The event
A water spectacle like no other, the Z Manu World Champs is back this summer – and now making a splash across the ditch!
We’re taking the event to new heights with 12 qualifiers across 10 cities, including our first-ever Australian event on the Gold Coast, giving even more people the chance to compete for the ultimate Manu crown.
Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just keen to give it a go, there’s a place for you in our two epic divisions:
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The classic Manu Division (Kids, Youth, and Adult categories)
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The Freestyle Division, open to all ages for those who want to show off their flair, flips, and creativity.
Born in Aotearoa, the Manu (or dive bomb) has long been a beloved Kiwi pastime, perfected from backyard pools, wharves, lakes, and secret summer spots across the country.
And now, with more qualifiers, more cities, and more epic drops, we’re proud to celebrate its rise on the world stage.
No one Manus like Kiwis do, but it’s time to see what Australia’s got. Let’s go!
Our Guiding Principles
Manu World Champs recognises the unique role of Māori as tangata whenua of Aotearoa New Zealand and embraces Te Tiriti o Waitangi recognising Māori as tino rangatiratanga of Aotearoa/New Zealand. In building this event we are working in partnership with tangata whenua and reference the Wai Puna model focused on strengthening connection to water through Whakapapa: Attitudes & Beliefs, Mātauranga: Knowledge and Tikanga: Behaviour, which reflect a Māori worldview. Wai Puna is a theory of Maori water safety developed by Dr Chanel Phillips (Ngāti Hine, Ngāpuhi), co-director of Te Koronga Indigenous Science Research Themes.
Competition format
8 Official Qualifier events in the following locations: Dunedin, Hastings, Tauranga, Mangere, Whangārei, Gold Coast, Palmerston North and Nelson. From each of these events the winners of each category qualify for the Z Manu World Champs Grand Final, in Auckland, on Saturday 14 March 2026.
4 Super Qualifier events in Wellington, Hamilton and Auckland (two weekends). From each of these events the top 2 in the Kids’ Manu division and in the Freestyle division as well as the top 3 in the Youth and Adult Manu divisions, qualify for the Z Manu World Champs Grand Final.
Qualified Number of Athletes for GRAND FINAL per Qualifying Event:
Division |
Gender |
DUN |
HAS |
TGA |
MAN |
WHA |
WTN |
HAM |
AUS |
PAL |
NEL |
AKL 1 |
AKL 2 |
Total |
| Tamariki / Kids | Boys | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 15 |
| Girls | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 15 | |
| Rangatahi / Youth | Male | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 20 |
| Female | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 20 | |
| Pakeke / Adult | Male | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 20 |
| Female | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 20 | |
| Freestyle | Male | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 15 |
| Female | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 15 |
Divisions, categories & eligibility
Division Name |
Division Age |
Age as on 14 March 2026 |
| Manu Tamariki / Kids | 8 – 12 | Must be 8, 9, 10, 11 or 12 years old |
| Manu Rangatahi / Youth | 13 – 17 | Must be 13, 14, 15, 16 or 17 years old |
| Manu Pakeke / Adult | 18+ | 18 years and older |
| Freestyle* | 8+ | 8 years and older |
Anybody born 15 March 2018 or later is under the minimum age to participate.
*Freestyle is any bomb style other than Manu. The definition of a Manu is: a bomb technique where the body is in a clear V-shape and the bum hits the water first.
Please note that you may only enter each qualification event once (there are 12 in total). At the Super Qualifiers (Wellington, Hamilton, and Auckland) you can still qualify for the Grand Final in both the Manu and Freestyle division as long as you entered one heat only. Should you have entered more than one heat, the results of your first heat only will be considered for your ranking.
For other qualifying events rules and regulations regarding divisions and number of entries, please check the specific details through the event links on the locations page.
Styles
We’re all about celebrating the art of popping Manus – the most famous bomb in the world, invented right here in Aotearoa!
Our event is where bomb legends from all walks of life come together to make waves, take flight, and Manu into greatness. Whether you’re a popping pro or a sideline shouter, there’s a place for everyone at the Z Manu World Champs. After the massive success of our inaugural event, we have spoken to so many of you and decided to honour the Manu even more by giving it its own division!
From now on we will have a Manu only division, as well as a Freestyle division. You guessed it right, Manus only (V-shape and bum first) in the Manu division and all other styles in the Freestyle division.
