Safety issues for Waitangi
Safety issues raised again in preparation for Waitangi 2002
Waitangi 2002 is already looming as news of the resignation of Johnny Edmonds from the Waitangi Trust reaches Toi Maori office. Johnny's ability to provide leadership during the gatherings in the last two years was greatly appreciated by the Federation.
The next meeting for Nga Waka Federation, at the Auckland Rescue Centre on Friday 24 August starting at 10:00am, will consider ideas for Waitangi. The proposal is for seven waka taua, with Te Aurere fulfilling a role in marshalling the pageant of waka on the water.
In addition a programme of demonstrations of safety procedures has been developed by members.
Nga Waka Federation support the use of rescue tubes in waka taua, and these will be used on all waka taua at Waitangi in 2002.
Mark Haimona and Hotu Kerr of Waka Ama Association demonstrated these tubes to members at Raglan during the consultation tour last year.
On Saturday 28 July at Kawerau Pools, Federation committee member Tai Mamaku demonstrated a series of drills developed by crew members of Mataatua waka using the rescue tubes.
These drills will be developed into a programme and made available to waka leaders in preparation for Waitangi 2002.
Publication of the Safety Guidelines will be completed in August and available for purchase to member organisations of Nga Waka Federation and interested other organisations.
The issue of Waka Taua Safety Guidelines is critical as waka groups seek to use waka for school activities and commercial businesses. As this activity increases, Nga Waka Federation may consider what it can do to help ensure compliance with the guidelines.
The guidelines are voluntary, however in the case of accident the Maritime Safety Authority may measure safety procedures against the Nga Waka Federation guidelines.
The Federation's definition of Waka Taua is specific. However in the absence of guidelines for waka tete, waka tiwai, and mokihi, such groups need to look at their safety procedures.