The Dragon Boat Festival is approaching! Have you ever wondered what happens when a Cantonese dragon boat meets the South Pacific waves? It turns out that communities there are just as passionate about water racing!
Though thousands of miles apart, the spirit of Guangdong's dragon boat and New Zealand's Waka beats to the same cultural rhythm.
Guangdong's dragon boat: F1 on water
In Guangdong, China, dragon boat racing is more than a sport—it is a high-octane spectacle. Especially in Foshan, the famous Diejiao (叠滘) dragon boat races are like "Fast and Furious" on narrow rivers. No simple straight sprints here. These long, heavy boats perform breathtaking "drifts" around sharp S-curves and even reverse on the spot without collision! Driven by thunderous drumbeats, the races showcase supreme teamwork and unyielding grit.
New Zealand's Waka: the ocean warrior
Thousands of miles away, the Māori Waka are the legendary icons of New Zealand’s maritime heritage. For Māori, a Waka is far more than a wooden boat. It is a sacred link to their ancestors who crossed the vast Pacific Ocean. Handcrafted from large trees and adorned with beautiful, hand-carved spiritual totems, Waka embodies deep reverence for nature and the courageous spirit of the Māori people.
A tale of two boats
These two types of iconic watercraft came together in a special gathering on January 26, 2026, at the Auckland Anniversary Day Regatta in Waitematā Harbour. The harbour was filled with boats and cheering spectators. A team of 48 paddlers from Guangzhou's Liede Village (猎德村) traveled far to compete against 47 local New Zealand teams.
The atmosphere was electric! On one side, the dynamic rhythms of Cantonese dragon boat drums; on the other, the powerful chants of the Māori Haka. Rowing in perfect unison, the Liede team won the championship in the small boat mixed category, along with one silver medal and two bronze medals in other events.
This inspiring encounter embodies the timeless message: "We are all in the same boat."
In the big APEC family, where economies cooperate for a shared future, these two boats carry a powerful story. Paddling in step, the people of Guangdong and New Zealand show a simple truth: our futures are connected, and we can conquer any tide as long as we pull together.
Author & Video: Dong Han
Poster: Lai Meiya
The video is generated by AI.