Each style has its unique strengths and challenges. The Manu demands the utmost skill, with intricate movements throughout the fall. On the other hand, the Coffin (Te Kāwhena) offers a smoother entry, though none of these techniques are a breeze to perfect.
Te Manu
(The V Bomb)
The most popular of bombs. Where the bum hits the water first followed by the arms and legs in a ‘V’ shape.
Te Tēpara
(The Staple)
A true classic and iconic bomb style entering hands and feet first.
Te Korirā
(The Gorilla)
Like a powerful gorilla plunging in head and shoulders first, a force to be reckoned with.
Te Kāwhena
(The Coffin)
A daring feet-first drop with a subtle lean back, creating a wider splash canvas.
Te Pōro Repo
(The Cannonball)
A massive jump with arms holding the knees tight against the chest … cannonbaaaaaaaaaaall!
Styles cont..
Where the Manu division has age categories, the Freestyle division is ‘open’, meaning no age categories. You can enter the Freestyle division as long as you’re 8 years or older on the day of the Grand Final; Saturday 14 March 2026.
During the Super Qualifiers, you decide what style you go for. Should you qualify for the Grand Final, you must then perform that style (so you can’t qualify with a Manu and then do a different style during the Grand Final).
At the Super Qualifiers the judges will decide if your jump was a Manu or Freestyle. For the other Qualifiers you just need to double check how they are structured and if you need to enter a specific division. You can find all this information through each specific event link on the locations page.
Jump Heights
Depending on your age, we have platform height to suit.
Platform heights vary depending on location (and sometimes tide).
Tamariki / kids can go a maximum platform height of 3m.
| Tamariki / Kids | Rangatahi / Youth | Pakeke / Adults | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dunedin | WHARF | WHARF | WHARF |
| Hastings | 1.5m | 1.5m | 1.5m |
| Tauranga | WHARF | WHARF | WHARF |
| Mangere | 1m | 1m | 1m |
| Whangarei | 1m or 3m | 1m, 3m or 5m | 1m, 3m or 5m |
| Hamilton | 1m or 3m | 1m, 3m or 5m | 1m, 3m or 5m |
| Wellington | 1m or 3m | 1m, 3m or 5m | 1m, 3m or 5m |
| Gold Coast | 1m or 3m | 1m, 3m or 5m | 1m, 3m or 5m |
| Palmerston North | 1m or 3m | 1m, 3m or 5m | 1m, 3m or 5m |
| Nelson | 1m or 3m | 1m or 3m | 1m or 3m |
| Auckland | 2m or 3m | 2m, 3m or 5m | 2m, 3m or 5m |
| FINAL | 2m or 3m | 2m, 3m or 5m | 2m, 3m or 5m |
Judging
We’ve developed MANUTECH with our friends from AUT. Our team of Manu technicians will capture each jump on video and the world’s first ManuTech software will instantly freeze and calculate the splash height so that a unique score can be given to each athlete.
Note, MANUTECH is used at the Super Qualifiers and Grand Final. The Official Qualifiers, Dunedin, Hastings, Tauranga, Mangere, Whangarei, Gold Coast, Palmerston North and Nelson will be judged by a judging panel appointed by each event organiser.
For the Grand Final, style points will be introduced in addition to points earned for the “pop.” A panel of judges will award up to 10 points based on creativity and style.
The average of the judges’ scores will then be added to the MANUTECH score.
Rules
In the Manu division, of course, you must perform a Manu! If any body part, other than the bum, touches the water first, your attempt will be judges as Freestyle. Furthermore, your body must be in the classic V-shape.
For the Freestyle division any style is allowed! Go with a staple, gorilla, coffin, backslap 😉, it’s up to you.
For both division we have the following rules:
Cancel icon Strictly no run ups
Cancel icon You must jump straight out (no sideways jumping)
Cancel icon No props (bottles, balls)
Cancel icon No climbing on any structures
Ok icon Standard Manu attire, but no jeans allowed*
*Please note it is at the discretion of each event organiser to disallow certain clothing, especially when carrying sponsor or company brands/logo(s) or when deemed to carry political or offensive messaging. Manufacturer logo of a small size will be permitted.
Please note that at Super Qualifiers it is not allowed to use the springboard to bounce prior to jumping. You can us the momentum of the springboard only once; strictly no bouncing.
