The time has finally arrived: the New Zealand National Championships 2025. After a whole season of preparation, this is the stage that matters. On the idyllic waters of Lake Ruataniwha in Twizel, this year’s champions will be determined through cut-throat racing and super efforts. In the senior men’s quad event, one crew has stood out above the rest this season: Aramoho Whanganui. Despite having less experience than their competitors, these lads have been a step above the rest, but must be careful not to be overturned by the current holders, Dunstan Rowing Club, or the crew from Waikato Rowing Club, who have been biting at their heels the whole way. Here, the battle will reach its climax, and with the might of Dunstan thrown into the mix, the anticipation is already at its peak.
Aramoho Whanganui Rowing Club
Arriving at Twizel from the winding Whanganui River, this crew seems to embody the spirit of Whanganui itself. They are not from the club with the most resources. They don’t have the most experience. And they don’t have the most impressive ergos or stats. Yet, they are the favourites. They have put themselves into this position through sheer grit and determination.
Their lineup begins with strokeseat Nicky Maxim, likely the youngest senior rower on the circuit right now. At just U16, and the modest height of 5’8, he brings a spark to this crew which is simply irreplaceable. The crew has been able to snap their competition in the final stages of the race with him in the driver’s seat. Behind him sits Herbie Austin-Baker, a U20 import from the UK. Approaching his final event here, he looks to be on track to claim medals in every senior event at Nationals. This success would just be a continuation of his junior career, where he made the final of the Fawley Challenge Cup, and competed for Great Britain at the Coupe de la Jeunesse, claiming silver. Sitting in the powerhouse is Jake Newton, who, now U18, has smashed multiple national ergo records in his junior career, and finished last season with a silver in the U17 single at Maadi Cup. Finally, rounding out the crew in bow is Eli Kuehne, who adds to the boat with a level of calmness and dependability. He was a feature of the club’s senior and club quads last season, and is a familiar face to the circuit. Currently undefeated, this quad will have a huge target on their backs as they turn up to the course, but guided by experienced coach Axel Dickinson, it should be nothing they can’t handle. Only one question now remains: can they overpower the potency of Dunstan?
Dunstan Arm Rowing Club
Dunstan, the current titleholders of this event, are yet to face Aramoho this season. In fact, despite dominating in the South Island, it is uncertain if they’ve even previously fielded the quad they will presumably be boating come Nationals, with their crew from South Island Club Championships featuring two premier rowers, Angus Kenny and Jack Pearson, who will be ineligible for this event. Replacing these two will be Sam Barnett and Hamish Yeatman, members of the Dunstan ‘B’ quad from the Canterbury Championships. Although many would have predicted Mathew King to be one of the athletes replacing the premier ones, he was not chosen, potentially due to his recent injuries. Despite the new formation undoubtedly creating a certain amount of uncertainty, Dunstan are the big fish, and will come with a lethal bite. They are racing on home waters, and have dismantled their competition with extreme precision, not just this season but consistently for years. Their coach, Simon Smith, is tried and tested, and knows how to produce a crew which won’t crack under pressure. Matthew O-Meara, still U18, came home from Maadi Cup last year with a gold and a bronze in the U18 double and single, respectively. Henry Clatworthy has proven himself time and time again, both for Dunstan and Otago University. At the NZ University Rowing Champs, he claimed a gold and two bronzes, and also finished with gold medals in both the senior quad and double at last year’s Nationals. Clearly, this crew is riddled with success, but their biggest challenge in some time may now be approaching. Regardless, they will be coming with passion and intent, but more importantly, they’ll be coming for the win.
Waikato Rowing Club
If you’d looked at Waikato after the KRI Club Regatta, you would have thought they’d have had a fairly easy season thus far, with Waikato ‘A’ and ‘B’ taking the top two spots of the podium, creating a nine second buffer between their top crew and the other clubs. Unfortunately, this comfort was shattered by Aramoho, who seemingly came out of the blue to pip them at Christmas Regatta in both the prelim and final. Since then, they’ve been overshadowed by the boys in red and gold, especially considering the pedigree they feature. Stroked by Riley Wills, one of the most familiar faces on the NZ circuit. Unfortunately, he was not present at the North Island Club Championships, but he looks to be making a return for the Nationals to strengthen the crew. Behind him will be Jack Henry, a regular to the middle pair of this crew. After him is Jameson McConnochie, who has replaced James Brott since the last regatta. McConnochie, despite actually being ranked a club rower, and as the youngest member of the crew, must have been impressive enough during seat racing to show he could make a positive impact on this crew. Maybe he will be the key to taking out the contingent from Aramoho. Finally, we have Seb Fulton, another rower who has been a regular face to this crew, also featuring in last year’s quad, which finished in the bronze medal position at Nationals. Waikato, along with Aramoho, are clearly a step above the rest of the North Island; it just remains to be seen if they can take down Dunstan, or if they’ll let the gold disappear back to the South Island for another year.
Predictions
This may be the most challenging event of the regatta to predict, with three top-tier crews, who all believe they’re the best, fighting on the grandest stage in the country for the National title. If I had to make a prediction, it will be extremely close. If all the crews arrive at full strength, the race will undoubtedly come down to the closing stages. My mind tells me to support Dunstan, but the sprints we have seen from Aramoho are convincing too. If they’re within half a length going into the final 500, it could be checkmate for Dunstan and Waikato.
Ultimately, it will come down to who wants it more – will it be the incumbents who are looking to retain their winning streak, the fiery newcomers looking to remain undefeated, or the titans of NZ rowing who have spent the season just behind?
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