Paddle New Zealand Incorporated
Inclusive paddle sports for all of Aotearoa
How we support paddle sports in New Zealand
We are a newly formed national body committed to supporting grassroots clubs that provide low‑cost or Zero‑Fee access to paddling in their communities. Our focus is on creating an environment where participation in water sports is genuinely inclusive — not limited to those who can afford expensive equipment, coaching, or club fees.
Empowering zero-fee clubs
As a new national body, we aim to support our affiliated clubs by providing representation, governance guidance, operational resources, and practical assistance. We also want to create opportunities for collaboration and the sharing of ideas across the network. Paddle New Zealand plans to host an annual conference in 2027 to identify challenges and explore solutions for volunteer‑driven clubs operating in the low‑ to zero‑fees space.
Your club navigates its own course
Too often a club’s direction is shaped by a governing body funded by and focused primarily on performance. Paddle New Zealand’s vision is different — we simply want to foster inclusivity and see communities out on the water having fun at no or low cost. Whether your club leans toward social paddling, racing, or simply providing opportunities for people to experience paddling is entirely up to you. We have no agenda for the direction you choose, as long as the club is well run and safety remains the top priority. Develop your own pathway.
Community and inclusivity
We believe everyone — regardless of background or personal challenges — should have the opportunity to experience paddle sports. We encourage our affiliated clubs to develop fully inclusive programs that reflect their communities, suit their local environment, remain affordable, and welcome all New Zealanders. By supporting local clubs, we help strengthen community connections and promote active, healthy lifestyles. Accessible sports build stronger, more resilient communities across Aotearoa.
We understand
Our committee is made up entirely of volunteers who are actively involved in paddle sports. We have no paid staff and no overheads — just practical experience and a sound knowledge of running low‑ or zero‑fee clubs. We understand the challenges clubs face and look forward to learning about your club and exploring what we can achieve together.
Our affiliation fee is only $1.00, simply to establish a formal relationship.
Whats Current ?
We advocate for our membership at National Level to protect the interests of our member clubs and the waterways we paddle on.
Life Jacket Rule changes Oct 2026
The recent changes to Maritime New Zealand's lifejacket regulations have generated considerable discussion within the paddling community, particularly among clubs involved in kayak training and racing.
To our knowledge, none of the fatalities recorded over the past year occurred during coach-supervised sprint kayaking, surf ski, or waka ama club training sessions where the use of a lifejacket would have prevented the outcome. We believe this reflects the strong water safety practices and risk management measures that clubs already have in place during these activities.
It is our view that the government's broad, one-size-fits-all approach to these regulations applies a blunt solution to a complex issue. Many within the paddling community feel that the changes may have unintended consequences for our sport. As a result, Paddle New Zealand has engaged with Maritime New Zealand to explore the possibility of exemptions for activities where athletes are closely supervised by coaches on the water and where established safety protocols are already in place.
We will keep the paddling community informed of the outcome of these discussions as further information becomes available.
Professional kayakers worry mandatory lifejackets will make it harder to train | RNZ
Increasing affiliation levies from National Bodies
The cost of affiliation with increasingly high-performance-focused national sporting organisations is becoming unsustainable for many volunteer-run community clubs.
New Zealand's club revenue relies on volunteers, fundraising, and membership fees that are affordable for their communities. National bodies on the other hand often benefit from substantial government funding and greater resources. The system is predicated on the assumption that the growing well paid coaching structures and development programs of national bodies will be fed with athletes developed through clubs by volunteers free of charge, and further, that those clubs will pay for the privilege of doing that through affiliation fees.
It is our belief that affiliation fees to National organisations are increasingly being used to fund high performance to cover the cost of elite development pathways, and increasing international affiliation fees not covered by their governmental funding. Further, that National organisations are putting pressure on clubs to increase membership fees by now requiring affiliation fees on a per head of membership basis to increase their revenue even further, irrespective of whether any of those members have any involvement with the national body or not. We do not believe our communities can afford these increases and that participation in paddlesport is accordingly becoming unavailable to some sectors of the community.
Paddle New Zealand believe affiliated clubs should receive clear value for the fees they pay. Currently, it is our belief that many clubs do not receive services, support, or engagement that reflect the cost of affiliation.
Paddle New Zealand will continue to provide an alternative for a $1 annual affiliation fee and will advocate on behalf of clubs for a fairer, more sustainable sporting system that strengthens community clubs, supports grassroots paddling, and creates opportunities for all participants, regardless of financial circumstances.
New issues
If you have any paddling related issues let us know,
Connect with Paddle New Zealand Incorporated
Email us at the address below and we will respond within 7 days. We look forward to hearing from you.
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