The World White Water Rafting Championships started in Bay of Plenty on Wednesday with events throughout the region.
Sixty-seven teams travelled from 30 countries to compete on rivers around Kawerau, Murupara and Rotorua.
Race director Tim Marshall says there are four different events - the sprint, head to head, slalom and down river.
The championships will run until 24 November, the first time that the masters, open, junior and youth divisions have been held together.
