Category Archives: General news
Matariki Great Harbour Challenge
Hikoikoi Waka ama host their annual regatta to celebrate Matariki 2016 on Saturday 18 June, postponement date Sunday 19 June. Entries now open! For more information please read………..
What is the meaning of Hoe Tonga’s logo?
Ever wondered what the meaning of Hoe Tonga’s logo is?
- HOE TONGA simply means SOUTHERN PADDLERS
- PACIFICA means peoples of the pacific, not specifically any one race or origin, so Polynesian, European, Micronesian, Asian and any mix of these.
- The THREE WAVES on each side of the logo pointing towards Aotearoa/New Zealand represent humankind’s most common ideogram for WATER. They also represent POWER and INDEPENDANT MOVEMENT.
- The SPRIAL in the background represents OUTGOING MIGRATIONS. Like a pebble on a pond, the ripple effect spreads out accross the water from where it originates (in this case the centre of Aotearoa).
- The four KOWHAIWHAI represent the FOUR WINDS N/S/E/W, The FOUR CORNERS of the PACIFIC, STRENGTH and UNITY.
- The FIGURES in the canoe do not represent Male or Female, Young or Old but everyone and anyone.
Hoe Tonga W6 PADDLA Series 2016
Welcome to the Hoe Tonga W6 PADDLA Series 2016, proudly supported by
The Series has been designed to enable W6 teams to prepare for the Long Distance Nationals 2016, and to attract new paddlers to our sport. Races consist of a long course (10-15km) for senior teams, and a shorter course (5-8km) for junior and novice (1st year paddling) teams. The Series is overseen by Hoe Tonga, but each individual race is hosted and organised by a member club.
- Race 1: 9 July (Sat), Onepoto in Titahi Bay, Porirua, organised by Porirua Canoe Kayak Club
- Race 2: 7 August (Sunday), Dolly Varden Beach at Paremata Bridge in Porirua, organised by Hawaiki Nui Tuarua Waka Ama
- Race 3: 3 September (Sat), Whanganui, organised by Te Ringa Miti Tai Heke Whanganui Waka Ama Club
Key information
- Click here to download the W6 PADDLA Series information package (UPDATED on 13 June).
- Roles and responsibilities (Hoe Tonga’s role in this series, and what organising clubs’ responsibilities are)
- Safety check form (check out what safety equipment your team will need)
- Waiver (each paddler within a team must sign for each event)
New Hoe Tonga Board
Congratulations to Hoe Tonga’s newly elected Board members at a Special General Meeting held on 11 April in Porirua.
Left to right: Tane Cassidy, Paora Ammunson, Denise Hapeta, Joern Scherzer and Chris Fox
As the Board’s work begins, it will keep clubs and paddlers informed about its work.
The Board had its inaugural meeting on 21 April. The focus of the first meeting was to get everyone up to speed with the region’s state-of-play, scope initial ideas and work for progressing the implementation of the current strategic plan, and assign work portfolios. In addition, Jörn Scherzer was elected as Chair, and Paora Ammunson was elected Deputy Chair.
Find out more about each board member at http://www.hoetonga.co.nz/?p=5199.
The Board would like to acknowledge and thank outgoing Vice-Presidents Petra Melville and Leiseane Faletolu for their support and ongoing commitment to Waka Ama and the success of Hoe Tonga.
If you have any questions about Hoe Tonga, in the first instance please contact our administrator Gaylene Sciascia
Race 1 for Ice Water Paddler Series, Sat 16 April, at Ngati Toa Domain
A reminder that the first race of the Ice Water Paddler Series 2016 will be this Saturday, 16 April. Note that we will meet at Ngati Toa Domain (rather than Dolly Varden Beach). There is more space to park and set up canoes at Ngati Toa domain. Go to the end of the road, of the domain, where the Sea Scouts are based.
We will track the first 15 entries of the race. The race can be viewed live at http://www.yacht-bot.com/races/10823. The race start is scheduled for about 10am.
It looks like a 15knot Northerly, so the first part of the course may go around the Grandfather Reef, and the second part to Browns Bay.
When you arrive, please come to registration (ask for Joern or Tanya), sign the waiver and a race number.
Want to know more about the Series? Go to http://www.hoetonga.co.nz/?p=5207
Photos from Regional Secondary School Sprints
A collection of photos of the day are now available.
To view photos click here
Board nominees
Please find below profiles of the nominees (in alphabetical order) for the upcoming Board elections (11 April 2016). There are five nominees, and there are five available positions. Please click on each name to download the profile.
At the Special General Meeting there will be an opportunity for clubs to meet all candidates, prior to the elections taking place.
At the SGM there will also be an opportunity for clubs to discuss any issues with the incoming Board, to help the new Board get an initial understanding of what’s important to clubs and paddlers in the region.
Special General Meeting to elect Board members, on 11 April
A Special General Meeting will take place on 11 April, 6.30 to 8pm, at the Police College in Porirua.
The only formal agenda item is the election of Hoe Tonga’s new Board, in line with the recent changes to Hoe Tonga’s constitution and structure. However, there will also be an opportunity for clubs to get to know, and discuss issues with, the candidates.
All affiliated clubs (up to 2 executive officers from each club) are invited to attend. Other individual club members are welcome to attend, however please contact Hoe Tonga to ensure sufficient room capacity.
There will be a separate notice to introduce all nominees.
Are you interested in becoming a Hoe Tonga Board member?
Hoe Tonga is calling for nominations for 5 elected Board members. Due to the busy lead up to Nationals and the busy holiday period, the deadline has been extended to 31 January 2016.
The process is as follows:
- Nominations can be made by Member Clubs. You can nominate any individual. Nominees do not need be a member/paddler of your club or region.
- We are seeking Board members who will take an active involvement in the sport’s governance body and in the best interests of its membership as a whole. All nominees must be honest, reliable, trustworthy and comfortable to ‘walk and talk’, particularly in relation to the values of our sport (as outlined in our Strategic Plan)
- Club must fill in the nomination form (click here to download). They must be received, complete with relevant nominee profile and references, by 31 January 2016, at hoetonga@gmail.com. The list of nominees, along with their profiles, will be posted on the Hoe Tonga website.
- Elections will take place by secret ballot at a Special General Meeting as soon as possible in 2016 (date yet to be confirmed). For further information please contact the Hoe Tonga administrator or executive officers.
Hoe Tonga Pacifica Waka Ama Association 