There were some other notable performances in what was the 32nd edition of the event – which started in 1990 with just 43 teams from 17 clubs. Manukau smashed the field in the 500m open men’s division, with 18-year-old rising star Kacey Ngataki stroking the team to victory; Pure OCC of Rotorua retained their open men’s 1500m title from last year; Kaihoe o Ngāti Rehia Trust took out nearly all the gold masters (50-plus) divisions; and Aoraki Matatu of the Te Waka Pounamu club won gold in the masters men’s W6 500m, and silver in the masters men’s W6 1000m.