third in the para mixed V6 500m race.

The junior and senior elite crews won all four finals of the V6 500m event on the first day of competition.

Elite junior men: Hunter Hewson, Jaksyn Hepi-Ngarongo, Mahaki Albrett-Tureia, Mairangi Campbell, Marlin Toloa and Pharrel Grbic.

Elite junior women: Aoatea Gardner, Hinewaipounamu Rangihuna-Winikerei, Reneeah Ngawaka, Taylynn Morete, Te Rangihuia Silbery-Henare and Teagan Ngataki.

Elite men: Jared Iti, Kacey Ngataki, Koroiti Tuiau Tongia, Manawa Irwin, Mitchell Zandstra and Tupu King.

Elite women: Akayshia Williams, Gaibreill Wainohu, Hope Moke, Kiwi Campbell, Ngatuire Hapi and Tui McCaull.

Elite junior men: Hunter Hewson, Jaksyn Hepi-Ngarongo, Mahaki Albrett-Tureia, Marlin Toloa, Pharrel Grbic and Romaine Reti.

Elite junior women: Aoatea Gardner, Hinewaipounamu Rangihuna-Winikerei, Reneeah Ngawaka, Te Rangihuia Silbery-Henare, Teagan Ngataki and Waitangi Piripi.

Para mixed: Ahuriri Houkamau, Christine Walters, Jo Pikia, Pieta Bouma, Wally Noble and Wayne Trott.

Elite men: Ash Roozendaal, Bruce Campbell, Jason Reti, Narada Bury, Paul Roozendaal and Steve Roulston.

Elite women: Akayshia Williams, Gaibreill Wainohu, Hope Moke, Kiwi Campbell, Ngatuire Hapi and Tui McCaull.

Elite men (V12): Ash Roozendaal, Bruce Campbell, Jared Iti, Jason Reti, Kacey Ngataki, Koroiti Tuiau Tongia, Manawa Irwin, Mitchell Zandstra, Narada Bury, Paul Roozendaal, Steve Roulston and Tupu King.

Elite women (V12): Akayshia Williams, Aoatea Gardner, Gaibreill Wainohu, Hinewaipounamu Rangihuna-Winikerei, Hope Moke, Jasmin Stevenson, Kiwi Campbell, Ngatuire Hapi, Reneeah Ngawaka, Te Rangihuia Silbery-Henare, Teagan Ngataki and Tui McCaull.