Meredith Akuhata-Brown
In certain spaces, the word “bomb” is not appropriate. However, when I taught sex education in schools one of the funny pick-up lines was “Are your parents' terrorists? 'Cause you're the bomb!”
Of course, I am talking about the recent High Explosive Bomb competition at the Olympic Pool; it was an absolute delight and was a fantastic event enjoyed by both competitors and spectators.
A big thank you to organiser Barnard Huriwai for making it happen.
There has been a lot of discussions about the inner harbour and particularly the number of young people jumping or bombing from the boat ramp into the harbour. Popping a manu — the most popular bomb — in front of your friends is perhaps one of the most fun summer activities that many of our young people do on a beautiful hot Tairawhiti day.
Jumping off bridges and into the harbour has been a long-held tradition and a sort of “rite of passage” for many of us who have grown up here in Turanganui a Kiwa. Taking up the challenge to leap off the rail bridge has been a proud moment and shared story for many over the years.
It is hard not to laugh when you see a young person jumping off the bridge right next to the sign “No jumping” because it highlights the blatant disregard for a rule, when having fun is all you want to do on a hot day — to be clear, I am not advocating disregarding rules. However, with so many young people enjoying this recreational activity, perhaps we need to reassess the rule.
Our region has one of the highest proportions of young people under the age of 15 and many of these young people live in Puhi Kaiti. One of the main reasons they choose the harbour and rail bridge to bomb from is simple — it's in their backyard and it's free.
We have some of the most beautiful outdoors and are a region that grows champions on and off the water. For many young people within our region, the costs of club memberships and equipment mean having free spaces to enjoy is important. Surely we should be encouraging young people outdoors, with all the health issues we see due to screen time and the sedentary lifestyle it promotes.
Much of the concerns for these young people using the harbour are around safety and its role as a community asset. Yes, it is both a recreational and working port, so monitoring how we are making this work comes with challenges.
The operations committee was given an update of the port from Andrew Gaddum who reiterated, “it's the region's port” and the future of the port is all about multiple users of it.
I believe there is a unique opportunity with regard to this whole activity. We have the stunning Waka Hourua “Tairawhiti” in the harbour that educates the region on the navigational skills and abilities of our ancestors. A recent trial at wharf four has been running since Christmas for the young people who have made the harbour space home — so perhaps we could bring these activities together as a health and educational project.
Other councils around the nation have become more inclusive and opted to provide jumping platforms for their youth. Wellington has an impressive space from which all locals and visitors can enjoy showing off their bomb skills. With the growing interest in “bombing competitions” nationally, I believe we have an opportunity to show off our region's navigational heritage and all-round jumping, diving and “bombing” skills.
It takes a village to raise a child.