Daniels will compete alongside former All Black Piri Weepu, acclaimed chef Peter Gordon, and Police Minister Mark Mitchell, who famously joined the competition spontaneously last year and has officially registered this time around.
Also taking part are Charlie Pomee, K’Lee and Azura Lane joined by strongman Rongo Keene – known as “The Warrior” – travelling US content creator JManGo, and actor Bruce Hopkins, best known for his role as Gamling in The Lord of the Rings.
For Daniels, who hails from Pipiwai, a rural Northland community of around 300 people that has built a reputation as a hotbed of manu talent, the event is another opportunity to inspire young people – and in particular wāhine. She hopes to keep up the success in the finals.
Pipiwai’s Brooklyn Kay won the Kids Female title at the 2024 grand final and returns this year with another shot at the crown.
There’ll be a big splash when the Z Manu World Champs Grand Final is held in Auckland on Saturday, with several Northlanders taking part.
“I’m proud to be representing Pipiwai alongside kids like Brooklyn,” Daniels said.
“Ultimately, I’m a Māori girl from Pipiwai on a mission. I’m always looking to bring my best – whether that’s from the Manu platform or in the ring. I’ve been practising a bit with my cousins at home at The Toka in Pipiwai. Bombing and doing Manus in the water is part of our culture”.
Event director Scott Rice says it feels fitting to highlight Daniels’ involvement on International Women’s Day and acknowledge the incredible female talent seen throughout the competition.
“The Z Manu World Champs is certainly not just a spot for men,” Rice said.
“We’ve seen phenomenal wāhine competing throughout the country. At the Grand Final, 135 finalists will battle it out for titles across youth and adult divisions for both male and female competitors, along with an ‘Anything But a Manu’ freestyle category for techniques that aren’t the traditional V-shape entry.”
Reigning Adult Female champion Shonte To’a (Ngāpuhi) has also qualified out of Waikato and will return to defend her title.
The event will be held at Karanga Plaza, Viaduct Harbour, on March 14 as part of Moana Auckland – New Zealand’s Ocean Festival.