Category Archives: General news

Volunteers required: Wellington Secondary Schools Waka Ama Regatta

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Hoe Tonga Secondary Schools Organising Committee are seeking volunteers to assist with the running of the Wellington Secondary Schools Waka Ama Regatta on Saturday 3 March 2012.  Anyone interested please send email to hoetonga@gmail.com with SECONDARYSCHOOLS in the subject line. As a region we are keen to introduce people to event management and taking part in these events is a great way to meet fellow paddlers and supporters.

We are looking for timekeepers, team and paddler registration, boat loading and support boat volunteers: for the start and finish line. If you feel you have the skills and interest in learning about these different roles we look forward to discussing with you further. 

Venue: Onepoto Domain, Porirua
Date: Sat 3rd Mar 2012 Postponement date: Sun 4 March 2012
Distance: Sprints
Host: Hoe Tonga Pacifica Waka Ama Association

Contact Details
Name: Hoe Tonga Secondary Schools Organising Committee
Email: hoetonga@gmail.com

Meeting dates for the (Porirua) Harbour Users Forum

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Here the dates for the (Porirua) Harbour Users Forum. This forum is a useful opportunity to discuss issues of interest common to users of the Porirua Harbour.

The forum is convened by Porirua City Council (Bill Inge, BINGE@pcc.govt.nz) and includes all users, including waka ama, kayaking, jet ski, sailing, rowing, but also features representatives from the Regional Council.

Here the dates for 2012, the meetings are free to anyone. The venue is usually emailed to previous participants a week or so before the meetings. Contact Bill Inge (BINGE@pcc.govt.nz) re venue or if you would like to be included on the email list.

Jan 25
Mar 28
May 23
Jul 25
Sep 26
Nov 28

Merry Christmas

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Hoe Tonga wishes all paddlers a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.  Please keep safe on the water and don’t forget the all important safety gear when you venture out (lifejackets, comms, bailers, …).

See you in January at the Waka Ama Sprint Nationals 2012.

ENDS

RESULTS – NZ Post Group Corporate Waka Ama Challenge

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What a  fantastic day, great racing, great food, not so great weather and the only casualty a flying gazebo which fell victim to the Southerly experienced in Wellington on Sunday.

A huge thanks to all those who took part in this fantastic initiative by New Zealand Post and Waka Ama New Zealand. There were 7 clubs in the Wellington region who undertook to train 11 teams of paddlers over the space of approx 4 weeks and they all did a fantastic job.

Special mention must be made to all our volunteers on the day but particularly to Tunui a te Ika Waka Ama Club who turned out in force on their home turf to assist. Thanks to Tai Tonga 41 club members made the trek from Evans Bay in 25 knot Southerly and Porirua Canoe and Kayak Club  supplied two waka along with Hikoikoi Sports and Culture Club. Other key positions were Chris Fox, Race Director and Coordinator, Marinna Millanta-Lowrey and Paula Dixon who managed the finish line and results and Karmen Wallace and team who did a fantastic job as always on Loading Bay. Thanks also to Royal Port Nicholson Yacht Club and Heretaunga Boating Club who supported us on the water.

The winners on the day were North City Te Waka Toa who posted fairly impressive times during the morning and looked pretty sharp. Our winner of the spot prize for best dressed team was Hondo. There was plenty of festive cheer with a Santa coming out on his waka as well….Race_Results

Well done to all the NZ Post Group teams and we hope you continue your waka ama journey. Hoe Tonga Waka Ama wishes you all a safe and merry Christmas.

Lost GPS at Onopoto on 2 Dec

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LOST GPS at Onepoto

We have lost our GPS, orange & grey watch. Last had it down at Onepoto domain (on Friday night, 5.30pm) possibly in the carpark area or near the wharf/ramp. If by chance you or someone in your team or club has found it, could you PLEASE contact Grant Barriball or Selena Katene on 027 2800832.

Photos and video from Waka Te Tasman race in Kaiteriteri, 12 Nov

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Another great year for the Waka Te Tasman race in Kaiteriteri on 11/12 November, it is one of the best organised and best value-for-money races in the country. The venue again delivered excellent racing conditions.

Paddlers and teams from the South Island, Wellington, and Napier were represented. Five clubs from the Wellington region attended the race this year: Tunui, Mana Pasifika, Kokiri, Hikoikoi, and Porirua Canoe and Kayak Club.

Here some photos and videos from Team Makaira. (You can download the full size photos by going to the set on flickr.com.)

http://www.flickr.com/apps/slideshow/show.swf?v=109615

…and the video

Makaira at Kaiteriteri, 2011 from Joern Scherzer on Vimeo.

New Zealand Post Group Waka Ama Challenge

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New Zealand Post Group are working with NKOA and employees to hold regional waka ama competitions in Christchurch, Wellington, Hamilton and Auckland. Hoe Tonga is looking forward to being part of this exciting initiative. With entries closing on 18 November Hoe Tonga will then know who is registered and requiring training sessions.
Clubs who express an interest in coaching and working with a NZ Post Team will receive a list of teams in their respective locations therefore making it logistically possible to train effectively.

All clubs able to provide resources (equipment, people) and would like the opportunity to be involved in this project please send your EOI to hoetonga@gmail.com by 15 November 2011.

The winning teams from each region will compete at the National Waka Ama Sprint Championships being held at Karapiro in January 2012.