What a great day on Saturday full of exciting and close racing. Congratulation to all the teams that competed this year and thank you to all the volunteers that helped out. Up to 26 schools competed in this years event with many schools providing multiple teams in different divisions. We also saw our Year 7/8 division kick off a new era with a bang.

A big thank you to College Sport Wellington for assisting in delivering this event and the fantastic photos.

A Special Congratulations go to the winners of our two new trophies; the School Excellence Award given to the best performing school and the School Spirit Award given to the school who contributes the most towards the atmosphere and event delivery.

The first recipient of the School Excellence Award for 2019 was awarded to Te Kura a Iwi Whakatupuranga Rua Mano

Our School Spirit Award winners for 2019 was Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Te Rito

Check out the the full results here. Good luck to all those teams attending Nationals.

The Motorway Classic is an Iconic Wellington event from the 1990’s. It starts from the Wellington Waterski Club in the Honiana Te Puni Reserve, Petone. It is an out and back course hat runs along the Motorway to a buoy just before the Interislander reclamation. A total distance of 14 km. There is also an 8 km and 4 km option for recreational paddlers and SUP’s and prone paddle boards
The event is open to kayaks, waka ama, (W1, W2, W3 & W6) surf skis, stand up paddle boards and prone paddle boards.

Check out more information of the event here.

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/events/2248925938763365/

Hoe Tonga is developing a new strategic plan to guide the region through the next 5 years. The new plan will be our third such plan and would replace the 2014-2018 plan

A workshop was help in October 2018 in Porirua where a number of stakeholders in the region provided their thoughts in regards to the first draft of the Strategic Plan 2019-2023. This first draft is now complete and we encourage all paddlers and interested supporters to read it. Now is the chance for you to have your say to steer Waka Ama in the region towards a future we all like to see. The final adoption of the strategic plan will be ready in June.

Therefore if you do have any thoughts on which direction Waka Ama in the region should go in the next 5 years please either email hoetonga@gmail.com or speak to any of the board members.

DRAFT Strategic Plan 2019-2023

An opportunity for new paddlers to give our awesome sport a crack down at Petone.

Come along to the first Hikoikoi Waka Ama Club open day for 2019. Bring friends and whanau and anyone interested in giving Waka Ama a go.

We’ll provide the waka, some safety things and a quick tutorial on paddling, all you have to do is come along and enjoy!

This will be followed by a chat about longer term involvement in paddling, including how to join Hikoikoi and potential racing opportunities for those interested.

All ages and abilities welcome, make sure to share and tag with friends and whanau 🙂

Location: Marine Parade Petone, (next to Hikoikoi reserve)

Date: Feb 9th

Time: 9-11am

For all of you going to the Sprint Nationals next week. Below are the site allocations for each region and the dimension when setting up tents on the bank. Please note that the short side of the tent MUST face the lake. No tents are to be put up until after 10am Friday January 11th. Please ensure there is plenty of room for everyone and good luck to everyone competing.

Here is an opportunity to expand your skills and knowledge in coaching waka ama with Corina Gage on Jan 26th after Nationals.

Time: 9-4pm

Venue: Natone Park School, 6 Korkiri Cres, Waitangirua Porirua

For more info follow the link below.

Coaching foundation Course

Well done to all those that competed at the Hoe Tonga Regional Sprints 2018, especially those that achieved on of the Quota spots to compete at the Waka Ama Nationals 2019.

Check out the final rankings for each division including the quota spots.

• Hoe Tonga W1 Regional Rankings

Our Regional W12 teams are determined by the winner of the open men/women 500m finals with the next 6 spots filled by the fastest 6 paddlers in the W1 250m dash across J19 and open divisions.

This year’s Hoe Tonga W12 teams are as follow

PREMIER WOMEN

• Marianna Hodges
• Hineora Hodges
• Matariki Wilkins-Hodges
• Ria Nathu
• Kiri-Pera Nathu
• Mahinarangi Keane
• Marama Elkington
• Te Rangihuia Henare
• Isabella Fetineiai
• Eden Te Paa
• Kayla Thomas
• Fern Thompson

PREMIER MEN

• Joe Nuku
• P.J Rimene-Albrett
• Shannon Rimene-Albrett
• Jorian Tangaere
• Jordan Stuart
• Paddy Rimene
• Jake Suitauloa
• Lawrence Hynes
• Parekoihu Taiapa
• Rongopai Rehu Murchie
• Toa Mackey Te Rangi Pumamao
• Mataiawhea Te Kere

Congratulation to all those that have qualified for Nationals and the regional teams. Team captains for each regional team will be announced at a later date.

Only a few days till the Hoe Tonga Junior Have a Go day. For all those entered please note that the event is now only on the Saturday. All those schools entered on the Sunday have now moved to the Saturday.

Registration opens from 7:30am

Karakia at 8am

Kick off at 8:30am

Schedule (Note: event on December 8th not 9th)

Any questions Email hoetonga@gmail.com

A new Waka design from Gisborne available for purchase it has no foot rest and has an asking price of $2700.00

For further inquiries contact Tai Elkington on 0275581127