The Z Manu World Champs are back

This year, the championship is international - and kicking off in the South Island. 

For the first time, the competition will launch in Dunedin on November 30, before racing across 8 New Zealand cities and making a trans-Tasman leap to the Gold Coast. 

The series will culminate with a spectacular Grand Final at Auckland’s Viaduct Harbour as part of Moana Auckland, New Zealand’s Ocean Festival. Registrations open November 3.

The 2025-2026 series features 12 qualifying events, including new stops in Dunedin and Palmerston North, before the Grand Final at Moana Auckland. The Gold Coast event, held over Waitangi weekend in partnership with Queensland Diving, marks the competition’s first official international qualifier.

https://manuworldchamps.com/ 

1. Dunedin - November 30, 2025 - Steamer Basin, Dunedin Waterfront

2. Hastings - December 6, 2025 - Havelock North Village Pool, Havelock North

3. Tauranga - December 13, 2025 - Tauranga Tidal Steps, The Strand Reserve

4. Māngere - January 10, 2026 - Moana Nui-a-Kiwa Pool and Leisure Centre, Māngere

5. Whangārei - January 17, 2026 - Whangārei Aquatic Centre, Whangārei

6. Hamilton Kirikiriroa - January 24-25,2026- Super Qualifier - Waterworld, Hamilton

7. Pōneke Wellington - January 31, 2026 - Super Qualifier - Wellington Regional Aquatic Centre, Kilbirnie

8. Gold Coast - February 7, 2026 – Gold Coast Aquatic Centre, Southport, QLD

9. Te Papa-i-Oea Palmerston North - February 14, 2026 – Lido Aquatic Centre, Palmerston North

10. Whakatū Nelson - February 21, 2026 - Nayland Pool, Nelson

11. Tāmaki Makaurau - Auckland - 28 February- 1 March, 2026 - Super Qualifier, Karanga Plaza, Viaduct Harbour, Auckland CBD

12. Tāmaki Makaurau - Auckland - March 7-8 2026, Super Qualifier, Karanga Plaza, Viaduct Harbour, Auckland CBD

13. Grand Final - Tāmaki Makaurau - Auckland (Moana Auckland) - March 14, 2026 - Karanga Plaza, Viaduct Harbour, Auckland CBD