Henry te Arakau Mohapeke has found his way back to Whanganui, Castlecliff in particular, and he has big, ocean-going plans.
Outside his home he has a large waka, 14 metres long and capable of taking six paddlers.
"I went up past Whangarei to get that," he says. He had tried elsewhere with
no luck. Towing a trailer borrowed from Putiki he and a helper brought it back to Wanganui.
"I came back from Australia with this kaupapa; it's about Castlecliff, the iwi and the river, really. There are already waka ama clubs in Putiki but I thought I'd start one up at Castlecliff Beach," says Henry. "It's set up for it but no-one's gone ahead so I went and bought the canoe first instead of looking for funding."
He wants to set up a club based at the beach, holding races and tournaments through the summer.
"I just want the iwi and the community to come down and be a part of it, and have a koro come down and give the waka a blessing because it's the first time it will go out."
Henry realises there are protocols to abide by and processes to go through, but he wants to see the club representative of the community, Maori and Pakeha.
"I just want to give our rangatahi, our tamariki, our mokopuna something; that moana has a lot to offer them. It will keep them out of trouble, too."
His one canoe, the people he has lined up as founding members; they are a start. He wants to build on those foundations and create something for the Castlecliff community.
"Waka ama is made for the open sea. I've been to many tournaments in Australia and they've been in the open sea. But the tournament I want to see will start at Castlecliff Beach and go up the river to the fourth bridge and back," he says.
Henry says safety is paramount and he has already been in touch with the Coastguard. He talks about CPR training and the compulsory use of lifejackets.
He wants to see community leaders involved, not necessarily as paddlers, but inspiration for others to join.
He is also in need of some paddles and a steering paddle to make the outfit complete.
¦Anyone interested in talking to Henry about the waka ama club can phone him on 022 0817824.
