CAMBRIDGE NEWS | 1
THURSDAY JANUARY 19, 2023
Celebrating Life - Your Way
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JANUARY 19, 2023
Wonderful waka Waka Ama sprint nationals are back on Lake Karāpiro this week and wrap up on Saturday. Senior writer Mary Anne Gill spoke to competitors, coaches, spectators, stall holders and staff on day one and found anticipation, emotion and joy. Laurie Tauroa says his emotions got the better of him during the pōwhiri on Sunday morning for the 33rd annual Waka Ama sprint national championships at Lake Karāpiro. It has been two years since the event has been held and for him to be part of the pōwhiri led by his Ngāti Korokī Kahukura and Ngāti Haua iwi, was “tear jerking.” They are the hau kainga (home people) of the regatta. Laurie, who went to Te Awamutu College, his wife Ariane, whānau and friends are competing for the Karāpiro Waka Club which is surprisingly one of the smallest of the 63 clubs in action on the water entered into seven categories across the week. The local club is competing in only its second nationals yet has no physical home. It was formed after Te Wānanga o Aotearoa signed a memorandum of understanding
with the iwi and ran its year-long Level 4 Certificate in Waka programme for about 25 iwi members at Lake Karāpiro. Its two waka Rangakura and Rangatahi – donated by Tainui to Ngāti Korokī Kahukura and Ngāti Haua iwi – are stored at their home in Pukeatua even though there are five rowing clubs on the lake. “It’s lovely to be here, lovely to be on our own water and to be acknowledged,” said Laurie who coaches the 35-strong junior contingent. “For us in the community to be here, it is huge. To be here on our back doorstep, it makes sense. Once we get a base, it will be even greater.” Opening day featured the taitamariki, competitors under 10 years old, with the youngest paddler aged five. Continued on page 2
The Waitete crew from Karāpiro Waka, back row: Laurie Tauroa, Talia Tauroa (coaches); middle row: Aramoana Tauroa, Williamina Tauroa, Connor Stephenson, Ngapaea Tauroa-Broughton; front row: Rongonui Tauroa, Nuirangi Anscombe-Tauroa on day one at the Waka Ama Sprint Nationals on Lake Karāpiro. They finished third in their heat. Photo: Mary Anne Gill
One of the first races of the afternoon gets underway on day one at the Waka Ama Sprint Nationals on Lake Karāpiro. We provide our clients with professional accounting and business advice at an affordable price.
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Photo: Mary Anne Gill
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