Hoe Tonga’s Board is pleased to announce our new Regional Development Officer:
Megan Qaranivalu.

Megan is based in Otaki, and is also an active member of Otaki Waka Hoe. She says: “Over the last six years I have fallen in love with waka ama and its lifestyle. I am enthusiastic, passionate and excited about the potential of Waka Ama in the region and the possibility of further growth.” 

She is looking forward to working with existing clubs, school co-ordinators and the different communities throughout the Hoe Tonga region to see how we as a collective can work together to achieve access to more programmes, development opportunities and the formations of new clubs in underserviced areas. 

Click on the photo below to view a selection of photos, courtesy of Terry Harkin, from our Regionals last weekend:

In addition, College Sport Wellington also had photographers on site, you can view and download those photos at https://collegesport.org.nz/envira/2021-waka-ama-sprint-champs/.

Go to our race notice for more information.

The Te Wānanga o Aotearoa Certificate in Waka Level 4 programme is delivered within the Hoe Tonga region in Masterton under the leadership of our very own Paddy Rimene.

Join in the “Waka, a way of life” and commence your journey today!

You will learn about:

• Māori nautical history
• traditional and contemporary waka
• waka construction
• weather interpretation
• Coastguard Boating Education Day Skipper qualification
• tikanga, karakia and waiata
• water survival competency
• event management
• health and nutrition
• And much more

All guided by the expertise of an Elite Waka Ama Paddler.

To secure your seat in the Waka for March 2021, contact Paddy today on 0800-355553 or email Patrick.rimene@twoa.ac.nz.

Hoe Tonga is the organisation representing Waka Ama (Outrigger Canoeing) interests in the lower North Island.  Hoe Tonga’s vision is for more people to participate in, enjoy and achieve in Waka Ama, and its mission is to lead, inspire and promote Waka Ama our region.

We are looking for a well organised and motivated person with great relationship skills to fill our role of Regional Waka Ama Development Officer, following the resignation of Matai. This is an exciting opportunity to work alongside the Hoe Tonga Board and the waka ama community to grow the sport in the lower North Island. This role will take the lead on achieving the following objectives:

• maximising Hoe Tonga’s engagement with our clubs,
• facilitating the increase in the number of volunteers and competent coaches,
• increasing the number of schools and students participating in waka ama,
• facilitating the establishment of clubs in areas not currently served by waka ama clubs.

Please click here to download a job description with further details.

To register your interest, please apply in writing, along with your CV and forward your application, to joern.scherzer@gmail.com, by no later than 6 February 2021. If you have any questions, please contact Joern on 021-1250997.

The detailed event information for Race 1 of the Series is now available online. The event is hosted by Hawaiki Nui Tua Rua Waka Ama, at Dolly Varden Beach, on 25 May.

Hoe Tonga takes safety seriously. A friendly reminder that any canoes with visible damage or cracks will not be considered seaworthy and will not pass safety checks. Please ensure your teams check their canoes, and if damage exists, to get this fixed before the event to avoid teams not being able to race. Of course, canoes with clean hulls and no cracks will also make you go faster.