Our Teams
At Rowing New Zealand we aim to continue building the rowing legacy in our country by delivering inspiring results at pinnacle events. Our purpose is to develop the pathway and performance environment for repeatable and sustainable medal winning performances on the world stage.
There are opportunities to compete for New Zealand as a rower across a range of teams in Classic/Flat-Water, Beach Sprint and Para rowing. These teams are made up of fully-funded, partly-funded or self-funded athletes, depending on the team.
Click the tabs below for more information about our teams.
Classic Rowing Teams
Elite Teams
Rowing New Zealand Elite athletes are based out of the Rowing New Zealand Colgan High Performance Centre. They are supported by funding from High Performance Sport New Zealand.
Elite athletes may row in the:
- New Zealand Rowing Team - selected to train for and attend the World Cup Series
- New Zealand Rowing Team - selected to train for and attend the World Rowing Championships.
- New Zealand Olympic Team - selected to attend the Summer Olympics every four years.
U23 World Championships Team
Each year Rowing New Zealand selects a team to attend the Under 23 World Championships. The team is made up from both domestic athletes and athletes who are based overseas.
U19 World Championships Team & U19 Development Team
Each year Rowing New Zealand selects a Performance team to attend the Under 19 World Championships. Since 2025, Rowing New Zealand has also started to send an U19 Development team each year to the International Rowing Challenge in the United States.
Other Development Teams
Each year Rowing New Zealand supports other development teams:
- World University
- U22 Oceania
- U18 North vs. South
See the Getting Selected section of the website for more information about making these teams.
Beach Sprint Rowing
Elite Rowing
Beach Sprint offers an exciting opportunity to represent New Zealand at the highest level of international competition. Elite athletes compete in a fast, dynamic format that combines speed, skill, decision-making and adaptability, with opportunities to progress through Rowing New Zealand selection into international Beach Sprint competition. The elite programme is focused on identifying and developing athletes capable of delivering world-class performances and representing New Zealand with distinction on the international stage. Elite athletes may row in the
- New Zealand Rowing Beach Sprint Finals Team - selected to train for and attend the World Rowing Beach Sprint Finals
- New Zealand Olympic Team - selected to attend the Summer Olympics every four years.
Development Team
In 2026, Rowing New Zealand also chose to send an development team to the World Rowing Beach Sprint Finals, to compete in U19 events.
Para Rowing Teams
Classification
All Para high performance sport starts with classification. Click below for more information about the classification process in rowing.
Elite Rowing
Rowing New Zealand Para Elite athletes have the opportunity to earn funding from High Performance Sport New Zealand.
Elite Para athletes may row in the:
- RNZ Summer Squad - designed to help elite athletes develop individually towards elite trials.
- RNZ Elite Squad - Selected at elite trials in specific crews to train for and attend the World Cup series where relevant Para events are included.
- New Zealand Rowing Team - selected to train for and attend the World Rowing Championships.
- New Zealand Paralympic Team - selected to attend the Paralympics every four years.
World Championships and the Paralympics currently include the following events for Para rowers:
- PR3 mixed coxed four & PR3 mixed double sculls
- PR2 mixed double sculls,
- PR1 men’s single sculls & PR1 women’s single sculls
PR3 pairs and PR2 singles are also raced at some World Cups. However, these events are not a focus for Rowing New Zealand.
Beach sprint rowing is not a current part of the Paralympic programme.
U23 World Championships Team
The PR3 Men's and Women's 1x are currently the only Para events at the World Rowing U23 Championships. Para rowers selected travel as part of the broader team, including Classic rowers, chosen to attend this event.
Sport Transfer
Rowing New Zealand is on the lookout for talented Para athletes looking for an opportunity to succeed on the world stage. If you think High Performance rowing might be for you, get in touch.
High Performance Stories
Emma Twigg elected to world rowing’s athletes’ commission
The resurgence of Rangi Ruru’s rowing dynasty
