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Section 1: Our Role as a Region

Our Role as a Region

Waka Ama Regions play a vital role in leading, developing and promoting Waka Ama within their respective rohe across Aotearoa. Acting as the connection between WAANZ, clubs, schools, iwi, and wider stakeholders, regions help strengthen participation, coordination, and capability at the local and regional levels. 

While each region reflects the needs and priorities of its communities, the core functions of a Waka Ama Region generally include:

  • Providing regional leadership and fostering strong relationships with clubs and stakeholders.
  • Coordinating and delivering regional events, competitions, and participation opportunities.
  • Supporting club development, volunteer capability, and community growth.
  • Managing regional administration, compliance, and financial operations.
  • Promoting Waka Ama activities, people, values, safety, and wellbeing.
  • Upholding the culture and values of Waka Ama, including recognition of Māori as Tangata Whenua and commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
Together, the six Waka Ama regions contribute significantly to the sustainability, growth, and future development of Waka Ama throughout Aotearoa.

Regions are an important part of the wider Waka Ama system. They provide the regional structure that sits between WAANZ and clubs, with responsibility for supporting the development of Waka Ama within their rohe.

A Region operates within a wider system that includes WAANZ, clubs, paddlers, volunteers, whānau, iwi, communities and other partners. Understanding this wider context helps a Region be clear about its role, responsibilities and place within Waka Ama.

This means understanding:
  • Where the Region sits within the wider Waka Ama structure.
  • The roles and responsibilities of WAANZ, Regions and clubs, and how these relate to one another.
  • The needs and context of the rohe, including its strengths, challenges and opportunities.
  • The wider environment the Region operates within, including iwi, community, funding and sporting organisations.
  • The resources and capacity available to the Region, including volunteers and kaimahi.
  • The Region’s scope and responsibilities, including what sits with the Region and what sits with WAANZ, clubs or other organisations.
  • The Region’s purpose and priorities, and how these align with the wider direction of Waka Ama.

Regional leadership is about creating the conditions for clubs, paddlers, volunteers and communities to thrive, rather than trying to do everything ourselves. Strong regions are built on meaningful, ongoing relationships with their clubs and members.

This includes:
  • Listening to clubs, paddlers and communities, and understanding their needs and aspirations.
  • Creating opportunities for clubs and members to contribute to regional planning, discussions and decision-making.
  • Building genuine relationships through hui, regional presence and two-way communication.
  • Supporting club and volunteer capability and creating opportunities for development.
  • Communicating clearly, consistently and transparently.
  • Making regional processes accessible and ensuring members understand how they can contribute.
  • Working collaboratively with WAANZ, clubs, iwi and other partners.
  • Keeping the Region focused on its purpose and long-term direction.
Strong regional leadership builds trust, connection and shared ownership across the Region.

Regions need clear governance and operational responsibilities to effectively fulfil their role. Governance provides oversight, direction and accountability, while operations are the day-to-day activities that put the Region’s plans into action.

The balance between governance and operations will look different across Regions. Some Regions have paid kaimahi who lead operational delivery, while others rely heavily on volunteers and may have Board members involved in both governance and operational work.

Understanding the difference between governance and operations helps a Region be clear about its responsibilities, make effective use of its people and resources, and create sustainable ways of working. More detailed information about governance will be covered in section three of this Regional Kete - Governance Foundations.

Reflective Questions

  • How clearly do we understand the purpose and role of our Region within Waka Ama?
  • What are the needs and aspirations of our clubs and communities?
  • What is our Region uniquely positioned to contribute?
  • How well are we connected with our clubs, paddlers, whānau and wider community?
  • What does success look like for our Region?
  • Are our priorities focused on the long-term development and sustainability of Waka Ama in our rohe?

Key Links and Resources

Return to Regional Kete

Attachments

WAANZ - Board Charter and Templates.docx