Navryn Malone (Mahaki) was the Rangatira Tane champion at the annual Aotearoa Māori Surfing Titles.
Ngāpuhi claimed its first Iwi of Origin title at the Aotearoa Māori Surfing Titles in Te Tai Tokerau on Sunday, edging defending champions Te Ātiawa and Te Rarawa by one placing in a tight tussle for the title.
The final day of the event was held on the East Coast at the idyllic Rarawa Beach in small but clean waves and strong offshore winds.
Navryn Malone (Mahaki) went one better than his 2022 efforts in the Under-18 Boys to win the Rangatira Tane this year, beating his father in the process. The Whaingaroa surfer was a standout all weekend, and his overall performances also won him the Tangaroatanga – Innovation Award - He tohu maumahara o Taniora – Danny Carse, awarded to the most innovative surfer.
In the final, Navryn posted 14.83 points for the win over his father, Chris, on 13.2 points, with double finalist Ngāti Awa surfer Tai Murphy finishing in third.
In a talent-laden Rangatira Wāhine final, it was Elin Tawharu (Ngāti Raukawa) that stormed to victory with a 14.0-point heat total. Tawharu’s form was strong all weekend, with some excellent surfing at Mokorau on day one, before she navigated the strong offshore winds and beach break conditions perfectly on day two.
Defending champion Natasha Gouldsbury (Te Ātiawa) finished in second place with a 10.36-point heat total ahead of Brie Bennett (Ngāti Hine) and Indi-Lee Ruddell (Te Rarawa) in third and fourth respectively. In the senior divisions, it was Mike Kiwi (Ngāi Te Rangi) that beat younger brother Darren in the Over-45 Tupu. The older of the brothers found his way into a few nice waves to post a 10.17-point heat total in the final. Darren finished in second, with Dawson Tamati (Te Ātiawa) in third and Mike Gundry (Te Rarawa) in fourth place.
Chris Malone claimed the Over-35 Tupu ahead of Dean Morrison (Te Rarawa) in second, Dawson Tamati (Te Ātiawa) in third and Adam Bowmar (Taranaki) in fourth. Chris Malone claimed the Over-35 Tupu earlier in the day, defeating Dean Morrison (Te Rarawa), Dawson Tamati (Te Ātiawa) and Adam Bowmar (Taranaki).
Tai Murphy (Ngāti Awa) scorched a nine-point ride in the Taitamatane Under-18 Boys division to stomp his dominance on the final and take the win. Manu Roberts (Ngāi Tahu) held the lead for over half of the final but had to settle for second place. Navryn Malone (Mahaki) finished in third place, with Caelan Pitkeathly (Ngāi Tahu / Ngāpuhi) finishing in fourth.
Murphy also won the Surfline scholarship, including $500 and coaching through the Art of Surfing alongside Indi-Lee Ruddell, who won the Taitamawahine Under-18 Girls division. Ruddell surfed to a 10.97-point heat total in the final to edge out Kyra Wallis (Ngāpuhi) in second place, with Te Waiotu Farlie (Ngāti Porou) finishing in third and India Kennings (Ngāti Whatua Orakei) finishing in fourth.
Harrison Biddle (Te Aupouri) claimed his first major victory in the Taitamatane Under-16 Boys division, leading the final from start to finish. Biddle posted 16.17 out of 20, claiming the Volkswagen Highest Heat Score of the Day. The 2022 Under-14 Boys champ Zeke Pragert came back late in the final with an 8.07 to make for a tense final five minutes, but ultimately finished in second place ahead of Jackson Pardoe (Ngāti Porou) in third and Luca Thompson (Tainui) in fourth.
Luca Thompson stole a late victory in the Taitamatane Under-14 Boys division with his last ride of 6.27 to push Remy Sale back into second place. Local surfer Taj Phillips (Ngāti Kahu) finished in third ahead of Lennox Holdaway (Ngāi Tahu) in fourth.
Kyra Wallis (Ngāpuhi) claimed the Taitamawahine Under-14 Girls division with a 10.10-point heat total, besting a gallant effort from young Ngāti Kahu surfer Jade Phillips in second and Ruby Becroft (Ngāpuhi) in third.
Jamie Andrews (TeĀtiawa) returned to the Aotearoa Māori Surfing Titles for the first time in several years to claim the Stand-up Paddleboard division.
A total of 21 iwi were represented at the event this weekend, all working toward the Iwi of Origin title. The top six iwi were Ngāpuhi, Te Ātiawa, Te Rarawa, Mahaki, Ngāi Te Rangi and Ngāti Porou.
Winners
Open Men’s Division – Navryn Malone (Mahaki)
Open Women’s Division – Elin Tawharu (Ngāti Raukawa)
Under-18 Boys’ Division – Tai Murphy (Ngāti Awa)
Under-18 Girls’ Division – Indi-Lee Ruddell (Te Rarawa)
Under-16 Boys’ Division – Harrison Biddle (Te Aupouri)
Under-14 Boys’ Division – Luca Thompson (Tainui)
Under-14 Girls’ Division - Kyra Wallis (Ngāpuhi)
Over-35 Men’s Division – Chris Malone (Mahaki)
Over-45 Men’s Division – Mike Kiwi (Ngāi Terangi)
Men’s Longboard Division – Zen Wallis (Ngāpuhi)
Women’s Longboard – Natasha Gouldsbury (Te Ātiawa)
Stand-up Paddleboard Division – Jamie Andrews (Te Ātiawa)