Kaeo School's corrugated iron Tu Tubz raft leaves the rest of the fleet far behind. Photo / Peter de Graaf
Corrugated iron, plastic drums, bamboo, an old bicycle, bedsheets and duck decoys — all that and much more was put to use by kids constructing vessels for the Great Kiwi Can Whangaroa Raft Race earlier this month.
Nine rafts competed in the schools division and eight in the open as
the vessels raced from Clansman's Wharf to Whangaroa Marina in fine conditions with no sign of the forecast rain.
This year's standout raft, and possibly the fastest ever seen on Whangaroa Harbour, reached the finish line before the rest of the fleet had rounded the first corner. Kaeo Tu Tubz was paddled by kids of Kaeo Primary School and built by Ron Martin using roofing iron bent into the shape of a double-hulled waka.
The event is organised annually by the Kiwi Can educational trust.
School division results: 1 Kaeo Tu Tubz, Kaeo School; 2 Tiny Totaras, Totara North School; 3 Turbo Turtles, Te Kura o Hato Hohepa; 4 Te Waka o Whakarara, Matauri Bay School. Most creative: The Mad Duckers, Kaingaroa School. Best flag: Oruaiti School.
