Nā Hora Kairangi Nicholas tēnei atikara
Nearly 700 swimmers from across Aotearoa have descended on Ōtautahi for the 2026 New Zealand Short Course Swimming Championships, marking the return of a national swimming championship to the Garden City for the first time in more than 16 years. Athletes competed across five days of racing at Parakiore Recreation and Sport Centre, bringing together emerging talent, international representatives and Paralympic champions.
"It's the first time back here in a long, long time. It's going really well. Awesome facility," Cameron Leslie said.
The newly opened Parakiore complex provided the backdrop for the championships' return to the South Island, with swimmers from throughout the country testing themselves against the nation's best. For many athletes, the event was an opportunity not only to chase personal bests and national titles, but also to experience competing in one of the newest aquatic facilities in the motu.
"I've been swimming pretty well when I put my times into a long course 50m pool, because I'm not very good at short course, but at long course they're actually really good times for me… not bad for an old fella," Leslie said.
Leslie remains one of New Zealand's most accomplished para swimmers. The Paralympic gold medallist continues to compete while also working for Swimming New Zealand as Disability and Para Swimming Participation Manager. During the championships, he set a New Zealand S4 record of 1:37.99 in the 100m backstroke.
"The race was good. I was right on my PB. I'm not a freestyler, but 50 free is always a fun race to do," Kaia Henare, a descendant of Ngā Puhi said "This complex has been amazing to swim in."
Among the competitors soaking in the new venue in Ōtautahi was Hawke's Bay swimmer Henare. Racing against some of the country's strongest swimmers, she said she had been pleased with her performances throughout the week and valued the opportunity to compete at a national championship in front of a large crowd.
"Trying to stick to the same schedule… get some cupping done and acupuncture. Good recovery and just be relaxed," Henare said.
Managing energy across multiple days of competition is a challenge familiar to many swimmers. Henare said maintaining a routine and making has been key to handling the demands of championship racing, where athletes can be required to compete in events over consecutive days.
"I'd say my best race is probably 200 backstroke. That's probably one of my all-time favourites. I'm up there." Te Rauroha Paki said.
Another swimmer to leave a strong impression on the championships was Paki, a teenager from Northland. The 16-year-old claimed victory in both the 100m and 200m backstroke heats in his age group, adding to an impressive year in the pool.
"I love the people I race, we see each other all the time. It's really lovely to give each other a nice push," said Paki.
Backstroke has become Paki's signature event. Earlier this year, the Northwave Swim Club swimmer represented Aotearoa at the Junior Pan Pacific Championships in Vancouver after earning selection through a national-record performance. The experience provided him with the opportunity to measure himself against some of the best young swimmers in the Pacific region.
The international campaign has helped prepare Paki for the next stage of his progression. Despite his success in Ōtautahi, the teen remains focused on continuing to improve while taking confidence from competing against stronger opposition overseas.
"I'm looking forward to that. Some fresh, new competition," Paki adds.
Both Leslie and Paki are expected to compete at the 2026 Hancock Prospecting Queensland Championships in December.
"Competition over there is a bit of a sound check on the way to world champs next year," Leslie said.
For the country's top swimmers, the week in Ōtautahi marked both the end of one campaign and the beginning of another. After five days of racing at Parakiore, many are already looking ahead to the competitions that await them across the Tasman and beyond.
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Tata ki te 700 ngā kaikauhoe nō ngā tōpito o Aotearoa i tae atu ki Ōtautahi mō Ngā Whakataetae Kauhoe Poto o Aotearoa 2026. Neke atu i te 16 tau kāore he whakataetae kauhoe ā-motu i tū ki te tāone, ā, ko Parakiore te wāhi i whakakotahi ai ngā mātanga me ngā pūmanawa hou o te motu.
"It's the first time back here in a long, long time. It's going really well. Awesome facility," E kī ana a Cameron Leslie.
I tū ngā whakataetae ki te whare kauhoe hou o Parakiore, ā, i tae atu ngā kaihoe nō ngā rohe maha ki te whai i ngā taitara ā-motu.
Ko te whare kauhoe hou o Parakiore te kāinga o te hokinga mai o te whakataetae ki Te Waipounamu. I tae atu ngā kaikauhoe nō ngā rohe maha o te motu ki te whakataetae ki ētahi o ngā tino kaikauhoe o Aotearoa. Ki te nuinga, ehara i te mea ko ngā taitara ā-motu me ngā rekoata whaiaro te whāinga matua, engari ko te whai wāhi hoki ki tētahi o ngā whare kauhoe hou rawa o te motu.
"I've been swimming pretty well when I put my times into a long course 50m pool, because I'm not very good at short course, but at long course they're actually really good times for me… not bad for an old fella," hei tā Leslie.
E noho tonu ana a Leslie hei mātanga o te hākinakina nei i Aotearoa. He toa mētara koura Paralympic ia, ā, e mahi ana hoki mō Swimming New Zealand hei Disability and Para Swimming Participation Manager. I ngā whakataetae nei, nāna i whakatū te rekoata hou o Aotearoa mō te kāwai S4 i te kau tīraha 100m, arā, 1:37.99 tana wā.
"The race was good. I was right on my PB. I'm not a freestyler, but 50 free is always a fun race to do," Kaia Henare, a descendant of Ngā Puhi, said. "This complex has been amazing to swim in."
Ko Henare nō Te Matau-a-Māui tētahi o ngā kaikauhoe i whai wāhi ki ngā whakataetae i Ōtautahi, ā i tuki rae ki te rae ia ki ngā mātanga o te hākinakina.
"Trying to stick to the same schedule… get some cupping done and acupuncture. Good recovery and just be relaxed," Henare said.
He wero nui ki te tokomaha o ngā kaikauhoe te pupuri i te kaha o te tinana puta noa i te wiki. Hei tā Henare, he mea nui te ū ki te wātaka me ngā mahi whakarite ki te whakatutuki i ngā whāinga.
"I'd say my best race is probably 200 backstroke. That's probably one of my all-time favourites. I'm up there." I kī a Te Rauroha Paki.
Ko Te Rauroha Paki o Te Tai Tokerau tētahi o ngā kaihoe i eke ki tētahi taumata hou i te whakataetae. E 16 ōna tau, ā, nāna ngā reihi kau tīraha 100m me te 200m i toa i tōna kāwai pakeke. He tau angitū tēnei mō te taitama nō Te Tai Tokerau.
"I love the people I race, we see each other all the time. It's really lovely to give each other a nice push," e ai ki a Paki.
Ko te kau tīraha te tino reihi a Paki. I te tīmatanga o tēnei tau, i whakakanohi ia i Aotearoa ki ngā whakataetae Junior Pan Pacific i Vancouver whai muri i tana kōwhiringa nā runga i tana eke ki tētahi rekoata ā-motu. Nā taua whai wāhitanga i taea e ia te whakataetae ki ētahi o ngā tino rangatahi kauhoe o Te Moananui-a-Kiwa.
Ā te Hakihea, ka whakataetae a Leslie rāua ko Paki ki te 2026 Hancock Prospecting Queensland Championships.
Kua mutu ngā whakataetae i Ōtautahi, engari kāore anō kua mutu te kauhoe mō te tokomaha o ngā kaikauhoe nei. Kua huri kē ō rātou whakaaro ki ngā whakataetae ka tū ki tērā atu taha o Te Tai-o-Rehua, otirā ki tāwāhi i ngā marama e heke mai nei.