Waka Ama Sprint Champs
A woman described as the “queen of waka ama” was honoured during an emotional pōwhiri at the start of the week-long sprint championships at Lake Karāpiro on Sunday.
Celebrating Kiwi’s life, from left: Averalle Paenga (Porirua), Shyree Garland (Auckland), Liz Reedy (Hamilton), Milla Takao, Emma Merce and Luca Takao (all Ōtorohanga). Photo: Mary Anne Gill
Members of Kiwi Campbell’s whānau including people from Waipā, Waikato and King Country were present as several speakers recalled the Gisborne woman’s contribution to the sport.
Campbell, 43, a competitor, coach and administrator from the Horouta Waka Hoe Club – and a regular visitor to Karāpiro – died last November.
Under the sacred mountain Maungatautari and beside Lake Karāpiro, Ngāti Korokī Kahukura’s Rangipuhi King greets Sharon Hawke from Ngāti Whatua Auckland following the pōwhiri for the Waka Ama Sprint championships on Sunday. Waiting from left are: Poto Davies, Luana Tauroa, Rosalie Ellis, Lee-Ann Muntz, Liz Stolwyk and Ringi Fifield-Morgan, both partially obscured. Photo: Mary Anne Gill.
Four years ago, the mother of two boys Mairangi and Maia, and wife of Bruce Campbell, was inducted into Waka Ama New Zealand’s virtual hall of fame for her outstanding contribution to the sport.
Horouta Waka Hoe Club’s Cynthia Sidney led the visiting waka ama teams into the pōwhiri at Lake Karāpiro.
With a spine-tingling call, fellow club member Cynthia Sidney led the visiting teams towards Ngāti Korokī Kahukura and Ngāti Hauā iwi, waka ama officials and local competitors.
Just over two hours later, the Tamariki pools got underway highlighting the phenomenal growth of waka ama since Mareikura, the first club in New Zealand, was established in Gisborne in 1985 followed five years later by the first national outrigger canoe paddling champs at Karāpiro.
A record 3868 competitors and twice as many spectators are at the lake all week and more than 1400 of them are aged 13 years and under.
Tarawera Outrigger Canoe Club, left, and Raahui Pookeka Waka Sports Club Tamariki make their ways towards the start line in the Taitamāhina six seater race won by Gisborne’s Horouta Waka Hoe Club with Tarawera in second.
Competitors have come from throughout New Zealand with internationals from Fiji, Tonga, Cook Islands, United Kingdom and Australia.
Campbell’s aunty Liz Reedy of Hamilton said her niece’s death came as a shock to her whānau. Seeing how highly people involved in the sport valued her involvement was emotional, she said.
Campbell had recently joined the Waka Ama board adding to her significant achievements competing on the water and coaching off it.
Ngāti Korokī Kahukura and Ngāti Hauā iwi call visitors forward.
Mighty River Domain general manager Liz Stolwyk greets Sharon Hawke from Ngāti Whatua Auckland following the pōwhiri for the Waka Ama Sprint championships on Sunday. Waiting from left are: Luana Tauroa, Rosalie Ellis, Lee-Ann Muntz. Photo: Mary Anne Gill.
Making fun sliding down the bank are members of the Taranaki Outrigger Canoe Club.
Stalls included the National Heart Foundation where children were able to test their throwing skills.
Samoan Maxine Salele of National Hauora Coalition pulls faces during health checks.
An important part of the waka ama champs are the acknowledgements to whānau who have passed away during the year.
Behind the scenes, from left: Lake Karāpiro staff Krista Fincher, Janette Douglas and Liz Stolwyk.
A section of the large crowd during the pōwhiri held at Lake Karāpiro on Sunday.
Ngāti Korokī Kahukura’s Rangipuhi King calls visitors forward at the powhiri.
