Waka, Va'a, Wa'a and Vaka are all Polynesian names for the outrigger canoe.
On these single and double-hulled waka, Polynesians migrated all around the Pacific but we've been racing in them well before the arrival of Pākehā.
Over the past 20 years, waka ama has undergone a massive revival.
The Waitākere Club has been part of that, and recently it took a group of 40 to Gabbi Gabbi - Australia.
Qdane Kingi is a senior paddler with the club and a part-time reporter in his spare time. He brings us this story.