For Official Qualifiers the springboard rules will be explained at the briefing prior to jumping.
Failure to follow the rules will result in disqualification for the jump in question.
Prize money
$40K in cash & prizes!
The following prize money or prizes will be awarded to winners and place getters at the Grand Final in each bomb division and age category.
| Manu Pakeke / Adult | 1st Male & Female | $3,000 |
| Manu Pakeke / Adult | 2nd Male & Female | $1,500 |
| Manu Pakeke / Adult | 3rd Male & Female | $500 |
| Manu Rangatahi / Youth | 1st Male & Female | $1000 |
| Manu Rangatahi / Youth | 2nd Male & Female | $500 |
| Manu Rangatahi / Youth | 3rd Male & Female | $250 |
| Manu Tamariki / Kids | 1st Male & Female | $250 |
| Manu Tamariki / Kids | 2nd Male & Female | $100 |
| Manu Tamariki / Kids | 3rd Male & Female | $50 |
| Freestyle | 1st Male & Female | $1000 |
| Freestyle | 2nd Male & Female | $500 |
| Freestyle | 3rd Male & Female | $250 |
All Grand Final participants will receive a finalist medal
Support getting to the final
The 2026 Grand Final will take place in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland on Saturday 14th of March.
If you qualify, and attend, we’ll give you a helping hand getting there, thanks to our friends at Z.
Each North Island qualified athlete will receive Z vouchers to the following values:
- Tāmaki Makaurau / Auckland: $50
- Whangārei: $100
- Kirikiriroa / Hamilton: $75
- Tauranga: $125
- Pōneke / Wellington: $350
- Heretaunga / Hastings: $250
- Papaioea / Palmerston North: $300
Each South Island qualified athlete will receive the following:
- Whakatū / Nelson and Ōtepoti / Dunedin: return flights to Auckland will be provided (one per qualified person, with the kids’ qualifiers receiving one additional return flight for a parent/guardian).
NEW: Gold Coast, Australia:
- Return flights to Auckland will be provided for 4 finalists (Adult Male, Adult Female, Youth Male, Youth Female) to fly to the Grand final in Tamaki Makaurau, Auckland, on 14 March. Flights, two nights’ accommodation, and $250 spending money included! (and for the Youth category, we will fly a parent or guardian to come watch you compete in the final as well!).
Entry fees
All registered participants to the competition receive an entry gift thanks to our sponsors and the opportunity to become a World Champ in their division. Imagine that!
OFFICIAL QUALIFIERS – DUNEDIN, HASTINGS, TAURANGA, MANGERE, WHANGAREI, PALMERSTON NORTH & NELSON
Entry to these events is completely FREE! However, please note that some locations may have a small pool entry fee to access the venue.
GOLD COAST
Age |
Division Name |
Pricing |
Age as at 15 March 2026 |
| 8 – 12 | Manu or Freestyle | TBD | Must be 8, 9, 10, 11 or 12 years |
| 13 – 17 | Manu or Freestyle | TBA | Must be 13, 14, 15, 16 or 17 years |
| 18+ | Manu or Freestyle | TBA | 18 years or older |
Anybody born 15 March 2018 or later is under the minimum age to participate.
SUPER QUALIFIERS – WELLINGTON, HAMILTON & AUCKLAND CBD
The below entry fees below are for the Super Qualifiers in Wellington, Hamilton, and Auckland.
Age |
Division Name |
Pricing |
Age as at 15 March 2026 |
| 8 – 12 | Manu or Freestyle | $10 | Must be 8, 9, 10, 11 or 12 years |
| 13 – 17 | Manu or Freestyle | $15 | Must be 13, 14, 15, 16 or 17 years |
| 18+ | Manu or Freestyle | $20 | 18 years or older |
Anybody born 15 March 2018 or later is under the minimum age to participate.
Push Play Manu Sessions
FREE PUSH PLAY MANU SESSIONS
Get Ready to Push Play This Summer!
Thanks to CLM, pools across the country will be hosting Push Play Manu Sessions. Click here to find a location near you and get ready to Push Play.
Manu With Mana
Ok icon Respect the water.
Ok icon Take care of yourself and others.
Ok icon Find the safest place.
Ok icon If in doubt, stay out.
Ok icon Know how to float.