Waka ama is a popular sport in many parts of the country, but its origins actually lie in the islands of Tahiti.
Just recently, the biggest Waka Ama competition in the world, the Hawaiki Nui Va'a tournament, was hosted there. Hundreds of paddlers went to compete, most from Tahiti, but there are some who came from other parts of the world too.
Rapaera Tawhai travelled to Tahiti to find out why the sport is so important to the people of Tahiti.