Teens chase world gold

ELITE SQUAD: Former Whanganui paddler Te Teira Wiari (right) has been selected for the NZ U19 elite team.

TWO teens who call Whanganui home have been selected to paddle for New Zealand in the under-19 elite team at the Waka Ama World competition on Australia's Sunshine Coast in May.

Daniel Kauika and Te Teira Wiari are two of a team of seven selected in the U19 squad.

Both are from Whanganui, although Wiari and his family moved to Hamilton where he graduated with Level 3 NCEA at the end of last year. He still calls Whanganui home.

This is no small achievement for both boys, or Whanganui, a small town compared to the larger metropolitan centres which have far greater numbers to select from.

Both boys have been paddling for eight years for separate club teams and between them have received numerous medals in the annual Secondary School and National Waka Ama competitions.

Kauika also competed in the 2012 World championships in Calgary in both the U19 and U16 grades, coming home with a number of medals including gold in the U19 men double hull and a bronze in the U16 boys singles.

In addition to being selected for the New Zealand Elite Team, both have club teams which also qualified to paddle in the World Club Championship after the elite section. So after competing in the same team they will then compete against each other with their separate club teams.

Both boys have been training twice a day six days a week and are aiming to bring back gold.

Wiari attended Mangawhero Kohanga Reo then Te Kura Kaupapa o Tupoho, before moving to Hamilton with his family.

Wiari's whakapapa is Te Ati Haunui a paparangi, Ng Rauru, Ngati Ruanui, Ngati Kahungunu and Ngati Raukawa.

His passion is waka ama and he intends to pursue a career in the health and fitness profession.

Kauika's whakapapa is Ng Rauru, Te Ati Haunui a Paparangi, Ngati Kahungunu and Ngati Porou on his dad's side and his mum has Scottish, Welsh and English heritage.

He attended Te Irirangi te Kohanga Reo, Gonville School, Rutherford Intermediate and Wanganui High school, where he graduated with Level 3 NCEA at the end of 2015. He was named Sports Dux last year and also received the Principal's Award for his achievements in both waka ama and rugby.

His passion is sport and after the worlds he will be looking at his options for the future, both in sport and his work career.

An option he is considering is the New Zealand Navy where older brother Josh is a diver who has received a number of accolades including Seaman of the Year award two years ago.