Mareikura launches new fleet after cyclone devastation

Lined up and ready to go . . . Mareikura Waka Ama Club’s fleet of new waka — two from Tahiti and four locally sourced. Picture by Brett Phibbs/Phibbs Visuals

A dawn blessing of six new waka has marked a reconnection of Mareikura Waka Ama Club with the community after its fleet was severely damaged in Cyclone Gabrielle.

Training came to a halt for the pioneer waka ama club when Gabrielle wreaked havoc on its small waka and its river training ground from contamination and woody debris.

In an effort to get sport back on the ground for affected communities, the Milford Foundation held a fundraising event — Burgers, Beers and Brilliant Sportspeople — at Eden Park in May which raised just over $200,000.

Mareikura was allocated $54,000 of those funds to replace its waka.

Six waka were ordered — two from Tahiti and four from Gisborne company Sonic.

The club received the new waka last Saturday and  and blessed them at a dawn service karakia.

“It’s been a testing year,” Mareikura chair Billy Maxwell said. “As a club we work to compete in competitions throughout the year but the devastation from Gabrielle was a big step back.

“When it rains now, it puts a halt to things.”

Mr Maxwell says the new waka give rangatahi and tamariki the chance to go along and try out waka ama, which could lead to them becoming a full-time club member.

“Waka are expensive and a lot of people don’t have the funds to purchase their own one. Being able to offer them this and introduce them to waka ama and possibly pursue it after is awesome.”

During the summer months club members can number anywhere from 80 to 150. Over the rest of the year they number about 80.

Mr Maxwell says they know how beneficial waka ama is to the community and want to share that with anyone interested.

“It’s about more than just competitions. It’s about connection to the awa and whenua. There are so many learnings our rangatahi can get from it.”

He has seen first-hand how trying out waka ama for the first time changes some children.

“We take them for a paddle and they become completely different kids.

“We are very thankful to the Milford Foundation for the funding for us to provide these opportunities for our club members and those who just want to give waka ama a go.”