Whanaungatanga
Connection and belonging. No one moves the waka alone.
Tauranga Moana / Aotearoa
Connection, leadership and wellbeing through waka.
Hauora Waka Uplift creates waka ama experiences that strengthen hauora, teamwork and belonging through kaupapa Maori values.
Ko wai matou / Who we are
Waka ama is the vehicle. Community impact is the outcome.
Hauora Waka Uplift uses waka ama and kaupapa Maori approaches to strengthen hauora, leadership, teamwork and connection. The work is grounded in te ao Maori and the mauri of Tauranga Moana: meaningful experiences on and off the water, designed to uplift people and communities.
01
Rangatahi programmes
Leadership, water confidence, teamwork, resilience and cultural connection for young people.
02Corporate experiences
A two-hour waka ama experience for communication, trust, leadership and performance.
03Community initiatives
Support for whanau, schools and community groups who want connection on and off the water.
O matou uara / Our values
Three values guide every time we hit the water.
Manaakitanga
Care, respect and safety in the way people are welcomed and uplifted.
Hauora
Whole-person wellbeing across body, mind, whanau and spirit.
Te take / Why we exist
From setback to purpose.
Waka ama gave founder Mitch Zandstra purpose, physical challenge and social connection after injury changed his rugby path. Hauora Waka Uplift exists to pass that sense of direction on.
Meet the team