Wairoa Race, New Zealand, February 2026

The Wairoa Extreme Race is New Zealand’s longest-running whitewater kayaking race—and it never fails to deliver world-class action. Based in the stunning Kaimai Range in the Bay of Plenty, this iconic event draws an incredible lineup of talented paddlers from across New Zealand and around the globe.

This year, the weather kept everyone on their toes. High flows for Saturday’s time trial forced a quick course change, raising the stakes right from the start by shifting the race to the legendary “Bottom Waterfall” on the Wairoa River.