Te Aurere Waka Newsletter March 2007
Kia ora koutou,
Correction to the Waka Huia announcement last month. The programme that Hector is to appear on has been rescheduled by TV1, it will now play on Waka Huia, Sunday 29 April at 11am to 12noon and is titled "Kupe".
Hekenukumai Honoured by NorthTec
NorthTec conveyed its greatest honour on Hekenukumai on Tuesday 6 May at Forum North, Whangarei. They made him an Honorary Fellow for his work for the community and society. Also honored at the same time was Michael Hill, Jeweller.
Training Sail
Next month, weather permitting, Te Aurere will undertake her longest sail for seven years! If everything goes alright, she will sail from Mangonui on 15 April (weather permitting) and set a course for Norfolk Island. There has been three weeks allowed for this sail. The purpose of this sail is to train crew ready for Rapa Nui. There will also be another sail in November, this time a circumnavigation of the North Island starting from Auckland. The sail to Norfolk Island will take a good many of our students out of their comfort zone and out of the sight of land for several days. The people of Norfolk Island are looking forward to seeing the waka again as it was November 2000 that we called there last. I’m sure the crew will be in for a very warm welcome from the Government and islanders alike.
Captain/Navigator for this sail will be Jack Thatcher; crew are Kaumatua Anaru (Tip) Reedy, Trainee Navigators James Eruera and Manihera (Wati) Forbes, Watch Captain Ema Siope, crew Pererika Makiha, Mahara Nicholas, Sandra Schischka, Piripi Smith, Liam Ogden, Waikarere Gregory and Kiharoa Nuku.
32nd America’s Cup, Valencia, Spain
Next month the America's Cup gets underway in Valencia. Waka Te Ika o Maui will lead the Emirates Team New Zealand yacht out to the race course. This will be about two miles at a fast speed so our Kaihoe will have to be very fit to undertake this task. What a great honour for our waka. Be watching out for this on TV. Hekenukumai and Gina leave for Spain on the 8 April. (This is one time that I wouldn’t mind being with them. Never mind, somebody has to keep the ship afloat this end!)
A Piece of History
One of our crew, who is at present in Iraq, reminded me of an event that took place 20 years ago. On 7 February 1987 Ngatokimatawhaorua was paddled from Waitangi to Whangaroa and return. Since then, many Kaumatua and Kuia either paddling or present that day have passed on. People such as Tim Heta, Ace Hona, Wi Hape, Joe Poata, Phil Bramley, Hakopa Adams, Hilda Busby (Hector's wife and Gina’s mother), Nicky Conrad and his wife Kerewai. There were many more associated with this undertaking that have since passed over. They are with us in our thoughts and in our deeds. Thanks for reminding me of this event Magoo and take great care out there in Iraq.
Second Wananga for 2007
16 to 18 March the second of our wananga 2007 took place. Once again we were blessed with a brilliant weekend weather-wise. Saturday was a day for safety procedures on the waka with man overboard and fire fighting being the main part of the day. Some time was spent on map reading and navigation on Saturday evening.
There you have it once again for another month. Remember if you are going out on your boat always check the weather forecast. Don’t go out if the weather is going to cut up rough. Always wear a life jacket that fits properly. Tell somebody where you are going and what time you expect to be back. Take your mobile phone and put it in a sealable plastic bag. That way it will stay dry and float if you drop it in the water. Think safe, stay safe.
Ka kite ano,
Mike Harding
Glossary of Maori to English translations
Kaihoe - Waka paddlers
Te Ika o Maui - The Fish of Maui
Waka - Canoe
Wananga - Teaching or workshop