The Auckland Dragon Boat Representative Squad has triumphed at the 2025 NZ National Dragon Boat Championships, reclaiming the Ben Afitu Shield with a dramatic one-point victory over the Waikato region: 25 points to 24.

This highly coveted shield is awarded annually to the region with the most cumulative points across six representative races. The victory marks Auckland's sixth consecutive win, continuing the region’s dominance in the national competition.

What Are the Rep Races?

The regional representative races are the premier events of the National Championships, bringing together top paddlers from across New Zealand. The competition spans across five regions: Auckland, Waikato, Eastern, Central and Southern in six divisions: Senior C Women, Senior B Women, Senior A Women, Senior A Open, Premier Women, and Premier Open. Each division contributes points to the overall regional tally, with Auckland's well-coached squads making their mark in every race.

The Auckland Representative Program brings together paddlers from affiliated clubs within the region. Athletes are selected based on their skill, commitment, and teamwork. For the 2025 season, 85 athletes were chosen from a record 126 Expressions of Interest.

Races that took it home

• Senior C Women (Small Boat): Kicked off the competition with a strong win, earning 5 points  witht a time of 2:45.

• Senior B Women (Small Boat): Finished in second place, adding 4 points with a time of 2:39.

• Senior A Women (Small Boat): Came in second, just 0.7 seconds behind Waikato, securing another 4 points with a time of 2:27.

• Senior A Open (Small Boat): Finished second in their race, contributing 4 more points with a time of 2:18.

• Premier Women (Standard Boat): Braved challenging conditions, finishing second and adding 4 points with a time of 2:13.

• Premier Open (Standard Boat): Despite a tough field and just 18 paddlers, the crew finished second by just one second, securing the final 4 points needed to clinch the shield (2:04.51).

A True Team Effort

The victory was a team effort, with every member - paddlers, coaches, and supporters- playing an essential role in bringing the shield back to Auckland.

Under the leadership of Head Coaches Deb Camplin, Ricky Greaves, and Sooupu Perese, the Auckland squad was both strong and cohesive, showcasing the depth of talent and commitment within the region.

Named in honour of the late Ben Afitu, a passionate figure in dragon boating and waka ama, the Ben Afitu Shield honours the spirit of excellence, collaboration, and dedication to the sport. Auckland is proud to uphold this legacy for another year.

Congratulations to the 2025 Auckland Representatives. You’ve made Auckland proud!

Find out more: Auckland Representative Program