Skip Content
Sanitiser 1
  • * Sani Squad members front and rear: Left to right, Ngawai, Siobhan and Te Ārita wear QR codes on the front and carry hand sanitiser on their backs.

Combatting the potential spread of COVID-19 has been front and centre at this week’s Te Wānanga o Aotearoa National Waka Ama Sprint Championships at Karāpiro.

A key feature of the anti-COVID arsenal has been a Government-sponsored “Sani Squad”.

The team of Ngawai, Siobhan and Te Ārita has QR codes for the event on the front of their uniforms, a tank full of hand sanitiser on their backs and a dispensing gun ready for action.

Siobhan says the paddlers have been engaging with them really well: “The response has been overwhelmingly positive.”

Waka Ama NZ chief executive Lara Collins says adhering to COVID-19 tikanga has made the regatta possible.

All competitors and supporters have to use the COVID-19 tracer app to sign in each day and everyone’s encouraged to adhere to the Alert Level 1 protocols.

Sanitiser 2

 Back to news & events

Published On: 20 January, 2021

Article By: Stephen Ward



Other Articles

  • 13 February 2025

    Kaiako privileged to be guiding the next generation of social workers

    Tracey Hall, kaiako of Ngā Poutoko Whakarara Oranga – Bachelor of Bicultural Social Work (BBSW) in Tauranga, is reflective on her first year of teaching at Te Wānanga o Aotearoa.

  • 07 February 2025

    Curiosity ignites a journey of discovery through raranga

    Maunga Kura Toi graduate, Tracey Dale, has been on a journey with Te Wānanga o Aotearoa that has helped her reconnect with her identity and find her voice in the world through raranga.

  • 29 January 2025

    Evie O’Brien officially welcomed as new chief executive of Te Wānanga o Aotearoa

    Te Wānanga o Aotearoa proudly welcomed Evie O’Brien (Ngāti Awa, Ngāti Pikiao, Ngāti Ranginui, Ngāti Maniapoto) with a stirring pōwhiri at the Te Awamutu head office\on Tuesday, 28 January.

  • 23 January 2025

    Learning Waka Ama led to an unexpected future

    Discover how Matt Tauroa's journey with Te Wānanga o Aotearoa's Waka Ama course led to a passion for the sport and a new career. Learn about his experiences, from earning a day skipper qualification to starting his own paddle and accessories shop, Manaaki Made. Explore the positive impact of Waka Ama on his life and how Te Wānanga o Aotearoa supports Māori sports and education.