Te Tira Hoe o Waikato 2026
28 – 31 January 2026Paanui tuawhaa
Programme for Te Tira Hoe o Waikato
Important Notes
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See you on Sunday 25th of January at Waterworld Te Rapa (8:30am)
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Attendance is COMPULSORY this Sunday as part of our Health & Safety procedures. If you are unable to attend for any reason, please reply to this email ASAP, or contact:
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Hinga Whiu – 021 181 1009
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Noo reira raa e taatou maa – ki te hoe!
Paanui tuatoru
Orientation Day
Date: Sunday 25 January 2026
Time: Please arrive at 8:30am for karakia
Location: Waterworld – Te Rapa, Garnett Ave, Te Rapa, Hamilton
Cost: FREE – all costs are covered by Waikato-Tainui
Kai: All food and drinks are catered for during the day
What to wear: Please check what you can and cannot wear in the pools:
https://www.hamiltonpools.co.nz/terms-and-conditions/
Where to go: On arrival at Waterworld, you will be met at the main entrance by Waikato-Tainui kaimahi (wearing hi-viz). Your name will be marked off and you will be directed where to go.
Programme for the Day
After the Pools
We will travel from Waterworld to Tuurangawaewae Marae for a practice hoe on the river. Please ensure you have transport to and from Tuurangawaewae. Let us know early if you require transport support.
Important Notes
-
It is not recommended that you bring whaanau members, as they may distract you. This is a Waikato-Tainui Health & Safety requirement, and you will need to be fully focused during all water safety sessions.
-
Attendance is COMPULSORY as part of our Health & Safety procedures. If you are unable to attend for any reason, please reply to this email ASAP, or contact:
-
Hinga Whiu – 021 181 1009
-
Noo reira raa e taatou maa – ki te hoe!
Paanui tuarua
Ngaa uri whakaheke o ngaa maatua tuupuna i mauriora ai too taatou awa tapu, teenaa koutou katoa!
Thank you for joining us on Te Tira Hoe o Waikato 2026. Here is some very important information you must read through carefully to eliminate any paatai you may have.
You are packing for a four-day trip including travel by bus to various venues and paddling waka-ama on our tupuna awa. Please read carefully the following items you need to bring with you. The weather will be warm and having the correct gear is very important for your comfort, safety, and health & well-being.
Important Notes
- Pack everything in a suitable bag. Include a big black rubbish bag to hold dirty or wet gear.
- Please clearly mark all your gear and clothing with your name.
- Waikato-Tainui will provide Tira Hoe clothing & resources which will need to be named to avoid mix-ups with other people’s gear.
- Woollen or thermal layers are essential in all seasons. Cotton is not suitable for water activities.
- All waka-ama equipment (paddles, lifejackets, etc.) will be provided.
Personal Items
☐ Comfortable casual footwear NB: Footwear must be worn at all times, barefoot is not an option
☐ Blankets / Sleeping Bag
☐ Pillow
☐ Sheets
☐ Socks
☐ Warm jacket and/or hoodie
☐ Trackpants
☐ Sleepwear ie. PJ's
☐ 2 x shorts
☐ 3 x t-shirts
☐ 2 x towels (quick-dry recommended)
☐ Underwear
☐ Women – black knee-length skirt (for poowhiri)
☐ Men – black trackpants (Waikato-Tainui will provide)
Toiletries
☐ Sunglasses
☐ Toiletries bag
☐ Soap
☐ Toothbrush + toothpaste
☐ Shampoo + conditioner
☐ Deodorant
☐ Hairbrush / comb
☐ Any personal medication (e.g., asthma inhaler, blood pressure pills)
☐ Sunscreen (Waikato-Tainui will provide)
Waikato-Tainui Provided Clothing & Resources
☐ Polo shirt
☐ T-shirt
☐ Hat
☐ Hoodie
☐ Pants
☐ Water bottle
☐ Pen
☐ Tira Hoe Journal
Other Items to consider (Optional)
☐ Mobile phone NB: No responsibility will be accepted by Waikato-Tainui for any loss, theft or damage
☐ Ear plugs (for marae accommodation)
☐ Guitar / Ukulele / Harmonica / Kooauau / Nguru (or similar instrument)
If for any reason you are unable to attend or have paatai, make contact with Hinga Whiu on 0211811009 or email her at hinga.whiu@tainui.co.nz
Noo reira raa, e kare maa – ki te hoe!
Paanui tuatahi
Waikato te awa katohia, katohia he wai maau
Katohia he wai maau, ka eke ki Te Puuaha o Waikato te awa
He piko he taniwha, he piko he taniwha
Waikato taniwharau
Waikato horopounamu e!
Medical Certificates – IMPORTANT
Please ensure all medical certificates are emailed to us no later than Friday 9th of January 2026.
This is a compulsory requirement for participation in Te Tira Hoe o Waikato.
Orientation Day
Date: Sunday 25 January 2026
Time: Please arrive at 8:30am for karakia
Location: Waterworld – Te Rapa, Garnett Ave, Te Rapa, Hamilton
Cost: FREE – all costs are covered by Waikato-Tainui
Kai: All food and drinks are catered for during the day
What to wear: Please check what you can and cannot wear in the pools:
https://www.hamiltonpools.co.nz/terms-and-conditions/
Where to go: On arrival at Waterworld, you will be met at the main entrance by Waikato-Tainui kaimahi (wearing hi-viz). Your name will be marked off and you will be directed where to go.
After the Pools
We will travel from Waterworld to Tuurangawaewae Marae for a practice hoe on the river. Please ensure you have transport to and from Tuurangawaewae. Let us know early if you require transport support.
Important Notes
-
It is not recommended that you bring whaanau members, as they may distract you. This is a Waikato-Tainui Health & Safety requirement, and you will need to be fully focused during all water safety sessions.
-
Attendance is COMPULSORY as part of our Health & Safety procedures. If you are unable to attend for any reason, please reply to this email ASAP, or contact:
-
Hinga Whiu – 021 181 1009
-
Noo reira raa e taatou maa – ki te hoe!