Te Waka o Aoraki Midgets Crew at Nationals

In January, the first ever midgets crew from the Te Waka o Aoraki (South Island) region participated at the Waka Ama NZ national sprints championships. The team, called Hinehaka me Taoka and representing the Te Waka Pounamu Outrigger Canoe Club (based in Whakaraupō / Lyttelton Harbour), included Mihiroa, Meihana and Tainui Pauling, Whetu Marama and Nukutai Rupene and Haawi Whaitiri. They raced in the midget men’s grade for 6-10-year -olds and paddled in 2 events over 250 and 500 metres.

The team were part of a wider programme called Te Waka Taiohi o Tahu, supported by the Ngāi Tahu Fund to get more Ngāi Tahu tamariki paddling and confident in the traditions and customs relating to waka, including waka ama. The programme also included assisting with the opening of the Avon-Ōtākaro Spring River Festival last November; and three teams competing at the Te Waka o Aoraki regional sprint champs held at Lake Pegasus in December.

They took out all the medals. The tamariki were also involved in paddling the Ngāi Tahu waka, Kōtukumairangi, during Waitangi Day celebrations at Okains Bay.

Hinehaka me Taoka before their first race at the Waka Ama NZ nationals at Lake Karapiro, Waikato.

Hinehaka me Taoka before their first race at the Waka Ama NZ nationals at Lake Karapiro, Waikato.

Some of the Te Waka Taiohi o Tahu tamariki with Christchurch Mayor Lianne Dalziel at the opening of the Ōtākaro Spring River Festival.

Some of the Te Waka Taiohi o Tahu tamariki with Christchurch Mayor Lianne Dalziel at the opening of the Ōtākaro Spring River Festival.

Team Hinehaka crossing the line first to take out gold in the midgets race at the Te Waka o Aoraki champs at Lake Pegasus

Team Hinehaka crossing the line first to take out gold in the midgets race at the Te Waka o Aoraki champs at Lake Pegasus