"Anything but a Manu" division winner Javan Pahau at the Hastings Z Manu World Champs qualifier on Saturday. Photo / Paul Taylor
"Anything but a Manu" division winner Javan Pahau at the Hastings Z Manu World Champs qualifier on Saturday. Photo / Paul Taylor
Hastings made waves on Saturday as the Havelock North Village Pool drew about 650 people to the first North Island qualifier for the Z Manu World Champs, with competitors bombing, bellyflopping and V-dropping their way towards a place in the 2026 Grand Final.
The event followed last week’s opener inDunedin and marked the second stop on the road to Auckland in March, where finalists will represent their region at the world championships.
The Havelock North Village Pool hosted the North Island qualifier for the Z Manu World Champs, drawing 650 attendees. Photo / Paul Taylor
Event director Scott Rice said the Hastings round delivered one of the strongest starts yet.
“We couldn’t have asked for a better day in Hastings. Brilliant weather, hugely supportive crowds, and a record number of registrations made for an outstanding qualifier,” Rice said.
“It was great to see new talent coming through – including a few athletes who improved on their ranking from last year – and it was really positive to work again with the Hastings District Council to bring this event to life”.
Mayor Wendy Schollum said the day captured the spirit of a Hastings summer.
“Saturday’s Manu Champs highlighted everything our community loves about our wonderful summers: great weather, great energy, and a community that turns out to support our own,” she said.
Male junior division winner Ibrahim Eyles, of Flaxmere, with manu judge and Hastings District councillor Heather Te Au Skipworth (left) and Hastings Mayor Wendy Schollum. Photo / Paul Taylor
One standout was Javan Pahau, who won both the Adult Manu division and the “Anything but a Manu” category. Pahau narrowly missed last year’s finals and returned after a shoulder injury kept him out of the water for months.
