Where to start ? Well at the beginning. The first acknowledgement is to the work of every previous Tuna e Hoe Ana race committee who provided the foundations for this year’s event. We had a great established format to follow and build on.
Next, to this year’s race committee. In no particular order Kilmeny Stephens, Karen Driver, Seb Head, Katie Thurston, Eva Virtue-Pichler and Graham Mahuika (and his magical horse float). Take a bow for endless hard work behind the scenes to get everything ready. They were ably supported by Kiri, Zoe and Sean.
The whole club committee provided total support throughout the race planning. In difficult circumstances with the Covid protection Framework their oversight was crucial and their encouragement very much appreciated.
And then the volunteers : some gave up their time without ever getting to paddle to make the event work. At the risk of missing someone out I am going to mention Lida Aston, Simone Newsham, Karen Clark, Jenni Bancroft & Judith Davies. Numerous other crew members did their turn but I am going to single out Jeff Neilson for the seldom fought-over job of towing the big trailer and Greg Buck for being on-site throughout and always willing to lend a hand.
And of course all the clubs and paddlers who made the event what it was. We had a large contingent from Kokiri Marae in Lower Hutt who provided some stiff competition in every race and were upbeat and supportive throughout the rainy days. We had the ladies from Marae Nui in Napier who made the long journey, brought infectious enthusiasm and happiness with them (and probably allowed Leighton at Alpine Lodge to go into early retirement with the proceeds of his shot sales !). We also had Corrina Gage’s crew from Nga Hau e Wha and a lone paddler, Tony Loversuch, from Heretaunga Araru.
The South island clubs came in numbers from as far as Wakatipu. Christchurch was well represented by TWP, Waitaha and Te Awahaku and the Top of the South by a large contingent from Waikawa, as well as crews from Motueka, Whakatu Marae, Onetahua and TTOA. A big shout out to Carmel and Pete who loaded a waka last minute to avoid me having to tell one crew they didn’t have a canoe and to all the clubs who were happy for last minute waka use to fill the gaps.
Finally, all the other people and organisations who helped get the event up and running and were nothing but supportive and positive throughout the decision on whether to go ahead* . Aaron Hemi from Ngati Apa, Sjaan Field at DOC, Debbie and Kay at Rotoiti Hall, Tasman District Council, Dan Cairney the Tasman Harbourmaster, Jason Hulena and Graham Stricker our safety boat drivers, Dave Goivin at Fulton Hogan, the team at Sport Tasman, Kudos catering & Ina for keeping the loos so nice.
*And, really finally, all those in Maitahi who raised genuine doubts and questions, held us to account and made us think twice or three times about what we were doing. The multiple threads of differing opinions were all threaded through the same needle.
Kotahi te kōhao o te ngira e kuhuna ai te miro mā, te miro pango, te miro whero
Its never too early or too late to start paddling waka ama
We always welcome new members to the Maitahi Outrigger Canoe Club.
We have social and racing waka ama crews catering for a wide variety of ages and abilities.